Infrastructure development remains one of Indonesia's strategic priorities for improving public services, including access to education. However, construction projects located in remote regions often encounter conditions that differ substantially from initial engineering assumptions. In Central Kalimantan, the Public School construction project spans several districts with extensive peatland, where unstable soil, seasonal rainfall, logistical barriers, and limited local construction materials increase both technical complexity and project risk. These realities make effective project scheduling as important as engineering design itself.
The research demonstrates that schedule management is not merely an administrative task but a critical factor in ensuring that public infrastructure can be delivered on time despite unexpected field conditions. As governments continue investing in educational facilities across Indonesia, understanding how to anticipate and control construction delays becomes increasingly valuable for contractors, consultants, and policymakers.
To evaluate project performance, the researchers conducted a quantitative descriptive case study focusing on the Central Kalimantan Public School construction project. They analyzed original contracts, contract amendments, project schedules, work progress reports, and implementation records. The study then applied the Critical Path Method (CPM) to identify activities that directly determine project completion time and to evaluate how environmental and operational factors influenced the construction schedule. Rather than relying on complex mathematical models, the analysis focused on identifying which construction activities required the highest priority because any delay would immediately affect the overall project timeline.
The findings reveal that several site conditions forced major adjustments to the original construction plan. Differences between the Detailed Engineering Design (DED) and the actual characteristics of peat soil required additional engineering work before normal construction could continue. These additional activities included:
- Ground improvement to stabilize peat soil.
- Installation of galam timber matting.
- Placement of geotextile layers to separate fill material from peat.
- Modification of the original slab-on-ground system into a suspended floor structure.
According to the CPM analysis, all of these activities became part of the project's critical path, meaning delays in any one of them would directly postpone project completion.
The study also highlights several operational challenges encountered during construction in Katingan Regency. Land clearing required approximately 25 days, while embankment work demanded around 68 days because of the enormous volume of imported fill material required for peat stabilization. Foundation piling also experienced significant delays. The initial schedule estimated 74 days, but actual implementation extended to 157 days due to extensive ground preparation and specialized piling operations required on unstable peatland.
Additional design revisions further affected the schedule. Engineers modified foundation layouts, increased pile depths, redesigned several building structures, and changed roofing specifications following updated government directives. These adjustments added extra work but were necessary to ensure long-term structural safety and compliance with revised technical requirements. The CPM framework allowed project managers to continuously identify which revised activities required immediate attention to prevent cascading schedule delays.
The researchers concluded that difficult site conditions inevitably reduce productivity, complicate equipment mobilization, and require changes in construction methods. Nevertheless, effective schedule control combined with systematic monitoring of critical activities enabled the project to remain within its contractual completion period. The research emphasizes that integrated time management should begin during the planning phase by carefully evaluating site characteristics and continuously monitoring activities located on the critical path.
As Vendy Eka Saputra and colleagues from Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya explain through their findings, identifying and controlling critical-path activities provides project managers with a practical basis for making timely decisions when unexpected field conditions arise. Their work demonstrates that successful infrastructure delivery depends not only on engineering quality but also on disciplined project scheduling and proactive risk management.
The implications extend well beyond this single construction project. Government agencies can use similar scheduling approaches when developing schools, hospitals, public housing, and transportation infrastructure in regions with difficult terrain. Contractors may reduce delays by conducting more comprehensive site investigations before construction begins, while consultants can improve planning accuracy by incorporating environmental risks into project schedules. Ultimately, stronger schedule management can help ensure that public investments deliver social benefits more quickly and efficiently.
For Indonesia's education sector, timely completion of school infrastructure means students gain faster access to learning facilities, while governments reduce the financial risks associated with prolonged construction. The study also reinforces the importance of integrating engineering expertise with modern project management practices to support national infrastructure development.
Author Profile
Vendy Eka Saputra is a graduate researcher in the Master of Civil Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya, specializing in construction project management and schedule control. This research was conducted with Prof. Dr. Ir. Budi Witjaksana and Andi Patriadi, both affiliated with Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya, whose expertise includes civil engineering, construction management, project scheduling, and infrastructure development.
Source
Article Title: Examination of Time Management Techniques Derived From Critical Path Method (CPM) Findings to Meet the Completion Goal For the Construction Project of the Central Kalimantan Public School
Journal: Formosa Journal of Science and Technology (FJST), Vol. 5, No. 7, 2026
Authors: Vendy Eka Saputra, Budi Witjaksana, Andi Patriadi
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