How to Keep your Project on Schedule

By: Halsey Filbin, former Captain in the US Army and current co-founder of USEFUZE- a free mobile app designed for small businesses to grow and manage their business or side-hustle. To learn more about USEFUZE, check out https://zgn7w.app.link/TFXiKSsI7qb

Whether you’re a home builder or business owner, deadlines are important to keep your project on schedule and on budget. But sometimes, unforeseen setbacks happen that can slow down the process- whether it’s weather delays, costly construction mistakes, or other uncertainties. In this article you’ll learn some tips for how to stay on top of your construction project, so you don’t have to worry about being off schedule.

What is a Project Schedule?

A project schedule is a document that outlines the tasks and timeline associated with a specific project. It can help to keep everyone on track and can be a helpful tool when managing a team.

While there are many different types of project schedules, the most common format is a Gantt chart. Gantt charts are simple diagrams that show the timelines for tasks and their dependencies. They are commonly used in project management, engineering, and other fields where timing is important.

When creating your project schedule, it is important to keep in mind the following factors:

1. Project Scope

The first step in creating a project schedule is determining the scope of the project. The scope should include all of the details related to the project, such as what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and how much it will cost. Once the scope is determined, you can start developing the tasks and dependencies for each stage of the project.

2. Project Timeframe

Once you have determined the scope of the project, you need to figure out how long it will take to complete. This information can be found in the estimated timetable or in data from past projects similar to yours. 

General Steps to Creating a Project Schedule

Creating a project schedule can be a daunting task, but with a little planning and organization, it can be a breeze. Here are some general tips to help you get started: 

-Start by listing all of the tasks you need to complete in order to complete your project. This may include research, design, development, testing, etc.

-Next, establish milestones for each task, and designate a due date for each one. This will help you track your progress and ensure that everything gets done on time. 

-Make sure to allocate enough time for each task. If something takes longer than expected, don’t panic – just adjust the due date accordingly. 

-Keep a copy of your schedule handy so you can reference it when needed. And don’t forget to take into account any unforeseen delays – always plan for a little extra time!

-Last but not least, be sure to keep track of your progress on a project schedule so you know what is taking shorter or longer than you expected so you can improve your schedule for the next project.

Important Considerations

Keeping a project on schedule is essential to its success. Here are some important considerations to keep in mind: 

1. Establish deadlines. Set a date by which you want the project completed, and make sure everyone working on it knows when this is. This will help to ensure that everyone is working towards a common goal and avoids overlap in work.
2. Communicate with team members frequently. Make sure everyone is aware of changes and updates, so that everyone stays on top of the work and knows what needs to be done next. If someone is not following instructions, it can cause delays in the project.
3. Stay organized. Keep all of the necessary documentation up to date, including sketches, photos, and timelines. This will make it easier for others to understand what needs to be done and will help avoid any misunderstandings or confusion.
4. Take care of equipment and materials. Make sure that everything you need is available when needed and take proper care of sensitive materials so that they do not get damaged or lose value over time. This will save you time and money down the road.

Conclusion

The project schedule is one of the first things that must be done before a project is actually started. It gives you, as the owner, an idea of what to expect during the project and the amount of people that you need to put on the project and also gives the customer the expectations of how long the project is going to take. Always make sure to add some extra time on the back end of a project to make up for lost days because of weather, project scope changes and much more. Expect the unexpected!

There are tons of services out there to help you grow your business and manage your day-to-day operations. You need to make sure you pick the one that works for you and your needs. USEFUZE is a free service that is perfect for small businesses and does not overwhelm you with needless features. With USEFUZE you create your own profile, complete with pictures of your work and ratings from past customers that you can share with anyone as a digital business card. You can also create and instantly send professional and branded estimates and invoices to your customers and manage your pending and ongoing projects, all in one free app. To learn more, check out https://zgn7w.app.link/TFXiKSsI7qb