Understanding Make Ready Planning
Make ready planning is the systematic process of ensuring activities are ready to start when scheduled. Rather than discovering constraints when work is supposed to begin, make ready planning identifies and removes constraints in advance. This proactive approach prevents the schedule disruptions that occur when work cannot proceed as planned. Construction scheduling software supporting make ready planning helps teams identify and track constraints systematically.
The concept comes from the Last Planner System, where "making work ready" is a core principle. Work is only placed on weekly schedules when all constraints are removed—when the work is truly ready. Construction management software that enables constraint tracking transforms make ready from concept to practice.
Common Constraint Categories
Constraints fall into predictable categories. Material availability—are needed materials on site? Labor availability—are qualified workers available? Predecessor completion—is prior work complete? Information availability—are drawings and specifications complete? Equipment availability—is required equipment available? Construction project management software should track constraints by category.
Understanding constraint patterns helps prioritize make ready efforts. If materials are the frequent constraint, procurement processes need attention. If information is the issue, design coordination needs focus. Contractor scheduling software data reveals these patterns.
The Lookahead Window
Make ready planning operates within a lookahead window—typically six weeks. This window provides enough time to remove most constraints while keeping focus on near-term work. Best construction scheduling software displays the lookahead window and constraint status for activities within it.
Different constraint types require different lead times. Material orders may need weeks; predecessor completion may need days. Construction scheduling software helps identify required lead times for different constraint types.
Constraint Identification
Constraint identification should be systematic. For each activity in the lookahead window, ask: What does this activity need to start? Materials? Information? Equipment? Prior work complete? Construction management software provides structured constraint checklists.
Foremen and supervisors closest to the work are best positioned to identify constraints. Construction project management software should enable field input on constraint status.
Constraint Screening
Constraint screening is a weekly process. Review each activity in the lookahead. Identify new constraints. Update status of known constraints. Escalate constraints that need attention. Contractor scheduling software supports this weekly screening process.
Activities with unresolved constraints should be flagged. As the lookahead window advances, unconstrained activities become candidates for weekly commitments. Best construction scheduling software distinguishes ready work from constrained work.
Constraint Removal
Identifying constraints is only valuable if they're removed. Each constraint needs an owner responsible for resolution. Timelines for removal should be established. Progress should be tracked. Construction scheduling software assigns constraint ownership and tracks resolution.
Some constraints require action from outside the project team. Supplier delays, design questions, or permit issues may need escalation. Construction management software helps track external constraint resolution.
Weekly Planning Connection
Make ready planning directly connects to weekly planning. Only activities with constraints removed should be candidates for weekly commitments. If work isn't ready, committing to it sets up failure. Construction project management software filters ready activities for weekly planning.
When weekly commitments fail, the root cause often traces back to inadequate make ready. A constraint was missed or not fully resolved. Contractor scheduling software analysis can identify these make ready failures.
Material Make Ready
Material constraints are among the most common. Make ready for materials includes procurement status, delivery schedules, and site staging. Best construction scheduling software links material status to activity constraints.
For long-lead materials, make ready extends well beyond the typical lookahead window. Major equipment may need tracking from order through delivery. Construction scheduling software handles both short-term and long-lead material constraints.
Information Make Ready
Missing or incomplete information constrains many activities. Drawing status, specification clarifications, and design decisions all affect work readiness. Construction management software tracks information constraints.
RFI status is a common information constraint. Construction project management software should link RFI resolution to affected activities.
Predecessor Make Ready
Work cannot start if predecessor work isn't complete. Make ready planning verifies predecessor status, not just predecessor scheduling. Is the preceding work actually done and ready for handoff? Contractor scheduling software enables predecessor status verification.
Quality of predecessor work matters. If preceding work needs correction, the following activity isn't truly ready. Best construction scheduling software captures quality-based constraints.
Equipment and Labor Make Ready
Equipment availability and qualified labor are resource constraints. Are needed cranes scheduled? Are qualified welders available? Construction scheduling software tracks resource constraints.
Specialty resources require longer make ready. Rare equipment or scarce skills need earlier attention. Construction management software highlights specialty resource needs.
Space Make Ready
Some activities require clear work areas. If prior work occupies needed space, work cannot proceed regardless of other readiness. Construction project management software tracks space availability as a constraint.
Area access is a variation of space constraint. Can workers and materials reach the work location? Contractor scheduling software includes access in constraint tracking.
Measuring Make Ready Effectiveness
Track how well make ready is working. What percentage of activities entering the one-week window are fully ready? How often do unresolved constraints cause schedule misses? Best construction scheduling software provides make ready metrics.
Improving make ready effectiveness improves schedule reliability. Focus on the constraint categories causing the most problems. Construction scheduling software data guides improvement efforts.
Integrating with Other Lean Practices
Make ready planning integrates with other Lean construction practices. It's a core element of the Last Planner System. It supports pull planning by ensuring committed work is achievable. Construction management software supporting Lean methods integrates make ready planning.
Continuous improvement applies to make ready. As teams identify recurring constraints, they can implement systemic improvements. Construction project management software supports this learning.
Conclusion
Make ready planning transforms construction from reactive to proactive. By systematically identifying and removing constraints before work is scheduled to start, teams can make reliable commitments and execute predictably. Contractor scheduling software that supports constraint tracking enables effective make ready planning.
Success requires discipline in constraint identification, accountability for constraint removal, and integration with weekly planning. Teams that master make ready find their schedule reliability improves dramatically. Best construction scheduling software provides the tools; team commitment provides the results.