The requirements for contemporary construction projects are becoming increasingly complex. The efficient dovetailing of technical, ecological and architectural aspects is a particular challenge. Careful needs analyses and feasibility studies are necessary even before the planning stage. In Switzerland, how the individual planning services are to be remunerated is largely defined by the various SIA phases of a detailed service model.
However, it is not limited exclusively to planning and design, but takes into account the entire life cycle of a building. This means that the SIA phases cover a similar range of tasks to the HOAI phases commonly used in Germany.
But what is included in the individual sub-areas? And what effects do they have in actual construction practice? We provide an overview of key aspects and show how digital tools can be used to successfully apply the SIA phases.
The most important facts in brief
SIA phases provide a planning framework for construction projects in Switzerland
They cover the entire life cycle of a building
Digital tools make practical application much easier
What is SIA?
The abbreviation stands for "Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects". It is one of the most important and authoritative institutions in the Swiss construction industry. The SIA is not only recognized for its expertise in Switzerland, but also internationally.
The SIA is a professional organization that brings together engineers, architects and other professionals in the construction sector. Its main task is to develop and promote standards and guidelines for the planning, construction and realization of buildings. These standards are of crucial importance, as they not only ensure the quality and safety of construction projects, but also focus on sustainability and environmental compatibility.
The SIA standards are not only binding in Switzerland, but are also highly regarded internationally. They serve as guidelines for civil engineers and architects worldwide and contribute to the harmonization and standardization of construction processes.
Image: The SIA office in Zurich (Copyright © Georg Aerni).
What are the SIA phases?
The SIA phases, also known as service phases in construction, are a key tool for structuring and managing construction projects. These phases are extremely important for systematically organizing the course of a construction project.
A basic distinction is made between 6 different SIA phases, which are subdivided into a total of 12 sub-phases. An overview of the individual sub-areas and the corresponding numbering within the model:
Phases Subphases
1 Strategic planning 11 Formulating needs, solution strategies
2 Preliminary studies 21 Feasibility study
3 Project planning 31 Preliminary project, 32 Construction project, 33 Authorization procedure
4 Tender 41 Tenders, contract awards
5 Realization 51 Implementation planning, 52 Execution, 53 Commissioning, completion
6 Management 61 Operation, 62 Monitoring / maintenance, 63 Maintenance
The time allocation of the basic services is distributed as a percentage across the various phases and sub-phases. The total fee for the services of the architects and civil engineers reflects the appropriate remuneration for the provision of essential services in phases 3, 4 and 5.
The SIA phases in detail
They not only serve to structure the project process, but also enable clear communication and coordination between the various players in construction projects. In detail, they are associated with different objectives.
Strategic planning: This phase lays the foundation for the construction project. The strategic goals and requirements of the project are defined. This includes clarifying the needs, defining the objectives, developing a project strategy and identifying the most important stakeholders.
Preliminary study: An in-depth investigation and analysis of the project. Various options and solutions are examined in order to determine the best possible approach. The preliminary study lays the foundation for the further planning and development of the project.
Project planning: The actual planning and design of the project. Detailed plans and technical specifications are drawn up. This includes both architectural and technical aspects of the project.
Tenders: A crucial step in preparing the selection of contractors and the procurement of materials and services. Detailed specifications and performance requirements for the construction project are drawn up here. This includes, for example, defining the construction trades, assessing costs and requests for quotations.
Realization: The practical implementation of the plans. Construction work is carried out, materials are procured and the construction site is coordinated on an ongoing basis.
Management: Describes the long-term operation and maintenance of the building. The entire life cycle of a building is taken into account. For example, maintenance plans are drawn up to ensure that the project remains functional over time.
How digitalized project management can support the SIA phases
Analog processes always involve a lot of coordination work and are therefore prone to problems simply due to misunderstandings or transmission errors. Digitalization has therefore fundamentally changed the way in which construction projects are planned and implemented.
With the right tools, the entire life cycle of a building can be managed more efficiently and transparently. Modern project management makes it much easier to implement the individual SIA phases correctly:
Strategic planning: Digital processes make it possible to bundle all relevant information and data in one place. The use of planning software and data analysis tools helps to identify risks, optimize costs and develop a clear strategy for the project.
Preliminary study: In this phase, digital solutions support the compilation of information from various sources. Virtual meetings and collaboration platforms facilitate communication regardless of location. This speeds up the preliminary study and improves the efficiency of decision-making.
Project planning: Digital planning tools and BIM (Building Information Modeling) play a crucial role in this phase. BIM enables precise 3D modelling and visualization of the project, which significantly improves error detection, risk management and coordination between the trades.
Tenders: Digital tools make it easy to create and manage tender documents. This speeds up the process considerably and reduces the administrative workload. At the same time, they enable faster evaluation of incoming tenders, which speeds up the decision-making process and ensures that contracts are awarded on time.
Implementation: Here, digitalization enables precise monitoring of construction progress and quality. Collected real-time data helps those responsible to react more quickly to problems and keep to the schedule.
Management: Digital facility management systems are extremely helpful for the long-term operation of buildings and facilities. They enable efficient maintenance, the management of operating costs and the collection of operating data for future decisions.
The digital toolbox for effective project management
In order to really utilize the full planning power of digital processes in planning and construction site practice, powerful tools are needed to unlock precisely this potential.
Even during strategic planning, Trimble Nova proves to be an efficient planning software that can create and display detailed models even for complex construction projects. Trimble Nova thus becomes an indispensable tool for maintaining a transparent overview of individual construction phases throughout the entire project.
Seamless integration with Trimble Connect opens up additional efficiency benefits and plays a key role in creating a shared data environment. This is the only way to ensure that all relevant project participants can access all information in real time.
During the actual construction process, Viewpoint for Projects proves to be a powerful and ISO 19650-compliant construction management tool. The software offers comprehensive support in all SIA phases and enables user-friendly task management to keep track of project progress at all times.
In combination with Viewpoint Field View, the entire construction process can be displayed transparently in accordance with the SIA phases. As a cloud-based and mobile offline solution, the tool permanently replaces analog input in the field with customizable mobile forms.
Conclusion - Planning phases according to SIA 102 are a valuable tool
The individual planning phases according to SIA 102 are a valuable tool for the transparent and structured mapping of the services to be provided for construction projects in Switzerland. It provides a clear framework that ensures appropriate budget planning for all project participants.
In practice, however, the individual phases also result in a level of complexity that is difficult to manage in an analog way. The integration of appropriate tools such as Trimble Nova therefore makes a significant contribution to reducing the workload - and makes the best possible use of the planning framework of the SIA phases.
