What is Pull Planning in Construction? A Complete Overview

Scheduling construction tasks has always been an issue for project managers to handle, with resources getting delayed and maintenance tasks taking up project time, affecting the project timeline.

This is why more and more contractors rely on construction pull planning to help schedule things accurately. Pull planning starts with the end goal and then works backward to define steps for the scheduling process.

‍

What is a Pull Plan in Construction?

Pull planning is a part of the lean construction process known as the Last Planner System (LPS). Stakeholders and managers collaborate to schedule milestones and then work backward to define the steps to achieve the milestones.

Traditional construction scheduling methods often fail to connect project milestones with the tasks assigned to different teams.

Pull planning addresses this issue by promoting accountability for the functions and highlighting potential milestone delays.

Some individuals who are actively involved in construction pull planning include

• Project Managers,
• Foremen and Supervisors
• Trade Contractors,
• Designers and Engineers,
• Schedulers,
• Owners or Clients
• Facilitators or Coaches.

Pull planning, essentially a part of the Last Planner System, is used in lean construction and has gained popularity among contractors, with approximately 15% of the contractors now using pull planning techniques.

‍

Pull Planning vs. Push Planning: The Differences and the Benefits

Push and Pull planning are contrasting scheduling and planning techniques used mainly in construction.

In pull plan construction, the control approach is centralized, whereas in push planning, a decentralized approach is used where teams are responsible for their tasks without collaboration among teams.

‍

Push vs. Pull Planning in Construction

Analyzing the aspects of push and pull planning in construction it is easy to see while these approaches are a part of the construction process, they are complete opposites of one another.

You can check out the table below to better understand the different aspects of the planning processes and where they differ or are similar.

‍

‍

Basic Principles of Construction Pull Planning

Successfully executing construction pull planning requires you to examine and follow certain principles, which are crucial for planning and implementing the new strategy.

‍

Plan Backwards

Rather than asking, “What is the next step?” as is often the case for traditional planning, pull planning requires answering the more important question of “What should be done before the next step?” 

This method keeps project managers focused on deadlines and quality goals, helping them plan to cut waste and handle unexpected issues effectively.

‍

Collaboration with Teams

Construction pull planning requires one team member to be physically or digitally available during the planning process. This helps gather input from all the teams without omitting any potentially important detail.

One of the benefits of pull planning on a construction site is incorporating the perspectives of all the teams. This fosters teamwork and allows the stakeholders to create better plans.

‍

Commitment to the Process

Construction pull planning promotes accountability. As different teams participate in the planning process, they can define timelines and milestones based on their abilities.

Also, in this case of planning, if an issue arises, you can quickly identify the team responsible and work together to find a solution.

‍

Monitor for Continuous Improvement

Regular pull planning meetings at project beginnings let team members discuss what's effective and what isn't. This involvement promotes sharing ideas and feedback, improving how plans and construction are done over time.

‍

Looking for a way to digitalize your schedules?

Get rid of the manual post-it notes and schedule easily using Clue’s intuitive system, which gives you all the asset tracking and equipment maintenance solutions under a single glass pane.

Connect with us⟶

‍

The Construction Pull Planning Process

The construction pull planning process involves the following key steps to ensure efficient project management:

‍

1. Set Milestones

Set milestones to establish significant points or events marking project progress, such as completing foundation work or structural framing.

Setting milestones early in the planning stage allows you and your teams to understand the project timeline and how to achieve different milestones.

‍

2. Sequence Activities

Sequence activities logically to determine the order in which tasks should be performed. This will help you ensure efficient resource use and minimize delays. For example, interior finishes like painting and flooring should follow tasks such as drywall installation and electrical wiring.

‍

3. Identify Constraints

Identify constraints early, including material availability, weather conditions, and regulatory approvals, to anticipate challenges and develop mitigation strategies.

Different issues can lead to other project delays, from the project being halted by a day due to a delivery delay to a long delay resulting from equipment breaking down. Anticipating and identifying these constraints can help save project managers a lot of time and effort.

‍

4. Assign Tasks

Assign tasks to the relevant teams based on their skill set. When the planning process is done, the facilitator for the meeting takes the plans and assigns the tasks on a spreadsheet, sharing the document with the teams so they can review what tasks have been assigned and what is expected of them. 

‍

How to Prepare for Construction Pull Planning

Construction pull planning meetings can be divided into three main segments: pre-meeting preparation, the meeting itself, and post-meeting takeaways.

Here are some of the main activities that would be happening during the three stages of a construction pull planning method.

‍

1. Pre-Meeting Preparation

• Understand Project Goals: Review project scope, objectives, and timelines.
• Identify Participants: Determine critical stakeholders and their roles.
• Select Facilitator: Assign a facilitator to guide the meeting.
• Prepare Agenda: Create a structured agenda with clear goals and topics.
• Gather Information: Collect project schedules, resource availability, and constraints.

‍

2. During the Meeting

• Introduction and Overview: Clarify the purpose and objectives of the meeting.
• Establish Ground Rules: Set expectations for participation and decision-making.
• Review Project Details: Present scope, schedule, milestones, and dependencies.
• Collaborative Planning: Engage participants to break down tasks, identify dependencies, and sequence work.
• Create Pull Plans: Define tasks, assign responsibilities, and set target dates.
• Document the Plan: Record action items, responsibilities, and timelines.

‍

3. Post-Meeting Follow-Up

• Distribute Meeting Notes: Share documented pull plan and meeting outcomes.
• Monitor Progress: Track progress against the pull plan and adjust as needed.
• Schedule Follow-Ups: Plan future meetings to review and update the pull plan.

A great example of construction pull planning can be seen in the case study on the Warren County project conducted by HGC Construction, which was quite complex.

Still, by using pull planning, the teams could streamline all the processes and foster a sense of teamwork among the contractors. 

‍

Digital Tools for Pull Planning

Source - Pull Planning - Spectrum Consulting

‍

If looking at the picture above intimidates you, it's time you switched from traditional pull planning and filled your walls with Post-it notes to a more cohesive construction pull planning method: digital pull planning. 

Using digital tools for pull planning in construction streamlines the planning process, enhances collaboration, improves decision-making, and increases overall project efficiency and success.

‍

Advantages of using Digital Tools for Construction Pull Planning

Utilizing digital tools in construction pull planning comes with significant benefits. Some advantages of using digital tools in pull planning include:

• Upgrade Collaboration: Digital tools allow project participants to collaborate without geographical restrictions so that they can communicate and coordinate properly. 

• Visual aids: Several digital formats have visual aids that represent project schedules, links, task dependencies, or complexity paths, leading to concrete benefits related to comprehension and decision-making.

• Efficiency and Accuracy: In organizing meetings, automation helps develop project schedules, recognize limits, and select the best options based on accurate resource use assessments. This assists in generating schedules, identifying constraints, and optimizing options.

• Remote Access: Since these tools are hosted in the cloud, they are accessible from any location with an internet connection so that people can work off-site or even coordinate activities away from the office. 

• Integrations with other tools: Other project management tools, such as BIM software and specialized scheduling platforms, offer advanced capabilities. This customization meets individual company preferences, improving efficiency and accuracy.

However, the initial cost of integrating detailed information into building designs is a significant challenge. This investment ensures precise and permanent data within project plans.

‍

Popular Digital Tools for Construction Pull Planning

Some popular examples of construction pull planning software include:

‍

Last Planner System (LPS) Software

• Designed explicitly for pull planning and implementing Lean construction principles.
• Facilitates collaborative planning sessions and tracks progress against plans.

‍

BIM 360 by Autodesk

• Integrates BIM models with project management, facilitating visualization and coordination.
• Supports real-time collaboration and document management.

‍

Smartapp Planner

• Integrates with most BIM models and allows you to plan, dispatch, track, and, most importantly, automate workflows
• Improves the way you plan, dispatch, track, and status work.

‍

Touchplan

• Dedicated pull planning software that enables teams to create and manage detailed pull plans.
• Supports collaborative planning sessions and visual representation of project timelines.

‍

Hoylu for Construction

• Hoylu allows you to monitor, measure, and stay informed of project planning and progress.
• Supports you in general construction planning, Lean, Pull Planning, Flowcharts, Kanban, and more.

‍

Trimble Prolog

• Project management software that includes scheduling and collaboration tools.
• Facilitates pull planning sessions and integrates with other Trimble solutions for enhanced functionality.

‍

Benefits of Pull Planning in Construction

‍

Improved Efficiency

Pull planning allows you to optimize your workflows by breaking down projects into manageable tasks with clear timelines. This structured approach helps teams work more efficiently toward milestones.

‍

Better Communication

Pull planning involves all the possible stakeholders in a collaborative planning session. This enhances communications and aligns objectives with goals. It also helps reduce misunderstandings and improve overall project coordination. 

‍

Reduced Waste

Pull planning minimizes delays and reduces resource wastage by identifying dependencies and sequencing tasks effectively. This lean approach focuses on eliminating unnecessary activities and optimizing resource allocation.

‍

Common Challenges in Pull Planning

Changes in strategies most commonly come with challenges. Project managers might face a few common challenges with construction pull planning.

‍

Resistance to Change

Change comes with resistance. The same is true for pull planning. Many team members and stakeholders may resist adopting pull planning due to unfamiliarity or comfort level with traditional project management practices.

Overcoming these resistances requires clear communication of the benefits and gradual implementation.

‍

Coordination Issues

Coordinating schedules and activities among multiple trades and subcontractors can be challenging, especially when dependencies are complex. Effective communication and detailed planning are essential to mitigate coordination issues.

‍

Technology Adoption

Digital tools for construction pull planning are a new concept that can scare many contractors and teams. Implementing these tools comes with its own challenges, such as learning curves, compatibility issues, and overall investment costs.

Overcoming these challenges requires training, support, and showing the value of the technology in streamlining processes.

‍

Conclusion

Pull planning, a crucial part of lean construction's Last Planner System (LPS), emphasizes team members' collaboration to plan projects efficiently.

This approach boosts project efficiency and enhances teamwork and commitment, leading to higher-quality work and stronger partnerships.

Some may initially hesitate to adopt pull planning, especially if it is not done correctly. However, the process proves its value by consistently delivering projects on time and sometimes even ahead of schedule.

If you are new to pull planning, seeking advice from industry peers can help integrate it smoothly into current and future projects. The positive results may make you wonder why you didn't use it sooner.

Pull planning aims to create a team environment where collective problem-solving is critical. This proactive approach ensures ongoing improvements in project efficiency as teams effectively anticipate and address challenges. This, in turn, helps ensure successful and smooth project execution.

‍

FAQs

What is the purpose of pull planning in construction?

Pull planning enhances project efficiency by involving all stakeholders in collaborative scheduling sessions. It fosters accountability, improves communication, and ensures realistic schedules that adapt to project realities.

‍

What is the difference between pull planning and the last planner system?

• Pull Planning: A technique where stakeholders collaboratively plan task sequences and dependencies to create an achievable schedule.
• Last Planner System (LPS): A broader lean construction methodology incorporating pull planning, involving frontline workers in scheduling to enhance workflow reliability.

‍

What is an example of pull planning in construction?

Project teams use pull planning to gather stakeholders, visualize task dependencies with tools like sticky notes, and create detailed schedules backward from milestones to ensure efficient project execution.

‍

What is pull scheduling?

Pull scheduling is collaboratively creating a project schedule based on pull planning principles. It involves breaking down tasks, identifying dependencies, and adjusting the schedule to meet project milestones.

‍

How do you form a pull strategy?

To form a pull strategy, identify stakeholders, schedule collaborative planning sessions, use visual tools to map out tasks and dependencies, build the schedule backward from milestones, and continuously review and refine based on project progress for efficient execution.