Scheduling is an art

Scheduling is an art

Schedule

The project schedule, let's start with what it is NOT

It is not:

A beautiful document to hang on the wall of the job trailer, so it looks more like a construction site

A checklist item required to be completed by senior management

A summary of what is needed.

 

The Project Schedule is the Execution Plan outlining what steps and sequence of the work to achieve the goal.

To use a football analogy, the Blue Prints are the goal, the Contract outlines the game's rules, the Site is the playing field, and the Schedule is the game plan. Before every game, the coaches sit down and decide on a plan of action best suited to achieve the winning objective. As the game proceeds, the game plan is often changed to accommodate changes on the field; the program is not abandoned, just altered to reach the winning objective.

Schedules have been dismissed because conditions change, sure they do, but without a schedule, you wouldn't know the plan had changed since you never had a plan in the first place. The schedule is that plan, a detailed well thought plan of execution for the project. Of course, things will change. That is when the schedule is most valuable, input the changes, and analyze the outcome. Study the impact and devise a new game plan to minimize the effect. Just like a football game.

The other aspect of the game plan is the execution, which involves sharing the game plan with the team. Make sure the owner has a selection schedule and understands how it impacts the schedule; let the architect know what the submittal schedule looks like so they can plan their time. Review the buy-out schedule with the PM to ensure the subs are on board when needed. Finally, and most importantly, ensure the subs have a copy of the plan available, so they can plan to be available when expected.

 When the game plan changes, update everyone to ensure the entire team executes the new plan.

 Management tip: Develop the schedule early and review it often, keep it updated and use it as a management tool, not as wallpaper for the office.


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