Comparison of Construction Scheduling Perspectives from General Contractors and Sub-Contractors: An Analysis of Current Tools and Practices

Evan D. Bingham, PhD. and Clifton B. Farnsworth, PhD. PE. and James P. Smith, PhD.
Brigham Young University
Provo, Utah

Construction project managers are continually seeking to balance the limited resources of time and money. To do this, collaborative management is critical. Most importantly, communication is the key to collaborative management. One of the most important forms of communication is the creation of a project schedule. Information on the tools and practices used by industry can help improve these practices for managers. Likewise, decision makers in the industry should understand trends to see if they align with peers, or to find justification for differences. The objectives of this study are to determine the tools used to create a project schedule, who is creating the schedule, and how often the schedule is communicated. The study is a comparison of views from the perspectives of the general contractors and that of the subcontractors. Additionally, the study examines the perceptions of general and subcontractors to determine the causes of schedule delays. This study is a report of commercial contractors performing work in the United States that provides information on the tools and practices currently used in construction scheduling. This study is valuable for industry leaders and academics seeking information about scheduling tools, practices and perceptions that can be implemented into a company scheduling culture or used for instructional purposes.

Key Words:  Construction Scheduling, Construction Project Management, General Contractor, Sub-Contractor, Schedule Delay

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