How to run a 2-week lookahead on a busy site

The 2-week lookahead is the single most useful planning tool on a live site — and the one that falls apart fastest when things get busy. Here is the playbook we see working on jobs that actually hit programme.

Why 2 weeks, not 4

Four weeks is a wish list. One week is firefighting. Two weeks is the sweet spot — long enough to spot clashes and order materials, short enough that every line item is real.

The Monday ritual

• 30 minutes, same time every week, no exceptions.
• Walk the site first, then sit down with the plan.
• One screen, one source of truth — not three WhatsApp groups and a spreadsheet.

What goes on it

1. Every booked subcontractor visit (who, when, what work)
2. Every plant and equipment movement
3. Every delivery window
4. Every inspection or sign-off
5. Public holidays and site shutdowns

How to spot clashes before they bite

Look for:

• Two trades on the same level on the same day
• Crane time overlapping with concrete pours
• Deliveries arriving with nobody to receive them

SiteLive flags overlaps automatically — red dots on the day chips, with a "Jump to first clash" button. But the principle works with paper too: colour-code by area, not by trade.

Communicating the plan

Issue the lookahead to every subcontractor lead by Monday lunchtime. Use the same format every week. People learn to look for it.

Common mistakes

• Putting "TBC" on more than 10% of lines — if you do not know, do not publish
• Skipping a week because "nothing changed" — something always changed
• Letting the lookahead drift more than 48 hours behind reality

Run it tight and the site runs itself.