The role of phases
A phase provides a level of organization between the whole project and individual assemblies. Use it to identify the portion of the job concerned by a production, loading or receiving operation.
What a phase can represent
A phase can correspond to a building zone, floor, delivery stage, erection sequence or another coherent group of assemblies. Choose a breakdown that reflects how the job will actually be fabricated and delivered.
Make progress easier to read
A project-wide list can hide the priorities of a particular area. Working by phase helps teams focus on the assemblies needed for that area and compare its progress with the rest of the project.
Connect phases and workflows
A phase identifies a project segment; a workflow describes the stages followed by its objects. Use both to distinguish an early delivery from a later one, or assemblies following different site sequences.
Prepare deliveries by phase
Prepare loads around the site’s available space and erection priorities. Review which assemblies in the phase are ready and which have already been delivered before organizing the next departure.
Review progress by phase
Check progress for each zone or sequence instead of relying only on an overall project status. This helps identify areas requiring attention and adjust fabrication or delivery priorities.
Use names the site team understands
A phase should use the same names as the site plan and working instructions. Shared terminology makes exchanges between the office, workshop, logistics team and erectors clearer.
Set up useful phases
- Choose the appropriate project breakdown.
- Give each phase a clear name.
- Assign assemblies to the correct segment.
- Check the relationship with deliveries and site work.
- Review the result with the teams and keep the approach consistent.
Good practice
Keep phase names explicit, use them when filtering assemblies and preparing loads, and connect each phase to an operational need. Review assignments when the project changes.
Common mistakes
Avoid phases that are too broad to guide work, unnecessary subdivisions, ambiguous names and incorrectly assigned assemblies. A phase has little value if it is never used in deliveries or progress reviews.
Apply phases to everyday work
A useful phase connects the project model to a real area or work sequence. It helps teams decide what to fabricate, load, deliver and receive next.
Frequently asked questions
What is a phase used for?
It groups assemblies according to a zone, delivery stage or work sequence so that teams can follow a relevant part of the project.
Must a phase be a site zone?
No. It can also be a delivery stage, floor or erection sequence, depending on the organization of the job.
How does a phase relate to a workflow?
The phase identifies the project segment; the workflow describes the operational stages followed by its assemblies.
Related guides
See Fabbim in your workflow
Discuss IFC/Tekla import, part identification, and tracking fabrication, galvanizing and deliveries with our team.