Standardizing CPM Schedule Review: A Guide for DOTs

While most people check schedule quality by looking at the single schedule being updated, true analysis isn’t complete until the next schedule shows up.

Each team within an organization requires specific and up-to-date performance indicators to keep everyone pulling in the same direction throughout the project lifecycle.

Schedule controls refer to the processes, tools, and practices used to analyze and share the data held within a CPM schedule to support project controls.

Making sense of all of your data from all of your projects can feel like trying to understand a foreign language. But, when we break it down into steps, it starts to make a lot more sense.

Confirmation bias can be particularly problematic in project and schedule management, where decisions must be based on accurate and comprehensive information.

SmartPM’s recognition as a top construction scheduling software in 2023 attests to the immense value in automated project controls.

Project controls are not just a subset of project management; they are its backbone, focusing on meticulous monitoring and analysis.

Schedule management involves navigating a complex landscape of risks that can significantly impact project budgets and timelines.

Compression quantifies extra workload, helping gauge whether end dates are feasible without excessive strain on your workforce.

Analyzing schedule data has revolutionized how construction risks are identified and managed. By scrutinizing the schedule, you can pinpoint micro (project) and macro (organizational) risks.

Integrating planning and scheduling is not just a theoretical advantage but a practical solution to common industry challenges.

In essence, float can offer a buffer against unexpected changes, allowing activities to be postponed without impacting the overall end date.