The project manpower curve: the peak, when it comes and whether the site can hold it
At the logistics review, the temporary facilities plan still reflects the opening crew. The baseline now puts several finishing trades on the tower together. Nobody has compared that future headcount with the arrangements being ordered today.
Plot the people expected on the project over time, including all trades, then test the busiest periods against the site arrangements. This project manpower curve is a planning view of simultaneous headcount, not proof that a facility or lifting arrangement meets its requirements. Make the peak visible before mobilization decisions become expensive to change. Keep the detailed capacity checks with the responsible logistics, technical and safety leads.
Find the peak the opening plan cannot show
- Use one schedule issue. Give the trades the same activity dates and area boundaries. Ask each lead for planned crew size, work period and confidence level; mark an unconfirmed staffing assumption instead of presenting it as a promise.
- Count concurrent people. Plot each trade's headcount against the same periods and add the overlapping demand. Identify shifts separately where they genuinely differ, and include supervision and other site personnel consistently with the chart's stated basis.
- Look inside the busiest period. A monthly average can conceal a much busier delivery day or overlap week. Check the peak with the leads and name the operations creating it, rather than accepting a smooth curve as evidence of an even workload.
- Compare the physical arrangements. Walk the proposed work areas, access, welfare facilities, hoisting, parking and material routes with their responsible leads. Record required assessments and confirmed limits; do not invent a workers-per-hoist or washroom ratio.
- Compare workable responses. Examine permitted resequencing, area separation, additional facilities and supervision against the linked programme. Price unconfirmed additions separately and check technical, safety and approval conditions before calling an option available.
- Issue the curve with decisions. Mark the peak and attach a short list of changes, owners and required dates. Recheck after buyout and major schedule revisions so the chart does not remain a mobilization artifact while the site population changes.
Common mistakes
- Sizing the whole site from the opening crew alone.
- Hiding a brief heavy overlap inside a monthly average.
- Calling priced equipment a confirmed, approved capacity solution.
Checklist
Beside the peak on your chart
- Schedule issue and headcount basis.
- Peak period and contributing operations.
- Unconfirmed trade staffing assumptions.
- Required site-capacity assessments.
- Chosen changes, owners and confirmation dates.
Check your understanding
The chart's monthly peak looks manageable, but two large crews overlap for three days. Has the capacity review finished?
