All successful projects have one thing in common for sure and that is a comprehensive plan prior to starting the Job. With schedules containing hundreds if not thousands of activities and milestones, how do we know if it was developed with sound CPM methodology and practices? In other words, is the schedule "healthy". For a Schedule to be usable for project execution as well as part of an EVMS (Earned Value Management System), it has to be developed to reflect general scheduling practices, and of course in accordance with contract requirements. So how do we insure we have followed the instructions and guidelines. How about a series of measurements covering the different tenants of good schedule practice such as high float values, number of open ends, number of constraints, missing logic, etc. For years a demand was in place to somehow measure all of this. Then several years ago, the DMCA (Defense Contract Management Agency) looked at all the different measurements and created 14 metric points that all schedules at a minimum must meet which is now known as the DCMA 14;
... Read MoreWhat is a Schedule Health Check?
Work Planning (or is it schedule planning?)
The Planning Hierarchy
Planning, in the field of Project Management, is one of the most important knowledge areas any aspiring construction professional should master. You plan nearly everything do you in your daily business and especially when it comes to managing projects. But just like leadership, there are many levels of planning and its done at varying levels by different persons or groups.
... Read MoreActivities, Tasks, OH MY!
Activity Vs Task
Is it schedule activities or schedule task? Depending on the software or names of the fields, both are right. Now comes along Lean Construction and it has defined tasks as part of the Last Planner System and even goes so far as calling the wall boards for planning 'Task' Boards. So which is it? Are both correct and how do we discern between each so as not to confuse our audience or participants in the planning process?
... Read MoreOracle Prime Lean Scheduling
In todays market, the construction industry is expected to grow 85% by 2030, according to a report issues by Global Construction Perspectives and Oxford Economics. This is great news, however as of today, nearly 70% of all projects come in over budget and are delivered late. On top of that cash flow complexity is intensifying especially at the sub-contractor level which is threatening stability in
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