The Schedule Log is a simple tracking document. However, you have to remember to use it! I start my Schedule Log when we have the baseline schedule set. I do keep an abbreviated version for baseline development but only for my use. It helps me in remembering what’s been added or changed between the development versions.
What Should Be In The Schedule Log?
The Schedule Log I’ve developed for my use, is very complex and provides me with performance data and metrics as well as the basic tracking data we all need to have. Once you have your Schedule Log developed to cover the basics, you can add columns and sheets to track whatever you feel the need to track. But you really need to, at the very least, track a few pieces of data for the baseline and subsequent updates.
Figure 1 – my main data entry page (Cells with light grey highlighting are calculated values)
- The schedule name, either P6 ID or xer/xml file name, or both
- Data Date
- Contract dates for Contract Milestones, or Substantial Completion, and Final Completion, or any combination depending on your contract
- I like to track variance in dates for period and total to-date
- I like to track the number of activities. No real reason other than I can see revisions at a glance
- I like to record the file path for where Ii have the schedule and files
- I track the version. Usually it’s the same as the Name, but I do get some schedules in with different values for this
- If I’m on the contractor’s team, I track submission and approval/acceptance dates. If I’m on the owner’s team, I track receipt and approval/acceptance dates
That is the first sheet. I like to keep each sheet to a printable size.
My second sheet, Figure 2, is for quick reference and use with my project team.
Figure 2 – Basic Substantial and Final Completion data
Figure 3 shows my third sheet that has some abbreviated descriptions of issues or revisions.
Figure 3 – this is useful for reference
My fourth sheet includes Primavera P6 progress data, basic schedule data, and the driving Critical Path activities for that period. See figure 4.
Figure 4
My fifth sheet, Figure 5, records Basic schedule settings.
Figure 5
These are only a few of my Schedule Log sheets. I have others which provide EVMS EV, SPI, TSPI, IECD metrics as well as Earned Schedule metrics. You can do whatever you like with the log. The main thing is getting the data necessary for tracking schedule names, data dates, contractual and actual dates, and progress data for the baseline(s) and each schedule update. This is extremely useful in the future!
Plan your schedule….
Paul Epperson CCM, PMP, PSP, PMI-SP
Paul has extensive experience as a Construction Manager. Over time, he became convinced that there is a critical shortage of skilled planning and scheduling professionals in our industry. In 2009, he backed away from his work as a Construction Manager and began focusing on planning and scheduling. He now serves our industry as a subject matter expert in this area.
You can visit Paul’s LinkedIn account to learn more about him and his website is http://www.conschmanservices.com