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Construction Terms Defined

Construction Glossary

A comprehensive A-Z guide to construction industry terms. Understand BOQ, WBS, GRN, DPR, and other commonly used abbreviations with clear definitions and examples.

B

BBS

(Bar Bending Schedule)

A detailed document listing all reinforcement bars required for a structure. It includes bar marks, diameter, shape, cutting length, number of bars, and total weight for each structural element.

Used in:

Steel procurementCutting yard operationsQuantity verification

Related terms:

TMTRebarStructural Drawing

BOQ

(Bill of Quantities)

A document prepared by the quantity surveyor that lists all materials, labor, and equipment required for a construction project along with their quantities and rates. Forms the basis for tender pricing and cost control.

Used in:

Tender preparationCost estimationProject budgetingBilling

Related terms:

RA BillWBSRate Analysis
D

DPR

(Daily Progress Report)

A document prepared at the end of each working day summarizing work executed, manpower deployed, materials consumed, equipment used, weather conditions, and any issues faced. Essential for project monitoring.

Used in:

Project monitoringClient communicationDelay analysis

Related terms:

Weekly ReportMPRWork Log
E

EoT

(Extension of Time)

A formal request or approval for extending the project completion deadline due to valid reasons such as design changes, unforeseen conditions, or force majeure events. Must be documented properly for contractual claims.

Used in:

Contract administrationDelay claimsProject closure

Related terms:

LDDelay AnalysisVariation Order
G

GRN

(Goods Received Note)

A document created when materials are received at site. It records details of the delivery including quantity received, condition of materials, supplier/transporter details, and links to the original purchase order.

Used in:

Material receiptInventory updateVendor paymentsStock records

Related terms:

PODelivery ChallanStock Register
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I

Indent

(Material Indent / Material Requisition)

A formal request raised by the site team for materials required at site. It is sent to the procurement department or head office for approval and subsequent purchase. Specifies material, quantity, and required date.

Used in:

Material requestProcurement initiationBudget control

Related terms:

POProcurementMaterial Planning
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L

LBS

(Location Breakdown Structure)

A hierarchical breakdown of a construction project by physical location. Used to organize work and track progress by area (e.g., Building A > Floor 1 > Flat 101). Works alongside WBS for complete project organization.

Used in:

Work planningProgress trackingQuality controlHandover

Related terms:

WBSZoneBlock
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LD

(Liquidated Damages)

Pre-agreed damages payable by the contractor to the client for delay in project completion beyond the stipulated deadline. Usually calculated as a percentage of contract value per day/week of delay.

Used in:

Contract termsProject closureDelay settlements

Related terms:

EoTPenaltyContract Value
M

MIS

(Management Information System)

A system for collecting, processing, and presenting project data to management for decision-making. Includes dashboards, reports, and analytics covering cost, schedule, quality, and safety metrics.

Used in:

Project reportingDecision supportPerformance monitoring

Related terms:

DashboardAnalyticsReporting

MPR

(Monthly Progress Report)

A comprehensive monthly report summarizing project progress against planned targets. Includes physical progress, financial status, resource utilization, issues, and forecast for the coming month.

Used in:

Management reviewStakeholder communicationProject governance

Related terms:

DPRDashboardS-Curve
N

NCR

(Non-Conformance Report)

A document raised when work or materials do not meet specified quality standards. Records the deviation, root cause analysis, corrective actions taken, and verification of closure.

Used in:

Quality managementDefect trackingContinuous improvement

Related terms:

RFIQuality PlanSnag List
P

PO

(Purchase Order)

A formal order placed with a vendor for supply of materials or services. Contains vendor details, material specifications, quantities, rates, delivery schedule, payment terms, and other commercial conditions.

Used in:

ProcurementVendor managementPayment processing

Related terms:

IndentGRNRate Contract
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PMC

(Project Management Consultant)

A professional organization hired by the project owner to manage and oversee the construction project. Responsible for coordination, quality assurance, progress monitoring, and certifying payments.

Used in:

Project oversightQuality controlBilling certification

Related terms:

ConsultantSupervisionThird Party
R

RA Bill

(Running Account Bill)

Interim bills submitted by the contractor at regular intervals (typically monthly) for work completed till date. Reviewed by the consultant/PMC and forms the basis for progressive payments to the contractor.

Used in:

Contractor billingCash flow managementPayment processing

Related terms:

BOQMeasurement BookFinal Bill

RFI

(Request for Inspection)

A formal request submitted to the consultant or quality team to inspect and approve completed work before proceeding to the next activity. Documents location, work item, and checklist points for inspection.

Used in:

Quality controlMilestone approvalDocumentation

Related terms:

NCRInspectionQuality Check

RFQ

(Request for Quotation)

A document sent to vendors requesting their price quotation for specific materials or services. Includes specifications, quantities, delivery requirements, and commercial terms for comparison.

Used in:

Vendor selectionPrice comparisonProcurement planning

Related terms:

TenderQuotationRate Comparison
S

Snag List

(Snag List / Punch List)

A list of minor defects, incomplete items, or issues identified during pre-handover inspection. Must be rectified by the contractor before final handover and release of retention money.

Used in:

Project handoverQuality closureFinal inspection

Related terms:

HandoverDefects Liability PeriodRetention
T

TMT

(Thermo-Mechanically Treated)

A type of reinforcement steel bar manufactured through a controlled process of hot rolling followed by rapid cooling. TMT bars have a tough outer core and soft inner core, providing high strength and ductility.

Used in:

Structural workRCC constructionSteel procurement

Related terms:

BBSRebarFe500
V

VO

(Variation Order)

A formal document issued when there are changes to the original scope of work. Can include additions, deletions, or modifications to the contract. Must be approved before execution for payment eligibility.

Used in:

Scope changesAdditional workCost control

Related terms:

Change OrderExtra WorkDeviation
W

WBS

(Work Breakdown Structure)

A hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work into manageable activities. Organizes work by trades or systems (e.g., Civil > Substructure > Excavation). Essential for planning, scheduling, and cost control.

Used in:

Project planningTask managementProgress trackingCost control

Related terms:

LBSActivitySchedule
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More Terms Coming Soon

We are continuously expanding this glossary. If you have a term you would like us to add, or if you have suggestions for improving existing definitions, let us know.

ABC AnalysisBack ChargeCPMDesign-BuildEPCFloatGantt ChartHVACIFC DrawingJVKick-off Meeting

Put These Terms into Practice with SiteSetu

Understanding construction terminology is the first step. SiteSetu helps you track tasks, materials, and documents with consistent workflows across your projects.

Understanding Construction Terminology

The construction industry uses many specialized terms and abbreviations that can be confusing for newcomers. This construction glossary provides clear definitions for the most commonly used terms in Indian construction projects.

BOQ (Bill of Quantities) is one of the most fundamental documents in construction. It lists all work items with their quantities and rates, forming the basis for project pricing and billing. Understanding BOQ is essential for contractors, quantity surveyors, and project managers.

WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) and LBS (Location Breakdown Structure) are used to organize project scope. WBS breaks down work by trade or system, while LBS organizes by physical location. Together, they provide a complete framework for planning and tracking construction progress.

For procurement and inventory management, understanding Indent, PO (Purchase Order), and GRN (Goods Received Note)is essential. These documents form the paper trail from material request to receipt.

DPR (Daily Progress Report) captures what happens on site each day. It is crucial for project monitoring, delay analysis, and maintaining project records. The RA Bill (Running Account Bill) is how contractors get paid for completed work.

This glossary is designed for engineers, contractors, site supervisors, and anyone working in the Indian construction industry. Each term includes its full form, definition, common usage contexts, and related terms.