Why Does Creating a Project Schedule Take So Long for a 3-Story Townhouse?
Many engineers and contractors spend too much time creating a project schedule, even for a relatively small project such as a 3-story townhouse measuring 4.5m × 16m.
The problem is usually not the software. The problem is often the scheduling process itself.
1. The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Is Too Detailed
One common mistake is breaking the project into too many small tasks.
Example:
❌ Too Detailed
Column C1 Rebar
Column C1 Formwork
Column C1 Concrete
Column C2 Rebar
Column C2 Formwork
Column C2 Concrete
If a project has 20 columns, the schedule can quickly grow into dozens of unnecessary tasks.
✅ Better Approach
Ground Floor Columns
First Floor Columns
Second Floor Columns
Keep the schedule focused on management, not individual construction activities.
2. No Standard Schedule Template
Many contractors create a new schedule from scratch for every project.
This wastes a significant amount of time.
A standard template should include:
Pre-Construction
Foundation
Ground Floor Structure
First Floor Structure
Second Floor Structure
Roofing
MEP Works
Finishing Works
External Works
Handover
Using a template allows you to reuse proven structures and logic.
3. Estimating Duration Manually
Many planners spend hours guessing task durations.
Questions like:
Brickwork = 5 days?
Brickwork = 7 days?
Brickwork = 8 days?
Instead, use productivity rates.
Example:
Brickwork = 15 m²/day/team
Plastering = 25 m²/day/team
Tiling = 20 m²/day/team
Once the quantities are known, the duration can be calculated quickly and consistently.
4. Resource Planning Is Not Clear
Scheduling becomes difficult when resource availability is unknown.
Before creating the schedule, identify:
Number of masons
Number of carpenters
Number of steel workers
Number of electricians
Number of plumbers
Clear resource planning leads to more accurate durations.
5. Too Many Task Relationships
Some schedules contain hundreds of unnecessary links.
Example:
Task 1 → Task 2 → Task 3 → Task 4 → Task 5
While relationships are important, not every task requires a strict Finish-to-Start (FS) connection.
Consider using:
Start-to-Start (SS)
Finish-to-Finish (FF)
when appropriate to simplify the network and improve schedule flexibility.
6. Trying to Create a Perfect Schedule
Many planners believe that more detail means better control.
In reality, excessive detail often creates confusion.
Recommended Task Count
| Schedule Type | Number of Tasks |
|---|---|
| Executive Schedule | 20–30 |
| Site Control Schedule | 50–100 |
| Detailed Schedule | 100–150 |
For a 3-story townhouse, more than 200 tasks is usually unnecessary.
7. No Historical Project Library
Experienced contractors build a scheduling library over time.
This library includes:
Standard WBS
Standard Durations
Standard Resources
Standard Relationships
Instead of creating everything from scratch, they simply copy the template and make small adjustments.
Recommended Schedule Structure for a 3-Story Townhouse (4.5m × 16m)
Pre-Construction
Site Preparation
Foundation Works
Ground Floor Structure
First Floor Structure
Second Floor Structure
Roof Structure
Masonry Works
MEP Rough-In
Plastering Works
Ceiling Works
Floor Tiling
Doors & Windows
Painting Works
Fixture Installation
Testing & Commissioning
Final Cleaning
Project Handover
This structure is usually sufficient for effective project control and communication.
Key Lesson
A good schedule is not the one with the most tasks. A good schedule is the one that is easy to understand, easy to update, and easy to control.
Successful contractors do not create schedules from scratch every time. They build systems, templates, and standards that allow them to plan faster, manage better, and deliver projects more efficiently.