Precon

Precon is a dedicated module in Bridgit for planning and managing preconstruction tasks and teams. This module provides flexible task-based planning designed specifically for the shorter, concurrent, and frequently changing nature of preconstruction work.

With Precon, you can create project-specific tasks like RFP work, Budget and Schedule Development, or Design Development, then assign team members to those tasks with appropriate allocation percentages. When task dates change, team assignments automatically shift with them, keeping your planning accurate without manual updates.

Key capabilities:

• Create and manage project-specific preconstruction tasks

• Assign team members to tasks with flexible allocation percentages

• Automatically shift assignments when task dates change

• View precon workload across projects in gantt views

• Track precon utilization separately from operations roles

Eligibility/Prerequisites

Account requirements:

• Precon module must be enabled in your account

• "View All Salaried" permission required to see precon tasks, roles, and allocations

Note: The Precon tab only appears on projects when the module is enabled and you have appropriate permissions.

How to Use

Accessing the Precon Tab

1. Navigate to Projects and select a project

2. Click the Precon tab at the top of the project profile

Creating Precon Tasks

To add a single task:

1. Open a project and go to the Precon tab

2. Click Add task

3. Enter the task name (such as Schematic Design, RFP, etc.)

4. Set the start date and either an end date or duration

5. Click Save

The task appears as a bar on the timeline with space below to add roles and assignments.

To use a task template:

1. Click the dropdown arrow next to Add task

2. Select Use task template

3. Choose your template from the list

4. Review and adjust the tasks that populate

5. Click Save

Templates add multiple pre-configured tasks at once, saving time on similar project types.

Adding Roles to Tasks

1. Locate the task where you want to add a role

2. Click Add role next to the task name

3. Select the role name from the dropdown (such as Estimator, Design Manager, or Coordinator)

4. Enter the allocation percentage

5. Optionally add a quantity if adding multiple of the same role to the task

6. Choose one of the following:

   • Click Save role to create an unfilled role

   • Click Save and assign to immediately open Smart Suggestions and assign someone

Roles inherit the task dates by default

Assigning People to Precon Roles

Using drag and drop from Available People:

1. Click Available People in the right sidebar

2. Search for or filter to find the person you need

3. Drag their name onto either:

   • An existing unfilled role (to fill that specific role)

   • A task name (to create a new role and assign them in one step)

Using Place a Person:

1. Click + Place Person under an unfilled role

2. Review Smart Suggestions showing available, best-fit team members

3. Use filters on the right to adjust the search criteria

4. Click on a person to select them

5. Click Save to complete the assignment

Creating roles with immediate assignment:

1. Click Add role next to a task

2. Configure the role details

3. Click Save and assign

4. The Smart Suggestions modal opens immediately for quick assignment

Editing Tasks and Assignments

To edit task dates:

• In the Precon tab, click the start or end date directly in the task row to edit dates inline

• In the Project Gantt, drag the task bar to shift the entire task visually

• All roles under that task will automatically update to match the new dates

To bulk shift task dates:

• In the Precon tab, click the three-dot menu next to Add role and select Shift this and all subsequent tasks

• In the Project Gantt, click the three-dot menu next to a task name, select 'Edit Role' and click the 'Shift Task' button

• Select the new start date for the task you are editing and ensure 'Also shift subsequent tasks' is checked off

• Click Save

To edit allocation percentages:

• Open a person's profile, go to the Assignments tab, and adjust the percentage for their precon allocation

• Click into a role from the Precon tab and edit the allocation directly

Note: Precon allocation dates cannot be edited from people's profiles since they're tied to task dates. To change dates, edit the task itself.

To duplicate tasks and assignments:

1. Click the three-dot menu next to Add role

2. Select Duplicate task and assignment

3. A copy of the task with all its roles appears below the original

Viewing Precon Assignments

In the Precon tab:

Tasks display in cascade style, organized chronologically with roles nested underneath each task. You can expand or collapse tasks to focus on what matters.

In the Project Gantt:

1. Go to Projects > Gantt

2. Use Gantt Settings to toggle precon display on or off

3. Locate your project and expand it

4. Precon tasks appear as collapsible groups with roles cascading below

5. Apply role filters in the Gantt Settings to show only current, upcoming, or unfilled precon roles

In the People Gantt:

1. Go to People > Gantt

2. View each person's precon assignments as project bars on their timeline

3. Precon assignments display with a task icon to differentiate them from operations roles

4. The bar shows: task name, allocation percentage, and project name

In the Roles tab:

1. Navigate to Roles in the main navigation

2. Filter by role type to Precon

3. View all unfilled or filled precon roles across your project portfolio

4. Click + Place Person to assign someone directly from this view

Understanding Precon on Pursuit Projects

Precon assignments on pursuit projects behave differently than operations allocations:

Precon assignments on pursuits:

• Impact team member utilization rates

• Show in experience tracking

Operations allocations on pursuits:

• Do NOT count toward utilization until the project is awarded

• Do NOT show in experience tracking

This reflects reality: preconstruction work happens whether or not the project is won, so it should impact your precon team's capacity planning and project experience gained.

Common Workflows

Setting up a new pursuit project: Create precon tasks for initial feasibility, conceptual estimating, and proposal development. Assign people such as estimators and design managers at appropriate allocations.

Adjusting to scope changes mid-precon: When schematic design extends by two weeks, simply drag the task bar in the Project Gantt. All team member assignments automatically shift with the task, maintaining your plan without manual updates.

Sharing resources between precon and operations: Assign a project manager at 25% on a precon task while they complete operations work on another project at 75%. Their total utilization reflects their actual workload across both functions.

Building consistent project setups: Create task templates for common project types (such as residential or commercial). Each time you start a similar project, apply the template to populate standard tasks instantly.

Common Questions