Building Schedule...where to start

Hi Rizwan,

What is your background, have you worked in construction field.... Just to understand where to start.

Anees

I am an Electrical Engineer.

Rizwan.

to set up the software (calender, code, rules..) is easy.
it’s very importance that you have a basic understanding of the work you are going to plan.

For example, the sequence of works, resource required,duration, different kind of construction method...

with these knowledges, one can be a planner even he can’t not use any planning software. on the contrary, one can use software very well,but knows little about the work, then he will be a computer operator not a planner

I understand that too and I have been through the trainings for that stuff too. Even though I don’t have hands on experience but I do have better understanding of the job as well. I know I will need some supervision in the start to get along with my work but people around me know the work very well and they don’t know the software at all, so it is like blind and deaf’s story who have to save each others life...:)

Thanks,
Rizwan.

as for me... the most important thing is you shud know the concept of project management... since it is the root for a planner... you need to know the the sequences of work,predessor and successor ,resources, duration and etc....and the most thing that u shud understand is CPM... one you have familiar with the CPM and what activities drive what activities... then you we be ok...

A real quick lesson to get you going

Firstly try to break your project down into phases, Design, Procurement, Manufacture, Construction, Commissioning & Handover is a simple example. Under each phase you may have sub-phases if you will. For example in design you may have Outline proposals, detailed proposals, final proposals etc. From here you can start to build your programme structure.

However, it is not important to get all this info onto the planning software before you start, it’s more important to find out what the project involves, what work/activities you will be looking after & monitoring. Once you have ascertained this information it will be easier to structure the programme into phases and to what detail you need to be planning at in that phase.

This can be quite difficult because people see it in different ways and only with practice & experience will you become more confident each time you start a new project. If you break your project down into easy enough phases then it will be easy for you & others to understand.

Calendars, resources, costs etc are all important too, but try not to get ahead of yourself, my suggestion for your first time is plan the activities out first (use simple bars for starters then add the detail, this helps if you would like to alter the structure of your programme as your building it), add your calendars and schedule then input resource/cost data and review.

Remember, keep it simple and easy to use, at the end of the day it’s about how you communicate the status of the project and how you can assist the project team to improve delivery, or get them out the crap because they never listened to you in the first place.

Hi Kieran,

Why they’ll never listen in the first place? Is it really difficult to learn after you’ve grown up?

cheers

I would start with getting a set of drawings and specs. Understnad the scheduling spec so you’ll know what the Owners expectations are.

Then, get familiar with the building. Understand the structure, foundations, shell, and fitout.

Get yourself some large sheets of paper (size D or E) and start drawing the construction logic out. Boxes and arrows. Get your hands on the estimate to help you build the engineering piece of the schedule. Focus on the activities first, then go back and add durations. Lastly, add the ties.

Think about how you want to organize the tasks. Phase, areas, levels, responsibility codes, etc.

This should get you started. Appeal to the project team: Superintendents, PM, etc. to assist you in the development.

Building a schedule is best done in steps. Typically, you’ll need a outline-style schedule initially, then the detail will come.

good Luck.

Rizwan do you know anything about what you are trying to plan?
If not stop reading primavera books and get out on site you wont becomne a planner by reading a book you will become a software jockey
As
charlie would say hard love mate.
Oscar