--- title: Why have a Master Schedule? What should be included in that schedule? description: In parallel with the development of the budget is the development of the Master Project Schedule. This schedule will outline the goals of the Owner for the project with respect to time. image: http://www.ccaco.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Project%20gantt%20chart.jpeg --- [![CCA an Aperture Company](https://www.ccaco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cca.png?width=230&height=95&name=cca.png "CCA an Aperture Company")](http://ccaco.com) [** ](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/why-have-a-master-schedule-what-should-be-included-in-that-schedule#) CCA Blog ![inner-background.jpg](https://www.ccaco.com/hs-fs/file-2302026155-jpg/2014_Images/banners/inner-background.jpg?width=1300&name=inner-background.jpg "inner-background.jpg") # Why have a Master Schedule? What should be included in that schedule? [fa icon="calendar"] Jun 26, 2017 10:53:00 AM / by [John R. Manning, PE, CCM, LEED](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/author/john-r-manning-pe-ccm-leed) * * ### In parallel with the development of the budget is the development of the Master Project Schedule. This schedule will outline the goals of the Owner for the project with respect to time. ![Project gantt chart.jpeg](http://www.ccaco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Project%20gantt%20chart.jpeg?width=660&height=440&name=Project%20gantt%20chart.jpeg) The Owner’s representative should develop various alternative approaches for phasing, sequencing, management and implementation of the project from due diligence through commissioning. This schedule is an outline of the key activities necessary to complete the project. Then based upon review with the Owner, the Owners’ Representative will prepare a final Master Schedule that will detail the overall time related goals for the project. This schedule should be presented in a format that the Owner can comprehend even if it is developed in a sophisticated scheduling program like Primavera P6. It is critical that the Owner’s Representative get acceptance of the time line from the Owner prior to finalizing the Master Schedule. ![Construction worker planing with 3d buildings in background concept.jpeg](https://www.ccaco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Construction%20worker%20planing%20with%203d%20buildings%20in%20background%20concept.jpeg?width=415&name=Construction%20worker%20planing%20with%203d%20buildings%20in%20background%20concept.jpeg)As details are received from the design team and contractor, the Master Schedule is updated into the overall Project Schedule. The Milestone Schedule is generally detailed in a CPM/Gantt Chart format. A general list of activities that may be included in a Master Schedule is as follows:     1. Pre-Design Phase  2. Design Phase  3. Bid/Award Phase  4. Construction Phase  5. Closeout Phase  ![business people group on meeting and presentation in bright modern office with construction engineer architect and worker looking building model and blueprint plans.jpeg](https://www.ccaco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/business%20people%20group%20on%20meeting%20and%20presentation%20%20in%20bright%20modern%20office%20with%20construction%20engineer%20architect%20and%20worker%20looking%20building%20model%20and%20blueprint%20%20plans.jpeg?width=660&height=440&name=business%20people%20group%20on%20meeting%20and%20presentation%20%20in%20bright%20modern%20office%20with%20construction%20engineer%20architect%20and%20worker%20looking%20building%20model%20and%20blueprint%20%20plans.jpeg) **A. Milestone Schedule Development** The Milestone Schedule may be prepared by the Project Manager and the Scheduler after the Client accepts the Milestone Schedule. The Milestone Schedule highlights the key events of the Master Schedule with their targeted completion dates. From the general list of activities above a sample Milestone Schedule would be: | **Key Milestone Activities** | **Targeted Completion Date** | | --- | --- | | Select Design Consultant | ****** | | Complete Schematic Design | ****** | | Complete Design Development | ****** | | Complete Construction Design | ****** | | Commence Bid Period | ****** | | NTP on Construction Contract | ****** | | Complete Structure | ****** | | Occupancy | ****** | | Final Completion | ****** |   It is recommended to use the Milestone Schedule to track the status of the project in the monthly updates and in any RFP’s to give a targeted finish date that any and all proposers and bidders are to meet. The ***means and methods of the design and construction,*** which would be detailed in a CPM type schedule, should be left to the party that is responsible for providing the service and not forced upon by the Owner’s Representative or the Owner. Topics: [Owner's Representative](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/owners-representative), [Trouble Project Turnaround](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/trouble-project-turnaround), [Construction](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/construction), [Project Management](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/project-management) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![John R. Manning, PE, CCM, LEED](https://www.ccaco.com/hs-fs/hub/454189/file-2341775158-jpg/2014_Images/Team_images/John_Manning_Alternate_1_4x4_600dpi.jpg?width=100&name=John_Manning_Alternate_1_4x4_600dpi.jpg) #### Written by [John R. 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