In order to have an accurate schedule that will serve the needs of the project team, that is management and constructability, there are 3 key elements that have to be brought up from the inception of the project:
1. Contract Requirements Specifications and Plans
2. From the first requirement the "estimator" should develop a budget that should consider all aspects of the project including time, material, equipment, and overhead and profit
3. After the first two requirements are satisfied, then the scheduler may start developing a plan (usually this plan is thought out alond with a superintendent or a constructability expert).
From the estimate all key equipment and material should be identified, therefore productivity rates can be found using Means. Make a note that phasing on the project will affect sequency and poductivity should be adjusted to satisfy this fact.
Construction sequency should follow the plans and must take into consideration existing conditions of the site. The sequence longest path should be worked out so that essential components on the schedule fall in the critical path and determine the float.
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