A backup construction schedule is a timeframe or plan that will guide your IT team on how to back up your scheduling data, network files, and databases. A good backup construction schedule will protect you from cost overruns and ensure your chosen construction plan is not lost.
Backing up construction schedules without an effective strategy will likely generate backups that are ineffective and confusing to follow. This leaves your construction business vulnerable to errors, which can cause inefficiency.
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The importance of having backup construction schedules
Disaster recovery
Disaster recovery is regaining access to crucial IT infrastructure that could have been lost due to unforeseen events, such as a cyber attack. Your IT infrastructure can also be lost due to natural disasters or disruptions caused by pandemics like COVID-19.
The concept of disaster recovery is based on the notion that the project manager can restore data, as long as it was replicated in an off-premise location not affected by the disaster.
An example is when your organization is affected by a cyber attack that erases all the data in your system. If you replicated this data to another offsite location, it would be easy to regain the lost data, saving you time and money.
Easy to restore deleted files
When updating a construction schedule, some project managers can accidentally press the delete button, wiping out all the data in the system. If your construction company has an effective backup schedule, the project manager can simply retrieve the stored data and update the program from where they left it, rather than having to start creating the plan all over again from scratch.
Well-defined start and completion times
Another advantage of having construction backup schedules is that the recovery process is more organized. Your IT department will know which data needs immediate backup and which needs to be backed up daily. This way, important information is not lost.
Backup schedules save money
How do backup schedules save money? Assume that you created a construction schedule 12 months ago, and according to the program, the project is 90% completed. The remaining 10% has to be completed in the next three months, according to the simulated plan.
Remember, this plan was created using simulation software, and it was to help the project owners save money. If the construction schedule gets lost or damaged, then the projected completion time might increase, reducing the profit margins. But with backup programs, the plan can be easily recovered.
6 tips for creating backup construction schedules
1. Choose the right medium
To develop a backup construction schedule, you’ll need to know where to store them. The best medium should be secure and have the ability to simultaneously store large amounts of data.
In the old days, construction companies used DVDs to store their data since they could easily lock them up in a security box. However, this strategy became inefficient over time, especially when dealing with terabytes of data.
A modern way to store your data is using advanced cloud-based preconstruction software, which automatically creates backup schedules. This way, you can explore new strategies without worrying about losing data.
2. Consider costs
Ask yourself questions like:
- Will I need new hardware?
- Are there monthly costs?
- Are there training costs?
If you’re just starting, using an affordable and accessible platform for your employees is better. If you buy hardware, you’ll have to incur the cost of electricity and securement. The best approach would be to use a cloud-based scheduling software with backup abilities.
3. Schedule your backups during off-peak hours
If you’re working on a large construction project, you’ll probably be dealing with terabytes of data. If you back up this data during peak hours, there’s a big possibility that the backup schedules will eat up your bandwidth. And as a result, office operations that depend on the internet, such as virtual meetings, emails, and VoIP phone calls, might be affected.
Therefore, it’s better to schedule your backups during off-peak hours, such as nighttime when there will be minimal disruption. Additionally, the software you use should be able to notify you of any backup errors so that you don’t upload corrupted documents.
4. Have a backup schedule policy
Another vital tip worth discussing is the need for a backup schedule policy, which is a guideline that advises policyholders on how and who should be in charge of the backup. If everyone in your construction team is allowed to backup schedules, there will likely be a lot of disorganization and errors.
Also, it’s crucial to know who is in charge of the backups for accountability purposes.
Also read: Do you know the Purpose of Formatting your External Drive?
5. Have a backup schedule
Contractors should have an automated backup schedule to make backups on time. After all, you may never know when a disaster will strike. Automatic backups are better because you won’t depend on someone remembering to back them up.
Automated backups should be frequent to ensure the production workflow needs are met. If you make a lot of changes daily, then the backup should be done daily.
6. Have a security policy in place
Though backups need to be easily accessible, they should not be accessed by everyone in your organization. Instead, have a policy to determine who should access the backups to prevent the schedules from being tampered with.