Contractors

Schedule Delay Analyzer

Analyze construction schedule delays to determine their cause, classify them by type, quantify their impact, and prepare documentation supporting time extension requests or dispute resolution.

This prompt analyzes a described schedule delay event and produces a structured delay analysis covering delay classification (excusable/non-excusable, compensable/non-compensable per the contract), a critical path impact assessment confirming whether the delay is truly on the critical path, concurrent delay identification, a notice requirements status check, a documentation assessment flagging gaps in the contemporaneous record, an entitlement analysis of the time extension and potential compensation, a time extension request framework identifying what must be prepared and submitted, and a risk assessment of the contractor's position. All entitlement conclusions are preliminary — formal delay claims must be prepared by a construction attorney and a certified scheduling expert, and notice requirements are contractual conditions precedent whose deadline cannot be missed without potentially waiving delay entitlement entirely. It is for general contractors and project managers on commercial and institutional construction projects.

Testedclaude-sonnet-4-6ValidatedMar 2026ScopeDelay classification must reference applicable contract lang…TierAdvanced
AI Role
You are a construction claims specialist and scheduling expert with extensive ex…
Models
Claude
Confidence
Advanced
Constraints
Delay classification must reference applicable contract language — different contracts have different definitions
Critical path analysis requires actual CPM schedule data — this template provides a framework, not a substitute for a certified delay analysis
Entitlement conclusions are preliminary and require legal review before formal claims are submitted
All delay facts must be supported by project documentation — do not assert facts without a documentary basis
Notice requirements vary by contract — consult contract documents for specific notice timeframes and procedures
Tested Models
claude-sonnet-4-6
Uncertainty
If critical path data or contract delay provisions are unclear, provide a general delay analysis framework and flag specific areas that require project schedule review and legal counsel input before proceeding.
Last updated
2026-05-28Published

The prompt

1,622 characters
schedule-delay-analyzer.prompt
You are a construction claims specialist and scheduling expert with extensive experience analyzing schedule delays, preparing time extension requests, and documenting delay impacts for dispute resolution. You understand CPM scheduling theory, delay causation, and contract entitlement analysis.

Analyze the following construction schedule delay:

Project Name: [PROJECT_NAME]
Contract Completion Date: [ORIGINAL_DATE]
Current Projected Completion: [CURRENT_FORECAST]
Delay Duration: [CALENDAR_DAYS]
Delay Start Date: [DATE_DELAY_BEGAN]
Delay Description: [WHAT_HAPPENED]
Delay Cause: [CAUSE_OF_DELAY]
Activities Impacted: [CRITICAL_PATH_ACTIVITIES_AFFECTED]
Notice Given to Owner: [YES/NO — DATE IF YES]
DailyReports Documenting Delay: [YES/NO]
Related RFIs or Directives: [RFI_NUMBERS_OR_NONE]
Contract Type: [LUMP_SUM/GMP/COST-PLUS]
Contract Delay Clause Reference: [CONTRACT_SECTION_IF_KNOWN]

Provide a delay analysis covering:
1. Delay classification (excusable/non-excusable, compensable/non-compensable)
2. Critical path impact analysis — is this delay truly on the critical path?
3. Concurrent delay assessment — are there other delays occurring simultaneously?
4. Notice requirements — has proper notice been given per contract?
5. Documentation assessment — what records exist and what gaps need to be filled?
6. Entitlement analysis — what time extension and compensation are potentially owed?
7. Time extension request framework — what needs to be prepared and submitted?
8. Risk assessment — what is the strength of the contractor's position?
9. Recommended actions — immediate steps and documentation needed
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How to use this prompt

1

Input your delay details and relevant contract information, then review the analysis framework

2

Engage a construction attorney and scheduling expert for formal claims

3

Use the documentation checklist to gather all supporting records before submitting a formal time extension request.

Customization tips

Add contract-specific notice language to remind your team of exact timeframes and required recipients
Include a delay cost tracking worksheet to capture additional costs incurred during the delay period
Create a concurrent delay timeline that maps all delay events by party and date
Reference specific daily reports and RFIs in the delay analysis to support the factual narrative

Sample output

Mar 2026Advanced
Schedule Delay Analysis — Recovery Schedule Assessment Project: [Project Name] Delay Analysis Date: [Date] Current Status: 6 weeks (30 working days) behind baseline schedule Contract Value: $4.2 million Liquidated Damages: $2,500 per calendar day Total LD Exposure at Current Delay: $105,000 DELAY CAUSE ANALYSIS: DELAY CAUSE 1 — DIFFERING SITE CONDITIONS (Foundation) — 14 Working Days Encountered during excavation: Unsuitable soils (organics and abandoned utilities) encountered at the design bearing elevation across the eastern third of the building footprint. Not indicated on geotechnical report provided during bidding. Impact: Foundation redesign required engineered aggregate pier system in affected area. Design took 8 days; installation added 6 days beyond the original foundation duration. Responsibility: Owner — differing site condition. Written notice submitted [Date]. This delay is documented and likely excusable. GC to pursue time extension and associated delay costs. DELAY CAUSE 2 — STRUCTURAL STEEL DELIVERY — 10 Working Days Specified structural steel fabricator experienced a mill delay due to material availability. Contractor submitted approved submittal on time; fabrication delivery slipped 10 working days. Responsibility: Disputed — contractor claims force majeure / supply chain disruption. Owner may claim contractor-caused risk. Documentation of the submittal timeline and the fabricator's notice of delay is critical. GC action required: Pull complete documentation of submittal approval date, fabricator acknowledgment, and delay notice. Prepare timeline exhibit for the claim file. DELAY CAUSE 3 — CHANGE ORDER SCOPE ADDITIONS — 6 Working Days Approved change orders CO-004, CO-008, and CO-012 added scope that was not included in the baseline schedule. Time extensions associated with these COs were not formally incorporated into the schedule. Responsibility: Owner — approved change orders. GC should have submitted schedule impact for each CO; if not done, submit now as a consolidated schedule TIA (Time Impact Analysis). RECOVERY SCHEDULE STRATEGY: To recover 30 working days without working weekends, the following acceleration measures are proposed: 1. Add a second concrete crew for Level 3 and 4 pours — recovery: 8 days 2. Accelerate MEP rough-in by starting Level 2 MEP before Level 3 concrete is complete (concurrent work) — recovery: 7 days 3. Work extended 10-hour days for 6 weeks — recovery: 10 days (approximately) Total recovery potential with above measures: 25 days — remaining gap of 5 days to be addressed through schedule optimization. Cost of acceleration measures: Estimated $48,000 additional cost — to be presented to owner as shared acceleration cost given the owner-responsible delays represent 14 working days of the total.

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Frequently asked questions

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Professional Disclaimer

This delay analysis is a preliminary planning tool only and does not constitute legal advice or a certified forensic delay analysis. Schedule delay claims and time extension requests must be prepared and reviewed by qualified construction attorneys and scheduling experts. Consult contract documents for notice requirements, delay provisions, and claim procedures. Failure to provide timely notice may waive delay entitlement.