Don't make these scheduling (programming) mistakes

"A good construction schedule is essential to the success of every construction project."

​I find construction schedules invaluable on all of my projects. For small projects they could be simple hand drawn bar charts and for large construction projects they could consist of thousands of linked tasks created using specialist software such as Primavera, Microsoft Project, Candy or similar.

Why are construction schedules important?

​Construction schedules are useful because:

1. They inform the construction team of what tasks they should be working on and when.
2. They advise the customer when they should provide construction information and grant access to the contractor.
3. They are invaluable for calculating extension of time claims. Can I Claim for Additional Time on My Construction Project?
4. Progress of the project can be measured.
5. A resourced schedule enables the contractor to plan when resources are needed and how many of each resource are required.
6. Material deliveries can be arranged so they’re delivered before they’re needed. planning deliveries to construction sites
7. Subcontractor’s work can be planned so they arrive when they’re needed and complete their work on time. What’s expected of your subcontractors? Do they know?
8. They can be used to plan cash flow. Negative cash flow – the death for many construction companies
9. Knowing the project duration the contractor can calculate their overhead costs for the project. The construction project tender or bid schedule
10. A properly planned construction schedule will avoid clashes or hold-ups on the project caused when the preceding necessary tasks haven’t been completed.

However, many construction schedules are poorly prepared and have numerous errors which can mislead both the contractor and the customer. In fact a poorly prepared construction schedule, or a schedule with errors, can be more dangerous than having no schedule at all.

"A properly planned construction schedule will avoid clashes or hold-ups on the project"

Common errors with construction schedules

​Some of the more common errors include:

1. Making the construction schedule fit the customer’s dates even if they aren’t achievable. Usually in the request for price the customer provides the start and end dates for the project. Sometimes contractors simply accept these dates assuming they can complete the construction project in the time provided, when in fact it’s not possible. On other occasions the contractor ‘squeezes’ their schedule to make their construction time fit within the client’s dates, even when they know it’s impossible to meet these dates. This can be dangerous for many reasons:
   1. Inevitably the contractor cannot finish the project in the allotted time and they not only face the prospect of paying liquidated damages but their reputation is damaged.
   2. The contractor remains on the project longer than allowed in their price resulting in them losing money.
   3. The contractor’s team may become demoralized knowing they can never meet the required dates, knowing no matter how hard they work the client won’t be satisfied with their performance, and in fact even their senior management will blame them for delivering the construction project late. ( Contractors shouldn’t commit to dates they cannot achieve. They could either submit an alternative achievable construction schedule that doesn’t satisfy the client’s dates, or not price the project, or discuss with the customer alternate methods or strategies to enable the customer to get access to parts of the project they require on their required dates.)
2. Formulating the construction schedule without considering the construction methodology. Frequently I see schedules which were drawn up by a planner with no input from the construction team. In fact, some of these schedules don’t even consider the construction methodology the construction team is using. This is obviously pointless because the project progress is often difficult to measure since the tasks are in a different order, or possibly don’t even appear on the schedule.
3. Failing to allow for the normal expected weather conditions. Contractors frequently complain of weather delays. But often the weather experienced is normal for that region at that time of the year. Yes, on occasion there are abnormal weather events (something that seems to be occurring more often) which cannot be expected. However, contractors should allow for normal weather interruptions which could include rain, winds, snow and extreme temperatures which could disrupt the project or reduce productivity. When Contractors Can’t Claim a Delay From Their Client on Construction Projects
4. Scheduling individual structures without considering the impact of adjacent structures, or the impact they’ll have on adjacent structures. Many structures on a project are connected in some way. Deeper structures may have to be completed (or certainly brought to the underside) before the neighboring structure can begin. Structures can impact access to the neighboring structures. When preparing a construction schedule it’s essential to consider the impact of adjacent structures and utility lines on other structures.
5. Forgetting the project constraints. This should be simple, yet sometimes contractors don’t allow for customer imposed restrictions which could include restrictions on working times and accommodating other contractors or the customers own activities. Sometimes even statutory holidays, when work can’t be done, are forgotten.
6. Allowing inadequate time for material procurement. Some building materials require lengthy procurement periods to allow for design, design approval, preparing drawings, drawing approvals, fabrication and shipping.
7. Ignoring inspections and testing. Waiting for test results can delay follow-on work. Often the client has to witness completed work or test results before the next activity can begin.
8. Not allowing for commissioning. On some facilities commissioning can take several weeks. This commissioning may include tying in to existing infrastructure and utilities. It could include passing tests witnessed by the customer or the various authorities, closing out major snags, completing documentation and obtaining permits.
9. Failing to make allowance for local conditions and productivity. Productivity can vary hugely between countries, and although wage rates may be lower in some places you may need four times as many people to complete the same construction task in the same time. But productivity also depends on the customer and their operations. Working in an oil and gas processing facility may require far more rigorous quality and safety standards than working in the city. Some facilities have stringent security which can make it difficult to get people, equipment and materials onto the project. Construction projects in busy traffic can result in slower progress. But even not being able to find people with the required skills can impact productivity and hamper progress.
10. The schedule allows, or demands, too many trades having to work in a single area at the same time. Only a finite number of workers and different trades can work in an area at the same time. Fitting more people and activities into a small area doesn’t make the work go quicker – in fact it often results in the work going slower as workers work on top of each other or have to stand-down waiting for others to complete their work. Freshly completed work may be damaged by the follow-on building trades because the materials haven’t dried or cured resulting in the work having to be redone.
11. Not updating the construction schedule correctly or failing to take action when slippage occurs on the project. At times the construction schedule isn’t updated correctly and progress isn’t recorded correctly giving the contractor and the customer misleading information. On occasion when slippage is detected the contractor ignores the information and doesn’t take corrective action, or takes the wrong actions which don’t help. It is essential slippage on the schedule is detected early and the correct actions are implemented to catch up the lost time. 10 reasons your project is behind schedule (programme)
12. Not conveying the construction schedule to the team in the field, or to subcontractors.  All too often the contractor has a construction schedule which is kept in the office, but those in the field aren’t aware of what tasks need to be completed and by when. Sometimes the contractor simply hands the complete construction schedule, of thousands of activities, to the supervisors and expects them to find those tasks which are relevant to their section of works. It’s essential that those in the field know what tasks have to be completed, when they must be completed and even the reasons why some construction activities must be done first. Providing the construction schedule in a pictorial form, showing just the activities relevant to that area which must be completed in the next three weeks, can be useful as this can be pinned to the shed wall where it can be viewed by all workers from that section. The construction team must be told when progress is slipping. Importantly though, they must have the correct construction resources and must receive their materials in good time so that they can deliver the construction project on schedule.

"This book helps with practical tips learned from real experiences. A must read book for the people who are involved in construction projects, especially project managers." 

Construction schedules are essential to contractors and project owners

Preparing the best workable construction schedule or construction program is an art, a science and one that needs expertise and experience. The schedule needs to reflect how the construction team will build the facility, the realities of the construction site, the available resources and skills, the local conditions and the contractual requirements.

Committing to a construction schedule which is impossible will cause damage to both the contractor and the customer. Following a schedule with flawed logic will invariably result in a delayed construction project, or even some completed work having to be redone. Ignoring the schedule or not conveying the contents of the construction schedule to those in the field defeats the purpose of preparing the schedule.

Construction schedules are useful to contractors and customers and shouldn’t be viewed as just a contractual requirement, or another document for the customer to ‘whip’ the contractor.
How you can make your next construction project more successful. 

This article was first published on the ClockShark website - Get The Industries' #1 Time-Tracking AppRunning a field service or construction business takes coordination and a great team. With ClockShark you get the industries' #1 timesheet app
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