Planning techniques

The choice of the technique to be used on any particular construction project is dependent on the nature of the works, on personal preference, available expertise and, in some cases, it may be dependent on what is required by the terms of the contract.

Simple bar charts are adaptable, easily produced and understood and it may not be unreasonable to suggest that their use will prove beneficial on most projects, whereas the use of the time chainage diagram is very much restricted to works of a linear nature.

There is a belief that on most building projects the programme has little credibility unless it is produced as a highly detailed fully logic-linked critical path analysis. The critical path analysis is an invaluable tool however it is not without its weaknesses and its use is not appropriate in every case.

On certain projects a variety of techniques may be appropriate. For instance on the construction of a large hotel, critical path analysis may be used to plan and monitor the works associated with the substructure, frame and envelope, with a line of balance technique being employed during the repetitive fitting out of the many bedrooms.

Above all it must be stressed that there are many formal and informal techniques available and there is no single format that is appropriate in all cases.

Good planning is based on experience and knowledge of the construction process and any programme is only as good as the adequacy of the data on which it is based.