Construction Scheduling Strategies: Tricks of the Trade

Every scheduler has his own intuition regarding construction scheduling strategies. However; intuition will only get you so far in the real construction world. In the field is an entirely different matter. Perhaps that is why few mechanics ever even look at a schedule. Here are some insights from a seasoned field mechanic – yours’ truly, that will help you optimize your approach to sequencing.

1. Any construction schedule that has the luxury of finish-to-start relationships throughout is too good to be true. Always assume there will be start-to-start lag whenever possible. This is a strategy to combat over-aggressive deadlines.
2. When calculating excavated excess fill to be hauled off-site, factor for loose fill, which will be substantially more: for example 100CY of compacted or undisturbed fill may become 130CY of loose fill to haul. Read this post for some interesting tips.
3. Do check the boring logs, as they affect the rate of excavation, as well as noting areas of rock, or those requiring remediation.
4. Painting typically is given a start-to start relationship with its immediate successors, such as electrical devices and plumbing fixtures. Devices such as fire strobes and audible alerts need to be installed, tested, and programmed – a notoriously time consuming process, which is often delayed by painting. Given that knowledge, when float is tight, it makes sense to install your devices and fixtures before painting. Painters can mask, and cut-in around the devices, thereby foregoing delay.
5. Wet-work and wood don’t mix: never have wood flooring or architectural woodwork on-site unless:
   1. All wet-plaster work in the vicinity is cured, and
   2. An environmentally stable installation space is provided.
6. Integrating new fire alarm points into an existing system is always fraught with complications. Always allow at least 1/3 extra time to commission and program the system.
7. Familiarize yourself with the various control packages. Determine if a systems integrator will be required, and provide the necessary duration for the integration work. Systems integration is an activity overlooked far too often in construction scheduling.
8. Never trust the productivity rates in RS Means, and similar publications for your constrcution scheduling. They are only meant to represent an average rate, for an average installation. For example, RSM might allow x hours to frame a 100LF run straight partition, yet if there were 10 inside and 10 outside corners, partitions would be factored at the same rate, although productivity might be only 50% of a straight run.
9. Understand the hierarchy of the MEP installations. Basically, ‘tin-wins,’ i.e., sheet metal duct work is installed high and tight, followed by plumbing, electric, and sprinkler heads at the bottom. This hierarchy is a factor of access: anything installed above the ceiling before the duct will obstruct it.
10. Include separate activities for lag. Otherwise, end-user may not fully understand your sequencing. Moreover, many agencies won’t allow lag, unless you show them as such separate activities.
11. Bonus point: check the specifications for required controlled testing, such as duct and sprinkler pressure tests, which can delay the closing of your ceilings, and add activities for them.

These construction scheduling strategies should help shape up any build-out timeline.

Happy Scheduling!

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