DOI

10.5703/1288284316355

Abstract

The main purpose of this research is to determine the issues that INDOT faces with respect to schedule review/monitoring and determine the best practices by other DOTs in order to suggest improvements to INDOTs practices. Two questionnaire surveys and six interviews were conducted to gather this information. The two questionnaires were divided into four areas: (1) scheduling specifications, (2) enforcing issues, (3) field personnel skill set and understanding of the specs and scheduling methods/commercial software, and (4) ideas for scheduling technologies/tools/software. Results from these questionnaires were used to target five DOTs that showed good practices as well INDOT to gather more details about the common scheduling issues and their response to them.

Outcome of this research will (1) document current INDOT practices and challenges on tracking the projects in the field; (2) Identify scheduling methods and software packages used by other DOTs that would satisfy INDOT’s project control needs (3) provide guidelines to make the tracking and analysis of scheduled milestones more effective and easy to implement for the field personnel.

According to the first survey that was distributed among INDOT personnel, some of the main issues they face include lack of contractor compliance in submitting schedules and following the scheduling specifications. Another issue is INDOT personnel’s lack of training and experience using the scheduling techniques.

The second survey was distributed to all DOTs with thirty-five responses received. In order to enforce contractor compliance, DOTs have delayed and withheld payments. DOTs also train their employees in scheduling techniques to help them review contractors’ submittals. They also meet with the contractor before construction starts and discuss the schedule requirements to ensure that both parties are on the same page.

Phone interviews were conducted with six DOTs in order to understand their means and methods. Some of the main items discovered were related to classification of projects (based on required level of scheduling), procedure requested by DOTs from contractors with regard to time impact analysis reports and how they handle weather shutdowns in their scheduling specifications.

In conclusion, the research found many suggestions that could be implemented by INDOT in order to revise/update their specifications and practices, increase contractor compliance and to simplify their scheduling and review processes.

Report Number

FHWA/IN/JTRP-2016/28

Keywords

CPM scheduling, bar chart, scheduling specifications, schedule review, schedule monitoring, simplified scheduling

SPR Number

3907

Performing Organization

Joint Transportation Research Program

Publisher Place

West Lafayette, Indiana

Date of this Version

2016

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