Service 04 of 07
4D Planning &
Scheduling
Integrating time into your BIM models for enhanced visualisation, identifying conflicts and inefficiencies before they reach site and improving communication across every stakeholder.
Integrating time into your BIM models to identify conflicts and inefficiencies before they reach site
Programme certainty from day one
Visual walkthroughs for stakeholders
All staff DBS-checked
What we do
Programme sequencing embedded directly into your BIM model
DEW embeds construction timelines within your coordinated BIM model, simulating project progress stage by stage so teams can visualise how the build sequence unfolds long before work reaches site.
This dynamic scheduling approach identifies potential clashes and sequencing inefficiencies early, reducing programme risk and supporting more confident decision-making across the project team.
Visual walkthroughs generated from the 4D model improve communication with clients, contractors and stakeholders, making complex phasing easy to understand at a glance.
At a glance
- Timelines embedded in the BIM model
- Early identification of sequencing clashes
- Visual walkthroughs for stakeholder buy-in
Standards
ISO 19650 information management
buildingSMART IFC classification
Core capabilities
Three areas of focus within every 4D engagement
Dynamic Scheduling
Timelines embedded within the model
Embedding construction timelines within BIM models to simulate project progress.
Stage-by-stage progress simulation
Conflict Resolution
Catching issues before they reach site
Identifying potential clashes and inefficiencies before they occur.
Reduced programme risk
Stakeholder Engagement
Visual clarity for every stakeholder
Providing visual walkthroughs to improve communication and decision-making.
Improved decision-making at every stage
“
DEWorks offer an excellent, totally professional service, with outputs to match. Costs are competitive, and reliability is second to none.
Director of Digitalisation
– ADI Group
Project Case Study
Overview
Key Deliverables
- Coordinated models for multiple spaces
- Stage 5 MEP coordination
- Asset data for operational use
Services Utilised
Common questions
FAQ
Have a question not answered here? Our team is happy to talk through your specific requirements.
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What software do you use for 4D scheduling?
We work primarily in Synchro and Navisworks for 4D sequencing, integrating programme data from planning tools such as Asta Powerproject and Primavera P6. We've also developed our own in-house tools for programme and 4D workflows – so if your project has an unusual requirement, we can usually build around it rather than force a workaround.
How is 4D different from a traditional construction programme?
A traditional programme is a list of dates; a 4D model shows what those dates actually look like in the building. By linking every programme activity to the model geometry, the build sequence becomes something you can watch, interrogate, and pressure-test – making sequencing clashes, access conflicts, and logistics problems visible while they're still cheap to fix.
Do you need our full construction programme to start?
A full programme helps but isn't required to begin. We can start with an outline programme or key milestones and refine the 4D sequence as more detailed scheduling information becomes available, updating the model as your programme develops.
When should 4D planning start on a project?
The biggest value comes early – at tender or pre-construction stage, when sequencing decisions are still open and a visualised programme can strengthen a bid or de-risk mobilisation. But 4D also earns its keep mid-project, particularly when re-sequencing after a delay or planning a complex phase.
Can 4D help on live or occupied sites?
Yes – it's one of the strongest use cases. On live environments such as operational hospitals, phasing, access routes, and isolation of work areas can be simulated and agreed with stakeholders before anyone mobilises, keeping disruption to day-to-day operations to a minimum.
Can 4D outputs be shared with non-technical stakeholders?
Yes – the visual walkthroughs generated from the 4D model are designed to be accessible to non-technical audiences. They present construction sequencing as a clear, visual timeline rather than technical scheduling data, making them well suited to client presentations and stakeholder briefings.
Related services
Services that complement 4D planning
Reality capture
Laser scanning & scan to BIM
Accurate existing conditions from laser scanning and drone surveys, feeding straight into BIM coordination.
BIM / AIM Coordination
COBie, Digital Twins & FM handover
The coordinated model that every fabrication drawing is checked against.
DfMA
Prefabrication-ready designs
Pipe spool and plant skid drawings, prefabricated plant room design and offsite manufacturing support, reducing risk on site.
WORK WITH DEW
Ready to talk about your next project?
DEW integrates directly into your project team, building programme certainty into your BIM model from day one.