What is The Golden Thread & why is it crucial to construction professionals?

The Golden Thread refers to a relatively new precautionary measure to ensure that all documentation for design decisions, repair work, inspections and compliance amendments are stored digitally in a centralized repository.

This has become particularly prevalent among those engaged in the construction of residential projects, as it was devised in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower cladding incident. No developer, contractor or sub-contractor wishes to be held responsible for potentially fatal accidents; Golden Thread is a way of ensuring that all documentation is in place to prove which steps were taken and how issues were addressed in the construction and ongoing maintenance of each building.

The Golden Thread can be broken down in three stages, or gateways:

How is this achieved?

• Digitally archive the original safety and design plans – the paper versions of which are typically difficult to locate – along with any other vital documents that pertain to the specifications of the building.
• Typically using the standard BS 8644-1 for the digital management of fire safety information.
• Record any and all changes made to the building over the course of its lifetime, which can be checked against the original plans Facilitate the sharing of information between designers, builders, and the owners of the building.

Discover how Next can help with golden thread fulfillment:

If your organization is engaged in the construction or maintenance of residential properties, then this is a process that would be good to have sooner rather than later.

How Next Field can ensure golden thread fulfillment

Collect all documentation from the construction site in one place
You can quickly and efficiently store notes, photos, diagrams, correspondence and much more, attaching them to specific tasks/projects and even add the specific task in question to a map of the building/site. This not only cuts down on the time it takes to record and organize your documentation, but also makes retrieving them incredibly easy. If needed, the documents for a specific area can be pulled up in a matter of seconds, as well as create comprehensive reports.

Digital checklists ensure quality in the work

While documentation and reporting are important functions, the ability to draw up an agreed checklist and prove that workers follow it to the letter is arguably at the crux of The Golden Thread. With templates available for a wide range of construction projects, and the ability to customize and even create entirely bespoke checklists, Field allows users to clearly indicate what work was done, who performed each task, and who signed off on its completion. By using the checklist module Forms, you can fill in your checklists in the field or from the office. You can use our standard templates, or we can transfer your existing checklists directly into Next Field.

Generate reports with one click and send it out

Everything that is recorded in Next Field can easily be included in a digital report in one click, allowing for a smoother journey towards fulfilling The Golden Thread. These reports can be shared via a link – viewable even to recipients who do not have the app – or saved as a PDF. Recipients can sign off the reports, which are also recorded in Field. From inspection reports to project overviews, you can retrieve precisely the information you need. Each document or image mentioned in the report can be enlarged and even individually downloaded.

Digital checklists ensure quality in the work

While documentation and reporting are important functions, the ability to draw up an agreed checklist and prove that workers follow it to the letter is arguably at the crux of The Golden Thread. With templates available for a wide range of construction projects, and the ability to customize and even create entirely bespoke checklists, Field allows users to clearly indicate what work was done, who performed each task, and who signed off on its completion. By using the checklist module Forms, you can fill in your checklists in the field or from the office. You can use our standard templates, or we can transfer your existing checklists directly into Next Field.

Daren Bezants, Bezt Consulting