Task planning as a part of production control

Abstract

The execution of a construction project requires production planning and control to be performed with different levels of accuracy. In master plans, the overall progress of the whole construction project is planned and controlled. For practical implementation, site management requires more detailed plans. This can be achieved with the help of task planning, a method of planning which begins from what should be done. and examines in detail how the time, cost, and quality objectives can be achieved. Task planning is related to look-ahead planning in the Last Planner System™. Task planning is performed before the beginning of the task. The execution of the task is planned in detail and considered from six angles: analysing potential problems, scheduling, costs, quality requirements and quality assurance, the prerequisites for the task, and ensuring the progress of the task. The objective of task planning is to ensure that the task can be started on time, that the requirements of the owner can be met, and that the master schedule can be implemented as planned. Task planning also ensures that the supervisors and workers know the objectives and demands of the task and how the implementation of these objectives and demands has been planned. This requires the results of the task plan to be examined together with the workers who participate in the task, e.g. in quality circles. Task planning can also be utilised in the drafting of subcontracts and delivery contracts. In this paper the connection between project master plans and task plans is described. The principles on which the making and use of task plans are based are described.