Why are Planning & Scheduling important in Construction Management?

Planning and scheduling play crucial roles in good construction project management. They help the project manager complete projects in time and within budget and ensure the client is on the same page as the contractors. A written plan with a schedule helps & motivates employees and contractors to achieve their goals. Planning & scheduling are important in construction management because:

•       Nobody wants to win a project with an impossible schedule where you may be penalized for late completion. Planning & scheduling helps to determine whether the duration the client has specified is attainable.

•       A project plan and schedule provided to subcontractors while inviting bids for a project, lessens the chances to misinterpret the construction project work. A clear plan will reduce the possibility of arguments and conflicts amongst the contractor and subcontractors.

•       A clear plan and schedule enables monitoring of the project and may enable completion ahead of schedule. A strong plan provides the sequence of tasks to guide project managers and supervisors as to which activities they need to be working on, and which are the next ones they should be planning for. It then shows the route that the team must follow. This is critical particularly when multiple vendors are supporting a project.

•       Planning & scheduling help you stick to cost estimates. It helps to calculate overhead costs and avoid any last minute surprises while preventing unnecessary costs or delays.

•       Monitoring the original project plan & schedule allows you to predict problems that may pop up during a project. It will tell you just how far off-track your project is, and allows you to create an alternate plan to get back on track.

•       Understanding when resources are required and why. By knowing the actual lead times and the sequence that materials will be placed and assembled, a project manager can assess several possible installation sequences to arrive at the most productive approach.

•       Planning and scheduling makes progress easier to track. It provides feedback on whether the construction work is proceeding according to the plan and schedule and whether the project will be completed on time and within budget.

When the team knows what is supposed to occur and when their part begins and ends, managing the project is made easier. Accurate and appropriate planning and scheduling ensures a smooth workflow, timely completion and value for money.