For a construction company like 8AM Contractor, the best way to use Microsoft Project is to follow a complete workflow from project start to project completion.
Microsoft Project Construction Workflow
Client Award Project
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1. Project Setup
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2. Create WBS
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3. Create Schedule
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4. Define Resources
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5. Assign Resources
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6. Estimate Costs
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7. Baseline Project
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8. Execute Construction
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9. Update Progress
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10. Resource Leveling
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11. Cost & Schedule Control
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12. Reporting
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13. Project Closeout
1. Project Setup
Input:
Contract
Scope of Work
Drawings
BOQ
Specifications
Example:
Project Name:
4-Storey Commercial Building
Start Date:
01-Jul-2026
Calendar:
Monday–Saturday
2. Create WBS (Work Breakdown Structure)
Example:
1. Pre-Construction
2. Foundation
2.1 Excavation
2.2 Lean Concrete
2.3 Footing Reinforcement
2.4 Footing Concrete
3. Ground Floor
3.1 Column
3.2 Beam
3.3 Slab
4. First Floor
5. Second Floor
6. Roof
7. Finishing
8. Handover
Microsoft Project View:
Summary Task
Sub Task
Activity
3. Create Schedule
Input duration for every task.
Example:
| Task | Duration |
|---|---|
| Excavation | 5 Days |
| Lean Concrete | 2 Days |
| Rebar Work | 4 Days |
| Concrete Casting | 1 Day |
4. Link Activities
Create logical relationships.
Excavation
↓
Lean Concrete
↓
Rebar Work
↓
Concrete Casting
Use:
FS = Finish to Start
Example:
Excavation → FS → Lean Concrete
This creates the Critical Path.
5. Define Resources
Resource Sheet:
| Resource Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Mason Team | Work |
| Rebar Team | Work |
| Formwork Team | Work |
| Electrician Team | Work |
| Excavator | Work |
| Concrete Pump | Work |
For 8AM Contractor:
Mason Team
Rebar Team
Formwork Team
Electrical Team
Plumbing Team
Finishing Team
6. Assign Resources
Example:
| Task | Resource |
|---|---|
| Rebar Work | Rebar Team |
| Formwork | Formwork Team |
| Concrete Casting | Mason Team |
Microsoft Project automatically calculates:
Work Hours
Resource Loading
Manpower Requirement
7. Estimate Cost
Resource Rates:
| Resource | Rate |
|---|---|
| Mason Team | $50/day |
| Rebar Team | $45/day |
| Excavator | $80/day |
Project automatically calculates:
Cost = Work × Rate
Example:
Cost=Work\times Rate
8. Baseline Project
Before construction starts:
Project → Set Baseline
Save:
Planned Start
Planned Finish
Planned Cost
This becomes your target.
9. Execute Construction
On site:
Foundation Complete = 100%
Column Complete = 50%
Beam Complete = 20%
Update every week.
10. Resource Leveling
Find overallocated crews.
Example:
Rebar Team
Floor 1
Floor 2
Roof
All scheduled simultaneously.
Problem:
Overallocated
Solution:
Resource → Level Resources
Microsoft Project balances workloads automatically.
11. Cost & Schedule Control
Compare:
| Planned | Actual |
|---|---|
| 50% | 40% |
Result:
Behind Schedule
Check:
Critical Path
Variance
Cost Overrun
Useful Views:
Tracking Gantt
Resource Usage
Team Planner
12. Weekly Reporting
Every Monday meeting:
Report:
Planned Progress
Actual Progress
Delay
Resource Status
Cost Status
Critical Activities
Export:
PDF
Excel
Print Schedule
13. Project Closeout
Final:
100% Complete
Deliver:
As-Built Drawings
Handover Documents
Defect List
Final Cost Report
Practical Workflow for 8AM Contractor
Drawings + BOQ
↓
Create WBS
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Create Schedule
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Assign Crews
↓
Calculate Cost
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Baseline
↓
Construction Start
↓
Weekly Update
↓
Resource Leveling
↓
Progress Control
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Client Report
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Project Completion
For a contractor, about 80% of daily work in Microsoft Project is usually focused on:
WBS Creation
Activity Linking
Resource Assignment
Weekly Progress Update
Resource Leveling
Tracking Gantt Review
Client Reporting
Master these seven activities, and you can manage most building projects effectively in Microsoft Project.