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construction-expert skill

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This skill provides expert construction management guidance, BIM, safety compliance, and modern tech strategies to optimize projects from planning through

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---
name: construction-expert
version: 1.0.0
description: Expert-level construction management, project planning, BIM, safety compliance, and construction technology
category: domains
tags: [construction, bim, project-management, safety, building]
allowed-tools:
  - Read
  - Write
  - Edit
---

# Construction Expert

Expert guidance for construction management, project planning, Building Information Modeling (BIM), safety compliance, and modern construction technology solutions.

## Core Concepts

### Construction Management
- Project planning and scheduling
- Cost estimation and control
- Resource management
- Quality assurance
- Contract management
- Risk management
- Change order management

### Technologies
- Building Information Modeling (BIM)
- Construction management software
- Drone surveying and inspection
- 3D printing and modular construction
- IoT sensors for monitoring
- Augmented reality for visualization
- Construction robotics

### Standards and Regulations
- OSHA safety regulations
- Building codes (IBC, IRC)
- AIA contracts and standards
- LEED certification
- ISO 19650 (BIM standards)
- CSI MasterFormat
- Environmental regulations

## Project Management System

```python
from dataclasses import dataclass
from datetime import datetime, timedelta
from typing import List, Optional, Dict
from decimal import Decimal
from enum import Enum

class ProjectPhase(Enum):
    PRE_CONSTRUCTION = "pre_construction"
    SITE_PREPARATION = "site_preparation"
    FOUNDATION = "foundation"
    FRAMING = "framing"
    MEP = "mep"  # Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing
    INTERIOR = "interior"
    EXTERIOR = "exterior"
    FINAL = "final"
    CLOSEOUT = "closeout"

class TaskStatus(Enum):
    NOT_STARTED = "not_started"
    IN_PROGRESS = "in_progress"
    COMPLETED = "completed"
    DELAYED = "delayed"
    ON_HOLD = "on_hold"

@dataclass
class ConstructionProject:
    """Construction project information"""
    project_id: str
    project_name: str
    location: dict
    project_type: str  # 'residential', 'commercial', 'industrial'
    owner: str
    general_contractor: str
    start_date: datetime
    planned_end_date: datetime
    actual_end_date: Optional[datetime]
    budget: Decimal
    current_cost: Decimal
    square_footage: float
    current_phase: ProjectPhase

@dataclass
class Task:
    """Construction task/activity"""
    task_id: str
    project_id: str
    name: str
    description: str
    phase: ProjectPhase
    status: TaskStatus
    assigned_to: str  # Subcontractor or crew
    planned_start: datetime
    planned_end: datetime
    actual_start: Optional[datetime]
    actual_end: Optional[datetime]
    budget: Decimal
    actual_cost: Decimal
    predecessors: List[str]  # Task IDs that must complete first
    progress_percent: float

class ConstructionManagementSystem:
    """Construction project management system"""

    def __init__(self):
        self.projects = {}
        self.tasks = {}
        self.change_orders = []
        self.inspections = []

    def create_project_schedule(self, project_id: str, tasks_data: List[dict]) -> dict:
        """Create project schedule using Critical Path Method"""
        project = self.projects.get(project_id)
        if not project:
            return {'error': 'Project not found'}

        # Create tasks
        tasks = []
        for task_data in tasks_data:
            task = Task(
                task_id=self._generate_task_id(),
                project_id=project_id,
                name=task_data['name'],
                description=task_data.get('description', ''),
                phase=ProjectPhase(task_data['phase']),
                status=TaskStatus.NOT_STARTED,
                assigned_to=task_data['assigned_to'],
                planned_start=task_data['planned_start'],
                planned_end=task_data['planned_end'],
                actual_start=None,
                actual_end=None,
                budget=Decimal(str(task_data['budget'])),
                actual_cost=Decimal('0'),
                predecessors=task_data.get('predecessors', []),
                progress_percent=0.0
            )
            tasks.append(task)
            self.tasks[task.task_id] = task

        # Calculate critical path
        critical_path = self._calculate_critical_path(tasks)

        # Calculate project duration
        if tasks:
            project_end = max(t.planned_end for t in tasks)
            project_duration = (project_end - project.start_date).days
        else:
            project_duration = 0

        return {
            'project_id': project_id,
            'total_tasks': len(tasks),
            'project_duration_days': project_duration,
            'critical_path': [t.task_id for t in critical_path],
            'critical_path_duration': sum(
                (t.planned_end - t.planned_start).days for t in critical_path
            )
        }

    def _calculate_critical_path(self, tasks: List[Task]) -> List[Task]:
        """Calculate critical path through project network"""
        # Simplified critical path calculation
        # In production, would use proper CPM algorithm

        # Find tasks with no predecessors
        start_tasks = [t for t in tasks if not t.predecessors]

        # Find longest path through network
        critical_path = []
        current_tasks = start_tasks

        while current_tasks:
            # Find task with longest duration
            longest_task = max(current_tasks,
                             key=lambda t: (t.planned_end - t.planned_start).days)
            critical_path.append(longest_task)

            # Find successors
            current_tasks = [
                t for t in tasks
                if longest_task.task_id in t.predecessors
            ]

        return critical_path

    def track_progress(self, project_id: str) -> dict:
        """Track project progress and performance"""
        project = self.projects.get(project_id)
        if not project:
            return {'error': 'Project not found'}

        project_tasks = [t for t in self.tasks.values() if t.project_id == project_id]

        # Calculate overall progress
        if project_tasks:
            overall_progress = sum(t.progress_percent for t in project_tasks) / len(project_tasks)
        else:
            overall_progress = 0.0

        # Calculate schedule performance
        total_planned_days = (project.planned_end_date - project.start_date).days
        elapsed_days = (datetime.now() - project.start_date).days
        planned_progress = (elapsed_days / total_planned_days * 100) if total_planned_days > 0 else 0

        schedule_variance = overall_progress - planned_progress

        # Calculate cost performance
        cost_variance = project.budget - project.current_cost
        cost_performance_index = float(project.budget / project.current_cost) if project.current_cost > 0 else 1.0

        # Calculate estimated completion date
        if overall_progress > 0:
            estimated_total_days = elapsed_days / (overall_progress / 100)
            estimated_completion = project.start_date + timedelta(days=estimated_total_days)
        else:
            estimated_completion = project.planned_end_date

        return {
            'project_id': project_id,
            'overall_progress_percent': overall_progress,
            'schedule_variance_percent': schedule_variance,
            'schedule_status': 'ahead' if schedule_variance > 0 else 'behind' if schedule_variance < 0 else 'on_track',
            'cost_variance': float(cost_variance),
            'cost_performance_index': cost_performance_index,
            'budget_status': 'under' if cost_variance > 0 else 'over',
            'estimated_completion': estimated_completion.isoformat(),
            'days_variance': (estimated_completion - project.planned_end_date).days
        }

    def manage_change_order(self, project_id: str, change_data: dict) -> dict:
        """Manage construction change orders"""
        project = self.projects.get(project_id)
        if not project:
            return {'error': 'Project not found'}

        change_order = {
            'co_id': self._generate_co_id(),
            'project_id': project_id,
            'description': change_data['description'],
            'reason': change_data['reason'],
            'cost_impact': Decimal(str(change_data['cost_impact'])),
            'schedule_impact_days': change_data.get('schedule_impact_days', 0),
            'submitted_by': change_data['submitted_by'],
            'submitted_date': datetime.now(),
            'status': 'pending_approval',
            'approved': False
        }

        self.change_orders.append(change_order)

        return {
            'change_order_id': change_order['co_id'],
            'cost_impact': float(change_order['cost_impact']),
            'schedule_impact_days': change_order['schedule_impact_days'],
            'new_budget': float(project.budget + change_order['cost_impact']),
            'new_completion_date': (
                project.planned_end_date + timedelta(days=change_order['schedule_impact_days'])
            ).isoformat()
        }

    def estimate_costs(self, project_type: str, square_footage: float, specifications: dict) -> dict:
        """Estimate construction costs"""
        # Cost per square foot by project type
        base_costs = {
            'residential_basic': Decimal('150'),
            'residential_luxury': Decimal('300'),
            'commercial_office': Decimal('200'),
            'industrial_warehouse': Decimal('75')
        }

        base_cost_per_sf = base_costs.get(project_type, Decimal('150'))

        # Calculate base cost
        base_cost = base_cost_per_sf * Decimal(str(square_footage))

        # Add complexity factors
        complexity_factor = Decimal('1.0')

        if specifications.get('custom_design', False):
            complexity_factor += Decimal('0.15')

        if specifications.get('sustainable_materials', False):
            complexity_factor += Decimal('0.10')

        if specifications.get('complex_site', False):
            complexity_factor += Decimal('0.20')

        adjusted_cost = base_cost * complexity_factor

        # Add contingency (10%)
        contingency = adjusted_cost * Decimal('0.10')

        # Breakdown by category
        breakdown = {
            'site_work': float(adjusted_cost * Decimal('0.08')),
            'foundation': float(adjusted_cost * Decimal('0.12')),
            'structure': float(adjusted_cost * Decimal('0.25')),
            'exterior': float(adjusted_cost * Decimal('0.15')),
            'interior': float(adjusted_cost * Decimal('0.20')),
            'mep': float(adjusted_cost * Decimal('0.20'))
        }

        total_estimate = adjusted_cost + contingency

        return {
            'project_type': project_type,
            'square_footage': square_footage,
            'base_cost_per_sf': float(base_cost_per_sf),
            'complexity_factor': float(complexity_factor),
            'adjusted_cost': float(adjusted_cost),
            'contingency': float(contingency),
            'total_estimate': float(total_estimate),
            'cost_breakdown': breakdown
        }

    def _generate_task_id(self) -> str:
        import uuid
        return f"TASK-{uuid.uuid4().hex[:8].upper()}"

    def _generate_co_id(self) -> str:
        import uuid
        return f"CO-{uuid.uuid4().hex[:6].upper()}"
```

## Safety Management System

```python
@dataclass
class SafetyIncident:
    """Safety incident report"""
    incident_id: str
    project_id: str
    incident_type: str  # 'injury', 'near_miss', 'property_damage'
    severity: str  # 'minor', 'moderate', 'severe', 'fatal'
    description: str
    location: str
    occurred_at: datetime
    reported_by: str
    injured_person: Optional[str]
    root_cause: Optional[str]
    corrective_actions: List[str]

class SafetyManagementSystem:
    """Construction safety management"""

    def __init__(self):
        self.incidents = []
        self.safety_inspections = []
        self.training_records = []

    def conduct_safety_inspection(self, project_id: str, inspector: str) -> dict:
        """Conduct safety inspection"""
        inspection_items = [
            'Personal protective equipment (PPE)',
            'Fall protection systems',
            'Scaffolding integrity',
            'Electrical safety',
            'Equipment guarding',
            'Housekeeping',
            'Fire prevention',
            'First aid availability',
            'Emergency exits',
            'Signage and barriers'
        ]

        violations = []
        passed_items = []

        # Simulate inspection (in production, would be actual checklist)
        for item in inspection_items:
            # Random pass/fail for demonstration
            import random
            if random.random() < 0.85:  # 85% pass rate
                passed_items.append(item)
            else:
                violations.append({
                    'item': item,
                    'severity': random.choice(['minor', 'major']),
                    'action_required': 'Correct immediately' if random.random() < 0.3 else 'Correct within 24 hours'
                })

        inspection = {
            'inspection_id': self._generate_inspection_id(),
            'project_id': project_id,
            'inspector': inspector,
            'inspection_date': datetime.now(),
            'items_inspected': len(inspection_items),
            'items_passed': len(passed_items),
            'violations': violations,
            'overall_score': (len(passed_items) / len(inspection_items)) * 100,
            'status': 'pass' if len(violations) == 0 else 'fail'
        }

        self.safety_inspections.append(inspection)

        return inspection

    def report_incident(self, incident_data: dict) -> SafetyIncident:
        """Report safety incident"""
        incident = SafetyIncident(
            incident_id=self._generate_incident_id(),
            project_id=incident_data['project_id'],
            incident_type=incident_data['incident_type'],
            severity=incident_data['severity'],
            description=incident_data['description'],
            location=incident_data['location'],
            occurred_at=incident_data['occurred_at'],
            reported_by=incident_data['reported_by'],
            injured_person=incident_data.get('injured_person'),
            root_cause=None,
            corrective_actions=[]
        )

        self.incidents.append(incident)

        # Notify relevant parties
        self._notify_incident(incident)

        return incident

    def calculate_safety_metrics(self, project_id: str, hours_worked: float) -> dict:
        """Calculate safety performance metrics"""
        project_incidents = [
            i for i in self.incidents
            if i.project_id == project_id
        ]

        # Count recordable incidents
        recordable_incidents = [
            i for i in project_incidents
            if i.incident_type == 'injury' and i.severity in ['moderate', 'severe', 'fatal']
        ]

        # OSHA Incident Rate = (Number of incidents × 200,000) / Total hours worked
        if hours_worked > 0:
            incident_rate = (len(recordable_incidents) * 200000) / hours_worked
        else:
            incident_rate = 0

        # Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred (DART) Rate
        dart_incidents = [
            i for i in recordable_incidents
            if i.severity in ['severe', 'fatal']
        ]
        dart_rate = (len(dart_incidents) * 200000) / hours_worked if hours_worked > 0 else 0

        return {
            'project_id': project_id,
            'total_hours_worked': hours_worked,
            'total_incidents': len(project_incidents),
            'recordable_incidents': len(recordable_incidents),
            'incident_rate': incident_rate,
            'dart_rate': dart_rate,
            'safety_rating': 'Excellent' if incident_rate < 1.0 else
                           'Good' if incident_rate < 3.0 else
                           'Needs Improvement'
        }

    def _notify_incident(self, incident: SafetyIncident):
        """Notify stakeholders of incident"""
        # Implementation would send notifications
        pass

    def _generate_inspection_id(self) -> str:
        import uuid
        return f"INS-{uuid.uuid4().hex[:8].upper()}"

    def _generate_incident_id(self) -> str:
        import uuid
        return f"INC-{uuid.uuid4().hex[:8].upper()}"
```

## BIM Integration

```python
class BIMManagement:
    """Building Information Modeling management"""

    def __init__(self):
        self.models = {}
        self.clash_detections = []

    def perform_clash_detection(self, model_ids: List[str]) -> dict:
        """Detect clashes between BIM models"""
        # Simulate clash detection between disciplines
        # In production, would use BIM software APIs (Revit, Navisworks)

        clashes = [
            {
                'clash_id': 'CLASH-001',
                'type': 'hard',  # 'hard' or 'soft'
                'disciplines': ['structural', 'mep'],
                'description': 'Steel beam conflicts with HVAC duct',
                'location': 'Level 3, Grid B-4',
                'severity': 'high',
                'status': 'open'
            },
            {
                'clash_id': 'CLASH-002',
                'type': 'soft',
                'disciplines': ['architectural', 'mep'],
                'description': 'Insufficient clearance for plumbing access',
                'location': 'Level 2, Grid C-2',
                'severity': 'medium',
                'status': 'open'
            }
        ]

        return {
            'models_analyzed': model_ids,
            'total_clashes': len(clashes),
            'hard_clashes': len([c for c in clashes if c['type'] == 'hard']),
            'soft_clashes': len([c for c in clashes if c['type'] == 'soft']),
            'clashes': clashes
        }

    def extract_quantities(self, model_id: str) -> dict:
        """Extract material quantities from BIM model"""
        # Simulate quantity takeoff
        # In production, would extract from actual BIM model

        quantities = {
            'concrete': {
                'unit': 'cubic_yards',
                'quantity': 1250,
                'cost_per_unit': 150,
                'total_cost': 187500
            },
            'rebar': {
                'unit': 'tons',
                'quantity': 85,
                'cost_per_unit': 800,
                'total_cost': 68000
            },
            'structural_steel': {
                'unit': 'tons',
                'quantity': 120,
                'cost_per_unit': 1200,
                'total_cost': 144000
            }
        }

        total_cost = sum(item['total_cost'] for item in quantities.values())

        return {
            'model_id': model_id,
            'quantities': quantities,
            'total_estimated_cost': total_cost
        }
```

## Best Practices

### Project Management
- Use critical path method for scheduling
- Implement regular progress reviews
- Maintain detailed documentation
- Use integrated project delivery (IPD)
- Implement lean construction principles
- Track key performance indicators
- Conduct regular stakeholder meetings

### Cost Control
- Develop detailed estimates
- Track costs continuously
- Manage change orders effectively
- Use value engineering
- Implement cost coding systems
- Monitor cash flow
- Conduct regular audits

### Safety Management
- Implement comprehensive safety program
- Conduct regular toolbox talks
- Provide proper PPE
- Maintain OSHA compliance
- Investigate all incidents
- Track safety metrics
- Promote safety culture

### BIM Implementation
- Use BIM for clash detection
- Implement 4D scheduling
- Extract quantities from model
- Enable collaboration
- Maintain model coordination
- Use BIM for facility management
- Follow ISO 19650 standards

## Anti-Patterns

❌ Poor project planning
❌ Inadequate cost tracking
❌ No safety program
❌ Poor communication
❌ Ignoring change orders
❌ No quality control
❌ Inadequate documentation
❌ Poor subcontractor management
❌ No risk management

## Resources

- AIA (American Institute of Architects): https://www.aia.org/
- AGC (Associated General Contractors): https://www.agc.org/
- OSHA: https://www.osha.gov/construction
- International Building Code: https://www.iccsafe.org/
- buildingSMART (BIM): https://www.buildingsmart.org/
- PMI Construction Extension: https://www.pmi.org/
- LEED Certification: https://www.usgbc.org/leed

Overview

This skill provides expert-level construction management guidance covering project planning, BIM, safety compliance, cost estimation, and modern construction technology. It combines practical workflows for scheduling, cost control, change management, and safety systems with recommendations for digital tools and standards. The goal is to help construction leaders deliver projects on time, on budget, and safely.

How this skill works

The skill inspects project schedules, task sequences, budgets, and safety records to identify risks, critical paths, and performance variances. It uses standard project-management techniques (CPM-style scheduling, progress and cost variance analysis) and cost-estimation rules of thumb to produce actionable outputs: critical-path tasks, estimated completion dates, budget impacts of change orders, and safety inspection summaries. It also maps technology and standards (BIM, ISO 19650, OSHA, LEED) to operational practices and tools.

When to use it

  • At project kickoff to build a logically sequenced schedule and initial cost estimate
  • During construction to track progress, detect schedule or cost variance, and forecast completion
  • When evaluating change orders to quantify cost and schedule impacts quickly
  • For regular safety inspections, incident reporting, and compliance audits
  • When assessing technology adoption: BIM coordination, drone surveys, IoT monitoring

Best practices

  • Model the full task network with clear predecessors to get reliable critical-path results
  • Update task progress and actual costs frequently (daily or weekly) to improve forecasts
  • Apply contingency and complexity factors in estimates and document assumptions
  • Use BIM for clash detection and as the single source for quantities and schedules
  • Integrate safety inspections into the schedule and link corrective actions to tasks for closure tracking
  • Standardize contracts and change-order workflows to reduce disputes and accelerate approvals

Example use cases

  • Create a CPM-based schedule for a commercial office fit-out and identify the 10 critical tasks to prioritize
  • Run weekly progress reports that show schedule variance, CPI, and an updated estimated completion date
  • Evaluate a proposed change order to calculate new budget and revised completion date before approval
  • Conduct a site safety inspection checklist, log violations, and generate corrective-action tasks with owners and due dates
  • Produce a preliminary cost estimate by project type and square footage including contingency and category breakdown

FAQ

How accurate are the cost estimates?

Estimates use base cost-per-square-foot and complexity multipliers; they are suitable for preliminary budgeting but should be refined with detailed takeoffs and vendor quotes for final pricing.

Can this system handle multiple simultaneous projects?

Yes. Projects and tasks are tracked separately; ensure each task is assigned to the correct project_id and update progress per project for accurate dashboards.