The success of any construction project relies heavily on the contributions of construction planning engineers. Their responsibilities include the development and upkeep of project schedules, progress monitoring, and guaranteeing timely and budget-friendly project completion. A crucial aspect of a planning engineer’s job is to perform delay analysis, aimed at determining the causes of schedule delays and their effects on the project timeline.

In construction projects, schedules are typically created using project management software such as Primavera P6. These schedules are known as baseline schedules, and they serve as a reference point for measuring progress and identifying delays. However, in some cases, the baseline schedule may not be approved by the project stakeholders, such as the client or the consultant. This situation can make conducting delay analysis challenging, as the baseline schedule may not be considered a valid reference point.

In this article, we will discuss the steps involved in conducting delay analysis based on an unapproved baseline schedule in Primavera P6.

Step 1: Understand the Contractual Requirements

Before starting the delay analysis process, it is essential to understand the contractual requirements related to the project schedule. The contract should specify the baseline schedule submission and approval process, including the timeline and the parties responsible for approving the schedule. The contract may also outline the requirements for conducting delay analysis and submitting claims related to schedule delays.

Step 2: Review the Unapproved Baseline Schedule

The next step is to review the unapproved baseline schedule in detail. It is also essential to understand the reasons why the baseline schedule was not approved, such as missing information or inconsistencies. If you believe it is feasible to resubmit your baseline schedule and get it approved before doing your EOT, then you need to do this and skip step number 3 below.

Step 3: Create an As-Built Schedule

An as-built schedule is a record of the actual construction progress and the dates when specific activities were completed. Creating an as-built schedule involves the actual progress of the project and making adjustments to reflect the current status accurately. This schedule will serve as a reference point for conducting delay analysis (If you cannot get your rejected baseline approved).

Step 4: Identify the Delay Events

Delay events are any changes or events that impact the project schedule and result in a delay. These events can be caused by various factors, such as weather conditions, changes in scope, or issues with materials or equipment delivery. It is essential to document all delay events accurately, including the date of the event and the impact on the project schedule.

Step 5: Analyze the Delay Events

Once the delay events have been identified, the next step is to analyze their impact on the project schedule (Approved baseline or As-built schedule). This analysis involves determining the critical path of the project and identifying how each delay event affects the critical path. It is also essential to calculate the total delay caused by each event and determine its impact on the project completion date.

Step 6: Prepare the Delay Analysis Report

The delay analysis report should include a detailed description of each delay event, its impact on the project schedule, and the calculations used to determine the delay. The report should also include any supporting documents, such as correspondence or change orders, that relate to the delay events. This report is also called the EOT narrative report and it should include the chronology of the event in a clear way.

Step 7: Submit the Delay Analysis Report

The delay analysis report should be submitted to the project stakeholders, such as the client and the consultant, for review and approval. The report should be accompanied by a request for an Extention of Time (EOT) and/or Prolongation costs resulting from the delay events.

In conclusion, conducting delay analysis based on an unapproved baseline schedule in Primavera P6 requires a detailed understanding of the contractual requirements, a thorough review of the unapproved schedule, and the creation of an accurate as-built schedule. By following the steps outlined in this article, construction planning engineers can conduct a comprehensive delay analysis and provide valuable insights into the causes of schedule delays and their impact on the project timeline.

If you would like to know more about construction claims and delays analysis, you are welcome to enroll in this course:  Claims and EOT course