ABSTRACT
The contract schedule is a document and a project management tool just as is the estimate. People will often use the terms "planning" and "scheduling" together, but they are different processes. Planning is the upfront work that makes the schedule feasible. The schedule has important contractual implications, and should be referenced and incorporated into the prime contract, and each subcontract as a contract exhibit. Schedules are working documents that need updating as conditions change on the project. Schedule control involves monitoring the progress of each scheduled activity and selecting appropriate mitigation measures to overcome the effects of any schedule delays. As-built schedules are prepared to allow project managers to develop historical productivity factors for use on future projects. Using the schedule to monitor progress is the superintendent's responsibility, and occurs during the weekly owner-architect-contractor coordination meeting. Schedule development begins with proper planning that considers many variables such as deliveries, logic, manpower, and equipment availabilities.
