Critical Path
Scheduling

CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULING FOR CONTRACTORS
AND SCHEDULE REVIEW FOR PROJECT OWNERS
We are recognized as one of the nation’s leading scheduling consultants with
over 650 schedules prepared, reviewed, or analyzed; a McGraw-Hill reference book
and dozens of articles; several thousand managers trained in CPM scheduling; and authorship
of a powerful scheduling software program.

OUR TEAM OF EXPERTS

Steve Pinnell, President, P.E.
Steve is a nationally recognized
expert in critical path scheduling
with 40+ years experience as a
hands-on scheduler, trainer, author,
and developer of scheduling
software and innovative scheduling
techniques. His book, published
by McGraw-Hill, has a major
focus on preparation and review of
design and construction schedules,
and the use of schedules in delay,
acceleration and impact claims.

Blake Marchand, Scheduler
Blake is our Lead Scheduler and
a Senior Project Manager with 15
years experience in scheduling
and managing major construction
projects, including eight years
resolving construction disputes.
He also teaches MS Project and
Primavera scheduling software.

Scheduling Staff
Schedulers and Cost & Scheduling
Control staff are available to
support any size of project.

Preconstruction Scheduling for Project Owners and Architects/Engineers
We prepare master schedules for large design and construction programs
or multi-project public works programs to control progress, reduce
financing costs, and avoid delays. This includes consideration of urban
planning issues, environmental regulations, cash flow forecasts, funding
and permitting. We also estimate construction contract durations or provide
proposal schedules to help win contract competitions. And, we can integrate
our master scheduling specification into construction contracts.

Detailed Construction Scheduling for Contractors
We help contractors and subcontractors prepare pre-bid, baseline, update,
and recovery schedules that meet contract scheduling requirements, achieve
on-time completion, forecast manpower and cash-flow, and avoid trade
stacking, acceleration, or impacts. Our hands-on knowledge of construction
means and methods, high level of scheduling expertise, and well-practiced
procedures ensure accurate, doable schedules and protect contractors from
uncompensated delays and impact.

Schedule Review and Tracking for Project Owners and Consultants
We help project owners and their consultants review contractors’ baseline
schedule submittals, monthly updates, and recovery schedules to ensure
achievable schedules that protect against delays and claims. We also help
establish recordkeeping and contract administration procedures to oversee
progress and refute unwarranted delay or acceleration claims.

Troubleshooting, Change Management, and Claim Preparation or Review
We can audit progress, identify the cause and solution for delays or
impact, re-schedule, and help negotiate resolution. We also provide change
management procedures and support to ensure resolution through the
contract changes clause instead of the disputes clause. If necessary, we serve
as expert witnesses in mediation, arbitration or litigation. And, we can work
with all parties to resolve problems, create win-win solutions, and negotiate
fair settlements through team building and partnering.

Organization-wide Scheduling Procedures, Training, and Software
As management consultants, we provide scheduling and change
management procedures, training, and software to help public works
agencies, facility managers, developers, contractors, and subcontractors.
We are also sub-dealers for Primavera scheduling products.

Copyright ©2010 All Rights Reserved Pinnell/Busch, Inc.

Critical Path Scheduling

With over 650 projects scheduled for contractors, reviewed for project owners, or analyzed in preparation or defense
of scheduling claims, we believe the following example best illustrates our scheduling expertise. It is a good guide for
contractors generating schedule reports, and for owners reviewing a contractor’s schedule.

1. Combination Tabular Report and Graphical Bar Chart– two essential elements of a CPM schedule report,
   facilitating both a quick visual understanding and detailed analysis.
2. Basic Scheduling Information – activity, number, description, predecessors, duration, float, % complete, and
   early/late start dates are the minimum needed. Show responsibility and work area for each activity if possible.
3. Predecessors – are essential for understanding the network logic. Show successors and late start/float if possible
   to aid analysis.
4. Total Float – is needed for defining the critical path, with negative float indicating delay.
5. Comparison Schedule – allows graphical display and analysis of schedule updates and comparing actual
   progress with plan – showing delay, longer-than-planned durations, logic changes, etc.
6. Sort by Float, then Early Start – focuses attention on the critical path and shows the logical sequence of
   activities, with concurrent critical paths and near-critical paths prominently featured.
7. Status, Float and Relationship Lines, plus Color – graphically shows the data date, float and relationships
   between activities with the critical path (red), non-critical activities (green), and completed activities (blue).

Anyone familiar with construction can analyze the report, identify problems and take action before it’s too late:

1. The overall project status, any delay or acceleration, and forecast completion date will be apparent.
2. The planned sequence of construction can be readily confirmed or challenged, and unreasonable durations and
   missing or illogical relationships will be easier to identify.
3. Late starts or projected late finishes, along with longer than planned durations, will be obvious.
4. Attempts to hide delays will be evident if actual durations are longer than planned, future durations are shorter
   than originally planned, and logic ties of sequential activities are broken or loosened.

Copyright ©2010 All Rights Reserved Pinnell/Busch, Inc.