This software creates a timeline by sequencing the work for a project in time. The output is a Microsoft Project file that tracks the progress of your project. The timeline and scope of work together create an easy way to share status between ourselves, the contractors, and the investors as the project progresses.
The software uses the scope of work created by our construction sequence software, and time estimate created by our project estimation software. The scope of work already knows each construction step’s prerequisites.
For a new build, every step of the sequence is needed. That creates an almost-linear progression as seen in the image above. For a remodel project, several steps are not needed. That’s where the magic happens. Each step is encoded with it’s prerequisite steps. When a step isn’t needed, it is deleted. Then the entire timeline automatically reconfigures itself, keeping the integrity of the construction sequencing with time. It will always start and end on the exact contract dates, sequencing work as efficiently as possible.
The easiest way to do this consistently is to make every step exactly the same duration. The total given time divide by the number of steps on the critical path. Of course, you know this isn’t perfect. Some steps really will take longer than others. However, this is the value of the average step.The shorter steps are shorter by the exact same amount. We have been using it this way for years now. It works great because it is so efficient. No arguing involved!
The project manager takes over the Microsoft Project file at this point. As you work through your project you will have to update the completion percentage (second column) for each step periodically. When you do that, the phase and project percentages automatically update themselves. This is built-in functionality.
We use another simple default trick to update the percentages. We use the scope of work. We cross the items off in the step as the workers complete them. The percentage is the number crossed off divided by the total. The same logic applies here, we are weighting by the average item. This work pretty well and is so easy.
The timeline dynamically estimates the end dates for phases and draws. If you hit a snag that needs a change order, you simply add the extra work and extra time. Everything adjusts itself for you.
Everyone involved can see the progression of the project as ahead or behind schedule with an exact time (# days and % total time) as it moves linearly. They also see when payments will be earned, and when materials and equipment will be needed on site.