Lesson 14: Construction Documentation and Record Keeping
Date: November 6, 2025
Session Time: 8:00am-12:00pm EST
Duration: 4 hours (including 15-minute exercise)
Key Learning Objective
Creating comprehensive documentation systems for construction progress, including photo logs, written records, and quality control documentation for project portfolio development.
Lesson Overview
This session focuses on developing professional documentation skills essential for project management, quality control, and portfolio development for college admissions.
Main Activities (3 hours 45 minutes)
- Documentation standards and best practices
- Photo documentation techniques and organization
- Written record keeping and journaling
- Quality control documentation systems
- Portfolio development and organization
15-Minute Exercise: Documentation System Review and Enhancement
Exercise Description
Review all existing project documentation, identify any gaps or improvements needed, and create an enhanced documentation plan for the remaining construction work.
Materials Needed
- All existing project documentation
- Camera or phone camera
- Notebook or digital document
- Documentation templates
- Organization system (folders, labels, etc.)
Exercise Steps (15 minutes)
- Documentation Audit (5 minutes)
- Review all existing photos, notes, and records
- Identify what's been documented well
- Note any gaps or missing information
-
Assess organization and accessibility of documents
-
Quality Assessment (4 minutes)
- Evaluate photo quality and usefulness
- Review written documentation for clarity and completeness
- Check if documentation captures key learning moments
-
Assess if documentation supports portfolio goals
-
Enhancement Planning (3 minutes)
- Identify 3 areas for documentation improvement
- Plan specific documentation goals for remaining work
- Consider what would be most valuable for portfolio
-
Note any new documentation methods to try
-
Organization System (3 minutes)
- Create or improve file organization system
- Develop naming conventions for documents
- Plan how to categorize different types of documentation
- Ensure easy access and retrieval of information
Deliverable
- Documentation audit report
- Quality assessment with specific findings
- Enhancement plan with 3 improvement areas
- Organization system description
Success Criteria
- Audit identifies specific strengths and weaknesses
- Quality assessment is objective and constructive
- Enhancement plan is specific and actionable
- Organization system is logical and user-friendly
Integration with Overall Project
This exercise ensures comprehensive documentation for portfolio development and teaches professional record-keeping skills essential for project management and college admissions.
Previous Session: Lesson 13: Problem Solving
Next Session: Lesson 15: Progress Updates