Types of Schedules for Construction Projects
The construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza, a marvel of ancient engineering, leads us to reflect on the evolution of project planning. While the ancient Egyptians achieved an impressive feat without modern tools, the 20th century marked the beginning of project scheduling as we know it today, from Gantt charts to 4D-BIM simulation and Artificial Intelligence.
Types of Schedules for Construction Projects
The article focuses on the different types of schedules that a contractor can use, depending on the complexity and size of the project, as well as the contract requirements.
1. Narrated Plan: Ideal for small and simple projects, it consists of a detailed step-by-step description of the construction process. It does not require specialized software, only a word processor and knowledge of the process.
2. Gantt Charts: Offers a graphical representation of the project activities in relation to time. It can be easily created with Microsoft Excel.
3. Critical Path Method (CPM): Shows the activities connected to each other according to the planning, allowing the identification of the critical path (the sequence of activities with zero slack that determines the total duration of the project). Programs such as Microsoft Project or Primavera P6 are used.
4. Linear Schedule (LSM): Also known as a Time-Location Diagram, it is ideal for linear projects with repetitive activities, such as roads, bridges, or transmission lines. It can be done in Excel or AutoCAD, but there are specialized programs such as Tilos or Turbo-Chart.
Conclusion
There is no "best" schedule, but the choice depends on the specific characteristics of the project. Using the right type of schedule ensures efficient and effective management.
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