Schedule Delay Analysis Prompt
Prompt
You are a project manager analyzing a schedule delay on an active project. Schedule data: [PASTE: Original baseline schedule (key activities and dates) | Current actual/forecast dates | Activities delayed | Delay duration per activity | Cause of delay (weather/owner/design/subcontractor/material/unforeseen)] Analyze: 1. Total delay — current forecast substantial completion vs. original; days behind 2. Critical path impact — which delays are on the critical path and actually pushing the completion date? 3. Delay cause classification: owner-caused (compensable) / excusable (weather/force majeure) / contractor-caused (non-compensable) 4. Float consumption — how much float has been consumed on near-critical activities? 5. Recovery options — acceleration measures, resequencing, or additional resources to recover days Output: Delay analysis summary. Compensable vs. non-compensable delay breakdown. Recovery plan options with cost estimate. Basis for time extension request if applicable.
Why it works
Classifying delays as compensable, excusable, or contractor-caused in the analysis forces the AI to apply contract logic — not just measure days — which is what supports a time extension request.
Watch out for
Risks: Delay cause classification requires contract review and legal judgment that AI cannot make definitively. Control: Project manager and counsel review all compensable delay claims before submission to owner.
Used by
IT & Ops TeamsData Analysts