If there’s one thing that all construction projects have in common–whether they are behemoth luxury condos or DIY home projects – it's construction delays. Staying on task, on time, and true to the plan is no less difficult in construction than it is in project management for any other industry. In some ways, it is invariably more challenging. Enter construction schedulers. The role of construction scheduling is vital not only in keeping projects running on time but also in taking care of many other nuts and bolts of construction you might not consider. So, just what is a construction scheduler, and how can you become one? This article lays the foundation for all things construction scheduling. Get started here to learn more.
What Is a Construction Scheduler?
A construction scheduler goes beyond simple project management and dives deep into the world of construction to understand all things about this particular niche: when jobs need to happen and why, whose responsibility needs to happen, and when. This role seamlessly coordinates all duties so that construction can run on time and any issues can be stopped in their tracks before they become bigger problems. Construction management tool Procore summarizes:
“A successful construction project requires careful project management, and one tool stands out as the cornerstone: the construction schedule. Think of it as a roadmap detailing who needs to do what, where, when, and in what order. It’s all about coordination, planning, and a lot of careful decisions. A well-structured construction schedule enables construction professionals to manage resources more efficiently, saving both time and money. It helps anticipate potential hiccups before they become major issues, ensuring that the work stays on track. Finally, a solid construction schedule makes it clear to everyone involved — from contractors and suppliers to clients — what needs to happen and when.”
How to Become a Construction Scheduler
Entering into the world of construction scheduling is possible from a variety of backgrounds in education and experience. For more information, including the most up-to-date and latest educational data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics regarding this occupational field, click here.
What Does a Construction Scheduler Do?
In terms of what a construction scheduler actually does on a daily basis, this professional plays a crucial role in the planning and execution of construction projects, per 4 Corner Resources. Their primary responsibility is to create and manage schedules that outline the sequence of activities and tasks involved in a construction project. Here are eight key aspects of what a construction scheduler typically does:
- Project planning: Construction schedulers work closely with project managers, architects, engineers, and other stakeholders to understand the project scope, objectives, and requirements. They use this information to develop a comprehensive project schedule.
- Schedule development: Construction schedulers create detailed schedules that outline the start and finish dates for each phase of the construction project. They take into account factors such as resource availability, project constraints, and deadlines.
- Critical path analysis: Identifying the critical path is crucial in construction scheduling. The critical path is the sequence of tasks that determines the overall duration of the project. Construction schedulers analyze the critical path to identify potential bottlenecks and areas where delays could impact the project timeline.
- Resource allocation: Construction projects involve various resources, including labor, equipment, and materials. Construction schedulers allocate these resources efficiently across different project tasks to ensure that work progresses smoothly and on schedule.
- Monitoring and updating: Throughout the construction project, construction schedulers monitor the progress of activities against the planned schedule. They update the schedule regularly to reflect any changes, delays, or unexpected issues that may arise during construction.
- Communication: As mentioned before, construction schedulers play a key role in communication among project team members. They provide updates on the project schedule to ensure that everyone is aware of the current status and any adjustments that may be necessary.
- Risk management: Construction schedulers assess potential risks that could impact the project timeline and develop contingency plans. They work to mitigate risks and address issues promptly to minimize disruptions to the schedule.
- Software utilization: Construction schedulers often use specialized construction scheduling software to create, manage, and update project schedules efficiently. These tools help them visualize the project timeline, dependencies, and critical path.
Overall, a construction scheduler is responsible for planning, organizing, and monitoring the timeline of a construction project. Their goal is to ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget, and meets all specified requirements. As 4 Corner Resources puts it, “The construction scheduler is responsible for developing and managing a project schedule. The process includes defining project tasks, estimating the resources needed, and creating a timeline. Schedulers track project progress, identify potential delays, and work with stakeholders to ensure that projects remain within scope.
A construction scheduler’s ultimate goal is to ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget, and meets quality and safety standards.”
What Skills Does a Construction Scheduler Need?
Given the critical responsibilities of construction schedulers, they must be equally equipped with the right skills. Per career site Zippia, today’s construction schedulers should be prepared to fill their resumes with the following skills:
- Project management: 10.4% of construction schedulers have this essential hard skill on their resume.
- Primavera P6: 5.5% of construction schedulers have this hard skill listed on their resume, making it the second-most common hard skill after project management.
- Detail-oriented: Although Zippia does not include a percentage, detail-oriented is at the top of the most common soft skills to appear on construction schedulers’ resumes, due largely in part because the role must keep track of budgets, projects, materials, people, sites, and resources all at once.
- Math skills: Zippia denotes math as a common soft skill for construction schedulers, most likely in relation to the above.
- Customer service skills: Not surprisingly, construction schedulers are often the face of the company when dealing with vendors, tradesmen – and of course, customers – and customer service is beneficial in representing the company’s brand.
What Are Some Construction Scheduler Jobs?
There is a wide range in types of construction scheduler jobs, each varying by field, education, experience, and other qualifications. For more information on potential careers in this occupational field, visit related occupations on the BLS here.
Overview: What Is a Construction Scheduler?
Construction schedulers, like project managers, oversee a build from its ideation to its completion, ensuring that any bumps in the road are overcome and any hiccups are anticipated when possible. Being in a niche industry makes these professionals not only highly skilled at what they do but also experts in understanding how to make projects run as planned. Schedules, timelines, roadmaps, and details are a construction scheduler’s second language. With a variety of occupational settings and even more paths the career can take, per the BLS, the career is nothing short of exciting.