Construction schedule template
Updated · Reviewed by Israel Margulies, founder and CEO of High Point GPS
A construction schedule lists every task in a project in order, with the crew or subcontractor doing it, its start and finish dates, how long it takes, what it has to wait for, its status, and the equipment it needs on site.
A simple task-by-task schedule is enough for most small and mid-size jobs. Listing what each task depends on shows the order the work has to follow, and the equipment column shows when machines need to be on site, so they're booked and serviced before the day.
Update the schedule every week with real dates. A schedule that still shows the original plan after delays isn't helping anyone.
Construction schedule
Fields: Project name · Project address · Prepared by · Start date · Planned completion · Last updated
Log columns: Task · Crew / subcontractor · Start · Finish · Duration (days) · Depends on · Status · Equipment needed
Fill it in the right way
- List the tasks in the order they happen, from site work to closeout.
- Write who does each one.
- Give each task a duration and note which tasks must finish first.
- Set start and finish dates from those links.
- Note the machines each task needs, so they can be booked or rented in time.
- Update the status and dates every week.
Tips
- Keep tasks big enough to manage: a few days to a couple of weeks each.
- Mark inspections and deliveries as their own tasks; they hold up the work after them.
- Book equipment early for tasks on the critical path.
- Share the updated schedule with every subcontractor each week.
Do it in FleetZap
- FleetZap keeps every machine's location, hours and status, so you know what's free before you schedule it.
- PM schedules open services on engine hours or the calendar, so machines are serviced before they go to a site.
- Crews scan a machine's QR label to report a problem or do a pre-use check.
- FleetZap Dispatch can plan equipment deliveries and pickups between sites.
FleetZap Maintenance
Work orders, PM, parts, compliance, assets and KPIs. Explore FleetZap Maintenance.
Frequently asked questions
What is a construction schedule?
A plan of every task in a project with its dates, who does it and what it depends on.
What should a construction schedule include?
Tasks, crews or subcontractors, start and finish dates, durations, dependencies, status and the equipment or deliveries each task needs.
How often should it be updated?
At least weekly, with real dates, and whenever a delay changes the order of work.
Spreadsheet or scheduling software?
A spreadsheet works for small projects. Large projects with many trades often need scheduling software with Gantt charts and critical path.