How to prepare a BIM construction scheduling for renovation projects

Construction scheduling is an essential part in the organization of project activities. Here is a practical example of a BIM construction scheduling for renovation projects

When managing a renovation projects, it is necessary to accurately plan work activities by drafting an efficient construction scheduling.

It is very important to coordinate the timing of the different work interventions on a construction site, so to avoid any possible overlapping between the various work phases and resources and, at the same time, to guarantee their correct consequentiality.

In this technical guide,we will start by analysing the different theoretical aspects up to the creation of a construction schedule with a building project management software.

You can download the  the BIM model of an apartament renovation project that includes the construction time schedule. You will also find examples in pdf of  a construction schedule for both demolition and construction projects. 

What is construction scheduling

Construction scheduling, an indispensable planning and coordination document on every construction site, is basically a project management construction report.

It can be defined as a diagram that graphically represents work activities planning according to a logical sequence, time and costs. In addition, it can be supplemented by:

• a chart with construction activities, divided into stages, which serves to identify the individual activities or parts of them in terms of costs and time;
• a chart indicating works planning according to a logical and temporal sequence. The indicator for works progress amount should always be indicated with the established deadlines.

Preparing a construction scheduling: the steps to follow

Below you will find the main steps to follow for the creation of a construction schedule.

Breakdown of activities

Starting from the items defined in the bill of quantities, we can proceed to group them in:

• construction site layout planning
• demolitions and removals
• excavations
• vertical and horizontal structures
• foundation structures
• water-proofing
• internal and external partition walls
• plastering
• flooring
• plant installation systems
• etc.

Association of percentage rates

Percentage shares and plant installation systems need to be associated to these work categories. In addition, the percentages of each item that constitute the working group are also associated and it is prepared an estimate of the total amount of the working days necessary to complete works (workers per day).

Labour cost and number of workers

For each group, labour cost and number of workers needed are calculated.

Gantt chart

We can now proceed to calculate the consecutive days.

The Gantt chart is then built up from this data, reporting the various activities in order of date and planning, thus calculating the duration of works. We can then create a symbolic diagram of the construction scheduling.

To draw up the construction scheduling in a graphical form that can be easily interpreted and used as a construction site tool, it is possible to insert the results obtained in a table that shows:

• the duration of each work activity (days, weeks, months) in columns
• the list of activities in rows.

4D BIM construction site modelling

For clients, designers and companies, it is useful to have the opportunity to see the progress of the construction site during the design phase, i.e. to manage a model that can show how it will build up over time.

It can happen that on a construction site there are interference issues or overlapping and delays in supplies that may result into activity interruptions, delays, warehousing lack of optimization, need to apply changes during works execution.

Specifically, organizing works in order to envisage, anticipate, optimize these circumstances during the planning phase means:

• reducing construction time and costs
• maximizing efficiency and increase construction site safety
• improving the quality of construction of the future building and its management, with materials and components monitoring that will have to be verified and maintained over time.

Therefore, it is very important to be able to manage the time dimension (4D BIM) during which a project is developed and implemented. If the introduction of BIM technology has brought significant benefits to the traditional methods of project management, with 4D BIM these advantages are amplified.

4D BIM modelling integrates the construction process into the 3D model, thus allowing designers to take a look at a construction site already during the design phase, and to analyse and monitor construction times.

With the 4D integrated into Edificius, the architectural BIM design software, you can have the possibility to make construction estimates and have localized price lists, resources, productivity rates and labour costs, simply starting from a 3D BIM project.

A practical example of construction scheduling relating to an apartment renovation project

This time, we’ll be taking a look at how to prepare the construction scheduling of an apartment renovation with Edificius, the architectural BIM design software, starting from a project already including demolitions and reconstructions aspects.

After opening the file (Project Group) and selecting the designed stage, click on the 4D – GANTT button on the left sidebar of the project management.

On the screen with the two overlapping windows we will have the 3D model on the top part and the Gantt chart to be filled in at the bottom. Now we can connect the selected objects, in our case just the partition walls (see picture below) which are inserted starting from the day of works beginning, directly from the 3D model to the individual activities.

Edificius 4D BIM | Gantt chart production of the demolition and removal phase: selection of partition objects

For the remaining activities relating to the demolition and removal phases, we proceed by associating the selected elements on the 3D model to the activity and the relating period identified on the Gantt chart.

Once demolition phase operations are completed, we can immediately see the “operational phases” through the Real Time Rendering function. Let’s start and then record the simulation to analyse and monitor time and activities regarding the periods of the construction process.

We can apply the same procedure for all activities regarding building (design stage file) of new partition walls, plumbing, screeds, flooring, fixtures, etc. Now let’s associate the individual items present in the 3D model, listed by groups in the right sidebar of the BIM objects, to the activities and relating period.

At the end, we can record the simulation of these executive phases in Real Time Rendering view to verify the new construction process.

From the same 4D-Gantt view of the model in Edifcius, let us now print the pdf demolition and construction works schedule.

Edificius 4D BIM | Gantt chart of the demolition phase

Edificius 4D BIM | Gantt chart of new activities phase

Example of construction scheduling relating to an apartment renovation project

Download the  3D model in EDF format of the renovation project including its construction scheduling