Before the start of any construction project, the construction teams and stakeholders develop an agreed-upon shared reference to measure progress and manage any kind of changes in the project. A baseline construction schedule is conducted by setting clear targets, assisting stakeholders remain in line with the schedules.
In this blog post, we are going to define what baseline construction in home building is and the purpose of baseline construction in home building.
Key Takeaways:
- In this blog, you are going to learn about the role and purpose of baseline construction scheduling
- Construction baselines should be established at the end of the planning phase, when estimates are credible
- When creating baseline scheduling, every stakeholder should be communicated with and involved. The baseline is agreed upon before initiation of the project amongst all relevant stakeholders.
With a baseline construction schedule, there can be a precise starting point that can be used to measure and compare progress. For instance, suppose a house construction project is scheduled to be completed within 8 weeks. In that case, baseline scheduling helps you analyze whether there can be potential delays within that house construction plan. And they will achieve this by evaluating the project timeline, resources, and cost of the project.
Defining Baseline Scheduling in a House Construction Plan
A baseline construction schedule is a fixed reference point that is used to track the project’s progress over time. It lays out the project’s goals and deliverables, such as the schedule, scope, and cost, as a reference throughout its progress and duration.
What are the Key Parts of a Project Baseline?
A project baseline typically has three parts. These three key parts can determine a construction project’s success. Every core part of the baseline construction is thoroughly tracked, regulated, and reported, so that the project stays on schedule.
Here are the key core sections of a baseline schedule in the house construction plans:
| Sections | Functions |
| Schedule Baseline | The schedule baseline helps in identifying the targets and milestones in the construction project. |
| Scope Baseline | The scope baseline of a house-building project focuses on different deliverables and standards that the project should meet. Project managers can use a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), which can break down the scope into specific tasks based on deliverables. |
| Cost Baseline | The cost baseline of the construction project assesses the changes made in the budget. Expert project managers can predict costs better, which helps them make better construction project management decisions. |
Table 1: Parts of a Project Baseline of a Construction Project
What is The Purpose of Baseline Construction in Home Building?
The baseline construction scheduling is mainly a planning document that determines the target for a house-building project. Regular tracking between the current project status and the baseline schedule assists teams in making informed decisions.
Performance Measurement and Monitoring
Baseline construction provides a predetermined standard for construction projects. By creating a Gantt Chart (a visual mapping tool that breaks down a task against a determined timeline), the project’s progress can be compared with the initial baseline plan in terms of actual start/finish dates. It determines whether the project is on track.
Effective Change Control
The baseline is a reference point that evaluates the changes when the project is ongoing. These changes are typically upgrades that are recommended by a client during a project.
Identifying the Critical Path
Baseline scheduling in a house construction plan enables builders to identify the longest sequence of dependent tasks (the Critical Path Method or the CPM). It shows that if any of the tasks are delayed, it will directly delay the final overall timeline.
Developing Coordination Between Resource and Subcontractors
By implementing a baseline scheduling, the allocation of labor, materials, and equipment can be planned efficiently. This reduces the idle time and blocks the bottlenecks in the house construction plan.
Key Things to Consider Before Setting a Baseline Schedule
When setting baseline schedules, some key things are essential to be kept in mind. These include:
The Changes in the Ongoing Project
It is important to understand that there will always be changes in the ongoing construction project. The baseline schedule should not prevent the required adjustments. To address the on-site realities, being flexible and proactive towards shifts in the project becomes crucial.
Include Buffers and Contingency
Make sure that buffers and contingency time are always incorporated when setting a baseline schedule plan. Without considering these, you might find managing delays difficult. Moreover, these increase the risk of missed project deadlines.
Do not Over-rely on Resources for Recovery
To recover the project delay, many project managers use more labor or materials. This over-reliance should be the last resort. Consider other solutions like adjusting the work area or extending project timelines before splashing resources.
Scope and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
Make sure that all the project scopes are incorporated into the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). You need to keep in mind that all deliverables in the scope document are mentioned in the activity list. Furthermore, try to break activities down into doable chunks. This allows managers to track the progress efficiently.
What are the Mistakes to Avoid Before Creating a Baseline Construction Scheduling?
Below are the practical mistakes the construction team often makes when determining the baseline construction scheduling:
Failing to Determine the Scope of WBS
When creating a baseline construction schedule for a house construction plan, not developing a Work Breakdown Structure or leaving out different phases of the project can lead to delayed or missed tasks. Try to ensure that the WBS is used to break down the project into manageable work chunks.
Using Previous Project Schedules
Many project managers tend to use a schedule from a past project. It is important to consider that each site condition is specific, and logistics are different. Every project site offers unique constraints. Therefore, copying a previous project’s scheduling is a critical mistake.
Calibrating Unrealistic Durations
Underestimating the duration for every task or assuming ideal conditions can lead to an unworkable baseline construction schedule. This can immediately lead to delays once the construction project starts. Managers need to use historical data, consult with the field teams, and assume realistic productivity rates for every task.
Ignoring Resource Constraints
Disregarding the availability of labour, materials, and equipment is a stern mistake. Thus, you will also ignore the availability of subcontractors and establish lacking communication channels with them. Not understanding the resource constraints can lead to over-allocation of resources, resulting in costly labor.
Managers need to keep track of resource availability and its alignment with the project schedule, using resource leveling to maintain balance in the workloads.
Lacking Logical Sequencing
While making the ‘Critical Path’, not properly linking activities and leaving ‘open-ended’ activities will lead to a lack of logical sequencing of the tasks. Project managers can use logic-driven scheduling and keep constraints to a minimum.
Consider Creating a Baseline Construction Plan With the Help of Expert Project Scheduling Companies!
Want to finish your house construction project on time? Consult with a professional project management and scheduling company for the on-time delivery of the construction project.