When going through the scheduling process of a project, it is important to understand what makes things go right… and what things could go wrong! Many delays, disruptions, and loss of productivity claims are lost or substantially reduced in value because mistakes, errors and carelessness are reflected in the original schedule and plan of operations. The original schedule is often the first piece of documentation that the owner receives demonstrating the contractor’s professionalism in planning and management. It is important to understand that the best way to avoid scheduling mistakes is to proactively assess your practices and see how you can improve!
- No proof of the information used to prepare schedule
- Errors in technical logic
- Incomplete schedules or unrealistic productivity or durations
- Overlooking procurement of critical materials
- Failure to consider physical restraints and weather restraints
- Failure to consider resources
- Failure to consider the economics of the sequencing or uncertainty and risk in establishing durations
- Schedule does not “tie in” to the anticipated means and methods and/or estimate
- Logic intentionally deviates from the manner in which the contractor intends to build
- The schedule submitted to the owner was not used to build the project
The schedule that you set can often cast the tone for the job. It is the document that establishes the benchmark of all time related claims if ever in court. As such, it has a tremendous impact on the judge and jury and influences the credibility they will attach to the evidence that follows. What mistakes have you made in the past, and what solutions have you found that work well?
