The different types of construction planning

In construction, effectively managing time and resources on a construction site is fundamental. And having the right planning tools is essential. This article discusses the different types of construction site planning and provides concrete solutions for the realization of your projects.

Why use schedules on a construction site?

Good planning structures the preparation and execution of tasks. It also ensures the coordination of the work of journeymen.

The challenges of construction site planning

Site planning is an important support for project managers. It is used to organize, plan and monitor the progress of the work, and constitutes a step required to prepare the site. Its implementation involves the coordination of teams in the field, subcontractors, construction managers, architects and project managers.

The main objectives of construction planning are:

• To establish an order of work for effective site management.
• To set the start and end dates for each task and each work, thus ensuring the progress of the project.
• To predict the end of the project while respecting the deadlines set.

Regardless of the type of organization, The schedule guides all the actors involved in the construction site until the total completion of the works. For example:

• The project owner is generally based on the schedule for the release of funds in accordance with the progress of the project. Respecting the dates is therefore essential for the maintenance of its commitments.
• The project manager For its part, fixes the work on the basis of the schedule. It monitors deadlines and applies possible penalties.
• Businesses finally use it to manage their workforce, subcontractors, or even equipment.

Who is responsible for creating the schedules?

Depending on the type of work and the size of the companies, creating the construction schedule is the responsibility the project manager, the construction manager, the construction manager, or the construction economist.

Their aim is to ensure that every aspect of the project is planned precisely to avoid delays or budget overruns.

The various existing schedules to plan a construction site

There are many types of planning. Here are a few examples.

The task schedule or GANTT chart

The Gantt chart, also called bar schedule, is a very popular tool for construction project management. It presents the different stages of the project, indicating their order and how they depend on each other.

This model is convenient because it clearly shows What tasks need to be completed before you can start the next ones. This characteristic is not always obvious with other types of schedules.

What is the GANTT chart used for?

The Gantt chart is particularly useful for plan and coordinate projects. It allows you to effectively manage the work schedule by graphically representing the duration and sequence of the various tasks.

This planning model is suitable for organizing construction work, from earthworks to delivery. It helps project managers to identify priority steps, to plan the intervention of the various teams and to synchronize the supply of materials.

Advantages and disadvantages of the GANTT chart

Advantages:

• Clarity: The Gantt chart provides a clear and understandable view of the project. It shows the expected start and end of each task, making it easy to manage time.
• Coordination: it facilitates the positioning of tasks by showing their execution links. This is fundamental in construction, where works are often interdependent.
• Project monitoring: it allows easy monitoring of the progress of work, which is vital for respecting deadlines and budgets.

Disadvantages:

• Complexity: For very large projects, the Gantt chart can become complex and difficult to read.
• Flexibility: it may be less flexible to represent last-minute changes or adjustments in the schedule.

The Gantt chart is therefore a tool widely used in construction for planning and monitoring projects. It brings a clear vision of the progress of the work while emphasizing the interdependencies between tasks.

The charge schedule

The load plan (PDC), or load schedule, is an important internal management tool. It offers a clear view of thethe balance between the workload of the various sites and production capacities. It helps to quickly identify periods of high activity or the need for adjustments.

The PDC is essential for project management. It provides a precise and realistic vision of resources - human, material and temporal. Its proper use is crucial to follow the profitability of your construction site and, on a larger scale, for the health of a construction company.

Site planning or team planning

Team planning makes it possible to coordinate working time and to distribute tasks among workers. It indicates Who does what and when, including schedules, specific missions, and deadlines for each stage of the project.

The objective of this planning is tooptimize the use of each companion according to its skills and availability. This helps avoid overwork or underemployment, and ensures that the necessary skills are available at the right time. A well-designed construction team schedule thus facilitates the respect of costs and deadlines, and improves the quality of work. It also plays a preventive role against conflicts and stress, by offering a clear structure and specific goals.

But today there are others methods for creating team schedules.

Plan your construction sites with Alobees!

Alobees offers a complete digital planning tool specifically dedicated to the building sector. It makes it possible to quickly develop team schedules, to plan tasks and everything with ease.

Main characteristics

• Easy assignment: assign your companions to construction sites in one click.
• Real-time tracking: keep an eye on the progress of your teams' work.
• Full view: get a global perspective of all your projects and employees.
• Mobile management: manage the schedule of your workers from your mobile, with access to a schedule that is always up to date.
• Instant notifications: your companions receive alerts for each new assignment.
• Scheduling tasks: Assign to your companions the daily tasks you want them to do
• Improved communication: Add private notes to keep your teams up to date with the latest construction site news.
• Employee evaluations: assign notes to the interventions of your employees, visible in real time on the mobile.

With its easy to use interface, Alobees scheduling software makes it easy to coordinate tasks and teams. Accessible from mobiles, tablets and PCs, it also includes features such as timesheets, payroll variables, intervention management, or the creation of detailed reports.

Specially designed for construction projects, the software optimizes management and promotes the proper execution of work on your sites: experience it free for 30 days!