METHOD STATEMENT Method statement are written descriptions of how items of work will be carried out.

They usually deal with the use of labour and plant in terms of types, gang sizes and expected outputs. It shows how the major elements of work will be handled and indicates areas where different methods will be used. The following points are considered when deciding on the method of construction and resources to be used: 1) Site location, layout and access 2) Overlap of operations needed to meet programme requirements 3) Location and availability of labour and management within the company 4) Cost of recruitong additional labour 5) Availability of plant within and outside the company 6) Availability of materials, including long term delivery items 7) Current and future projects in the area which mat affect the supply of basic resources 8) Quality of workmanship required 9) Special requirements of the project, such as special plant or skills needed 10) Amount of work to be sub-contracted 11) Material handlng on site including their storage, distribution and waste. The time span of the project and seasonal influences on method of construction and materials required 12) Quality and complexity of the work. The main purposes of the method statement are: To establish the principles on which the estimate is based. To announce the construction personnel of the resource limit which have been allowed in the estimate and so describe the method of working envisaged at the tender stage.

There are many reasons why method statements are prepared during the tender stage. It is unlikely that an estimator will prepare a written method statement for his own use but if any of the following requirements exist then he will commit his thoughts to paper. 1) The clients advisers may ask for a method statement to accompany the tender, to satisfy themselves that the contractor has an understandaing of the technical challenges and has considered suitable ways of overcoming them. 2) The quality management scheme adopted by the organization may require method statements for work worth more than a certain value. 3) Management contractors usually ask for method statements where there may be interface problems with other works contractors on the site. 4) In satisfying the need for safe systems of work, an estimator might develop a method statement with a demolition contractor, for example, before agreeing a price to be incorporated in the tender.

5) Large-scale activities needing a combination of items of plant and labour are difficult to price on a unit rae basis and cannot be started without an examination of methods and resources. 6) Where the estimator has investigated an alternative design he will need to assess the effect these changes will have on other elements of the construction. 7) Part of the handover information prepared for successful tenders is a description of the assumption made bt the estimator. Many contractors are reluctant to submit a detailed method statement at tender stage because their ideas could be used by other parties without any financial return. A preliminary document can be prepared based on the broad assumptions made at tender. It is likely to include extracts from the companys manuals for safety and quality management and some development of the clients pre-tender health and safety file. This method statement can also be of benefit to the contractor because it is a suitable vehicle for: a) Qualifying the tender b) Identifying dates when information is required from the client or his advisors c) Indicating when instructions are required for dealing with named sub-contractors and provisional sum d) Explaining the limitations of temporary works; a contractor might have allowed for erathwork support but not sheet piling for example. Method statements are frequently requested as part of a tender and are intended to give the company an opportunity to show how they can provide the goods or service and give the Council an insight into the company's method of operation. Areas that can be included in the method statement are:

Their method of working How they intend to deliver the contract and in what timescale How the programme will be resourced Their definition of quality How they measure quality Company policies (e.g. environmental, Health and Safety, energy efficiency) Propose sub-contractors Transitional / start-up arrangements Training Proposals for continuous improvemen