Best Scheduling Practices and the Role of the Owner’s Scheduler

We will demonstrate the importance of detailed project schedule specification in a construction contract and identify key components to be used by both parties for better project control, decision-making and, if necessary, claims resolution.  We identify what a schedule is; what a scheduler should be; whose schedule it is; and why many project schedules fail.  We will discuss scheduling issues from various viewpoints and explore the role of a competent project scheduler during planning, scheduling, closeout, and forensic scheduling phases.  Construction scheduling helps ensure that all project activities necessary to complete the work in accordance with contract document requirements are properly planned, staffed, coordinated and executed in an orderly and expeditious manner.  It helps Owners evaluate payment applications and proposed contract changes.

There is a perceived risk of claims when Owners require contractors to submit schedules then review and accept them.  However, experienced owners know the risk is outweighed by the value of comprehensive contractor project schedules in assuring effective communication, measurement, coordination, and timing.  Owners must spend time during design to draft scheduling specification commensurate with project size, detail, and complexity, and level of Owner control desired.  Requirements must not be so burdensome that the schedule takes on a life of its own, becomes unmanageable and is disconnected from the contractor’s actual management of the project.

Participants will learn:

• purpose, importance, necessity of project schedules.
• what most standard contract schedule specifications lack and the adverse impacts
• Key specification activities and considerations
• Roles competent owner scheduler must fill & how
• Challenges competent schedulers face
• Details a project scheduler must master
• Non-technical skills an effective scheduler must use
• Practical, effective solutions to prevent problems

Who would benefit most from this program? 

Project Owners, Owner Representatives, Design Professionals, CMs, PMs, FMs, Engineers, Contractors and more.

Instructor: James G. Zack, Jr. is Principal of James Zack Consulting, LLC, a construction claims consultancy dedicated to helping Owners and Contractors complete projects in the field, not arbitration or court.   He is a recognized, published expert in mitigation, analysis, and resolution or defense of construction claims and disputes.  In his 49-year career, he has been involved in public and private projects throughout the U.S. and 39 countries, working with Owners and Contractors on 5,000+ claims.  He is Sr. Advisor to Ankura Construction Forum™ and was previously Ex. Dir. of Navigant Construction Forum™; Ex. Dir. of Corporate Claims Management Group at Fluor Corporation; VP at PinnacleOne; and Sr. Construction Claims Consultant for CH2M HILL, Inc.  He is a Fellow of AACE, RICS, GPC, SCCSI.  His professional certifications include:  CCM, CFCC, ECCCS, ECCDA and PMP.

See Flyer for complete details.