GudAnuf, Inc.™ (Where only the BEST is Good Enough)

Construction Scheduling Methods

A basic distinction exists between resource oriented and time oriented construction scheduling techniques. For resource oriented scheduling, the focus is on using andscheduling particular resources in an effective fashion. For example, the projectmanager's main concern on a building site might be to insure that Sheetrock and Lumber are available before the installers arrive; without effective scheduling in this case, resources would have to be paid for while waiting or rescheduled thereby throwing off other production jobs. For timeoriented scheduling, the emphasis is on determining the completion time of the projectgiven the necessary precedence relationships among activities. Hybrid techniques forresource leveling or resource constrained scheduling in the presence of precedencerelationships also exist. Most scheduling software is time-oriented, although virtually all of the programs have the capability to introduce resource constraints.

Operations Manager's Job Construction scheduling Module uses this hybrid technique by allowing user-defined Job Schedule Templates that can be used to schedule jobs and resources simultaneously. Schedules are then manipulated using drag and drop. Resources can be dragged onto and off a job task with simple mouse movements. Tasks can also be dragged to other days just as easily. Any schedule clashes are displayed so the user is alerted as they happen.

In addition to assigning dates to project activities, Operations Manager's scheduling is intended tomatch the resources of equipment, materials and labor with project work tasks over time.Good construction scheduling can eliminate problems due to production bottlenecks, facilitate thetimely procurement of necessary materials, and otherwise insure the completion of aproject as soon as possible. These schedules can then be incorporated in a template to be used in the future to schedule like jobs. In contrast, poor scheduling can result in considerable wasteas laborers and equipment wait for the availability of needed resources or the completionof preceding tasks. Delays in the completion of an entire project due to poor schedulingcan also create havoc for owners who are eager to start using the constructed facilities. Proper analysis tools allow the job scheduler to see what combinations do not work so they can be avoided.

Attitudes toward the formal scheduling of projects are often extreme. Many ownersrequire detailed construction schedules to be submitted by contractors as a means ofmonitoring the work progress. The actual work performed is commonly compared to theschedule to determine if construction is proceeding satisfactorily. After the completionof construction, similar comparisons between the planned schedule and the actualaccomplishments may be performed to allocate the liability for project delays due tochanges requested by the owner and/or other unforeseen circumstances. Operations Manager's Job Module allows printed output of these detailed schedules.

In contrast to these instances of reliance upon formal schedules, many fieldsupervisors disdain and dislike formal scheduling procedures. In particular, the criticalpath method of scheduling is commonly required by owners, but is often regarded in the field as irrelevant toactual operations and a time consuming distraction. The result is"seat-of-the-pants" scheduling that can be good or that can result in grosslyinefficient schedules and poor productivity. Progressive construction firms use formalscheduling procedures whenever the complexity of work tasks is high and the coordinationof different workers is required.

Formal scheduling procedures have become much more common with the advent of personal computers on construction sites and easy-to-use software programs. Sharing schedule information via the Internet has also provided a greater incentive to use formal scheduling methods. Savvy construction supervisors often carry schedule and budget information around with wearable or handheld computers.
Operations Manager's Job Scheduler addresses scheduling concerns by allowing the manager access to each job schedule as compared to other ongoing jobs the company has. As a result, the continued development this easy to use computer program with its improved methods of presenting schedules have overcome the practical problems associated with formal scheduling mechanisms.