BLDG 9197

CONSTRUCTION PLANNING
AND SCHEDULING
MODULE 1

Introduction
Construction Planning and Scheduling

¾ This course introduces the concepts of project

planning and scheduling including various types of
schedules used in the construction industry.
¾ The course focuses on the sequencing of operations of a
construction project and the effective use of schedules.
Course Outcomes

„ On conclusion of this course, the student will be

able to demonstrate:
¾ A basic understanding of the concepts of
scheduling, it's benefits and shortcomings.
¾ A knowledge of the various types of
schedules used in the construction industry.
¾ An understanding of the information to be obtained
from a construction schedule.
¾ The application of scheduling techniques to overall
project management.
TOPICAL OUTLINE

Module 2: Principles & Techniques of

Planning in Construction

Module 3: Scheduling – Forms and Use

TOPICAL OUTLINE

Module 4: Overview of Project

Management

Module 5: Project Planning

Module 6: Analysis of Network Diagrams

TOPICAL OUTLINE

Module 7: Precedence Diagrams and

P.E.R.T
Module 8: Activity Duration Estimation

Module 9: Schedule Development

TOPICAL OUTLINE

Module 10: Schedule Optimization

Module 11: Project Control Systems

Construction Planning and
Scheduling
What is Planning?

„ Planning is the working out of how

to do an operation.
„ What labour, materials and equipment are
required and what are the detailed steps
necessary to carry it out.
What is Planning?

„ Planning deals with work to be

performed in the future.
„ How well the work was planned will be
shown in the history of the work as it is
performed.
„ If the planning has been ineffective , the history of
the work will show where the plan failed.
What is Scheduling?

„ Scheduling is the answer to the

question “When?” and “In what order?”.
„ Scheduling allows us to test our plan and to
investigate alternatives prior to proceeding.
„ No schedule will compensate for an ill conceived
plan.
Planning

„ Planning is the essence of any successful

project.
„ The time spent planning the work prior to
commencing the project is the most valuable
and cost efficient time available.
Planning

„ The planning process does not end with

the commencement of the work.
„ Planning must continue in areas when the
work is changing or where the work has
deviated from the original plan
Elements of Planning

„ Three basic elements must be considered

in the planning process:
„ Time
„ Information
„ Resources
Elements of Planning

„ Time
„ A plan is valueless if not prepared at the right
time. It must be prepared well in advance of
the operation prior to implementation
Elements of Planning

„ Information
„ The collection and analysis of data to be
used
„ Study of documents
„ Meetings with the team
„ Applying own knowledge and experience
Elements of Planning

„ Resources
„ A good plan will always take into account
available resources of
„ Labour
„ Material
„ Equipment
„ Money
Obstacles to Effective Planning

„ Time Span
„ Unpredictability of Events
„ Mental Ability
„ Lack of information
Obstacles to Effective Planning

„ Time Span
„ Unpredictability of Events
„ Mental Ability
„ Lack of information
Obstacles to Effective Planning

„ Time Span
„ Short term plans can be detailed and exact,
longer term plans can should be more
general with provision to build in details as
the need becomes evident.
Obstacles to Effective Planning

„ Unpredictability of Events
„ Bad weather
„ may cancel a concrete pour
„ Equipment failure
„ may break down at a critical time
„ Be prepared and be ready to take corrective
action.
Obstacles to Effective Planning

„ Mental Ability
„ Failure on the part of the planner to take into
account the factors bearing on the problem
„ Consider all available information.
Obstacles to Effective Planning

„ Lack of Information
„ If vital information is lacking, the success of
the planning process will be endangered
„ Thorough and careful collection and analysis of
data is vital and must be done before any plan is
prepared.