Analysing Construction Progress Forecasts

Construction Progress Forecasting can be set up in Framework to estimate forward dates in a programme. This is a useful tool for analysis of the progress of a job

There are several areas of Framework where forecasts can be applied and viewed. This best practice guide discusses using the critical path of a Construction Logistics Programme as a forecasting tool, which can be applied in both the Construction Logistics History screen and as a customised Progress Panel on the Construction Overview screen.

Benefits Of Analysing Construction Progress Forecasts

Being able to forecast from captured construction data allows for analysis of the progress of a job and provides the ability to flag existing or potential issues.

This detailed forecast can assist in;

• Highlighting jobs that have significant or unacceptable delays
• Early identification of jobs that will incur liquidated damages
• Creating reporting structure that can graphically show jobs ahead/behind the expected schedule. These reports can show exactly where delays have been incurred and the progress of a job can be viewed at a glance with the opportunity to identify problem jobs early.

There are several forms of forecasts that can be applied to the collected data;

Baseline Forecast

Applying the critical path/allowances to the job from a start date creates a Baseline forecast of when all construction stages are expected to be completed.

Best Possible Forecast

The Best Possible Forecast assumes that the remaining programme will be completed at 100% progress from the current point in time.

Progress Forecast

The Progress Forecast assumes that the remaining programme will be completed at the current rate of progress (eg. 75% progress) from the current point in time.

Manual Forecasts

Forecast dates that can be entered by the user and not as a result of a calculation.

The type of forecast to be applied is entirely dependent on what needs to be communicated from the data. For example, comparing a Baseline with Best Possible can highlight where a job is not meeting expectations, whereas viewing the Best Possible alone shows the current expected completion date.

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What To Do

To ensure forecasting is effective, it is essential to have accurate dates calculating against realistic allowances. This means that the logistic programmes have to be set up with allowances that reflect a balance between what is required, expected and desired.

Requirements

Construction Logistics Programme

The Construction Logistics Programmes are created and managed in the Construction Logistics Desktop application.

For each activity in the programme a duration (allowance) must be applied. These durations/allowances set the critical path for the logistics programme. Once a logistics programme is assigned to a job and the construction data is being captured, based on the durations set against the activities, there is potential to apply the forecasting methods discussed above. The durations/allowances set in the logistics programme can be viewed in both the Construction History screen and on a Progress Panel on the Construction Overview screen. The Progress Panel can be activated using certain Preferences in the system which summarise this information.

The two formats for analysing construction progress are summarised below. Both provide up to the minute information at a glance on a job by job basis.

Construction History Screen

The Construction History screen shows the progress for a job in Construction in the Logistics Progress section. This section outlines every activity in the logistics programme and on which day it should occur. If the activity is shown on multiple days then it has a duration/allowance of the number of days it appears.

Also, by selecting the required period from the Logistics History part of the screen, the activities occurred in that period are highlighted.

Progress Panel on the Construction Overview Screen

The Progress Panel on the Construction Overview screen shows the nominated activities by the business. The left hand side of the panel shows the Baseline forecast method, based on the actual site start date. The right hand side of the panel shows the Best Possible forecast by calculating from the most recent actual date and applying the set allowances or critical path from that point.

By having the two forms of analysis activated, it allows for construction progress analysis across all jobs via reports:

Chart Reporting

Chart reporting will pick up the nominated activities that are represented in the Progress Panel on the Construction Overview screen and presents them graphically. Grouping the report by Construction Manager and/or Supervisor makes it a useful tool for one-on-one meetings to review and prioritise jobs. Problem jobs that are behind or heading towards liquidated damages can be dealt with accordingly early on.

To ensure that all of the above has relevance, accurate data capture is essential;

Captured Data

One of the key elements of any reporting or analysis tool is the quality of the captured data. Any calculation of a forecast is reliant on data entry being accurate and timely. Thorough training of the relevant staff and easily accessible process document are essential in ensuring the quality of the data being captured.

Planning

The relevant staff (such as a Construction Manager) need to review the call forward programmes and can nominate up to 25 key activities to represent the progress of a job.

When selecting the key activities to include in the Progress Panel in a Construction Overview screen, it is recommended that the following be considered;

• site start
• claim stages
• important items at even durations through the critical path that can show incremental progress
• milestones that can have an impact on the progress, such as kitchen install or tiling complete.

Implementation

The implementation requires;

Set up of selected call forward activities for the Construction Overview Progress Panel

The activities from the call forward programmes nominated by the business for progress analysis are set up in Desktop Logistics under Administration> Analysis Links on the sidebar. The activities need to be allocated to the analysis links for each call forward programme individually.

Construction Progress Preferences

A time suitable to the business must be nominated to activate the progress panel on the Construction Overview screen, as activating this progress panel will re-forecast the jobs in Construction. This can take a significant amount of time, depending on the number of jobs in Construction.

The Preferences to activate this function are found in the Security module of Framework in the following location:

Preferences > Framework ECM > Production Management > Construction Progress >

• Preference -11030 Re-forecast Construction Programme Baseline : Default = Yes
• Preference -11031 Re-forecast Construction Programme Best Possible : Default = Yes

Once activated, all existing Construction jobs will show this progress information on the progress panel on the Construction Overview screen without any further action. Progress can then be analysed quickly by reviewing the screen or by running the chart report mentioned above.

Ongoing Management

Periodically review whether the activities chosen are still relevant for analysing progress. Also, if new activities or programmes are created, consideration should be given to the impact on forecasting and reporting.

Maintaining quality data capture from Logistics programmes in the field by supervisors, or via data entry in the office by Administration staff, is imperative for this to be a meaningful analysis tool for the business.

Refresher training is also recommended for staff involved in determining progress values.