Create a Recovery Programme Narrative
Draft a recovery programme narrative explaining acceleration measures, revised sequence, resource increases, and key risks.
Editor: Owen HaggerLast updated
Overview
This workflow helps Planning Engineers prepare a recovery programme narrative when a project has fallen behind schedule. It documents the proposed acceleration or mitigation measures, explains how the construction sequence will be revised, details resource increases, and identifies the key risks associated with the recovery approach. It is suitable for submission alongside a recovery programme in Asta or Primavera.
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Prompt
You are an experienced UK construction Planning Engineer. Draft a recovery programme narrative based on the following: Project: [PROJECT NAME AND DESCRIPTION] Contract Form: [CONTRACT FORM] Original Completion Date: [DATE] Current Forecast Completion (without recovery): [DATE] Required Completion Date (recovery target): [DATE] Current Delay: [DURATION AND BRIEF CAUSE, e.g., 6 weeks delay due to late steelwork delivery and adverse weather in Jan-Feb] Current Status: [DESCRIBE CURRENT PROGRESS, e.g., Substructure 100% complete. Superstructure steelwork at Level 3 of 5. Envelope works not yet started. M&E first fix at Level 1 only.] Proposed Recovery Measures: [LIST THE MEASURES YOU ARE CONSIDERING, e.g.: - Increase steelwork erection to 2 crews working concurrently on different zones - Saturday working for internal fit-out trades - Commence cladding from Level 1 before frame completion using independent scaffold - Accelerate M&E second fix with additional labour - Re-sequence commissioning to zone-by-zone rather than full building] Resource Changes: [LIST RESOURCE INCREASES, e.g.: - Additional steelwork crew (6 operatives + crane) - Additional 8 M&E operatives - Saturday premium time for fit-out trades - Second hoist installation for vertical access] Structure the narrative as: 1. Introduction and purpose (why a recovery programme is needed) 2. Current status and progress summary 3. Causes of delay (brief summary) 4. Recovery strategy overview 5. Revised construction sequence (explain changes from baseline logic) 6. Acceleration measures (detail each measure with expected time saving) 7. Resource plan changes (additional labour, plant, extended hours) 8. Revised critical path description 9. Key milestones comparison (original vs recovery) 10. Cost implications of acceleration (if applicable) 11. Risks to the recovery programme (what could prevent recovery) 12. Monitoring and reporting (how progress against recovery will be tracked) Write in a professional tone suitable for formal submission to the client or Project Manager.
Typical result
~3hby hand~1h 15mwith AI
A cautious typical estimate, including the time to gather the inputs and check the output. It varies with the job.
What it replaces: Writing the recovery narrative to go with a revised programme.
What you still check
- Every acceleration measure is resourced and agreed
- The narrative matches the revised programme dates
- Cost and contractual consequences are flagged for the commercial team
Use Case
Use when a project is behind programme and you need to prepare a recovery programme narrative explaining how you intend to mitigate the delay and achieve the required completion date.
When not to use it
Don't use it to decide who's responsible for the delay. If you think some or all of it isn't yours, a recovery programme can look like you're accepting it, or offering to accelerate at your own cost. That's an entitlement question. Check your contract and take advice before anything goes to the client.
It also won't produce the programme. The narrative has to describe a real, logic-linked recovery programme built by a planner in Asta or Primavera. And it's not a delay analysis. If the delay is heading for a claim or adjudication, you need a planning or delay specialist.
Common mistakes
- Claiming time savings the programme doesn't show. A second steel gang doesn't help if the crane, access or design information is the real constraint.
- Adding Saturday working without checking planning conditions, permitted hours or noise consents.
- Changing the sequence without the temporary works coordinator's sign-off, for example starting cladding off an independent scaffold before the frame is finished. AI can't approve temporary works.
- Putting more trades into the same area without updating the construction phase plan and site logistics.
- Describing the causes of delay loosely. That section may be read later in a claim, so keep it factual and consistent with your notices.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a recovery programme in construction?
- A revised programme showing how a project that has fallen behind will get back to a target completion date. It should show the changed sequence, the extra resources and the new critical path, against the original baseline so the changes are clear. The narrative explains it for people who won't read the Gantt chart.
- Who pays for acceleration on a construction project?
- It depends on who caused the delay and what your contract says. If the delay is yours, recovering it is usually at your own cost. If it's the client's, acceleration normally needs to be instructed or agreed, with the price agreed first. Check your contract and take advice.
- Does submitting a recovery programme mean accepting the delay?
- Not automatically, but the wording matters. If you believe you're entitled to an extension of time, say in the covering letter that you're reserving your position, and keep your delay notices up to date. Check your contract and take advice.
- What is the difference between mitigation and acceleration?
- Mitigation is taking reasonable steps to reduce the effect of a delay. JCT contracts, for example, expect you to use your best endeavours to prevent delay. Acceleration goes further: extra resources or hours to finish earlier than you otherwise would, usually at extra cost. Where that line sits decides who pays, so check your contract and take advice.
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