Character of the Work
The construction project scheduler is the technical expert who works
closely with the project manager and construction manager, to determine
work sequences and critical dates by which various work activities must
be finished, if the work is to progress timely, smoothly, and
efficiently. Seasoned schedulers have a working knowledge of multiple
scheduling software programs, which relate the Critical Path Method to
network analysis. The software used depends on management preference or
contract requirements.
Effective construction scheduling is far more than manipulating data and
printing attractive reports. Project schedulers know the construction
methods for the activities they schedule, so that they can establish
efficient sequences of work and determine appropriate task durations.
They gain such knowledge in the field. Of the primary project controls
disciplines, schedulers probably spend the most time in the field, due
to their need for frequent—maybe daily--accurate and timely schedule
updating. The project team frequently turns to the scheduler to know if
the project is on or behind schedule; who and what caused delays, if
any; or opportunities to accelerate work completion. The single most
important project characteristic by which members of the project team
generally adjudge the work is timeliness of completion. A scheduler
might take on multiple project schedules of hundreds of activities each,
or they might be challenged to oversee a single schedule of thousands of
activities.
As scheduling software has further developed to enable more-advanced
work analysis, such as earned value or risk, schedulers willing to
accept new challenges are immersed in progressively more demanding
tasks. Construction claims and disputes can be very complex, and they
typically require comprehensive schedule analysis to resolve matters.
Education and Training
A baccalaureate degree is not essential for success as a construction
scheduler, but advancement to technical mastery of the discipline or to
management roles makes a four-year degree practically essential. A
quantitative degree is appropriate for this work, and construction
management, engineering, or business study is probably the best
educational basis for a construction scheduler. Besides formal
education, schedulers should have at least a few years of field
experience with the work they schedule. Throughout schedulers’ careers,
they will encounter new software and techniques, so recurring
professional training provided by the employer or obtained on their own
is most appropriate.
Career Opportunities
Construction schedulers who seek advancement expect to be offered lead
or head scheduler responsibilities. It is not uncommon for a lead
scheduler to later move into project management or project controls
management ranks, or the lead chooses instead to master technical
aspects of the work, as for claims or risk analysis. Promotion to
executive positions can eventually follow.
