A method to automate look-ahead schedule (LAS) generation for the finishing phase of construction projects

•A method that automates LAS generation for the finishing phase of complex projects•The method can quickly generate error-free LASs with good quality.•The method integrates different sources of project data at proper levels of detail.•The method schedules operations without violating critical constraints.

Look-ahead schedules (LASs) in the finishing phase of complex projects produced with sufficient detail can help prevent conflict, ensure correct work sequence, and facilitate a fluent workflow for a crew, preventing rework. Unfortunately, such LASs are rarely used in these projects because of the time-consuming schedule generation process, the high probability of introducing errors into the LASs and the inability to find the close-to-optimum LAS from the vast number of feasible alternatives. This paper proposes an automated LAS generation (ALASG) method addressing these challenges. A software prototype developed based on the ALASG method is presented and a simulation-based approach is introduced to find close-to-optimum LASs quickly in terms of construction duration or cost for a case study. The proposed method contributes to the field of automated project scheduling, particularly automated look-ahead scheduling, through the quick generation of error-free, close-to-optimum LASs for the finishing phase of complex projects.