When construction milestones are talked about, the focus tends to be on the bigger items rather than when materials are delivered, but the timing of materials can have a significant effect on whether a project is on or off track. Bank sand delivery scheduling falls into this category as well because all types of trench backfill, grading and general fill require material to arrive on time for crews to perform their work.
The delivery coming in late can cause delays in production, and the early delivery can result in storage problems in a limited area. This balance is what sets good suppliers apart from the bad.
What’s the Big Deal, Timing?What is the importance of timing precision beyond its apparent level?
Construction crews will generally schedule activities in line with the likely time that the material will be available and plan the work to ensure that the materials are delivered when they are needed, as well as ensuring the workforce and equipment are ready to use when the materials arrive. Delays even a few hours long can ripple throughout the rest of the day's arranged agenda.
Some of the common problems faced due to bad timing of delivery are:
- Leftover manpower waiting for materials to be brought to the site
- Delayed time to the window of work while the material finally arrives.
- Overtime wages or costs for unproductive time worked.
- Incompleteness in scheduling of other trades within the same day.Incompleteness of other trades in the same day.
How the delivery window is impacted by site conditions.
Flexibility in delivery time is not always available even at active commercial projects, as several crews might be working at the same time within a small work area and access. It is essential that the bank/overall site logistics contractor communicate with the sand supplier to coordinate deliveries around these constraints.
Typical things to consider when determining realistic delivery windows are:
- All traffic to the site as the whole picture (from several trades at once).
- A small area for staging material prior to use
- The area is restricted during specific times of the day, within residential development.
- The availability of equipment to spread and/or compact material immediately after manufacture.
Why Communication is the Best Tool for Most Timing Issues
Lots of delivery timing challenges are actually due to lack of interaction, not to actual logistics. It's best to have a clear and detailed schedule that includes realistic time frames and site access notes; this can help prevent timing-related issues from arising.
This clarity also helps suppliers as they are able to make better-informed decisions for route planning, with multiple deliveries taking place over the course of a day.
If more than one delivery is required, what happens?
If the sand is needed for a large project that will be done in stages, then a different approach is needed to the project than just a delivery job. Appropriate spacing of deliveries ensures that material is not left unused for long periods of time and crews do not run short of material before the next delivery due for.
Some realistic solutions to multi delivery projects involve:
- Implementing a regular delivery system based on usage rate.
- Planning to account for changes in the work process
- Regular communication of any remaining material needs
- Informing customers about each delivery window one or two days ahead of time
The overall project momentum is influenced by this.This has an impact on the overall momentum of the project.
When projects have a consistent flow of materials, crews can be more productive than when they are working at a stop and start pace due to materials being delivered at different times. This momentum can be especially important on projects with hard deadlines, where each minute of lost time may carry over to the project's completion date.
Final Thoughts
While it may appear to be a simple touch to a project as large as the construction, the timing of deliveries can make a substantial difference in project progress. By emphasizing good communication and realistic scheduling of bank sand delivery, crews will stay productive and will keep projects moving forward without the frustration of unnecessary, timing related delays.