One of the main elements of each construction project is time. Construction scheduling is for managing and controlling time. Construction schedules should be realistic and should reflect the actual sequence of work; actual progress should be compared to the baseline schedule on a regular basis; and techniques, such as short interval scheduling and critical path analysis can help avoid delays and make up lost time if necessary.
Three basic components of any project: quality, cost and time must be in balance and consistent with the owner's goals in order for the project to be successful. Once the basic goals of the project are established, scheduling is the means for managing the time component of the project. Use of scheduling can be divided into two distinct phases:

1. Planning: plan your work
2. Implementation: work your plan

During the planning phase, a schedule that is realistic and consistent with the owner's goals is important. During the implementation phase, it is essential to manage the project so that the original schedule is followed as closely as possible. In case of delays, the schedule can be used to determine if the delay can be recouped. Such an evaluation needs to consider if recovery plans impact the cost or quality of the project. The ultimate purpose is to comply with the schedule goals and maintain the established balance between quality, cost and time.

To assist in the efforts in schedule management, various tools during the different phases of the project are utilized:

• Master Schedule
• Design Schedule
• Preliminary Construction Schedule
• Construction Master Schedule
• Initial Contract Schedule
• Contract Schedule
• Short Interval Scheduling
• As Built Schedule