ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses schedule development, focuses on using the schedule as a project management tool, and examines the role of a project engineer in that process. Project planning is the process of selecting the construction means and methods and the sequence of work for a project. Schedules take a lot of different formats, and similarly to planning, there is no "exact" form that the contract schedule should follow. Top-down scheduling is frequently encountered on projects, especially public projects based on lump sum or unit price contracting that rely on low bidding for prime contractors and subcontractors. Some of the methods to develop collaborative schedules include pull planning and buy-in from all the participants, from clients and designers to subcontractors and foremen. As for estimating, scheduling heavily relies on the support of technology. The use of scheduling software, such as Microsoft Project or Oracle Primavera P6, is prevalent in the industry.
