Restoration Project Documents - Project Planning and Management for Ecological Restoration - page 143

typically have a separate document containing the special specifications and various legal require-
ments. Together with the plan sheets, the two documents comprise the project plans.
Consider the following guidelines when preparing project plans:
1. Have plans prepared by licensed, registered, and/or certified professionals (e.g., landscape
architects, civil engineers, and so forth) in each category of work. Rely on adopted
standards wherever possible.
2. Check plan preparation requirements with jurisdictional agencies prior to commencing
work; this is especially true for agencies that have permitting authority or jurisdiction over
resources being affected.
3. A “Uniform Graphic and Plan Format” should be followed throughout the plan package
(e.g., plan format and size, selection and use of symbols and nomenclature, scale, and so
forth).
4. Coordinate the development of (a) the plans, (b) the bill of material, and (c) the project
specifications to ensure that no conflicts exist among these three documents.
5. In the event of conflicts among the plans, the bill of materials, and the specifications, a
hierarchy of precedence must be established that dictates which element has authority.
A suggested format for a project plan follows:
1. Select a plan format during the plan preparation that will be easy to use during the
installation phase. We have found that plans prepared on 11- by 17-inch paper can be used
during construction and will function very well during installation. While preparing the
plan, make sure that symbols and text callouts on the plans are clear, legible, and easily
understood in the format you choose.
2. Use consistent terms and references to avoid conflicts with the bill of material and
specifications—for example, callouts on the plans should match word-for-word references
on the bill of materials and the specifications.
3. Avoid including large blocks of text on the plans, which may create confusion and clutter.
The purpose of the plan is to depict the spatial relationships among the various elements
that make up your project.
4. Use a system of checks and balances during plan preparation. There should always be an
independent review and verification of the plans to ensure correct quantities and to reduce
conflicts.
5. Avoid duplicating information—for example, utility information should appear on
the utility plan but not on any other plan. Information should be repeated only if it is
addressing warnings about sensitive resources or other conditions placed by reviewing
authorities.
To assist in developing your plans, appendix 8 provides a list of questions organized into major
topics. Reviewing this list will help you address the various aspects of your project and to think
things through to a resolution. This list can also function as a springboard to prompt additional
questions on your part.