The 80 20 Rule in Projects Planning and Scheduling

The 80 20 Rule which also known as Pareto principle say that 80% of the effect came from 20% of the causes, Pareto principle. This concept looks very interesting if you study it in more details in Construction Projects Planning and Scheduling. In the other hand, following are different applications of 80 20 rule in our normal life:

• The richest 20% people in the world have 80% of worlds income.
• In 2002, Microsoft reported that 80% of the errors and crashes in windows and office are caused by 20% of the bugs involved.
• 80% of the time spent on the phone was useless. What Is the 80/20 Rule and How to Apply It for Life Growth
• In the US, 20% of the patients use 80% of the health care resources.
• In home or office, 20 % of the carpet receives 80% of the wear.
• 80% of your happiness caused by 20% of the people you know.
• People wear around 20% of their clothes 80% of the times. People Don’t Wear A Shocking Amount Of Their Clothes

Looks interesting right? When it comes to the construction projects planning, it is very similar and the 80 20 rule works great. Following are few example of Pareto principle in construction projects:

• 80% of the works problem are from 20% of the employees.
• 80% of long meeting outputs could be obtained in 20% of the time.
• 20% of your time creates 80% of your results.
• 20% of project/company employees create 80% of project/company value.
• 80% of project problems are caused by 20% reasons.
• 80% of employee tasks are done in 20% of task time.
• 20% of project team have 80% of communication channels.

There are limitless possibilities to think about examples of such concept. However, is this concept is accurate? I did not say the concept is 100% accurate, but i would say in 80% of the examples it is acceptable 🙂

Now, when it comes to construction projects planning, How we can get benefit of  80 20 Rule? In my opinion, following are key points to consider:

• 20% of project activities could cause 80% of project delays.
• 20% of shop drawings are related to 80% of work on site.
• 20% of materials could delay 80% of project activities.
• 20% of project materials are long lead items.
• 20% of schedule activities are on critical path.
• 80% of schedule delays are because of 20% of activities.
• 80% of your time in planning could be saved if you invest 20% of your time to learn smart tools and techniques.

This is what in my mind at the moment, what do you think? Do you have another examples of  80 20 Rule in Construction Projects Planning and Scheduling? Please share in a comment.

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