The construction process is multi-staged. There are various stages that make up the whole project. In most cases the construction process is a constitution of many moreindividual activities that are all necessary for the accomplishment of theproject. Since a construction project is essential there is need for properplanning and scheduling to be carried out before embarking on the project.

What is Planning and Scheduling?

Planning is the single most basic crucial part of the project. A construction project needs appropriate planning because it involves developing logical plans as to how the construction will be carried out, creating the construction documents that contain the end product of the construction and identifying all the individual activities and tasks required for completion of the project.

Scheduling on the other hand involves putting a time frame into the plans and documents. Itintegrates the already made plans to a time duration and a calendar withappropriate dates for each activity. Also, scheduling involves assigningresources ad funds to all the individual activities.

Importance of planning and scheduling in construction management

Planning and scheduling are two systematic components of construction management. The following are importance of the two processes in the construction industry;

  • Minimize cost and Optimizes utilization of resources

Planning sees to it that the various activities that are required for the completion of a project are identified. By stating and describing all the activities to be expected, it becomes easier to allocate funds and resources. The allocation of resources and funds in accordance with the activities is very cost effective. By knowing the intensity of each activity before it is to the out, project managers are able to tune financial needs to fit the requirements. The project activities are allocated to money that they need. Risks can be foreseen and dealt with before they actually happen. Planning and scheduling play an important role in ensuring funds are divided accordingly.

Also, planning and scheduling enhance the optimization of resources. Since activities are planned for ahead of time then allocation of resources becomes very easy. All separate and individual activities are accounted for and the resources they require are known. This therefore, ensures that there is an appropriate utilization of resources at all times.

  • Reduces duplication of work

The construction process is very detailed and requires systematic individual processes. All these processes have various activities that need to be handled within each individual activity. Planning and scheduling allows for construction managers to fully exhaust the activities, their roles and their needs. This ensures that there is no repetition and duplication of work. Once every employee knows what they are supposed to do there will be no confusion and repetition of work.

  • Encourages innovation and creativity

Planning and scheduling ensure that a construction saves time and reduces risks. Through early planning and scheduling construction managers are able to foresee risks and evade them while also saving valuable time that could have been used dealing with them in future. This saved time is very useful as it can be used for creative purposes.

Since the project managers already know what is expected of them and the resources that are available, it becomes easier for them to be creative. They are able to come up with alternatives that save money and improve the quality and aesthetic beauty of their projects. Planning and scheduling ensure  managers and employees are able to predict their responsibilities and are able to plan ahead. Therefore, even in the initial planning stages it is expected for the professionals to come up with innovative alternatives and additions to the project. These alternative additions would have been impossible if the construction wasn’t planned for in the first place.

  • Establishes timelines and delivery periods

Scheduling is all about instituting time frames in the general framework of the construction project. It deals with assigning dates and time frames to different activities that are part of the larger project. Therefore, scheduling is very useful in establishing timelines and giving delivery periods. By actively working towards a deadline, the employees will be motivated to achieve their targets so as not to cripple the whole operation. The employees will also know how to divide their work so that in their given time frame they are able to deliver what is expected of them.

 In terms of delivery periods, scheduling is very essential as it gives the estimated time that a project is expected to take. Delivery dates are critical in acquiring clients and proving the dedication of the construction company. Scheduling and planning also help in noting which parts of the project are not running as expected. When a project surpasses a deadline the it is clear that something is wrong. This will, therefore, require immediate attention to ensure the project is back on track.

The construction process is very critical. It is made up of very many activities and responsibilities without which the whole project would be a complete failure. Planning and scheduling as components of construction management offers the construction managers with adequate information to prepare themselves for all the activities. Planning and scheduling give the construction managers a checklist against which they can compare the success of the actual project.