What does long-lead item mean in construction?
Short definition
A long-lead item is a material or piece of equipment that requires a long time to purchase, fabricate, or deliver.
Longer explanation
Long-lead items are tracked early because delays can affect the schedule, sequencing, or project turnover.
Example in context
“The project team reviewed the long-lead item during the construction phase.”
Common users
- Owners
- Architects
- Contractors
- Construction managers
Related terms
Related resources
Construction Scheduling TermsScheduling terms for critical path, CPM schedules, lookaheads, milestones, float, constraints, and procurement timing.Construction Procurement TermsProcurement terms for RFPs, RFQs, ITBs, bid packages, buyout, purchase orders, and long-lead items.Procurement Log TemplateFields for tracking bid packages, long-lead items, awards, commitments, and delivery dates.