Introduction to Project Scheduling

A well-defined, realistic schedule gives construction firms complete oversight over all stages of a
project’s lifecycle. That includes an array of techniques construction teams should consider
implementing before a project begins.

Each construction project is unique, so selecting the right scheduling technique helps project
planners optimize resources, collaboration, risk mitigation, and ultimately performance during all
phases of work.

Project scheduling ensures that tasks are planned, resources are allocated efficiently, and projects
are completed on time and within budget.

Importance of Project Scheduling

 Ensures timely completion of construction projects.

 Helps in resource allocation and cost control.

 Enhances coordination between stakeholders (contractors, clients, suppliers).

 Reduces delays and risks associated with project execution.

 Project Scheduling Techniques in Construction

Construction scheduling techniques are designed to help with two key things: to come up with
“the plan” of a project or program, and then to help manage it.

The quality of that plan depends on the skill level and experience of the people involved.
Construction scheduling techniques provide different options, but they’re all focused on helping
individuals and teams describe an item of work (activity), how long that work will last
(duration), what other items of work come before or after it (sequence/relationship/logical ties),
and, most important, when those activities will likely happen from the beginning of a project to
the end (dates). They include:
 i. Gantt Charts

A visual representation of tasks along a timeline that shows task dependencies and deadlines.
Used in software like Microsoft Project and Primavera P6.

Advantages: Most Gantt charts are easy to read. They provide an at-a-glance, visual summary of
all the construction tasks and timeframes on a project, keeping the different teams informed and
organized.

Disadvantages: As Gantt charts get bigger, they can get harder to read and distill information.
Looking at big project timelines in Gantt charts can feel intimidating. Gantt charts need constant
updates to keep them current, which can be challenging in fast-paced and complex construction
sites.
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Based on this Example
1. Planning
o Define project scope
o Identify stakeholders
o Set timelines and resources
2. Research
o Collect relevant data
o Analyze requirements
o Review best practices
3. Design
o Draft initial designs
o Review and revise drafts
o Finalize design documentation
4. Implementation
o Procure resources
o Execute project plan
o Monitor progress and adjust
5. Follow-Up
o Evaluate outcomes
o Collect feedback
o Close project and report

ii. Critical Path Method (CPM)

This technique develops the initial picture of a project and identifies the resources and time
required to complete each milestone, as well as how the set goals relevant to the project. By
recalculating the math with different algorithms and computer programs, CPM includes an
estimate of the fastest possible time to finish a specific activity.

Advantages:

CPM highlights which activities drive the end date of a project. These activities are categorized
as having zero “float,” meaning the amount of time a task can be delayed without driving out a
project’s end date. CPM helps project managers and participants understand not just which
activities are driving the end date of a project, but also which ones “could” jump onto the critical
path based on how much float they have. It helps project managers more confidently allocate
funding and allot resources to complete the project on time.

Disadvantages: Because the algorithm runs the show, it can seem overly complex and
complicated. Also, CPM software can be intimidating to those learning to schedule projects.

iii. Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)

PERT is a construction scheduling technique used to estimate project duration, identify risks, and
identify most likely activity durations when there’s uncertainty about the estimates. It’s valuable
on complicated projects and can be a more visual representation than a CPM. Used for projects
with uncertain task durations.

PERT starts by identifying project tasks and their durations and lays out the milestones indicating
progress. Calculations provide the best estimate of the time required to complete each task.

Advantages: PERT gives project managers a clear picture of critical tasks that must be completed
on time to keep the project on schedule. A PERT schedule allows for flexibility because it
considers both best- and worst-case scenarios.
Disadvantages: PERT is a complicated construction scheduling technique that can be time-
consuming. Performing a calculation for each task on a large, complex project could take hours,
although with the capabilities available in today’s construction project management software,
this isn’t nearly the concern it once was.

iv. Line of Balance (LOB)

Is a project management technique used in construction to plan and control repetitive

work tasks, such as high-rise buildings, road construction, and pipeline installations. It
ensures continuous workflow by scheduling activities in a sequence that prevents
bottlenecks and idle time.

LOB is very specific and has more to do with resource demand, capacity, and production
rates related mainly to work crews. This construction scheduling technique is more
common in commercial construction—where work crews are moving from floor to floor
or building to building and there’s a need to squeeze out downtime—than it is in
residential construction.

Advantages: LOB is great for helping to understand resource inefficiencies. If crews are
idle, then the project is losing money. Where is the waste in the profit margin? LOB can
 help squeeze out the overlap and change the slope of productivity, which ultimately
makes the job more profitable.

Disadvantages: The LOB method is much too complicated for small projects. Only a
handful of people within a construction organization are likely to be LOB advocates and
truly understand it.

v. Excel templates

Construction schedules kept in Excel have their limitations, but this remains an extremely
popular method. Excel templates are a simple way to stay organized and keep the details
of a construction project together. And about all you need to know is how to work in a
spreadsheet format.

Advantages:

Excel templates are appropriate for very small, simple projects.

Since Excel is bundled into Microsoft Office, it’s user-friendly, inexpensive, and
accessible.

Disadvantages:

Most construction planners worth their salt don’t do their core planning and scheduling
practice in an Excel template. For one thing, every cell in the spreadsheet must be
 manually updated, a laborious process requiring constant hands-on attention the moment
something on a project changes.

It’s also not a collaborative scheduling technique. Sharing an Excel template means there
will be multiple versions of the original document with various changes sent via email.
This technique will often result in project delays and costly decisions based on outdated
information.

vi. Qualitative scheduling (Q scheduling)

Q Scheduling, a risk-based scheduling method, is a relatively new construction

scheduling approach that uses bar charts to help visualize resource quantities and the
locations and times they’ll be needed. Q scheduling also is gaining popularity for its
advanced data analysis techniques. Project managers can use Q scheduling to prioritize
risks by assessing their probability and impact.

Advantages: Q scheduling is useful for repetitive construction tasks. This method allows
workers and managers to see which materials they need and when to order them, follow
tasks in sequence, and avoid disrupting others’ work.

Disadvantages: Q scheduling is one of the least common construction scheduling

techniques, used only when tasks are repeated but variable quantities of resources are
used.

vii. Resource-oriented scheduling

Resource-oriented scheduling is similar to the Line of Balance method. It loads resources,

mainly labor, equipment, and material (LEM), onto activities to identify situations in
which multiple parties will need access to those resources at the same time. This
scheduling method is particularly useful where resources are in short supply but are
critical for a project to be completed on time and on budget.

Advantages: Resource-oriented scheduling is a super helpful technique to understand

when things can and can’t happen. Resource-loading a schedule supplies a ton of rich
information.
Disadvantages: It requires constant updating and becomes increasing complicated as a
project matures, just as the LOB method does. The more resources for the job and the
bigger the project, the more touches it needs.
viii. Agile scheduling

Agile scheduling is typically associated with software development, but the construction
industry is attempting to adopt some of its tenets. It’s a framework for how to think about
sequencing work. Scrums (a collaborative framework that helps teams work toward a
common goal) is a common Agile methodology.

Advantages: With Agile management, shifting and working around design changes or
unexpected conditions that influence a construction schedule, such as adverse weather
and supply shortages, can be simpler to manage.

Disadvantages: Agile scheduling isn’t a construction-specific scheduling technique.

That’s not to say that it doesn’t or can’t work within construction; it’s just not as popular.
Other techniques are very specific to the built world, with its unique scheduling
requirements. Because the construction process is sequential and large projects are
scheduled for the most efficient use of contractors and crews, Agile scheduling
techniques would need to be adjusted to work with construction’s contractual, schedule,
and cost goals to reduce the likelihood of change orders, delays, and cost overruns.

ix. Building Information Modeling (BIM)

o Integrates scheduling with 3D modeling to visualize project timelines.

o Used in software like Autodesk Revit and Navisworks.

Project Scheduling Software in Kenya

 Microsoft Project – Widely used for task scheduling and tracking.

 Primavera P6 – Used for large-scale construction scheduling.

 Procore – A cloud-based construction management software.

 AutoCAD Civil 3D – Integrates design and scheduling in civil projects.

 Asta Powerproject – Used in major infrastructure projects.

Challenges in Project Scheduling

 Delays due to poor planning and lack of coordination.

 Inaccurate time estimation leading to budget overruns.

 Material and labor shortages disrupting timelines.

 Regulatory approvals causing unexpected delays.