6 Practical Rules for writing a good Inspection and Test Plan (ITP)

Inspection and Test Plans are probably the most important documents for the Quality Control of a
construction Project
A clear, robust and concise ITP will make things on site easy, it will define each partys responsibilities
during the works and after all it will be the Bible for compiling the As-Built Packages at the end of the
works.
More than anything else, the ITP is the main document that will plan and manage the test/inspection
activities for providing assurance, control and documented evidence over the constructed works.
Starting the works without an (at least submitted to the Project Manager for approval) Inspection and
test Plan is an extremely bad practice and a clear nonconformity in many contracts.
It is true that the last 20 years there has been a big change in the industry regarding Health and Safety
Management and the existence of a Method Statement prior to commencement of the actual works on
site is now (more or less) a fact in every construction project. Can we say the same for the ITPs though?
Not really.
So, these are some of the Basic Rules that one has to have in mind when writing an ITP.

1. Every ITP should follow (more or less) the sequence of the works that is described in the Works
Method Statement.The contractual requirements for tests and frequencies should be clear. In case of
non clarity the contractor should issue RFIs (Request for information) from the Client.
2. The ITP should have clear references to the Documents that specify the requirements. If possible,
even the specific clauses should be referenced.
3. The responsibilities (Hold Points, Witness Points,Review Points etc) for each test/inspection should
have been agreed before the works start, otherwise there will be confusion and compromises from all
the parties.
4. There has to be a system of inviting the Client to witness the inspections. It is essential that the Client
or Clients representatives on site are timely informed to witness and sign-off the relevant forms.
5. The ITP should clearly state and also have as attachments every form, checksheet and other record
that needs to be completed during the inspection.
6. The ITP should clearly state if the completed record/form has to be part of the As-Built / Handover
packages.