Critical Flow for Different Projects

Critical flow for construction productivity has many of the same management and workflow problems as any other business. Measurement of the productivity at the supervisory level is along the critical path for items that have to occur for any production to occur.

The critical path looks for the item that is critical for the project to flow smoothly. These three examples for construction briefly show the support items necessary for production. Pipeline construction is the most involved example.


1. Critical Flow for Conduit and Manholes

1. Foreman installing conduit and manholes has to plan every underground project to support the excavation. Without excavation, there cannot be installation of the finish product. (Fieldcast Manhole)

2. Industrial Piping Project

2. Supervisor and project manager have to plan every industrial project to support the welders. Fabricating, painting and delivery of tons of pipe supports, writing welding procedures, drawing then fabricating and delivering spool pieces of the piping is just the beginning of the installation process.

3. Cross-Country Pipeline Project

3. Spread boss has to plan the pipeline project for support of the “firing line” (welding operation). There are many different operations necessary to keep this most costly part of the spread producing:

• Right-of-way clearing crew cannot have any angry landowners blocking their progress.

• Stringing-out crew (places pipe on the cleared Right-of-Way) must have access for the tractor-trailer delivery vehicles.

• Excavation crew cannot run into unforeseen obstacles such as rock or bad weather.

• Bending crew must have the bending machine (specialty piece) and associated equipment without long-term maintenance problems.

• Pipe laying crew works at the front of the firing line bringing the pipe strung out on the Right-of-Way that has been bent to the trench where it is placed on wood (skids) crisscrossed in the trench to suspend it above the dirt. The internal lineup clamp is properly set and then activated so the first welding pass (root pass) can be placed then the process is repeated.

• The next part of the firing line follows placing the weld filler passes necessary. This could require 2 or 3 sets of welders (1 on each side of the pipe) for a total of 4-6 welders. The last part of the firing line is the 2 welders who place the cap weld.

Critical Flow - Result

You must be aware of critical flow for your GREEN renovation project if you want the lowest cost. For any indoor project, clearing the work area of all your personal possessions is the obvious first step. Each indoor, on the exterior and yard project will have its own set of individual items discussed.

Return From Critical Flow To Work With Contractors

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