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Contents

1 Executive summary Commissioning (/wiki/Commissioning).

2 What is an Inspection & Test Plan? Inspection (/wiki/Inspection).
3 Why produce an ITP?
How to write an inspection and test plan
4 How to produce an ITP (/wiki/How_to_write_an_inspection_and_test_pl
5 Evidence
Method statement (/wiki/Method_statement).
6 Who should produce an ITP?
Operating and maintenance manual
7 How detailed should the ITP be? (/wiki/Operating_and_maintenance_manual).
8 Managing project ITPs
Principal contractor (/wiki/Principal_contractor).
9 Close out of the ITP
10 Find out more

10.1 Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

Principles of Due
Diligence - Free
Executive summary
PDF Download
The Inspection and Test Plan (/wiki/Inspection_and_test_plan) (ITP) is a quality assurance
For quality control and legal
(/wiki/Quality_assurance) tool commonly used throughout the construction industry
defence from METTLER
(/wiki/Construction_industry). An effective ITP may also aid communications, assist to establish
expectations and promote collaborative working (/wiki/Collaborative_working) in the project
TOLEDO.
team (/wiki/Project_team). mt.com

This article thus describes the purpose and common aspects which may be attributed
(/wiki/Attribute) to the production and management of construction ITPs.

The ITP format described allows for the identification of requirements, specification
(/wiki/Specification) of associated assurance methodologies, definition of roles and
responsibilities and detailing of associated evidence.

This article should also be read in conjunction with the article "How to Write an Inspection &
Test Plan (/wiki/How_to_Write_an_Inspection_%26_Test_Plan)". A File (17 07 28 CONSIG ITP
Template Rev 2.0.xlsx (http://consig.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/17_07_28_CONSIG_ITP-
Template_Rev-2.0.xlsx) ) is also included (Excel format) for information purposes which may
be downloaded and utilised as appropriate.

What is an Inspection (/wiki/Inspection) & Test Plan?

(https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/adserver/www/delivery/ck.php?
oaparams=2__bannerid=40__zoneid=1__cb=ccc8b7d069__oadest=https%3
An Inspection and Test Plan (/wiki/Inspection_and_test_plan) (ITP) is a document which
summarises how the quality (/wiki/Quality) of a particular element of the construction works
(/wiki/Construction_works) is to be managed (e.g. below slab drainage (/wiki/Drainage), Featured articles and news
ductwork (/wiki/Ductwork) installation, drylining etc.). The ITP will form part of the project’s
Quality Management System (/wiki/Quality_Management_System) and should contain Housebuilding barriers
sufficient detail to address the particular risks (/wiki/Risk) associated with any activity. (/wiki/Independent_review_of_house_building_barr

The terms ‘inspection (/wiki/Inspection)’ and ‘test’ can be a little misleading and the ITP is
sometimes mistaken as only being applicable to the inspection (/wiki/Inspection) & testing of
the final product. However, an ITP is much more and therefore it may be more appropriate to
think of the ITP as the ‘Assurance Plan’. The ITP should therefore be used to summarise all the
activities which are:

Undertaken to ensure the works are compliant (e.g. inspections (/wiki/Inspection) of

documents as well as the works, tests etc.)
Will be completed to demonstrate compliance (e.g. third parties witnessing inspections
(/wiki/Inspection) and tests to verify satisfactory completion (/wiki/Completion),
documentary evidence etc.)

Any activity at any stage of the delivery that contributes to quality assurance
(/wiki/Quality_assurance) can be specified within the ITP. For example, an ITP may include an
(/wiki/Independent_review_of_house_building_barr
item which specifies that only competent persons are to undertake works and therefore would
also summarise how this will be checked (i.e. ‘inspected’) prior to works commencing such as Sir Oliver Letwin to lead an independent review
checking and recording qualifications. into the delays in the delivery of housing.

Thus, the term ‘inspection (/wiki/Inspection)’ may not only be a reference to the physical
construction works (/wiki/Construction_works) but could be a document, an item of equipment Insolvency
(/wiki/Equipment) used for the works, a qualification etc. which should be ‘inspected’ etc. (/wiki/Insolvency_in_the_construction_industry)

Additionally, it is very important that an ITP details the evidence which will be provided to
demonstrate the ‘inspection (/wiki/Inspection)’ or check has been satisfactorily completed and
where it will be filed for future reference or collected for inclusion in the building documentation
handed over at the end of the project.

In summary, the ITP provides a summary of the what, how, why, when, and who for quality
(/wiki/Quality) of an element of the works, i.e.:

What are the requirements?

How will compliance of the works be assured? (I.e. what inspection (/wiki/Inspection) &
tests are to be carried out?) (/wiki/Insolvency_in_the_construction_industry)
How will compliance of the works be demonstrated? (I.e. who will witness and verify the
works are compliant? What documentation will be provided to demonstrate compliance for As Carillion collapses, read our article explaining
records purposes?) insolvency in the construction industry.
When are inspections (/wiki/Inspection) and testing required to be completed?
Who is responsible for undertaking the inspections (/wiki/Inspection) and testing?

An ITP may not be limited to the physical construction works (/wiki/Construction_works) but the Carillion (/wiki/Carillion)
principles described here could be applied to any stage of the construction life cycle including
design or post occupancy facilities management (/wiki/Facilities_management).

Why produce an ITP?

The ITP is a proactive tool to help assure the quality (/wiki/Quality) of the works. It is therefore
vital to construction projects for the following reasons:
(/wiki/Carillion)
1. It provides an opportunity to identify the requirements for the works to help prevent
construction errors, omissions and defects (/wiki/Defects) which could result in significant
financial cost (/wiki/Cost) but also, for example, programme (/wiki/Programme) delays 43,000 jobs at risk as Carillion goes into
(/wiki/Delay) and reputational damage. administration.
2. It helps formulate a strategy for the testing and inspection (/wiki/Inspection) of the works
which will achieve the following:
1. Demonstrates compliance of the works to provide confidence to relevant parties that the
works are correct Towns and cities in history
2. Detects errors in a timely manner which can then be corrected and appropriate preventive (/wiki/Towns_and_cities_in_history)
action taken

Ultimately, the time and effort expended to produce an ITP could be invaluable in preventing,
detecting, and dealing with quality (/wiki/Quality) issues and incidents which could otherwise
result in significant loss to the organisation. There are many examples where five minutes
dedicated to including an item within the Inspection (/wiki/Inspection) & Test Plan could have
saved a great deal of money and time spent on rework or seeking information and
clarifications.

Additionally, the ITP can provide a very quick visual representation of the assurance activities
each party / individual will undertake. (/wiki/Towns_and_cities_in_history)

1961 saw the publication of three important

How to produce an ITP books about urban design that remain relevant
today.

An ITP does not have to be a complex document. However, appropriate thought, time and
effort must be dedicated to producing an ITP if it is to be effective. Planning fee increase
(/wiki/Planning_fee#Updates)
Producing an ITP can at first appear to be a daunting task. However, if undertaken in a
systematic manner, it is fairly straightforward and very much a practical and methodical
exercise.

When producing an ITP, it is helpful to think about the following on a continual basis:

1. How may we be confident the works will be compliant?

2. What has the client (/wiki/Client) requested?
3. How can we demonstrate compliance to a third party (both now and in the future) and
provide confidence that works are correct?

It is also important to note that, although a generic template for a specific element of the works
may be available, it is very likely that the ITP will need to be adapted on a case by case basis
to suit the specific client (/wiki/Client) / contract (/wiki/Contract) requirements, location etc.

The following is a 5 step approach which could be used to produce an ITP. It assumes that a
template for the ITP already exists. (A generic ITP Template has been provided (Excel format)
(/wiki/Planning_fee#Updates)
and may be downloaded as a starting point for producing an ITP.) Each of the 5 steps are
explained in more detail in “A Step by Step Guide to Producing an ITP”. Next week the planning fee increases by 20%
and new fees are introduced.
1. Determine the scope for the works
2. Determine the criteria for the works and gather relevant documents.
3. Work out to which stages of the delivery the works are applicable.
4. Systematically read through the documents collected from step 2 and pick out the items Digital infrastructure
which need to be listed as item activities on the ITP (/wiki/How_to_gain_a_competitive_edge_with_digi
5. For each item, confirm how the criteria will be achieved, evidence which will be produced,
responsibilities of persons / parties involved, and the type of inspection (/wiki/Inspection) or
test.

Once the ITP is produced, there may be some follow up actions such as:

Production of supporting documentation (e.g. checklists)

Internal approval of the ITP
Approval of the ITP by third parties (e.g. the client (/wiki/Client))
Formal issue of the ITP to relevant parties
Archiving (/wiki/ARCH) the ITP document

Evidence (/wiki/How_to_gain_a_competitive_edge_with_digi

The ITP should specify the evidence to be provided which demonstrates compliance to the How the transformative power of BIM and other

requirements. In most cases, evidence will be some form of document that provides a written digital technologies can be used to gain a

record. However, in certain cases alternative evidence may be used. For example, a CCTV competitive edge.

(/wiki/CCTV) survey (/wiki/Survey) (often with a video file provided on an electronic form of
media such as a CD) might be used to demonstrate that the drainage (/wiki/Drainage) is OK.
Relevant events and relevant matters
Other examples of evidence might be:
(/wiki/Relevant_events_v_relevant_matters)
A design certificate may be used to demonstrate design is completed ready for
commencement of construction works (/wiki/Construction_works).
A delivery note can demonstrate that correct materials (/wiki/Materials) were delivered.
Photographs show ongoing progress of the works but also may be used to record
workmanship (/wiki/Workmanship). This is particularly useful for areas which will be
inaccessible and not visible once covered (e.g. insulation (/wiki/Insulation) within drylining).
Briefing (/wiki/Briefing) sheets can be used to support the case for competence by
demonstrating attendance (/wiki/Attendance) at toolbox talks (/wiki/Toolbox_talk) or training
sessions.

Who should produce an ITP?

(/wiki/Relevant_events_v_relevant_matters)

A competent person (i.e. someone with suitable knowledge and experience) would usually be Relevant events and relevant matters are terms
responsible for producing an ITP. used in some contracts, but knowing the
differences is important.
Alternatively, someone who has the relevant technical expertise may enlist the expertise of
another person who is competent to help structure (/wiki/Structure) the ITP (e.g. a quality
(/wiki/Quality) manager). Help to Buy (/wiki/Help_to_buy#Updates)

Another very effective way of producing an ITP is to hold a workshop attended by relevant
persons who can jointly input their knowledge and experience. The ITP template could be
projected on to a wall / screen and populated during the workshop to reflect the discussions /
agreement of the workshop attendees. Where the activity involves more than one party this
can be an invaluable means to instigate a collaborative approach to production of the ITP.

How detailed should the ITP be?

(/wiki/Help_to_buy#Updates)
The level of detail (/wiki/Level_of_detail) provided within the ITP will be judgement call of those
who produce the ITP and will be dependent upon a number of factors including the type of Government release statistics showing how

activity.The level of detail (/wiki/Level_of_detail) must, though, ensure that all items relevant to many people are now on the property ladder

the scope of the works have been included and the ITP will be effective as an assurance plan. due to Help to Buy schemes.

Very often the level of detail (/wiki/Level_of_detail) will need to be reflective of the risk
(/wiki/Risk) involved. For example, a complex bespoke element of the works will likely require a
Health in garden cities
more detailed ITP than a more simplistic task such as painting (/wiki/Paint) a wall.
(/wiki/Practical_guide_on_health_in_garden_cities)

One strategy that is often employed is to include the details of the requirements within a
checklist and make reference to the checklist which summarises criteria within the ITP. For
example, the ITP may specify that a steel frame (/wiki/Steel_frame) should be set out to
tolerances (/wiki/Tolerances) specified within the National Structural Steelwork
(/wiki/Structural_steelwork) Specification (/wiki/Specification) although the specific tolerances
(/wiki/Tolerances) required may be detailed on the checklist. This can be advantageous as the
checklist is the usually the item (rather than the ITP document) which is at the workface and
this can prevent unnecessary duplication. It should be noted that a checklist can be used to
supplement an ITP but is not an alternative or replacement. The purpose of a checklist is to
verify that the requirements set out in the ITP have been met.

Managing project ITPs

(/wiki/Practical_guide_on_health_in_garden_cities)

It is good practice that the requirements for ITPs (including the level of detail
A summary of the Town and Country Planning
(/wiki/Level_of_detail) required, any specific template requirements etc.) be clearly identified
Association's new Practical Guide on health in
within the tender process (/wiki/Tender_process) and stipulated within contract documentation
garden cities.
(/wiki/Contract_documentation).

On projects where a number of ITPs are required, it may be necessary to implement a specific
Designing Buildings Wiki goes mobile
process to manage the production, review, approval and issue of ITPs. This often includes a
(/wiki/Designing_Buildings_Wiki_adaptive_site)
schedule (/wiki/Schedule) listing all the anticipated ITPs and associated information which may
include, for example:

Activity
Reference
Trade Contractor (/wiki/Trade_contractor)
Date of start activity
Planned issue date of ITP

The process should be aligned with the both the company and contract (/wiki/Contract)
(/wiki/Designing_Buildings_Wiki_adaptive_site)
requirements. Targets such as the issue date for the ITP should be aligned with the
construction programme (/wiki/Construction_programme) and take cognisance of time periods We have launched a new adaptive site that
for the review and approval of the ITP. makes Designing Buildings Wiki easier to use
on tablets and mobile phones.
When undertaking the activities outlined within the ITP, it is recommended that a suitable
method be employed to track progress of the inspection (/wiki/Inspection) and testing.
Lords industrial strategy debate
(/wiki/Lords_industrial_strategy_debate)
Close out of the ITP

It may be stipulated that the ITP be formally closed out upon completion (/wiki/Completion) of
the specified works and all corresponding activities. This involves checking each line item of
the ITP and verifying that the requirements have been met (including collation of the required
evidence). The ITP can be signed off by relevant parties, for example, at the end of the ITP
document as with the generic ITP template provided.

Rev 3.0: Original article written by Mike Buss (14/7/17) & reviewed by Jon Adshead (20 / 07 /
2017) and Simon Ellis (8/8/17) on behalf of the Construction Special Interest Construction
(/wiki/Lords_industrial_strategy_debate)
Working Group (ConSIG CWG). Article peer reviewed and accepted for publication by ConSIG
09 / 08 / 2017. ICE President highlights the construction sector
deal's potential to boost the UK's economy and
Disclaimer: The use of the ITP template must be tailored to contract conditions
productivity.
(/wiki/Contract_conditions) and the authors and the CQI Construction Special Interest Group
bear no responsibility for any unintended consequences resulting from an inappropriate
application of the principles described. The ITP template provided should be treated as Click here for more featured articles and news.
indicative only. (/wiki/Featured_articles_and_news)

--Consigcwg (/wiki/User:Consigcwg) 18:19, 13 Sep 2017 (BST)

Find out more (/wiki/Find_out_more)

Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki (/wiki/Designing_Buildings_Wiki)

Commissioning (/wiki/Commissioning).
Inspection (/wiki/Inspection).
How to write an inspection and test plan
(/wiki/How_to_write_an_inspection_and_test_plan).
Method statement (/wiki/Method_statement).
Operating and maintenance manual (/wiki/Operating_and_maintenance_manual).
Principal contractor (/wiki/Principal_contractor).
Quality assurance (/wiki/Quality_assurance).
Risk assessment (/wiki/Risk_assessment).
Samples (/wiki/Samples).
Specification (/wiki/Specification).

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