The Truth About Schedule Contingency

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The Challenge: Why Contingency Matters

Imagine you’re tasked with setting up a contingency program for a large general contractor. Your project teams insist that the schedule they’ve built is already optimized. Owners push back, claiming that adding time means losing bids. And project directors worry that contingency will be used as a crutch instead of a strategic tool. The challenge? Convincing stakeholders that contingency isn’t just extra time—it’s the key to delivering projects successfully in a world where the unexpected is inevitable.

We're joined this week by Noah Aronson, PSP, LEED AP Scheduling Manager at Holder Construction who tackles this challenge head on.

Key Takeaways

• Schedule Contingency Isn’t Just Fluff – It’s the equivalent of financial contingency, an acknowledgment that construction never goes exactly as planned. Owners expect cost overruns—why not time overruns too?
• Transparency Wins Over Hidden Buffers – Instead of sandbagging schedules or running multiple versions (one for the owner, one for the GC, and one for the team), the best approach is a single source of truth. Contingency should be visible, managed, and strategically placed.
• Contingency Should Be Managed at the Right Level – Instead of padding individual tasks, build contingency into milestone buffers or at the project level. Use historical data, risk assessments, and real-world experience to determine how much is needed.
• Institutionalizing Contingency is Hard – Getting one project team to embrace it is one thing, but embedding it as a company-wide practice requires executive buy-in, consistent messaging, and a clear framework for tracking and adjusting contingency over time.

Tactical Takeaway: How to Sell Contingency to Executives

Executives won’t buy into contingency just because it’s the right thing to do—they need proof. Here’s how to make your case:

1. Find an Advocate – Identify a senior leader who has seen contingency work in action and can vouch for its benefits.
2. Leverage Cost Contingency as a Comparison – Show how companies already accept cost contingency, making the case for schedule contingency as a parallel concept.
3. Use Data from Past Projects – Show where projects suffered due to lack of contingency, and how proper risk planning could have prevented major delays and cost overruns.
4. Tie it to Business Strategy – Frame contingency as a competitive advantage: better predictability, fewer late fees, and stronger relationships with clients.

Success in construction isn’t about avoiding risk—it’s about managing it. And without contingency, you’re gambling with your project’s success.

Watch on Youtube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Critical Path Career

Impactful Strategies for Advancing Your Construction Career

Available on Amazon.

Are you ready to transform your career in construction planning and scheduling? Whether you’re starting out or are an experienced professional, "The Critical Path Career: How to Advance in Construction Planning and Scheduling" is your essential guide to achieving success and earning more in your field.

What You’ll Discover Inside

• Specific Career Advancement Steps: Navigate through the distinct stages of career progression, including getting a raise, securing a promotion, and finding a higher-paying job.
• 26 Interview Questions with Sample Answers: Prepare for your next big interview with confidence using expertly crafted questions and answers designed specifically for planners and schedulers.
• 34 Impact Ideas: Implement practical ideas to make a significant impact in your role, enhancing your value and visibility within your organization.
• Become a Top 1% Planner or Scheduler: Learn how the very best differentiate themselves from the crowd.

Why This Book?

Unlike other guides, "The Critical Path Career" is tailored specifically for the construction planning and scheduling community. This book provides the tools and knowledge you need to increase your salary, advance your position, or simply become more effective in your current role.

Available on Amazon.