The make-ready process is where Last Planner magic happens. This is where work transforms from planned to executable—where constraints are identified, assigned, tracked, and resolved so that weekly commitments can be fulfilled reliably. Last planner system software provides the structure for this critical process.
Work that enters weekly plans without being made ready fails. Work that's properly made ready succeeds.
Understanding Make-Ready
Make-ready is the systematic process of preparing work for execution. It happens during the lookahead schedule software window—typically 3-6 weeks before execution.
The make-ready process answers fundamental questions:
What constraints exist? What must happen before this work can proceed?
Who owns each constraint? Who is responsible for resolution?
What's the status? Where does constraint resolution stand?
Is work truly ready? Have all constraints been resolved?
Rolling lookahead schedule updates track this process continuously.
The Constraint Categories
Activities face various constraint types. Construction software should categorize and track each:
Materials: Are required materials ordered, delivered, and staged? 6 week lookahead schedule windows address long-lead materials.
Labor: Are workers with appropriate skills available? Crew scheduling software construction teams use helps ensure labor readiness.
Equipment: Is necessary equipment available and functional?
Information: Are drawings, specifications, and clarifications complete?
Predecessors: Will required prior work be complete?
Space: Is the work area accessible without conflict?
Permits/Inspections: Are regulatory requirements satisfied?
Safety: Is work authorized from a safety perspective?
The Make-Ready Workflow
Construction lookahead software should support a clear make-ready workflow:
Step 1: Activity Entry
Activities enter the lookahead window from phase planning or the master schedule. 4 week lookahead schedule or 3 week lookahead schedule horizons receive new activities each week as the window rolls forward.
Step 2: Constraint Identification
Each new activity is screened for constraints. Ask: "What must happen before this activity can start?" Capture every constraint—don't assume anything.
Step 3: Constraint Assignment
Every constraint gets an owner responsible for resolution. Subcontractor management software should track constraints owned by different parties.
Step 4: Status Tracking
Track constraint status throughout the lookahead window:
Open: Identified but not being actively resolved.
In progress: Active resolution underway.
Resolved: Constraint eliminated.
Step 5: Make-Ready Verification
Before work enters the weekly plan, verify all constraints are resolved—not planned to be resolved, but actually resolved.
Weekly work plan construction draws only from verified-ready work.
Technology Implementation
Last planner system software implementing make-ready should provide:
Constraint capture: Easy entry of constraints with categories and descriptions.
Assignment interface: Clear ownership assignment for each constraint.
Status tracking: Visual status indicators and update capabilities.
Notification: Alerts when constraint resolution is overdue.
Verification: Confirmation process before activities enter weekly plans.
Reporting: Analysis of constraint patterns and resolution times.
Construction schedule app mobile access enables field personnel to update constraint status in real-time.
Make-Ready Meeting Practices
Make-ready work often happens in weekly planning sessions. Effective practices:
Walk the lookahead: Review each activity in the lookahead schedule software window, starting from the back (furthest out) and moving forward.
Update status: For each constraint, confirm current status.
Identify new constraints: As the project evolves, new constraints emerge.
Escalate issues: Flag constraints that aren't progressing.
Verify ready work: Confirm which activities are truly ready for weekly planning.
The Ready Definition
What does "ready" mean? Field management software should enforce clear criteria:
All constraints resolved: Not "almost ready" or "will be ready"—actually resolved.
Clear scope: Work scope defined specifically enough for commitment.
Resources confirmed: Labor, equipment, and materials confirmed available.
Handoffs clear: Understand what's being received from predecessors and delivered to successors.
Work that meets all criteria is ready. Work that doesn't isn't.
Common Make-Ready Failures
Several patterns undermine make-ready effectiveness:
Incomplete constraint identification: Not all constraints captured during screening.
Unclear ownership: Constraints without clear owners don't get resolved.
Optimistic resolution: Assuming constraints will be resolved without tracking progress.
Last-minute verification: Discovering unresolved constraints when work should start.
Ready creep: Accepting work as ready when constraints remain.
Lookahead schedule software discipline prevents these failures.
The Workable Backlog
Make-ready produces the workable backlog—a pool of truly ready work. This backlog provides:
Primary work: Activities planned for the weekly work plan.
Alternatives: Ready work available if primary activities can't proceed.
Buffer: Options that keep crews productive despite variations.
Look ahead schedule construction processes should build robust workable backlogs.
Constraint Resolution Timing
Different constraints require different lead times:
Long-lead materials: 6+ weeks. 6 week lookahead schedule horizons capture these early.
Design clarifications: 3-4 weeks for RFI responses.
Equipment arrangements: 2-3 weeks for specialty equipment.
Permit processing: Varies widely but often 2-4 weeks.
Predecessor completion: Visible in near-term lookahead.
4 week lookahead schedule processes must match constraint lead times.
Integration with Planning Levels
Make-ready connects planning levels in last planner system software:
From phase planning: Activities flow into the lookahead from phase plans.
To weekly plans: Made-ready work flows into weekly commitments.
Feedback to master schedule: Constraint patterns inform schedule realism.
Project management software for construction should maintain these connections.
Measuring Make-Ready Effectiveness
Track make-ready process health:
Constraint identification rate: Are constraints being identified early enough?
Resolution cycle time: How long do constraints take to resolve?
On-time resolution: What percentage of constraints are resolved before needed?
Ready work volume: Is the workable backlog adequate?
PPC correlation: Does stronger make-ready produce higher PPC?
Construction software analytics should provide these metrics.
Improving the Process
When make-ready is weak, improve systematically:
Better screening: Use checklists to ensure comprehensive constraint identification.
Earlier identification: Extend the lookahead horizon if constraints aren't identified early enough.
Clearer ownership: Ensure every constraint has a specific, accountable owner.
Regular updates: Require status updates on all constraints weekly.
Strict verification: Enforce the ready definition rigorously.
Foreman scheduling app access helps keep constraint information current.
The Cultural Component
Make-ready requires cultural support:
Discipline: Constraint screening must happen for every activity.
Ownership: Those assigned constraints must take responsibility.
Honesty: Status must reflect reality, not optimism.
Rigor: "Ready" must mean ready—no exceptions.
Rolling lookahead schedule processes depend on this cultural foundation.
Technology Best Practices
Maximize construction lookahead software for make-ready:
Use constraint templates: Standard constraint categories speed identification.
Set reminders: Automatic alerts for constraints approaching deadlines.
Mobile updates: Enable field updates via construction schedule app.
Visual indicators: Make constraint status obvious at a glance.
Trend analysis: Track patterns to improve the process over time.
Conclusion
Building a make-ready process with last planner system software transforms construction planning from hopeful to reliable. Systematic constraint identification, clear ownership, rigorous tracking, and strict verification ensure work is truly ready before commitments are made.
The make-ready process is where weekly work plan construction reliability is determined. Strong make-ready produces high PPC. Weak make-ready produces plan failures.
Build your make-ready process. Everything else depends on it.