The success of a project can be determined by a well-planned construction schedule, preventing multiple delays and overruns in the allocated budget. You can use this approach to create a practical schedule for your upcoming project as part of the pre-construction phase. This guide will walk you through the steps for construction scheduling.
Step 1: Choose a Tool for Construction Scheduling
It is not a good idea to make a schedule for your project using a spreadsheet, or even worse, pen and paper.
The project will be easier to visualize and organize thanks to the automation of numerous processes by construction scheduling software solutions. These tools enable you to generate a precise construction timeline using a construction schedule template or schedule chart.
Step 2: Research
In order for you to have as much knowledge as you can while creating the schedule, thoroughly research your project. Find out what permits you need to file and how long it will take by speaking with inspectors and officials who enforce building codes.
List all the supplies that will be required and when they must be delivered. Compile information on the number of man hours that are available as well as the days when certain employees are available.
Step 3: Manage Subcontractors
The schedule must take subcontractors into account. Inquire with each subcontractor to understand how long it will take to complete specific jobs, such as installing plumbing in the bathroom, or delivering certain materials.
Step 4: Lay Out Tasks
Divide the project into jobs, and define each one in detail, including the precise work that will be required to complete it, the anticipated number of man hours, supplies, equipment, and more. This information provides the task context, which you will need to accurately estimate timeframes.
Step 5: Estimate How Long Each Task will Take.
With a list of activities in hand, carefully review each one and estimate its duration, as well as which dates you will hit significant milestones along the way.
In this approach, if an early milestone is missed, you have time to adjust before the work itself is delayed and the remainder of the project is at risk.
Step 6: Establish a work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
You can visualize all of your duties and divide them down into manageable chunks using a work breakdown schedule (WBS). Furthermore, this helps to reveal any issues you may need to resolve. Be as thorough as you can, because the more specific you are, the simpler it will be when the time to execute the project comes.
Step 7: Go Over Your Schedule with Relevant Parties
Seek input from your stakeholders to make sure you aren’t overlooking anything and that your schedule is reasonable. Hold a meeting and go over the schedule with everyone working on the project, from the owner to the foreman.
Step 8: Execute
Once the timetable is established, give your crew their assigned tasks to set the plan in motion. Keep a close eye on milestones and follow the development of the project attentively.
Step 9: Review
After the project is finished, spend some time evaluating your performance. Compare it to your original timeline when the job is finished, and make adjustments for future projects.
US Framing is the country’s wood framing leader. We conduct construction scheduling in all our projects, to ensure timely and satisfactory completion for all our clients across multiple industries!
