What is the Best Solution for Construction Project Scheduling, and Why is it Important?

 

 

The term “scheduling” is commonly used to refer to the process of outlining a construction project’s tasks, activities, and milestones alongside their respective start and end dates. It specifies when and how things need to get done and how that job will be done.

Additionally, scheduling defines the manner and sequence in which items are given. Finally, it allows for modifications to suit shifting circumstances and unplanned events.

As the construction business changes, more and more construction managers use digital tools to understand better and complete different projects. Project scheduling software is being adopted by a growing number of firms in the industry so that internal processes can be optimized, productivity can be increased, and teams can better align – especially when there are multiple teams in different locations.

Best Construction Project Scheduling Software

Construction management software is a broad category, including several specialized subcategories designed to address unique challenges the construction industry faces. Depending on your specific requirements and needs, you can choose from several different types of software. 

Analytics Software

Construction managers may save time and keep current on projects using historical and real-time information analytics tools. For example, a manager can ensure that an ongoing project works as efficiently as possible by using past data from previous projects to predict a new one more precisely.

Drawing Software 

Throughout the planning and execution phases, construction drawing tools facilitate communication between site owners, contractors, builders, and managers and the submission, revision, and collaboration of construction drawing designs.

Enterprise Resource Planning Software

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software for the construction industry unifies data from various sources working on different aspects of a single project. ERPs facilitate seamless collaboration across geographically dispersed teams from invoicing and accounting to file management and communication.

Job Costing Software 

Estimating or job costing software is useful for managing building and construction project estimation and proposal phases. These types of solutions can be customized to satisfy the demands of companies operating in more specific construction industry segments or to give those offering a wider range of services a more comprehensive estimate.

Project Management Software 

Project management tools are used to monitor a construction project’s ongoing operations. These systems manage workflows, punch lists, task assignments, team/resource allocation, etc., to maintain a project on schedule and under budget.

Risk and Safety Management Software 

These systems offer users data collection from production reports, on-site walkthroughs, and other sources to guarantee safety and adherence to predetermined compliance standards. They are made to help site managers reduce risks on building sites more effectively.

 

7 Reasons Scheduling Is Important in Construction

Everyone gains from efficient construction scheduling, including you, your business, your staff, the contractors you work with, and your clients. Here are just seven typical advantages of scheduling and planning a project in the construction industry.

Your Project Quote Will be More Accurate

A successful bid is the first stage in any building project. However, more than bidding the appropriate amount, having the proper wording, and providing accurate paperwork; it is necessary to impress a potential client. If your bid is accurate, you can pay the bill even if a project goes differently than planned.

Before making a decision, reviewing a realistic and thorough construction timetable enables you to account for all relevant elements. And as a result, you are more equipped to respond honestly when asked how much a task would cost and whether you can finish it in a specific amount of time. 

Cost Projections are More Precise

Correct quotations and bids are beneficial to your company. A strong construction schedule is a solid foundation you can securely base pricing and cost estimations on. This will allow you to negotiate reasonable bulk prices on common supplies because you know when you’ll need specific goods and can utilize this knowledge in conjunction with information about other projects.

You May Manage Resources More Wisely With the Use of Schedules

The building timeline includes a significant amount of resource management. Effective and intelligent scheduling is crucial if you only have one plumber available and four building projects are in progress at once. If not, you risk putting one or more of your projects on hold while everyone waits for the plumber to finish up at another job.

It is necessary to carefully schedule specialists like electricians and plumbers, but it is also important with deliveries of goods, inspections, and general labor. A precise building timetable is essential to route all these resources in the best possible method because resources are limited.

Construction Managers Have a List of Things They Need to Accomplish at Specific Times

A timetable also guarantees that the person in charge of a location arrives daily with a list of what needs to be done. This is crucial since you might need to replace employees throughout the project. Anyone from your team can quickly pick up where others left off using the schedule.

You Can Manage Safety Concerns More Effectively

When dangerous work (like demolition) is scheduled in advance, everyone involved can be aware of the potential hazards. You can eliminate unnecessary or excessive equipment from the site and guarantee that all required safety equipment will be present. As a result, you will be able to avoid injury on your site.

You Can Build in Time to Account for Known or Possible Future Challenges

If a client requests something be finished in six months, but you require exactly 180 days, that is poor scheduling because you need to allow for potential roadblocks and problems. You can’t guarantee that getting a permit won’t take longer than expected or that a tropical storm won’t delay things for a few weeks. 

You can estimate some known concerns and provide time in the plan for them when you start with a construction timetable by considering the time of year and the location of the job. Additionally, you may plan for unforeseen problems by adding extra time, virtually ensuring that your worst-case scenario will end on schedule.

The Schedule Provides a Standard for Everyone to Gauge their Development

After a reasonable timeline has been established, it can be used by all parties involved to evaluate the project’s development. A client is less likely to get on your case if it appears that you’re keeping to the timetable you specified at the outset. This allows you to hold your team accountable as well, so they know when they need to catch up.

The Transcend Construction Project Scheduling Software Solution 

Transcend offers construction project scheduling software that enables contractors and building businesses to monitor, link, and manage every component of complicated projects so they can complete them on schedule and under budget.

Without the aid of internal engineers or strong internal IT teams, the Transcend PM platform enables enterprises to optimize operations through real-time insights and automation across complicated processes and dispersed systems.

Project managers can design a solution that integrates their current procedures and prioritizes visibility using Transcend’s flexible platform. Large scale projects are made manageable for construction firms of all sizes with Transcend.