After accurate estimates, construction scheduling is one of the most important factors in the current complex building environment. Do you know that almost 95% of contractors are facing delays? What is the main reason behind us? Are they not following the best scheduling practices? Are you one of them? Do not worry because this guide will help you get knowledge step-by-step to manage and optimize construction schedules. However, this way you can complete your projects under budget and on time!
If you are someone who has struggled with completing your projects, don’t hesitate and get professional construction scheduling services from a reputable company. They will guide you through every step and break down your bigger tasks into smaller ones. This way, you can maintain your company’s integrity and reputation. First, let us give you a detailed review of construction scheduling and its importance.
DIG INTO THIS GUIDE AND GET A COMPREHENSIVE STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE ABOUT CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE TO FOLLOW AND EXECUTE FOR SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS!
What is Construction Scheduling?
Construction scheduling is a complex and important part of the building process. Basically, it outlines the sequence of implementing tasks and the durations required to complete the project.
Hence, it is one of the best ways to manage all the tasks and create milestones. Even if your project is complex, you can execute your work sequentially without fear of failing!
If you seek professional assistance, you can create a detailed timeline that showcases each activity and the resources required.
The Critical Importance of Effective Scheduling
If you dig into the analytics, almost 25% of construction projects are completed within the allocated timelines. Well, this is not a satisfactory range! It mostly happens when contractors and builders do not rely on expert analysis. For this reason, as always emphasized, to outsource your needs to a reputable construction estimating company.
Do you know what the consequences of delays are?
- The labour expense surges 50-100% for overtime hours.
- Material costs can increase 5-15% during a three-month delay
- Storage costs can add $5,000-15,000 monthly for mid-sized projects
Can you bear such consequences in this inflationary construction industry? Not!
Step-by-Step Construction Scheduling Process
Step 1: Project Initiation and Scope Definition
The first basic step is to analyze all the contractual requirements and conditions. After that, you need to evaluate the roles of all the participants. During this step, do not forget about the site limitations to establish key project deliverables.
Step 2: Work Breakdown Structure Development
The next step is to define all the major construction phases and break them down into smaller, manageable tasks. It’s now time to create work packages and assign them to your team members. To simplify this process, hiring an experienced field professional with expertise in WBS development can be highly beneficial.
Step 3: Activity Sequencing and Logic Development
Now, this step is one of the most important because it shows how qualified and experienced your stakeholders are!
- They must focus on technical dependencies like you must dig the foundation before you can pour concrete.
- Resource dependencies, such as can’t start roofing if the crane is being used elsewhere.
- For that, get permits, clear the site, pour a foundation, and all the steps that come after!
Step 4: Duration Estimation
For accurate construction scheduling estimation, you can review similar past projects with the help of scheduling software. By reviewing past similar projects, you can adjust risk factors in the current project to prevent delays.
Step 5: Resource Planning and Allocation
This step is also very important, so follow it in a sequential form:
- Resource Loading: Assign resources to each activity
- Conflict Resolution: Identify and resolve resource conflicts
- Leveling: Smooth resource usage to minimize peaks
- Availability Checking: Verify resource availability
Step 6: Schedule Development and Optimization
- Input all activities, durations, and logic into scheduling software
- Calculate early and late dates using the forward and backward passes
- Identify the critical path and near-critical activities
- Review the schedule for reasonableness and logic errors
Step 7: Contingency Planning
You need to work on all the risk factors and include them. It can be about weather issues, material delays, permit approvals, design changes, and others. Otherwise, it will affect your construction schedules and you will end up in failure.
Step 8: Baseline Establishment
Baseline schedule: The approved version of a schedule model. The baseline schedule remains constant and acts as the basis for comparison to actual results. It’s intended to keep construction project managers on target.
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Conclusion
To sum it up, Construction scheduling is dependent on the person managing it and the technical expertise. If you are not perfectly fit to manage deadlines, then don’t! Seek expert assistance from a reliable estimating company for accurate timeline estimation. So, you need to develop efficient scheduling and use up-to-date software to deliver successful projects. Just push yourself to keep a good flow of learning and invest in the right technology. However, even the most efficient software can never replace experienced judgment. So, be smart to plan the whole project and execute it within timelines!