Construction scheduling can be seen as the key to any construction project. Having a well-thought-out plan, the right materials, a strong team of workers, and an approved budget are all well and good, but without a tight and efficient schedule, everything can go haywire.
Every construction organization, from the largest to the smallest, needs to think critically about its construction scheduling process and its project schedule. These days it’s no longer enough to write out a rough timeline by hand or create an Excel spreadsheet that lays dormant throughout the entirety of a project.
Modern construction firms need to implement specific construction management software and scheduling tools that equip them with what they need to plan and manage an effective construction schedule.
What is Construction Scheduling?
A construction schedule is a timeline that organizes each phase of your construction process. It includes all the different facets that go into planning, scheduling, and executing a job. Whether the information is presented in written format or visually, there needs to exist a central source-of-truth that all stakeholders can reference to ensure a project is on schedule.
Time Management and Scheduling
Time management and scheduling are critical aspects of any project planning. The Project Management Institute cites Project Time Management as one of the ten key areas for overall project management. Project managers must consider how they will represent the schedule as part of their overall duties.
Like the way a project needs a budget estimate to understand the overall cost, project scheduling is an attempt to provide an estimate of the amount of time it will take to complete the project.
Types of Construction Schedules
The type of schedule you use depends on a few key factors—like how big the project is, how complex the work gets, and what resources you have available. With all that in mind, it’s important to choose the right kind of construction project schedule to match your project’s needs.
Gantt Chart
A Gantt chart helps you visualize your project in a straightforward way. Each task shows up as a bar, laid out sequentially, so you can see how long things take and where they might overlap. Different colors help you tell tasks apart—so you know ‘foundation pouring’ is likely to take two weeks, and ‘framing’ kicks off right after for the next three weeks. It is an easy way to keep your timeline clear, even from your phone.
Gantt charts are particularly useful in smaller and medium-sized projects. Here, a simple overview helps your team remain focused and aligned. It also helps managers maintain proper quality control in construction projects.
Critical Path Method (CPM)
What if you could identify the tasks that matter most? This is where CPM comes in. It focuses on the crucial tasks, which, if delayed, can push the entire project back. For instance, delays in plumbing in a hospital construction project will impact the timeline for interior finishing. With a clear view of these dependencies, you can manage resources and time effectively.
When it comes to developing high-stakes projects like commercial buildings, this method ensures that construction managers remain focused on aspects that matter the most.
Resource Oriented Scheduling
Tight timelines, limited budgets, and stretched resources are the norm in construction. That’s where resource-oriented scheduling comes in. Instead of just focusing on the task sequence, this approach prioritizes how and when resources—like labor, equipment, or materials—are available, helping you plan more realistically and avoid overloading your team.
Carnegie Mellon University lays out the advantages of this method, and why it’s necessary: “Resource-oriented scheduling is appropriate in cases in which unique resources are to be used. For example, scheduling excavation operations when one only excavator is available is simply a process of assigning work tasks or job segments on a day-by-day basis while ensuring that appropriate precedence relationships are maintained.”
It’s crucial to choose the right scheduling method for every project you handle. A well-planned construction project schedule ensures proper resource allocation and handling of construction logistics. It helps in setting realistic timeframes and goes a long way in reducing delays and miscommunication.
Tips for Good Construction Scheduling
An accurate schedule is essential to a successful construction project, but building projects are complex, with dynamic conditions, task dependencies, and many participants. Here are some proven tips that will help you create a more effective construction project schedule.
Start with pre-construction planning
Have you laid the groundwork for your construction project? Pre-construction activities such as site acquisition, procurement, financing, and permitting have significant impact on the schedule. Starting with a comprehensive pre-construction plan for these tasks is vital and sets the stage for smoother project execution.
Integrate contingency buffers
Unexpected challenges are part of the construction project. Point out tasks prone to delays like delivery of materials. By incorporating buffers in your schedule, you can stay on track. The last thing you want is to scramble when an inspection takes longer than expected!
Engage subcontractors in scheduling
How well do you communicate with your subcontractors? Consider inviting them into the scheduling process to foster better collaboration and accountability. For instance, when you know the schedule of your electrician, you can align tasks like drywall installation. It’s all about teamwork!
Take advantage of seasonal insights
Do you know that seasonal trends can affect your project? For instance, weather plays a significant role in construction timelines. Try to plan around these factors so that you can stay resilient with your project.
Note down task dependencies
Do you clearly understand how tasks relate to one another? When you document dependencies, everyone on your team knows the sequence of your operations. For instance, the walls need a coat of paint after drywall installation. A construction management software illustrates these connections, keeping confusion at bay. Everyone associated with the construction process remains on the same page.
How To Create a Construction Schedule
Now, are you ready to create your construction project schedule? Here’s a straightforward process that should help you get started.
1. Gather information about the project
Firstly, find out what the scope of your project is. Collect relevant details about timelines, milestones, and resources required. For instance, a school construction project might have specific safety regulations to consider. Try to get comprehensive data to schedule your tasks to perfection.
2. Choose a project management tool
Choosing the right construction project management software helps in streamlining your progress. Tools like Quickbase come loaded with features tailored for different construction projects. Managers can also get real-time updates and use different collaboration features—all in one place.
3. Create a draft schedule
While drafting your schedule, list the tasks in a sequence and note down the dependencies. For instance, you can’t start roofing until the framing is complete. Now, include time buffers for potential delays to create a realistic schedule for your project.
4. Refine the basic construction schedule
How does your draft look? Share it with stakeholders like contractors, subcontractors, and team members. This will help you confirm various task durations and dependencies. With proper feedback, you can identify any details that might have been overlooked.
5. Maintain open communication
Construction schedules evolve as the project progresses, so you need to maintain open communication. Schedule regular meetings to discuss your progress, address delays and update your schedule. This open dialogue fosters better teamwork as everyone remains informed.
Level Up Construction Scheduling with Quickbase
Even with a robust schedule, managing a construction project needs adaptability, visibility, and collaboration. With an AI-powered operations platform likeQuickbase, you can easily streamline your tasks and simplify how you keep track of the construction schedule.
Here’s how Quickbase can help:
- Unified collaboration: Quickbase helps in connecting team members with real-time data. This keeps everyone informed and mitigates misunderstandings. This feature is especially valuable when coordinating across multiple sites or managing subcontractors.
- Automated workflows: One of Quickbase’s biggest strengths is how it simplifies routine updates. As a project manager, you know how much time is spent just sending status updates. With automation, when a critical task is marked as complete, the toolinstantly notifies the entire team. This ensures seamless transitions to the next phase, reducing delays and keeping the project on track.
- Data-driven insights: The Project Hub Pro App, a construction project visibility tool acts as a central hub for all your data from scheduling to project performance. This provides project managers with valuable insights to make timely adjustments. For example, if the time for material delivery increases, Quickbase flags these issues, so that you can proactively adjust the schedule.
By now, you’re likely comparing your usual project management routine to something more streamlined, like an all-in-one construction management platform. If you’re ready for a better way to keep your projects organized, Quickbase has everything you need to manage your schedules, teams, and resources—all in one place.
So, why keep wrestling with disconnected tools and manual updates? Try Quickbase today and see how our construction management solutions can make your day-to-day a whole lot easier.
