b"WCA EDUCATIONIS YOUR SCHEDULE TELLING YOU WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW?By Suzanne Checkryn, P.Eng., PMP, MBA Director, PrairiesRevay and Associates LimitedWhen it comes to project schedules, in Revays experience, it ishas seen with respect to project schedules, Revay has often important that all scopes be included, and that time is taken tofound that schedules omit, or include inadequate time for, key develop properly functioning schedules. This article providesactivities. Examples of activities commonly omitted/understated in practical considerations for developing and maintaining projectschedules are:schedules to help ensure that your schedule is telling you (and Design activities, including sufficient review time and timethe other stakeholders on your project) what you need to know.for iterations;Revay has been involved in the development and analysis of Submittals by the construction contractor, such as shop countless schedules, which we view as vital project documents. Having a reliable schedule that is maintained throughout thedrawings, including sufficient review time and timeproject lifecycle is important for many reasons, including: for iterations; Permitting and other pre-requisites to starting It is essential for proper project planning.construction work; It is an integral communication tool for all Procurement activities;project stakeholders. Activities related to temporary works;It is used to identify, quantify and mitigate delays and disruptions early.Owner activities;It creates the as-built record of the project.Commissioning activities; and It is used in delay analysis if/when delays occur. It may be Subcontractor activities.even more important if disputes arise. For projects with a significant amount of subcontracted This is not an exhaustive list. workas is common with many sectors of construction such In Revays experience, it is typical that the project scheduleas commercial, institutional and residential projectsthe is developed and maintained by the construction contractor.subcontractors represent an important stakeholder group. The Depending on the projects contracting model, this could beschedules for such projects can only be reliable with (continuous) the general contractor or the construction manager. In the caseinput from the subcontractors. Further, in Revays experience, of design-build and construction management projects, thethe subcontracted work can only be effectively planned and schedule will be developed before design is complete. In themanaged if subcontractors have access to, and provide input into, case of design-bid-build projects, consultants will typically bethe overall project schedule. Collaborating in the overall project involved in the development of schedules prior to the tenderingschedule is in the best interest for both general contractorsof construction. and subcontractors.In order for a schedule to be reliable, it must be built on a solidOnce a solid foundation is established, there are numerous foundation. This foundation is the complete project scopeother requirements for schedules to be reliable. From a technical (i.e., all activities applicable to the project, and not only theperspective, this includes, among other things, logic links for all construction activities). Among the myriad of challenges Revayactivities, proper dates and calendars, reasonably short durations, adequate float and the minimal use of constraints. Omitting, or understating, activities and technical schedule components results in an incomplete schedule. With this, the schedule may (knowingly or unknowingly) be unachievable, meaning the Interested in learning more from Suzanne?desired project completion date is potentially at risk fromRegister to attend WCA's upcoming course:the outset.Avoiding (and Managing) Construction DisputesIn the end, a schedule can only be effectively developed on a Project with inputs from all project stakeholders, and only a complete February 19, 2025 schedule, from both scope and technical perspectives, can properly communicate impacts so that mitigation measures 8:30 AM3:30 PM can be implemented when issues arise. These may seem like Winnipeg Construction Association simple rules to follow; however, in practice, we all too often come Register at winnipegconstruction.ca/education across incomplete or inadequate schedules on projects. Having a complete and technically sound schedule is the only way your schedule will tell you what you need to know. 18 BUILD MANITOBAwinnipegconstruction.ca"