How to Create a Construction Schedule
If you are planning a construction project, then you know how important it is for it to stick to its promised timeline and be within budget. A construction schedule is that all-important document that sets out the requirements and manages expectations from both your client and your subcontractors.
What Does a Construction Schedule Include?
A good construction schedule includes all the various aspects of a construction project including resources, timelines, and tasks in a sequential manner. In effect, it acts as a map or guideline for how a project needs to progress toward completion. It may be in the form of a detailed excel spreadsheet for smaller projects or a more interactive format using advanced construction schedule management software that does a lot of the heavy lifting for you. Some vital aspects of a construction project include:
- Milestones: It highlights the milestones a project needs to meet in order to be completed on time.
- Tasks: It breaks down the milestones into detailed tasks that need to be completed to achieve them along with timelines.
- Resources: It lists all the equipment and resources necessary to complete tasks.
- Monitoring: It lays out a plan to monitor the progress of the project.
- Risks: A good construction schedule also takes into account local conditions like inclement weather predictions along with plans on how to work within those constraints.
The process of creating a construction schedule is complex. While it can seem like a lot of work initially with plenty of details that need to be worked out, you’ll discover it’s worth it as your project progresses. And always be ready to adapt your construction schedule as your project gets underway. A few key things to remember when you make changes are:
- Let your key stakeholders know about changes – especially if it’ll affect their budgets and/or timelines.
- Move non-critical tasks to later on in the timeline if necessary to ensure a smooth flow of work for critical ones. You may also have to work out methods for certain tasks to be completed simultaneously.
- Negotiate extra time if necessary. Hopefully, you’ve allocated enough buffer time into your schedule right at the beginning to account for most delays. However, if you do need extra time make sure it’s reviewed and accepted by all the key stakeholders.
Being flexible and able to think on your feet can go a long way toward getting a project to completion. A robust construction schedule serves as a blueprint that makes the entire process efficient and combats issues before they arise.
Hiring the right construction project management company can take the entire burden off your shoulders so your project remains on track and within budget. Syncra Construction is an expert construction management company dealing with the core areas of Pre-Construction, Construction Management, and General Contracting in the Lower Mainland. Built upon a solid foundation of knowledge and experience, the company offers a unique portfolio of mixed-use, commercial, residential, institutional, public realm, and First Nations projects.
Get in touch to know more.