How To Make A Construction Project Schedule

Summary

This video tutorial guides viewers on crafting a construction project schedule, emphasizing the importance of establishing a correct overall project duration and end milestone. It suggests breaking down the task into manageable parts by scheduling individual pages of plans, then logically tying them together. The presenter stresses the visibility of the schedule, involving trade partners for input, and ensuring the schedule is realistic and executable with proper resources, ultimately leading to a successful project timeline.

Takeaways

• 📅 Importance of Correct Timing: Ensuring the right overall project duration and end milestone is crucial for an accurate construction schedule.
• 🔍 Phase-by-Phase Planning: Breaking down the project into phases and planning each phase separately helps in managing the complexity of the project.
• 👷 Trade Flow Essential: Trades should flow logically from one area to another without being overburdened to maintain the project's pace.
• 📚 Study the Drawings: Gaining a high-level understanding of the project through detailed study of the drawings is foundational for effective scheduling.
• 📝 Page-by-Page Scheduling: Creating a schedule by focusing on individual pages of the drawings prevents feeling overwhelmed and allows for a more manageable approach.
• 🔗 Logic Ties for Cohesion: Independent sequences from each page must be logically tied together to form a cohesive overall schedule.
• 👀 Visibility is Key: A good construction project schedule must be visible and easily understood by all stakeholders involved in the project.
• 🤝 Trade Involvement: Involving trade partners in the scheduling process is essential as they provide expert input and are responsible for the actual construction.
• 🛠️ Trade Flow in Schedule: Each part of the schedule should reflect a trade flow that is practical and feasible for the trades to execute.
• 📦 Material and Contract Readiness: The schedule must be supported by a supply chain that can deliver materials and contracts on time.
• 🏢 Coordination and Permissions: Coordination with trade partners and obtaining necessary permissions are critical for the execution of the schedule.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video script?

The primary focus of the video script is to demonstrate the process of creating a construction project schedule, emphasizing the key steps and ensuring none of the important parts of the scheduling process are overlooked.

What does the phrase 'eat the elephant' refer to in the context of the video?

The phrase 'eat the elephant' is a metaphor for tackling a large and complex task, such as creating a construction project schedule, by breaking it down into smaller, manageable parts.

Why is determining the proper overall total project duration important at the start of the scheduling process?

Determining the proper overall total project duration is important because it sets the correct start and end dates for the project, which is crucial for planning and ensuring that the schedule aligns with the project's critical path and trade flow.

What is a 'takt plan' and how does it relate to construction project scheduling?

A 'takt plan' is a method of breaking down the project into phases, each with its own start and end dates. It helps in ensuring that the project schedule is accurate and that the critical path is properly represented, facilitating good trade flow.

What is the significance of trade flow in construction project scheduling?

Trade flow is significant because it ensures that tradespeople can move from one area of the project to another in an organized and efficient manner, avoiding overburdening them and maintaining a smooth workflow.

How does the script suggest approaching the scheduling of a large set of plans?

The script suggests studying the drawings page by page, creating a sequence for the work on each page individually, and then logically tying these sequences together to form the overall project schedule.

What is the most important characteristic of a good construction project schedule according to the video?

The most important characteristic of a good construction project schedule is visibility. It should be clear and easily understood by all stakeholders, allowing for better collaboration and execution.

Why is trade involvement essential in the creation of a project schedule?

Trade involvement is essential because the tradespeople are the experts and builders who will execute the work. Their input is crucial for creating a realistic and executable schedule.

What are the 'critical three' aspects to watch when creating a project schedule?

The 'critical three' aspects are material procurement, trade partner contracts, and coordination and permissions. These ensure that materials, contracts, and necessary permissions are in place for the schedule to be executed successfully.

What additional resources does the script mention for those looking to improve their construction project scheduling skills?

The script mentions a guide with key commandments, principles, contract language, videos, and resources that are available in the description below the video, as well as the option to reach out for training, books, consulting, and project support services.

How can viewers get in touch with the presenter for further assistance or questions about construction project scheduling?

Viewers can reach out to the presenter, Jason, via email at [email protected] for further assistance, resources, or questions regarding construction project scheduling.

Outlines

00:00

📅 Mastering Construction Scheduling Basics

This paragraph introduces the video's purpose: to guide viewers through creating a construction project schedule. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the entire scheduling process to avoid missing any crucial steps. The speaker assures that they will cover the initial steps, how to tackle the overwhelming task of scheduling, and the characteristics of an effective construction schedule. The focus is on establishing a proper project duration and end milestone, which is foundational for a successful schedule.

05:05

📚 Breaking Down the Scheduling Process

The speaker elaborates on the strategy of breaking down the scheduling process into manageable parts, like 'eating an elephant one bite at a time.' They suggest starting with the right overall project duration and using a Critical Path Method (CPM) format to ensure accuracy. The emphasis is on trade flow, which means ensuring that construction trades can move smoothly from one area to another without being overburdened. The paragraph also touches on the importance of involving trade partners early on for accurate budgeting and planning.

10:11

🔍 Page-by-Page Scheduling Technique

This section introduces a methodical approach to scheduling by studying and scheduling each page of the construction plans individually. The idea is to gain a high-level understanding of the entire project before focusing on the details of each page, creating a sequence for the work depicted. The speaker advises against diving straight into scheduling software and instead recommends a step-by-step process that leads to a comprehensive and interconnected schedule. The goal is to simplify complex projects and create a schedule that is easy to understand and execute.

📈 The Importance of Visibility and Trade Input

The final paragraph discusses the most important characteristic of a good project schedule: visibility. The speaker argues that a perfect schedule is one that can be clearly seen and understood by all parties involved. They stress the necessity of trade input, as the trade partners are the experts who will execute the plan. The schedule must have trade flow, be supported by the supply chain, and include critical considerations such as material procurement, contract agreements, and coordination with authorities. The paragraph concludes with a call to action, directing viewers to a guide in the description for further resources and support.

Keywords

💡Construction Project Schedule

A construction project schedule is a detailed plan that outlines the sequence of tasks, their durations, and the milestones for a construction project. It is crucial for coordinating the various activities and ensuring timely completion of the project. In the video, the creation of a construction project schedule is the central theme, with the script emphasizing the importance of having a clear start and end date, as well as a proper understanding of the project's phases.

💡Critical Path Method (CPM)

Critical Path Method (CPM) is a project management technique used to schedule and organize tasks by focusing on the sequence of project activities and their durations. It helps in identifying the longest path of activities in a project, which determines the project's minimum duration. The script mentions CPM format as a way to ensure that the project schedule is accurate and reflects the correct start and end dates.

💡Trade Flow

Trade flow refers to the logical sequence in which different construction trades (such as plumbing, electrical, and framing) are scheduled to perform their tasks. It is essential for preventing overburdening of trades and ensuring a smooth workflow. The script highlights the importance of trade flow in creating a realistic and executable project schedule.

💡Takt Plan

A takt plan is a scheduling technique that breaks down a project into smaller, manageable parts or phases, allowing for better control and visibility of the project's progress. The script suggests using takt plans to manage the different phases of construction, ensuring that each phase has a clear start and end date.

💡Pre-construction

Pre-construction is the initial phase of a construction project where planning, design, and budgeting take place before actual construction begins. The script emphasizes the importance of establishing the right overall project duration during the pre-construction phase to set a realistic timeline for the project.

💡Design Phases

Design phases refer to the various stages of the design process in a construction project, including conceptual design, schematic design, and design development. These phases are crucial for defining the project's scope and requirements. The script mentions the need to establish the correct project duration during these early design stages.

💡Schedule Logic

Schedule logic involves the relationships and dependencies between tasks in a project schedule. It is essential for creating a coherent and realistic project plan. The script discusses the process of logically tying independent sequences together to form a comprehensive project schedule.

💡Visibility

In the context of project scheduling, visibility refers to the clarity and accessibility of the project plan, allowing all stakeholders to understand and collaborate effectively. The script identifies visibility as the most important characteristic of a good project schedule, emphasizing the need for a plan that can be easily seen and understood by all involved parties.

💡Trade Involvement

Trade involvement means actively engaging the expertise of the construction trades in the scheduling process. Since they are the ones who will perform the work, their input is invaluable for creating a realistic and workable schedule. The script stresses the importance of including trade partners in the development of the master schedule, look-ahead schedule, and weekly work plan.

💡Supply Chain

The supply chain in construction refers to the network of suppliers and processes involved in delivering the materials and components needed for a project. The script mentions the importance of ensuring that the schedule is supported by the supply chain, including having the necessary materials available on time.

💡Buffers

Buffers in project scheduling are time reserves or contingency periods added to account for potential delays or uncertainties in task durations. The script discusses the importance of incorporating buffers in the supply chain to manage risks and ensure the project stays on track.

💡Last Planner System

The Last Planner System is a project management method that focuses on improving the planning process by involving trade partners and creating a collaborative environment. It is mentioned in the script as a way to enhance trade involvement and create a more effective scheduling process.

💡Resource Allocation

Resource allocation involves assigning the necessary materials, labor, and equipment to tasks in a project schedule to ensure they can be completed as planned. The script highlights the importance of having the proper resources available at the right time to execute the project schedule effectively.

Highlights

Introduction to creating a construction project schedule and ensuring all key steps are covered.

The importance of establishing the correct overall project duration and end milestone early in the design phase.

Using a Critical Path Method (CPM) format to ensure the schedule's start and end dates are based on phases and trade flow.

The concept of 'eating the elephant' by breaking down the scheduling task into manageable parts without getting overwhelmed.

The necessity of trade flow in scheduling to prevent overburdening trades and ensure smooth work progression.

Ensuring budget accuracy from the pre-construction phase to avoid unnecessary value engineering efforts.

The suggestion to subscribe to a YouTube channel for implementing remarkable constructs.

The method of studying drawings page by page to create a sequence for work and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Linking independent sequences logically to form a coherent schedule and create takt phases.

The emphasis on the visibility of a project schedule as the most important characteristic for its success.

Involvement of trade partners in the scheduling process to incorporate their expertise and ensure feasibility.

The three key principles for creating a perfect schedule: trade flow, supply chain support, and critical resource management.

The importance of material procurement, trade partner contracts, and coordination for successful project execution.

Providing a guide with key commandments, principles, and resources for creating an effective construction project schedule.

Offering training, books, resources, consulting, and project support services for those needing assistance in schedule creation.

The final call to action for viewers to reach out for help and to check out the provided resources for creating remarkable project schedules.

Transcripts

In this video, I'm going to show you how  to create a construction project schedule.  

You're going to leave here knowing the key steps,  you may know little parts of scheduling. And you  

may have specific training. But this is going  to pull it all together and make sure you don't  

forget any important part of the scheduling  process. In this video, I'm going to talk  

about what is always the first thing you do to  create a construction project schedule and why.

The other thing is how you can eat that elephant  meaning like, this is a big task, like doing a  

construction project schedule. Where do I start?  My plans are this big? How do I go through it? How  

do you go through it and not get overwhelmed and  eat that elephant one bite at a time, I don't even  

know if elephant tastes good. But I'll show you  how to do it. And we're going to leave you with  

what is the most important characteristic of a  good construction project schedule. So stay with  

us, we're going to jam. Alright. Alright, so the  first thing that you're going to want to do is  

make sure that you have the proper overall total  project duration, or the right end milestone. And  

so let me draw some things up here on the board.  Typically construction throughout the lifecycle of  

construction, you have the maintenance, period, you  have the construction period here in the middle,  

and then you have pre construction and design. So  first and foremost, early on in design, whether  

it's you're going in for the interview, the award,  conceptual design, schematic design, development,  

or the CD phase, you need to make sure that the  first thing you do is to make sure you have the  

right overall total project duration. And so  that is the key. If I'm looking at the schedule,  

the start date and the end date. And this is your  schedule, let me do it in a CPM format, right, it  

has to be correct. And let me say this, it won't  be unless you have trade flow. So what I like to  

do with these phases is to takt them out. So each  phase will be a part of a takt plan. And I will  

know for a fact that my start date, my end date  are correct, because it shows the critical path,  

going through phases and wait for this that have  good trade flow. That means your trade can go from  

area to area to area in a flow. The reason  that's important is because trades should go  

from zone to zone to zone, and you can't just  stack them or overburden them, and expect them  

to do more work than they're capable of doing.  So if you want this measurement to be correct,  

you must have the start and end date based on  phases and a critical path that summarizing good  

phases with trade flow. That's number one and if  you do that, you will have a good start and end  

date. And early on in pre construction, you will  be able to make sure that your budget is correct,  

so that the designers don't take it to design  more features in the building. And then you  

have to take it back through some garbage value  engineering effort, you can have the right budget  

from day one. Real quick, let me just say one  thing that we also want to have from day one  

is a YouTube channel that really showcases how to  implement remarkable constructs, a way we have that  

it's this one, you can just go ahead and like  and subscribe right now. And you have it from  

day one. So please do that right now. That is the  first thing that we should do together. And now  

I'm going to talk about the second concept  that if we understand will make this huge  

project, this huge task seem manageable. And this  works everywhere we try it. So you're not going  

to go take a set of plans that are like this  tall and try to schedule that whole building,  

you're gonna want to go page by page. So first  and foremost, when you get on a project, you're  

going to want to study the drawings. And we that  means get a overview, a high level understanding  

of what that project is going to be. And then once  you have that you kind of have a general vision of  

what the project is going to be, then you're going  to want to study their drawings page by page.  

And on each one of these pages as you study the  drawings. And you look at the building components  

in the actual drawing set. And as you read the  notes, and you really get an understanding of  

what's on that page, right there on that page, or  out to the side or in your scheduling software.  

You go ahead and create the sequence for the work  that's on that page. Yes, it's disconnected. Yes,  

it's is not tied into the overall schedule. But  you can go ahead and just schedule that single  

page, you can easily go through that whole  set of documents and not get overwhelmed,  

and literally schedule a sequence page by page,  then the third part of that will be to take your  

independent sequences and start to logic, tie them  together, right and create the right logic ties.  

So your schedule starts to show up with the phases  in the right sequence or the sequences that you've  

created. And step number two will become takt  phases. And then instead of those takt phases,  

being at the same start date, you will again  start to create interdependence ties to where  

those takt phases start to trigger the completion  of secondary phases. Once you have that, you'll be  

able to flesh out your complete schedule, start to  finish, flesh out your complete schedule, whether  

it's in CPM or takt. And that way, you can then  only focus on the ties only focus on the ties,  

and not have to worry about two things all at  once. So you've separated the creation of the  

sequences page by page. And you've now gone over  and focused on the logic tie on the logic tie. So  

now you've completed your overall schedule. So you  have focus here, your focus here. And this will  

really simplify complex projects and the process  of creating your schedule. Okay, so real quick,  

please do not underestimate what I've just shown  you here. This is the key. If you get asked  

to make a schedule, do not just dive into the  software. Do not just start scheduling and typing  

and clicking buttons. You have to go through the  drawings, you have to get a basis and you have to  

start working page by page, and then bring it into  a network or a system. If you do that, I promise  

you, I promise you, you're gonna be proud of the  work that you do. You're gonna love it. Okay,  

so before we go to the rest of the content, I want  to say the most important characteristic of a good  

project schedule is that it's visible. Adam hoots  the other day asked me, Jason, is there a way to  

create a perfect project schedule? And I said,  Yes, that might seem irresponsible to some people,  

because it's not a perfect projection. But that's  not what makes a perfect schedule. What makes  

a perfect schedule is that you can perfectly see  the plan. And so even if your schedule isn't right  

the first time, meaning that you've gone through  and you've studied the plans, you've made a plan,  

page by page and you've networked that plan. It  doesn't matter if it's right. In fact, it's not  

right. It's a perfect schedule, if you can see it.  And so that's where tact putting it on one page,  

the last planner system, putting it on visuals  so that your trade partners can work with it and  

collaborate with it. And using systems like Scrum,  end up making perfect schedules, because everyone  

can see it and it's a perfect schedule. So that's  the single most important characteristic, which  

enables the other tips that I'm going to give you,  this schedule that you create has to have trade  

input, they are the experts. They're the builders,  you are the planner, scheduler, coordinator  

executor, you are the leader of the project.  But we must rely on the crew leaders, the trade  

partners on the project to do the building. And  therefore we have to involve get the wisdom from  

a communicate with and collaborate with the people  that are closest to the field and to the product  

that's being installed. So your master schedule,  your look ahead schedule, your weekly work plan  

must have trade involvement, according to the  last planner system. And I'll leave you with three  

keys, you're gonna love this. In fact, if you  don't have notes, probably want to get a piece of  

paper and start to take notes. Number one, every  single part of your schedule must have trade flow,  

meaning instead of a trade being like or being  asked to be in nine different areas, I gotta  

be here, here, here, here. And it's all vertical  on the schedule, that trade must have flow from  

area to area to area to area, huge. Every schedule  must have trade flow. The next concept is whatever  

you've created in the schedule with the trade  partner testing you with the trade partners,  

right? With trade flow has to be able to start on  that date, and be supported by a supply chain. And  

remember, there's buffers in the supply chain, and  then there's the supply chain itself. So once you  

create a schedule, it doesn't mean anything unless  you've checked to make sure that we can get the  

materials to build it on those dates. And lastly,  watch what I call the critical three. That means  

material procurement. That means buy out meaning  that you have contracts for the trade partners.  

And that means coordination and permissions.  So if you don't have the materials, you can't  

build it. If you don't have the contracts of the  trade partners, you can't build it. If you don't  

have the area coordinated, and if you don't  have the permits from the city or any other  

authority having jurisdiction, you can't build  it. So once you create that schedule, make it  

a perfect schedule, which means it's visible, make  it a realistic schedule, which means including the  

trade partners, and then make sure you can execute  that schedule by making sure that you have the  

proper resources that can show up on time. We've  combined all of this information into a guide that  

we're going to put in the description below.  We've put a lot of time in there. We have key  

commandments, we have key principles to follow.  We've shown you the key things that you must do in  

order to have a really good construction project  schedule. It's all in that we even have contract  

language for you, and videos and resources. You've  got to check it out. It's a specifically curated  

website specifically for this, please go check it  out in the description below. I know you're gonna  

love it, you've got to have it. At the end, I want  you to be able to create these project schedules.  

If you need help reach out to us put something  in the comments below. Reach out to me at Jason  

[email protected] There's  training, there's books, there's resources,  

there's consulting, and specifically there's  project support services that can help you  

tomorrow. There is a way to create a remarkable  construction project schedule. On we go.