Unraveling the Threads of Project Scheduling
Unraveling the Threads of Project Scheduling
Ever felt like you're navigating a maze of deadlines and timelines, with each day at school or work feeling like a whirlwind of tasks and responsibilities?
Well, just like in the classroom or the office, construction projects have their version of schedules – and trust me, they're not just for show!
Let's dive right in.
1. Procurement Let's kick things off with the bread and butter of project planning – procurement. Every trade should have a roadmap for when they'll be snagging their materials. Think of it as the GPS for your project's supplies. By scrutinizing these timelines, you can dodge the bullet of material shortages and keep your project on track.
2. Buy-Outs In the world of cost-plus and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) setups, knowing when those subcontractor contracts are inked is the name of the game. It's like a synchronized dance; the timing of these contracts can make or break your project budget. So, make sure those contracts are signed, sealed, and delivered on time to keep the rhythm flowing smoothly.
3. Submittals Ah, submittals – the unsung heroes of project progress. Just like procurement, each trade should have a schedule for submitting their plans. These timelines need to sync up with the project's overall timeline like a finely tuned orchestra. Late submissions can throw a wrench into even the best-laid plans.
4. Installation (trade overlap) Picture this: a beautifully choreographed ballet of trades seamlessly overlapping to maximize efficiency. That's the dream, right? Well, sometimes reality falls short. Take a closer look at how those trades are scheduled to overlap. You might just uncover hidden pockets of time ripe for optimization.
5. Milestones Sure, everyone looks at the start and end dates, but what about the pit stops along the way? Think of milestones as the checkpoints on your project's journey. From foundation to final clean, each milestone should be tracked like a seasoned explorer marking their path through uncharted territory.
Make it Contractual Now, here's where the rubber meets the road. Make sure all these schedule intricacies are locked down tight in your prime agreement with the CM/GC. It's like adding an extra layer of security to your project's blueprint, ensuring everyone's on the same page from day one.
MUD Lesson #6 - when it comes to construction, every detail counts.
Don't let that schedule gather dust in a forgotten drawer. Treat it like the Swiss army knife of project management – versatile, indispensable, and always within reach.
Weekly reviews whether it be with partners, a board, your CM/GC or just yourself will keep everyone accountable and ensure no milestone goes unnoticed.
Peace!
MT