BIM Engineering US is a leading Building Information Technology solution service provider offering end to end solutions in Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection systems engineering, design and construction.

1. Top 8 cataloged recommendations to manage your RFIs
effectively.
Slide 1
Keeping business efficiencies at maximum and handing over construction projects
within budget and timelines is crucial for General contractors. Connecting the
mindscape of architects and engineers with general contractors to understand the
intent, and build around it is key whilst collecting project information. Well-
structured RFIs or Request For Information eliminates the need to perform
expensive and time-consuming corrective activities in the construction stage. RFIs
are raised in the bidding phase, or at various stages of construction.
General contractors or subcontractors raising RFIs in the construction stage are
extremely expensive leading to cost and time overruns. Neglecting design
clarifications, constructability issues, material requirements, sequencing,
specifications, etc. can lead to extensive onsite failures.
“Generally, contractors have to take responsibility for the burden of delayed
responses of RFIs submitted.

2. Slide 2
RFIs serve as a support system to diminish all of the above, as they can be
integrated into various deliverable categories viz.
• Clarifications on inaccurate plans, spatial conflicts, inaccurate or incomplete
specifications
• Design modifications based on construction problems and sequencing issues
• Material availability, value engineering, and others
• Issues in constructability and varying site conditions
Slide 3
Furthermore, the unintended use of RFIs can lead to greater costs. It has been
documented, “ a single RFI can cost over $1000”. If there were hundreds of RFIs
raised in the later stages, it would amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars in
cost overshoots. RFIs are not intended for the following purposes viz. ordinary
communication, submittals, granting design documents, substitutes, change
requests, feedback, etc. RFIs do become high-risk documents if not created and
managed effectively. Misuse of RFIs in the later stages can create greater
challenges than solutions for contractors and subcontractors.

3. iFieldSmart Technologies – intuitive dashboard.
Slide 4
Described below are well-documented recommendations for contractors and
subcontractors to produce effective and productive RFIs. Working on numerous
projects requires project managers and contractors to collaborate and diminish
high-impact construction risks.
1. Encourage discussions between various trades and teams in the
preconstruction stage.
Early involvement of multiple teams, trades, and stakeholders in the design
stage fuels greater communication and collaboration. Clarifying doubts
before the actual construction process begins can diminish budget and
scheduleoverruns.
Slide 5

4. 2. Deploy an integrated and cloud-based construction management
software.
Raising, assigning, and clarifying RFIs requires advanced construction
management software like iFieldSmart Technologies. Backoffice and onsite
personnel can collaborate on issues, raise questions, and produce solutions
to streamline the RFI processes. Tracking hundreds of individual RFIs can be
time-consuming and cost-incurring. Cloud-based software instantly allows
every stakeholder to interact and manage RFIs for higher productivity.
iFieldSmart Technologies - RFI management.
Slide 6
3. Be specific with asking the right set of questions.
Creating different RFIs for individual questionsmakes the RFI creation and
assigning process streamlined. Greater numbers of unnecessary RFIs can
create a higher cost impact. Advanced construction management software
can analyze the impact of cost for specific RFIs. Consolidating questionsand
their issues can lead to greater complications in tracking RFIs.

5. iFieldSmart Technologies – ask the right set of questions in the comments.
Slide 7
4. Add accurate and detailed drawings.
Adding drawing and markup attachments to an RFI is extremely helpful for
individuals being assigned the RFI. Providing references to drawings and
photos can help individuals understand the issue and question better.
Markups can be created and shared in 2D or 3D, or document versions can
be reviewed in tools like BIM 360. Project deliverables attached to RFIs can
speed up the RFI resolution process.
iFieldSmart Technologies – Adding various integrations.
Slide 8
5. Build a strong nomenclature for RFIs.
Using a standardized nomenclature system to define RFIs makes it easier for
stakeholders to filter and find them. Reinforcing RFIs with a numerical
system keeps them organized, whilst tracking documentation changes.
6. Set precise due dates backed byRFI status.

6. Adding precise initiation and due dates can mitigate schedule delays.
Assigning due dates to recipients adds an accountability factor for
identification and response. RFIs sent without due dates are liable to be
misplaced or not responded to at certain times. Construction management
software from iFieldSmart Technologies can help fuel collaboration and keep
a copy of the RFIs through digital downloads or physical printouts.
iFieldSmart Technologies - Adding due dates.
“Average RFI reply clocks at 5 to 10 days based on the type of project,
schedule, and location.
Slide 9
7. Review the RFI for its clarity and entirety.
When RFIs are assigned to individuals, they needto send a concise, yet
detailed explanation for greater clarity. Back and forth trails of RFIs can lead
to cost overruns and project delays. When every individual's workflow and
response is registered, a change of Ball in Court (BIC) is designated.

7. iFieldSmart Technologies –Ball in Court.
“Using RFIs for the wrong purpose to enhance profits through unnecessary
claims lead to project delays, design negligence, etc.
Slide 10
8. Organize your RFI’s electronically or physically.
Receiving a response to an RFI needs to be recorded in an organized
manner. Companies relying on traditional excel sheets often face logging
issues as RFIs are not updated. Every individual owning a different version of
the same RFI can lead to disputes and schedule problems during
construction. A genuine lack of documentation feedback is observed with
traditional methods leading to delays. Marking the status correctly as open
or closed helps teams to stay cognizant of the RFI status. Ensuring
information consistency at every point of the RFI process is achieved by
adopting a cloud-based RFI toolfromiFieldSmart Technologies.

8. iFieldSmart Technologies-Keeping track of documentation.
Slide 11
Conclusion.
“ Adopting end-to-end software solutions greatly augments day-to-day
activities by accelerating the process.
Reading this article, you would have a clear picture of how RFIs need to be
created, assigned, and resolved. Furthermore, the use of cloud-based
construction management software augments the RFI process. Contractors
and sub-contractors can improve the entire RFI management process to
diminish unnecessary RFI costs through tangible and software-driven
innovation.