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How to make a construction schedule: check all the steps

The composition of a construction schedule is an essential item, which guarantees the success and correct execution of the entire project. In addition to saving time, labor and costs, a well-structured construction schedule reduces the risks of execution failures.

However, it is common to see that many professionals do not use the construction schedule and even consider it a “waste of time”. After all, what really counts is experience, right? Wrong!

The construction schedule is so important that it is already foreseen in the Project Opening Term, contemplating all the stages, responsibles, deadlines and even resources needed in each phase.

But do you know how to make a construction schedule suitable for your project? In this content we list the main steps to develop an effective and safe schedule. Check out!

Tips about how to make a construction schedule

There are several construction schedule templates available for download that can help a lot of professionals who still do not adopt this item in their planning. But no construction schedule is as efficient as the one developed according to the scope and needs of your project.

All professionals, especially engineers, architects and project coordinators, can develop their own construction schedule, as long as it follows a logical sequence, contemplates all stages of the project and is easy to analyze and interpret. There is no perfect recipe, but with this step by step, the task becomes much simpler.

1. Define the type of construction schedule

The construction schedule can be divided into three types: the one that contains only the planning of the construction; the one that contains estimated costs for materials, professionals and other inputs and outputs in the budget; and the model that includes all the items above, as well as those responsible for each process and cost described in the schedule.

It is very important that the construction schedule contains all the useful information for the development of the project, after all it works as a document that will guide the decision making and the next steps.

All stages, as well as materials, processes, responsible persons and their respective costs must be listed with delivery times and forecasts. In addition, the construction schedule needs to be realistic and very well calculated. We also recommend reviewing and updating the construction schedule during the execution of the project, which can help to predict problems, correct errors and reduce the risks of increased time and cost.

2. List all activities to be performed during the construction

Every construction has several stages, right? After all, there is no point in building the walls if we do not have a good foundation. That is why it is important that the person responsible for the construction schedule, with the support of the team’s professionals, make a list of all the activities to be performed.

It does not necessarily have to be in the order of execution, this must be organized later before the completion of the construction schedule. But it is essential that the list is revised and that nothing is missing!

If you and your team skip steps or miss a task, it is quite possible that this will cause a huge failure in the final budget of your project. This is because it is based on each task that the financial costs, the expected completion time and the need for labor will be surveyed.

3. Make a list of materials and their costs

After listing all the activities to be performed on your job, it is time to list what will be needed to perform each one. This involves both the materials and the support of a team of professionals.

Some construction stages require the support of outsourced professionals, such as bricklayers, painters, plumbers, electricians, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to describe whether labor is needed, who will do each of the tasks and at what stage. If you are in doubt about the materials and quantity needed, one option is to seek this information from the same professionals.

4. Construction budget

After listing the activities, materials and professionals involved, it is time to calculate what the cost of all this will be. Get in touch with suppliers, construction stores, freelancers and contractors, for example, and collect information about the costs and delivery times for each item.

Compare budgets, costs and benefits, advantages of each supplier, references from each professional and, if possible, evaluate the quality of each product and service. After that, it was time to describe how much will be spent at each stage of construction and what.

Also, be sure to describe an emergency reservation for possible unforeseen events. The objective of a good construction schedule is to reduce all risks, but that does not mean that problems will not arise during the project.

The cost forecast assists in the financial planning of the work, but it is possible that the amount spent varies more or less, according to the assertiveness of the construction schedule.

5. Set realistic deadlines for each step

Having all the above information in hand, it is time to establish the deadlines for compliance with each of the activities, services provided and stages provided for in the construction schedule.

This step should take into account the project’s unique characteristics, such as the objective (is the focus on delivering the project in the shortest period of time or reducing costs more important?), suppliers, service providers’ agenda, possible documentation necessary for the advancement of steps etc.

In addition, external conditions can also influence the delivery time of the project and must be taken into account. Among the simplest examples are: rainy season, natural disasters such as hurricanes or floods etc.

Most importantly, the deadlines must be realistic! Have you ever heard the expression that says time is money? This is because the longer it takes to complete your work, or the more unforeseen happens along the way, the greater the chances of extra costs.

Another point to be taken into account is dependence between the activities and responsible professionals. After all, if the stage of electrical installations is delayed, this will directly impact the delivery time of the painting, for example.

6. Follow and update the construction schedule

To ensure that everything happens as planned, it is not enough to just build a good construction schedule. It is very important to monitor each step of the execution, check all expenses, guide all professionals involved and ensure that all deadlines are met.

And, of course, it is also necessary that the construction schedule is updated whenever possible, especially when there are any changes in planning or unforeseen events.

Extra tip!

Technology has become an essential support in the area of ​​civil construction in recent years. This is because, currently, it is possible to find tools and softwares that assist in the planning, monitoring and projection of costs and materials necessary for the execution of works.

The Planswift software is the most complete tool for take-off estimation and guarantees cost reduction, time and also promotes high precision of projections, contributing directly to the success of the project.

Want to know how to optimize the accuracy of your construction schedule using Planswift software? Get in touch with our team of experts and find out!

 

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