In construction all projects are time bound. The
project time objective specifies the project completion time. The project time
and cost objective are correlated-it is the time factor which determines the
project cost. Time is the essence of all construction contracts. Time delays
attract penalties while early completion can earn rewards. However, inspite of
one’s best efforts to complete a project on time, changes from the original
estimated project time plan do occur sometimes.
There are may be many reasons, both foreseen and
unforeseen, for non-completion of a project on time. However, the absence of a
project time plan almost makes certain that a project cannot be completed on
schedule without incurring extra costs. A plan, prepared well before the commencement
of construction in a project, can be instrumental in formulating directions,
coordinating functions, setting targets, forecasting resources, budgeting
costs, controlling performance and motivating people. It is for these reasons
that the project planning starts with time planning as the first step. The time
planning process involves the following three stages:
a) Project work breakdown
This means breaking down
the scope of project work into its constituent sub-projects, tasks, work
packages and activities.
b) Modelling and analyzing networks
This includes developing
logic diagrams or sub-networks; integrating these to develop a time-planning
model (usually a network) and analyzing this model to determine the project
completion time.
c) Scheduling work programmes
This involves
putting the time plan on a calendar basis, and using the scheduled programme to
forecast inputs and output.
