Integrated capacity planning in civil engineering

The world of civil engineering is all about timing, precision and the efficient use of people and resources. Projects have their own dynamics, require diverse qualifications and rarely run exactly as planned. Yet with every project there is one big key to success: good capacity planning. Especially when man and machine are planned together, it creates peace in the operation and room for optimization. BouwInfosys, the software specialist from Helvoirt in Brabant, has the perfect tool for this.

The traditional way of planning - with Excel sheets, paper summaries and loose phone calls - falls short in an industry where dozens of people, machines, projects and contingencies come together. Modern capacity planning is much more than a list of who works where. It is a dynamic process that brings together availability, qualifications, maintenance, leave, absenteeism and demand from projects.

Planners in infra face an ever-increasing challenge in this regard, believes Arno Berwers, responsible for marketing & sales within BouwInfosys, renowned software supplier for companies in civil engineering. "Projects are becoming more complex and the shortage of skilled people is growing. At the same time, the deployment of the valuable equipment fleet requires tight control. This is precisely why it is essential to capture all elements - man and machine - in one clear, integrated schedule."

One plan screen, one truth

A powerful tool here is the graphic drag-and-drop planning screen. It makes it clear at a glance who is available when and which machine needs maintenance. It also makes clear which employee is certified for a specific job and where any bottlenecks may arise. By making the planning visual and interactive, it becomes easier to intervene quickly, look for alternatives and deploy capacity optimally. One concrete tool that provides this in detail is InfraWorks, the modern, integrated and user-friendly ERP solution developed by BouwInfosys specifically for infra. "InfraWorks combines capacity planning, personnel planning and equipment planning in one digital system," Berwers explains. "The visual planning screen makes it easy to assign employees and machines to projects, with instant visibility into availability, qualifications, maintenance and absences. Everything needed to make quick and substantiated choices is conveniently in one place. The result? Optimal efficiency and control. At every level." 

Qualifications are crucial

Especially in an industry where safety and regulations are key, keeping qualifications up to date is not a luxury but a pure necessity. Think of VCA certificates, driving licenses for specific vehicles or authorizations for working near railroad tracks or under high voltage. By linking this data to the planning, it becomes impossible to assign someone to a job for which he or she is not qualified. This prevents risks and fines. "Smart ERP systems, such as InfraWorks, also automatically signal when certificates expire or repeat training is needed," Berwers adds. "This keeps the workforce employable, without last-minute surprises." 

Machine planning with maintenance

On the machinery side, maintenance obviously plays a major role. Hydraulic excavators, shovels, vibratory plates and trucks are crucial to the progress of projects. At the same time, they require structural inspections, servicing and sometimes recalibration. When these times are not factored into the planning, it can lead to downtime and delays. "With InfraWorks, maintenance moments for such equipment are also conveniently scheduled," Berwers explains. "This allows planners to realistically deploy the equipment and the execution team always knows where it stands."

Human and machine planning together

The power of modern scheduling software lies in bringing all components together: people, machines, projects and preconditions. Linking employees to specific machines or teams creates a logical and efficient schedule. Moreover, it becomes easier to plan combinations of man and machine that complement each other. An example in that context is a crane operator with specific machinist training and a fixed crane.

Bridge to on-the-job timekeeping

A well-planned workday is also the perfect basis for accurate timekeeping. InfraWorks closes this circle by controlling timekeeping directly from scheduling via a clear app on the cell phone. "Employees see on their phones what they are scheduled for and record their hours worked and machine usage with a few taps," Berwers says. "It permanently eliminates manual bills and ambiguity. What remains is reliable data that automatically flows through to payroll, invoicing and project monitoring."