Ingineering preparation for construction as a component of infrastructure project implementation: content, structure, and role in the construction process

The subject of the study. Engineering preparation for construction plays a pivotal role in ensuring the holistic implementation of infrastructure projects, especially under conditions of rapid urban development, complexity of engineering systems, and growing demands for quality, safety, and efficiency of construction processes. At the current stage of development in the construction sector, engineering preparation has acquired new significance as a prerequisite for the synchronized functioning of all components of the design, material and technical, and organizational-production structures. This study aims to systematize the concept of engineering preparation, reveal its internal structure, stages of implementation, and characterize its place within the overall construction cycle. The purpose of the study. The structural and functional components of engineering preparation are examined: geodetic and geological support, design adaptation to engineering and technical conditions, organizational planning, energy logistics, drainage systems, access road preparation, and connection to external utility networks. Research methods. Special attention is paid to the integration model of engineering preparation within the BIM environment and lifecycle management systems (LCC). The significance of considering soil properties, climatic conditions, load distribution on engineering networks, and subcontractor synchronization at the engineering planning stage is emphasized.Results of the work. The challenges and barriers related to lack of coordination between designers and contractors, fragmented responsibilities, and risks arising from insufficient engineering diagnostics are summarized. Based on the analysis of practical cases, approaches for enhancing engineering preparation through standardization, automation, and digital transformation are proposed — particularly by implementing real-time monitoring technologies, 3D scanning, sensor-based control, and risk analytics. Conclusions. It is demonstrated that engineering preparation is not merely a technical process but a strategic element of infrastructure synergy that can significantly affect project duration, cost, and quality. The proposed conceptual model of engineering preparation can serve as the foundation for developing new standards in organizing preparatory processes in infrastructure construction.