Project planning vs. scheduling- are they the same?

You might have heard the role of Planner/Scheduler in a project. Does it mean that Planners & Schedulers do the same work?

Are “Planning” and “Scheduling” the same terms?

If not, what are the key differences between Project Planning vs. Scheduling?

Check this video by Dr. Saleh Mubarak, the author of “Construction Project Scheduling and Control” to figure out the distinction between “Planning” and “Scheduling”.

Download the free audio mp3 podcast of this episode on iTunes.

Note: This video is a sneak peek of the presentation on “Project Scheduling for the Owners”, presented by Dr. Saleh Mubarak at the 2020 Project Control Summit. To get access to the full presentation and other recordings of the Project Control Summit, please click here.

Video Transcript:

[The following is the full transcript of the video, featuring the speaker unscripted and unedited]              

Is planning and scheduling the same?

No, they’re not.

I’ve seen people call the scheduler, planner, and sometimes they call the “schedule”, “the plan”. Sometimes they call it the program (program, as spelled in the UK), but I want to make sure that scheduling is not planning although they complement each other.

Scheduling is part of the planning.

Project Scheduling

Project Scheduling is the determination of the timing and sequence of operations in the project and their assembly to give the project overall completion time

Timing is saying that we’re going to install the windows between April 11 and April 17.

Sequence is we want to install the windows after the window opening is framed and after windows have been delivered.

Project Planning

Project planning is the comprehensive process of thinking of and preparing for the activities and actions needed to successfully complete a project. This includes, but not limited to:

• defining scope and constraints,
• performing feasibility studies (financial, legal, and other),
• comparing alternative designs,
• choosing the best contract type and delivery method,
• and preparing for the management of the execution.

Project Planning vs. Scheduling

Here’s the relationship between planning and scheduling:

The plan tells you “what”, “where”, “who”, “whose” and so on.

The concept maybe not be in detail, but just an idea. What is included in the plan is the project timeframe (start/finish, perhaps with important milestones) without the details.

So we say the project is going to be probably starting this October and it will take 18 months. From here, the scheduling comes to break the project down into 2000 activities for example along with their durations and sequence to make sure that the project finishes on time.

Interested in having deep-dive training on Project Scheduling?

Dr. Mubarak is a construction project management professor, consultant, author, public speaker, and trainer.

He obtained his Ph.D. in civil engineering, specialized in Construction Project Management.

He has over 30 years of diversified industrial and academic experience. He has worked in the private and public sectors, both in the U.S. and internationally. Positions he held include project engineer/manager, cost estimator, planner/scheduler, project controls manager, cost manager, and training manager.

He also served as the faculty member/professor, and head of the department.

He has extensive experience in continuing education and professional training around the world. Topics are mainly technical but also include soft skills. Have been doing a lot of volunteer presentations and training in professional conferences such as PMI, AACE International as well as many local, regional, and international events.

He is the author of “Construction Project Scheduling and Control “and “How to Estimate with Means Data: Basic Skills for Building Construction”. Dr. Mubarak is not only an authority on project planning, scheduling, and project control but also is an advocate of holistic healthy living.