The art of building successful construction project timelines

Other Unforeseen Obstacles

Unexpected obstacles or changes in the construction project plan, such as hidden structural issues, unknown brownfields or neighborhood complaints, can throw a timeline off course. You need a system for documenting these events for all to see.

Availability of materials and labour

Many builders need help finding and keeping labour. It’s a well-documented pain point. The instability of materials — and their costs — can also cause a perfect storm. This will affect the construction project timeline when demand outpaces supply or skilled workers are scarce.

How to create a construction project plan template

Whether you’re a seasoned construction manager, project manager, or just beginning a career in the industry, a buttoned-up, realistic construction project plan template is your guiding light. It can help save time, reduce errors, and improve project organization. Here are some high-level steps to help you create a successful construction project plan template for future projects, large or small.

Break out construction tasks and milestones

Begin by listing all the tasks and critical milestones for your construction project plan, such as groundbreaking dates, framing, electrical, HVAC, finishing, material delivery dates, subcontractor or contractor schedules, and available subs as a backup.

Add dependencies between related tasks

Identify which tasks depend on others and establish these relationships. This helps in maintaining a logical sequence of work. In other words, connect the dots. For instance, plumbing goes in before electrical, and both happen before drywall.

Assign resources to the scheduled work

Assign the right people—in-house or subs, equipment, and materials to each scheduled task to ensure smooth execution. Make sure you have a way to reach these teams by text messaging or email to keep everyone on the same page about daily progress.

Estimate how long tasks take

Speak with your team about (or look back on) previous jobs, reach out to experienced contractors for realistic timing or work with a project manager with estimating experience. Make sure you build in any required buffer days between phases.

Create a (realistic) schedule

Create an achievable schedule by factoring in all the information you’ve gathered. A realistic timeline sets your project up for success, but remember, the key here is flexibility.

Six vital phases of the construction life cycle

Six phases make up the construction life cycle. Commercial, residential or multifamily vary greatly but essentially follow phases from idea, planning, and gathering a team to completion. Whether you’re a developer, home builder, or project manager, consider these six phases that can serve as a roadmap for navigating your building project plan.

1. Initiation

During initiation, the project’s purpose, goals, and objectives are defined, including the feasibility, setting the project’s direction, and ensuring it aligns with any organizational goals—it’s the phase where you discover whether your project pencils out.

2. Preconstruction

Create a detailed construction project plan, outline tasks, timelines, and resource allocation. This phase is vital for minimizing risks, estimating costs, and ensuring everyone knows their roles and responsibilities before a nail hits the wood.

3. Implementation

Also known as the groundbreaking, implementation is where construction work happens. It’s essential because this is where the project comes to life and your planning efforts are implemented.

4. Performance

Track the progress, measure against the plan, and make necessary adjustments. It’s crucial for maintaining quality, controlling costs and addressing issues promptly.

5. Monitoring

This involves continuous oversight of your project’s performance, ensuring it adheres to the plan and objectives. It’s important for identifying and addressing problems early on.

6. Closing

In the closing phase, you wrap up the project, ensure all objectives are met and conduct a final review. This is where you deliver the project to the clients and have a chance to evaluate lessons learned while closing out contracts.

Determine other needed ‘phases’

Each construction job varies wildly. These six phases are high-level and offer baseline information. You might realize that six phases aren’t enough — or too much — or that some overlap, depending on the project. Ask yourself about the job’s complexity and if any unique challenges require more time. For example, a feasibility study or an environmental impact assessment may be required for larger projects, which must be added to your construction project plan template.