HOAI Phase 5 Explained: From Design to Construction Site

Your design plans are approved. The client is thrilled. Now the real work begins: HOAI Phase 5 transforms architectural ideas into buildable reality. But what exactly is HOAI Phase 5? And why does this phase determine project success?

Phase 5 bridges the gap between vision and implementation. This is where detailed construction documents emerge that construction companies can actually understand and execute. Without precise execution planning, even the best concept remains just paper.

What is HOAI Phase 5: The Core of Successful Construction Projects

What is HOAI Phase 5 in practice? Officially, HOAI Phase 5 is one of nine phases in the German Fee Structure for Architects and Engineers. Practically, it's the moment when your planning work becomes concrete.

HOAI execution planning translates architectural visions into construction site language. Every detail must be right: dimensions, materials, connections. Because what remains unclear here becomes expensive later on the construction site.

When Does Phase 5 Begin: Timing is Critical

When does Phase 5 actually begin? After permit planning - but only when all legal hurdles are cleared. HOAI execution preparation can only start when valid building permits are in place.

Why this sequence? Because any subsequent changes affect your entire execution planning. Experienced planners know: better to wait one week longer than rework for months.

Proven Project Workflow:

• Phase 1-3: Develop concept and design
• Phase 4: Obtain permits
• Phase 5: Achieve construction readiness (25% of fees)
• Phase 6-9: Build and supervise

HOAI 2021 mandates this sequence for Phase 5. Nevertheless, overlaps are normal and often sensible.

What Belongs to HOAI Phase 5: Six Core Tasks for Your Success

What belongs to Phase 5 in your workplace? HOAI Phase 5 defines six basic services. Each can advance your project - or hold it back.

1. Develop Detailed Execution Planning

Construction documents form the heart of every Phase 5. But how detailed must execution planning be? The detail level ranges from scale 1:50 to 1:1.

This means concretely: Every building component receives exact dimensions. Every material gets specified. Every connection is constructively resolved. Why so precise? Because unclear points on the construction site become exponentially more expensive.

2. Coordinate Specialist Planners

The architecture department orchestrates all participants. MEP systems, structural engineering, fire protection - all develop their solutions in parallel. Without central coordination, conflicts arise that become costly later.

Your site managers need understandable plans. Your project manager controls the overall process. The general contractor brings construction practice expertise. Every partner needs the right information at the optimal time.

3. Intelligently Control Schedules

A well-thought Phase 5 workflow means more than managing deadlines. Your Phase 5 project leader recognizes delays before they occur. Project management becomes a strategic discipline in execution planning.

Because every planning delay postpones construction start. And that costs all participants money.

4. Dynamically Adapt Plans

Execution preparation doesn't end with the first plan version. Even during construction phase, adaptations are normal and necessary. Digital systems like lcmd document every change traceably.

Modern execution planning software enables quick updates. Construction companies automatically receive current plan status. This keeps all participants on the same knowledge level.

5. Systematically Ensure Quality

Controlling construction documents goes far beyond checking off lists. You validate whether all plans meet HOAI execution planning standards. Digital project management software supports through automatic checking routines.

The final quality decision remains with you as the specialist planner.

6. Distribute Knowledge Strategically

Successful coordination by the responsible architect ensures: Every project participant receives the information they need for their work. Modern digitization systems create the technical prerequisites.

Your site managers receive automatic updates. All plan statuses are documented without gaps. Information losses become a thing of the past.

What Tasks Does HOAI Phase 5 Have: Successfully Defining Roles

What tasks does Phase 5 have for your project team? Clear role definitions create clarity. Successful projects thrive on coordinated collaboration.

Architect/Object Planner: Coordinate Overall Responsibility

You carry overall responsibility in execution planning. Quality assurance lies in the architects' hands. You monitor schedules in Phase 5 and control specialist planner interfaces.

Your challenge: Keep the overview without getting lost in detail work.

Site Manager: Test Practical Feasibility

The site manager tests on-site feasibility. They validate construction documents for practical implementation. Their task: coordinate with construction companies and enforce HOAI quality standards.

Their central question: "Can this really be built this way?"

Project Manager: Strategic Control

The project manager keeps the big picture in view. They continuously optimize the workflow. Their task includes resource planning for project management. As project leader, they make strategic decisions.

General Contractor: Bring Construction Practice

The general contractor brings practical construction experience into Phase 5 planning. They optimize construction processes early. Their expertise in execution preparation helps reduce costs through smarter planning.

How Long Does Phase 5 Take: Realistic Time Estimates

How long does Phase 5 actually take? Honest answer: It varies considerably. But proven benchmarks help with project planning.

Single-Family Houses: Manageable, but Not Trivial

• Execution planning: 2-3 months intensive processing
• Execution preparation: 3-4 weeks coordination
• Phase 5 total duration: 3-4 months

Multi-Family Houses: Coordination Becomes Complex

• Architecture: 4-6 months processing time
• Execution planning: 6-8 weeks
• Phase 5 total duration: 5-7 months

Commercial Projects: Every Detail Counts

• Project management: 6-10 months
• Execution planning: 8-12 weeks
• Phase 5 total duration: 7-12 months

Factors Influencing Project Duration:

Project size is obviously relevant. More decisive is often the number of involved specialist planners. MEP systems, structural engineering, fire protection - each specialty area needs coordination time.

Efficient planning software can bring time savings. But only if your team masters the tools. The decision "How detailed must execution planning be?" significantly determines effort and result quality.

What Does Execution Planning Cost: Investment with Returns

What does execution planning actually cost? Phase 5 provides transparent answers. More interesting is the question: What does deficient execution planning cost?

HOAI Fee Rates: Transparent Calculation

Building Planning (§34): 25% of total fees allocated to Phase 5
‍Interior Planning: 30% for specialized Phase 5 architecture
Structural Planning: 40% for structurally demanding execution planning

The basic services of execution planning are included in these rates. Additional services are compensated separately.

Understanding Cost Factors: Creating Transparency

Eligible costs according to DIN 276 form the calculation basis. The chosen detail level directly influences processing effort. The decision of how detailed execution planning must be directly affects the fee.

Fee zones objectively evaluate planning requirements. Standards are defined project-specifically. Project management effort flows into the calculation.

Additional cost factors: License costs for planning software, implementation effort, training costs for the corresponding software.

Digitizing HOAI Phase 5: Using Technology Sensibly

Digitize execution planning -- but with intelligence. Technology must improve your work, not complicate it. Digital tools are means to an end, not an end in themselves.

Proven Digital Tools

BIM integration enables digital workflows. 3D models automatically coordinate different disciplines. Construction documents emerge model-based. Conflicts are detected digitally before they cause problems on the construction site.

Cloud-based coordination efficiently connects decentralized teams. Project management software works cross-platform. The workflow runs synchronized. Your project leader maintains overview at all times. Teams can collaborate location-independently.

Mobile applications bring flexibility. Site managers use powerful tablets to stay mobile. Execution preparation information is accessible anytime. Project management functions smartphone-optimized.

Execution Planning Project Management Software: lcmd in Application

The project management software lcmd was developed by construction practitioners for construction practitioners. It understands execution phase requirements because it originates from practice.

Field-Tested Modules

Structured Document Management: Construction documents are systematically organized. Planning software interfaces function bidirectionally. Standards are configurable. Revision-safe archiving is guaranteed.

Flexible Workflow Engine: Workflow processes are individually adaptable. Precise scheduling of process steps is integrated. Escalation mechanisms activate automatically.

Digital Quality Assurance: Checklists can be stored. Compliance is automatically checked. Standards are validated. Approval processes are fully documented.

Seamless System Integration

Construction documents can be directly imported. Execution planning software communicates bidirectionally. Digital synchronization occurs automatically. Plan changes are transmitted across systems in real-time.

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Successful Phase 5: Proven Methodology

Four Success Phases Systematically Executed

Structured Preparation: The execution phase scope is developed in the team. Detail level and requirements are defined. The workflow is planned project-specifically. Resources and milestones are established. This ensures a clear overview.

Systematic Processing: Execution planning is developed structurally using consistent digital tools. Project management coordinates and conducts regular quality inspections.

Consistent Control: Project plans are systematically validated. Phase 5 standards are enforced. Approval processes are clearly structured.

Professional Handover: Software export is performed. The general contractor receives complete planning documents. Digital archiving occurs systematically. Project experiences are documented.

lcmd Success Formula

Why does lcmd work particularly well for Phase 5 applications?

1. Gradual Digitization: Work environment is carefully modernized
2. Practice-oriented Training: Teams learn application-based software handling
3. Continuous Optimization: Workflows develop project-based further
4. Meaningful Dashboards: Project leaders receive relevant information in real-time
5. Functional Mobile Tools: Site managers work efficiently location-independently

Avoiding Common Pitfalls: Managing Phase 5 Risks

Early Recognition of Coordination Problems

Interfaces often remain vaguely defined. Responsibilities overlap unnecessarily and site manager communication doesn't function smoothly. Plan changes are inadequately synchronized, leading to information gaps among participants.

Typical consequences: Conflicts on the construction site, delays in construction flow, unplanned additional costs.

Quality Standards Under Time Pressure

Execution planning develops inconsistently. Detail level remains project-specifically unclear. Project plans show errors or gaps. Quality standards are neglected due to time pressure.

Result: Extensive rework, internal project disputes, increased liability risks.

Underestimating Schedule Management

Phase 5 duration is systematically estimated too optimistically. The workflow proves inefficiently designed. Approval processes take longer than planned. Resource bottlenecks are recognized and resolved too late.

Consequences: Construction delays, possible contract penalties, reputation damage.

lcmd Solution Approaches for Typical Problems

Structured Communication: Your project manager centrally coordinates all interfaces. The project leader maintains overall overview through dashboards and status views. This enables project management to deliver regular status updates. Notification systems inform automatically.

Standardized Quality Processes: Standard sequences of similar areas can be stored in whiteboards. Checklists are digitally available. Approval workflows are transparently defined.

Developing Execution Planning with Future Orientation

HOAI Phase 5 clearly shows: Successful execution planning requires more than technical drawings. It demands digital support, structured processes, and professional tools.

Digitizing Phase 5 is already reality, not future music. The crucial question isn't whether, but how you can digitally optimize planning and execution.

lcmd Advantages for Your Phase 5

✓ Complete HOAI Compliance: HOAI 2021 standards are fully integrated

✓ Central Project Orchestration: Workflow runs coordinated and transparent

✓ Mobile Work Flexibility: Site manager apps function even offline

✓ Systematic Quality Assurance: Through real-time information and timely conflict detection

Your Concrete Next Step

The best software achieves nothing if it doesn't fit your team and project requirements. Therefore, you should thoroughly inform yourself before deciding.

1. Schedule Free Demo: Experience lcmd in real application scenarios
2. Analyze Digitization Potential: Examine in detail how your processes could be improved
3. Develop Team Competencies: Invest in software training
4. Conduct Pilot Project: Test optimizations on a real construction project
5. Continuously Refine Processes: Systematically develop your workflows further

The digitization of your processes won't wait for you. Start today with lcmd and make your projects more efficient, transparent, and successful.