Project Controls Master Series – Blog #3: Schedule Control – Avoiding Timeline Drift
Introduction: The Hidden Cost of Drift
In capital projects, delay doesn’t show up overnight. It creeps in—quietly, incrementally—through missed handoffs, slow approvals, and under-monitored sequences. And once the schedule drifts, every other part of the project bends to catch up.
Schedule control is the backbone of project predictability. It turns a hopeful timeline into a strategic system of decisions, risk checks, and corrective levers. In this blog, we explore what schedule control really means, why it's essential for capital programs, and how Owner’s Representatives use it to steer projects—not just track them.
What Is Schedule Control?
Schedule control is the continuous process of developing, validating, monitoring, adjusting, and forecasting a project’s timeline to align with scope, budget, and business case targets. It ensures the schedule is not just a visual plan, but a live risk management and delivery tool.
Schedule control goes beyond Gantt charts:
It reveals critical path exposure
Flags schedule-risk gaps in procurement, permitting, and construction
Aligns contractor progress with owner priorities
Done right, it empowers project owners to manage time like a resource, not just a constraint.
The Lifecycle of Schedule Control
| Phase | Key Schedule Activities |
|---|---|
| Initiation | Establish timeline assumptions, identify major milestones |
| Planning | Develop baseline schedule, define critical path, assign float |
| Execution | Track actual vs. planned, update forecasts, manage constraints |
| Monitoring | Analyze trends, evaluate progress, apply corrective actions |
| Closeout | Finalize as-built schedule, document lessons learned |
Tools and Systems Used in Schedule Control
| Tool / System | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Primavera P6 | Critical path scheduling and enterprise-wide schedule management |
| Microsoft Project | Detailed schedule planning and tracking for small to midsize projects |
| Smartsheet | Collaborative task tracking and Gantt-based planning |
| Power BI / Tableau | Schedule trend analysis, reporting, and data visualization |
Schedule Risk Factors (Often Missed)
Unsequenced Procurement – Long-lead equipment not tracked on the schedule
Permitting Gaps – Assumed durations for AHJ approvals are rarely verified
Interface Creep – Poorly defined trade handoffs compound over time
Overlapping Phases – Trying to accelerate by stacking tasks without logical safeguards
No Recovery Protocol – If a milestone slips, what happens next?
The Owner’s Representative Role
The OR isn't just tracking dates—they’re creating accountability and proactive control. Here’s how Albers drives real value:
Schedule Baseline Validation – We don’t just accept the GC’s schedule—we challenge logic, push for float transparency, and enforce milestone clarity.
Risk-Based Lookahead Reviews – We use rolling 3–6 week forecasts with built-in decision gates.
Integrated Schedule Reviews – Procurement, design, trade, and AHJ timelines are all woven into one CPM view.
Governance Reporting – We convert P6 logic into executive dashboards for client visibility.
Real-World Example: Averted Delay, Saved Opportunity
In an indistrial project with 20+ trades, we identified a cascading delay risk caused by a lack of procurement float on backup generators. The GC had underrepresented the factory lead time by 6 weeks.
What we did:
Flagged the float deficiency using baseline logic audits
Alerted client and procurement for expedited action
Adjusted downstream trades to mitigate the window
Net result: $2.1M in potential downstream cost avoided
Best Practices for Schedule Control
| Practice | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Baseline early, update often | Reduces drift by anchoring progress to an agreed plan |
| Monitor the critical path | Ensures focus on what actually drives completion |
| Forecast delays before they happen | Improves decision-making and corrective agility |
| Keep float transparent | Avoids misinterpretation of buffer and shared risks |
Schedule Control vs. Schedule Monitoring
Schedule monitoring is passive—you're watching things happen.
Schedule control is active—you’re managing what happens next.
That’s the difference between being caught off-guard and having time to maneuver.
Conclusion: Control the Clock
Time is the only resource you can’t buy back. Schedule control isn’t just project insurance—it’s how organizations deliver on their strategy. When timelines are predictable, decisions get sharper, budgets stay aligned, and confidence rises across the board.
At Albers Management, schedule control is not a reporting function—it’s a core leadership lever we bring to every engagement.
Want a deeper, behind-the-scenes perspective?
Read the personal blog version by David Gray:
What Are Project Controls? – DavidGrayProjects.com
About the Author
David Gray is a principal at Albers Management and a national expert in capital program delivery. With experience managing over $20B in complex infrastructure and healthcare projects, he leads with strategy, structure, and service.
Outside of Albers, David shares long-form insights and behind-the-scenes lessons at DavidGrayProjects.com, where he writes about project strategy, leadership, and the future of infrastructure.
Visit DavidGrayProjects.com →