Look Ahead- Overview

The Linarc Look Ahead Scheduler enables project managers to plan upcoming work weeks by pulling scheduled tasks into a focused, actionable timeline. It highlights tasks for each day, supports crew assignments, and pushes published schedules to field teams for execution and tracking. Lookahead schedules can be recreated at any time—either at the end of a cycle or mid-period—to keep planning aligned with real project conditions.

Key capabilities include:

• Pulls upcoming tasks automatically from the project schedule for the selected time period.
• Enables collaborative planning by allowing project managers to send schedules for subcontractor review and commitment.
• Displays daily resource requirements to support workload balancing and crew assignment.
• Tracks daily production by allowing field teams to log planned versus actual work quantities.
• Allows teams to flag, edit, and resolve real-time constraints directly on active tasks.
• Provides visibility into schedule shifts through Delta views, highlighting tasks added or removed between periods.
• Publishes schedules to field teams (foremen and superintendents) for execution and progress tracking.

Schedule Statuses

Draft

• Every new Look Ahead schedule begins in Draft.
• Multiple draft schedules can exist simultaneously for future planning.
• Tasks within the selected date range are included automatically, with the option to add or remove tasks as needed.

In Review

• Once a draft is ready, it is sent for review to gain commitment from subcontractors and project teams.
• The schedule is temporarily locked from structural changes while subcontractors accept planned dates or propose adjustments.

Active

• Only one schedule can be Active at a time.
• The Active schedule is available on mobile devices for field superintendents and foremen to support daily coordination.
• Project managers can assign crews, update progress, and manage daily adjustments, with all changes reflected in real time.

Closed

• When a new schedule becomes Active, the previous schedule automatically moves to Closed.
• Closed schedules are locked from edits but remain fully viewable for reference, comparison, reporting, and audit history.
• All versions, updates, and progress entries are preserved for long-term documentation.

Subcontractor Review and Commitment 

Before a draft schedule is published to the field, it can be sent for review to gain commitment from subcontractors and internal project teams. While In Review, the schedule is temporarily locked from structural changes. This allows subcontractors to evaluate their assigned work and either commit to the planned dates or propose adjustments, ensuring all external contractors are aligned and conflicts are addressed before field execution.  

Production Tracking 

The Look Ahead module allows for granular tracking of daily production. During the Draft phase, Project Managers can establish Planned Quantities for specific tasks to set clear production targets. Once the schedule is Active, field teams and project managers can log Actual Quantities directly into the look ahead schedule to measure real-time progress against the plan.

Task Constraints Management 

To keep execution running smoothly, teams can manage real-time constraints directly on tasks within the Look Ahead. Users can flag tasks with roadblocks (such as material delays, RFIs, or site access issues) by marking them with a Warning or Blocked status. These constraints can be edited and resolved as site conditions change, keeping all stakeholders informed of potential delays.

Clash Management 

To prevent field disruptions and ensure site safety, the Look Ahead module facilitates proactive clash management. By pulling tasks into a focused short-term window, the general contractor can easily identify schedule overlaps where multiple trades or subcontractors are assigned to work in the same physical location simultaneously. Recognizing these spatial or resource conflicts allows teams to sequence work appropriately, adjust task dates, or reallocate resources before the schedule goes 'Active' and field teams mobilize.

See the following links for more guidance:

• View Look Ahead Schedule
• Create a Look Ahead Schedule
• Manage Draft Look Ahead Schedule
• Send Lookahead Schedule for Review - General Contractor
• Review and Commit to a Lookahead Schedule - Subcontractors
• Publish and Manage Active Look ahead Schedule
• Manage Active Look ahead Schedule - Subcontractor
• Manage Task Constraints in Lookahead Schedule
• Clash Deduction and Coordination Management