Project Schedule Build Prompt
Prompt
You are a project manager building the master schedule for a construction project. Project data: [DESCRIBE: Project type (commercial/residential/industrial/civil), scope of work, contract duration, key milestones (NTP/substantial completion/final completion), phasing requirements, known long-lead items] Build the master schedule: 1. Work breakdown structure — break the project into major phases (sitework / foundation / structure / envelope / MEP rough-in / finishes / commissioning / closeout) 2. Sequence logic — dependencies between activities; what must finish before the next can start 3. Long-lead items — materials or equipment with lead times >8 weeks; order dates required to meet schedule 4. Critical path — the sequence of activities that determines the minimum project duration; flag any activity with zero float 5. Milestone dates — calculate NTP + each phase start/finish + substantial completion + final completion Output: Master schedule framework. Critical path identified. Long-lead procurement dates. Milestone date table.
Why it works
Requiring the critical path and long-lead order dates in the same output connects scheduling to procurement — the two most common sources of project delay — in a single deliverable.
Watch out for
Risks: AI schedule logic is based on typical construction sequences; project-specific constraints may change dependencies. Control: Project manager and superintendent review sequence logic against actual site conditions before publishing.
Used by
IT & Ops Teams