Dynamic Time Schedule in MS Excel# Project Construction Schedule in MS Excel
Why is a work schedule important in construction?
Work schedules are crucial in the construction industry because they compile multiple informational streams into a single, shareable document for construction companies and their clients. There can be a great deal of tasks to oversee, people to manage, and resources to distribute, especially for larger projects. Project managers use their work schedules for both short- and long-term planning so they can determine which project elements to prioritize each day. A construction work schedule can provide specifics regarding:
What is a construction work schedule?
A work schedule for construction projects is a planning tool that outlines the steps a team of builders should take to complete a project. Important details about the resources needed, how tasks relate to one another, and the due dates for each deliverable are also included. To ensure that progress is occurring on schedule and in the correct sequence, project managers consult the construction work schedule.
Types of work schedules in construction
When building, construction companies frequently employ a variety of work schedule types to better organize their progress. Here are common schedule types you might use:
Line of balance schedules
A line of balance work schedule aids project managers in comparing each repetition of tasks for construction projects that involve repetitions. For example, a tower needs to be built using the same techniques for all of its floors. A line-of-balance schedule would track the time and resources needed to construct each floor. Due to the similar material and labor requirements for each repetition, this schedule type also makes it simpler to distribute resources.
Quantitative schedules
Bar charts are used in quantitative work schedules, also known as Q schedules, to help you plan how to use resources across various sites at various times. Quantitative work schedules also explain the impact of task sequencing on costs. Quantitative work schedules, for instance, could be used by a project manager to determine how to divide up the workload among the team members. By properly assigning tasks to the appropriate team member and planning their workweek to include a specific number of hours, the project manager can avoid paying overtime.
Resource-oriented schedules
Resource-oriented work schedules outline how a construction team intends to utilize its limited resources throughout the course of a project. Avoiding situations where multiple construction workers require the same tools, equipment, or vehicles at the same time is the goal of resource-oriented scheduling. By avoiding avoidable delays, resource-oriented work schedules help construction companies finish projects on time and within budget.
Gantt charts
Gantt charts are construction work schedules that provide stakeholders with a calendar display to help them visualize projects. Their vertical axis lists each task, while their horizontal axis represents time. To indicate how long a task has taken to complete and which deliverables it overlaps, you can mark off the boxes or use colored bars. Gantt charts are exceptionally good at showing how tasks relate to one another and quickly communicating timelines.
Last planner systems
The final deadline is the focal point of a construction work schedule in last planner systems, also known as pull planning. To determine the best deliverable sequence for on-time completion, project managers work backward. Construction teams can use last planner systems to adhere to precisely timed project schedules if they are confident in their ability to work collaboratively. Since the schedule depends on your team completing the deliverables as planned, last planner systems are less reliable if there’s a chance that a misunderstanding could result in a delay.
Critical path method
The critical path method centers the construction work schedule on a project’s core components. With the aid of critical path scheduling, each milestone’s resource and time requirements are established, and its implications for the overall project are made clear. Project managers value how critical path schedules separate out tasks that support the main construction goal from those that are not essential deliverables.
How to make a work schedule for a construction project
No matter what kind of construction work schedule you select, you gain from performing the following tasks before your subsequent project:
1. Collect information
Variables are present in every construction project, all of which must be taken into account. You can create a work schedule that precisely predicts the time, money, and labor your project will require thanks to the information you’ve carefully gathered. Here are several considerations to research:
2. Name stakeholders
Construction work schedules are essential communication tools as well as planning tools. By ensuring that project managers, project owners, employees, and subcontractors all have access to the most recent information, your work schedule can eliminate the typical sources of confusion. Make sure your list of stakeholders is complete, and have a method in place to share any changes to the work schedule that have been made.
3. List tasks
The core elements of any construction work schedule are the tasks or deliverables that make up a construction project. To create a more precise action plan, identify the major tasks your team must complete and divide them into smaller steps. Prioritizing the importance of each task also helps you allocate resources effectively.
4. Estimate timelines
You can more accurately predict the end of your project if you have a complete list of tasks. Make an effort to schedule every set of deliverables and consider how the progress on one area of your project affects the other areas. Each step’s completion time establishes when resources will be made available to your team and how much each construction phase should cost.
5. Delegate tasks
It’s crucial to assign tasks before work begins because your project might involve several suppliers and subcontractors. You can better understand your equipment and labor needs when you have clear job assignments because you know what each team member needs for their tasks. Verify that you have distributed the workload so as to avoid overwhelming any employee or group of employees before completing your task delegation.
6. Assess schedule
Present a draft of your construction work schedule to all interested parties so they can evaluate your projections and planning. You might get insightful advice about factors you missed or have fruitful discussions about necessary adjustments. Making sure that clients, project managers, and subcontractors concur on a work schedule up front fosters a productive working environment less likely to experience problems.
7. Communicate challenges
You may have anticipated some difficulties when creating your construction work schedule. For instance, a particular supplier might frequently deliver materials later than anticipated, necessitating the addition of two days to a deliverable timeline. To ensure that all parties involved are aware of these potential challenges, talk about them in advance. Your team is equipped to deal with the problem if it materializes. If the process goes more smoothly than anticipated, all parties involved are aware of this and can adjust to the new schedule.
8. Update as work proceeds
A construction schedule isn’t complete until the project has received the final approval. As long as you update your construction work schedule to reflect current site conditions and work progress, it will continue to be useful. Check in with all stakeholders frequently to learn more about the state of the deliverables and make any necessary adjustments to your work schedule.
Construction work schedule template
You can use the following template to create a Gantt construction work schedule for your projects:
Here is an example of a work schedule using the above template to track development on a residential project:
FAQ
How do I make a construction schedule?
- Choose a construction scheduling tool.
- Conduct research.
- List subcontractors.
- List tasks.
- Determine expected duration for each task.
- Create a work breakdown structure (WBS)
- Go over the schedule with stakeholders.
- Execute.
What is project scheduling in construction?
A construction schedule is a detailed plan. It provides a breakdown of the tasks, deadlines, and materials needed for a construction project. A well-planned schedule outlines the tasks that will be completed and when.
What is a construction schedule called?
Project scheduling aims to coordinate equipment, labor, and material resources with project work-tasks over time. It provides a sequence of tasks. Therefore, the project manager is aware of the tasks that need to be completed and the tasks that need to be prepared for next.
