02/2019 – 3 Dimensions of Construction Scheduling
The 3 Dimensions of Construction Scheduling Software
One of the key modules in your IBSWIN Software is Scheduler Plus, which is our construction scheduling software. Based on our review, however, only 50% of our clients use this scheduling module to manage their schedules. We have never put a heavy emphasis on using our scheduling software to manage your projects more efficiently, but now that we are part of Hyphen Solutions, we are seeing the importance of how construction scheduling is the glue that holds everything together. The purpose of this brief document is to provide you with a clearer understanding of the 3 dimensions of construction scheduling and how they can affect your construction business.
Dimension 1 – Creating a static schedule for each home
This is usually what many builders start with and many still use. Typically, Excel is the tool that is used to create a schedule for each home by creating the construction tasks in their appropriate sequence and duration to calculate the estimated completion date of each home. Depending on the software tool used (Excel, MS Project, Scheduler Plus, etc.), the schedule can be simple or sophisticated in terms of how each task interacts and the final completion date is calculated. The bottom line is this type of scheduling provides the project managers with a timeline for each task and subcontractor and ultimately, they are responsible for keeping everything on target. It requires a lot of phone calls, texting and whatever other means to keep the subs on time. Is this where your construction scheduling is at ???
Dimension 2 – Updating and revising the schedule on a “real time” basis
The next phase in construction scheduling software is where the software provides for “real time” updating of the schedule so that you can analyze scheduling variances better. The schedule for each home is adjusted based on delays, so that your project managers have better information to communicate with your subcontractors (trade partners). This information can even be directly communicated to your subcontractors via Emails or text. It provides your sales and service departments with more accurate scheduling of completions for planning walk-throughs and sales closings. It can even provide more accurate dates for options cut-offs and prevent costly construction mistakes. This is what the IBSWIN Scheduler Plus system provides.
Dimension 3 – Real time communication with subcontractors including payment approvals
This is the ultimate goal of construction scheduling for homebuilders that is achieved by Hyphen’s BuildPro and SupplyPro systems. Not only does it provide all of the functionality outlined above with more sophisticated scheduling templates and capabilities, it truly links your project managers with your trade partners. Everyone is on the same network, so that starting a task is as simple as checking a box and that information is immediately communicated to them. With SupplyPro, your trade partners can see exactly where their crews need to be on a weekly basis. Your project managers can manage the schedules with minimum phone calls and Emailing. In addition, they can approve or not-approve payment at the same time they are marking a task complete in the schedule. No more going through stacks of invoices. In fact, your trade partners won’t have to send in invoices anymore. It is a Win/Win for everyone including your accounting department.
So, if you want to get to this ultimate Dimension 3 in scheduling, please contact us at Sales@hyphensolutions.com for further information or schedule a software demonstration.
Thanks,
Michael H Kenyon
Pharaoh Information Services, Inc.