Scheduling software for scaffolding companies and work at height
Plan your teams of scaffolders, temporary workers, subcontractors and vehicles across several sites. Follow-up of qualifications and absence management.
- Challenges in scheduling scaffolding work
- How PlanningPME structures your worksite schedule
- 8 advantages of PlanningPME for work at height
- 3 concrete examples of everyday use
- Comparison table : Excel vs PlanningPME for a scaffolding schedule
- Best practices for smoother (and more humane) site work scheduling
- In a nutshell
- FAQ
In a nutshell
In the sector of scaffolding and work at height (industry, construction, maintenance), the reality on site is rarely straightforward. A week can start with a stable schedule... and end with after-sales emergencies, teams relocated to another site, temporary staff to be integrated, equipment deliveries delayed, or safety constraints that mean assignments have to be reviewed. For employees, these changes often result in the same frustration: "Who does what? Where? With which vehicle? Is the skill/qualification valid?" For operations managers, work supervisors, team leaders and HR managers, the challenge is clear: meet deadlines, guarantee safety and avoid resource conflicts. This is precisely where PlanningPME comes in with a simple method: legible, shared schedule, centred on teams and resources (human and material) and adapted to the pace of the project.
Challenges in scheduling scaffolding work
1) Multi-site projects and mobile teams
Between depots, industrial sites, urban worksites, one-off jobs and major projects, we are constantly on the move. We have to juggle :
- teams (foremen, scaffolders, handlers, site supervisors)
- geographical areas (branches, regions, teams)
- sensitive periods (technical shutdowns, seasonal peaks, bad weather)
2) Non-negotiable security and qualification requirements
In this sector, an assignment of a person does not depend solely on their availability. Skills and qualifications also need to be checked: Qualifications concerning working at height, acceptance/compliance of scaffolding, asbestos, etc. Incorrect matching can lead to site stoppage, a safety risk or non-compliance.
3) Precise management of time-off, training and unavailability
Annual leaves, sick leaves, reduced working hours, compulsory training, meetings, medical check-ups... Without an up-to-date schedule, you soon find yourself with "gaps" in your teams, or double-bookings.
4) Equipment to be planned as well as the personnel
Vehicles (vans, 6-seater), trucks, equipment rentals, batches of material... If the equipment is not reserved at the right time, the site slows down, even if the team is ready.
5) Temporary staff and outsourcing: integrating quickly without losing control
The sector often relies on reinforcements. This means, you need to :
- view reinforcements on the schedule
- track who is assigned to which site
- standardize tasks (installation, workshop, preparation, after-sales service, on-call, etc.)
- keep a record of activities carried out
How PlanningPME structures your worksite schedule
PlanningPME acts like an operational dashboard: you plan resources (people, teams, vehicles, equipment) for tasks and sites, taking account of absences and constraints. The aim is to save time every day. In practical terms, PlanningPME helps to :
- centralize information on a single schedule instead of scattered files
- filter by agency, team, site, type of work
- display unavailability (annual leaves, training, sick leaves, etc.)
- monitor skills/qualifications to assign the right workers
- plan material resources (vehicles, equipment rentals, trucks)
- share a clear schedule with your teams (operations, management, administration)
Construction schedule template
8 advantages of PlanningPME for work at height
- 📅 A clear view of projects and operations : who is involved, when, where and for what type of task (installation, preparation, workshop, after-sales service, on-call, etc.).
- 👷 Scheduling by teams and roles : team leaders, scaffolders, handlers, site managers... everything is visible at a glance.
- 🧩 Assignment according to skills/qualifications : to avoid sending an unqualified person to a site with specific requirements.
- 🚚 Renting vehicles and equipment : material resources can be planned in the same way as human resources, helping to prevent last-minute bottlenecks.
- 🔁 Reactivity to unforeseen events : You can adjust the schedule without losing overall consistency.
- 🤝 Simpler management of temporary staff and subcontractors : integration into the schedule, visibility by site, better coordination of reinforcements.
- 👀 Fewer conflicts and less overloading : the schedule highlights unavailabilities and overlaps, so you can make decisions quickly and accurately.
- 📤 Easy sharing and reporting : schedule can be consulted by the teams concerned, exported and printed for site updates, meetings or internal monitoring.
3 concrete examples of everyday use
Case 1 - Preparation of a scaffolding installation with the right resources and qualifications
Situation : You have to set up scaffolding on an industrial site on Monday morning. You need a complete team, with at least one qualified profile depending on the site's requirements, and a suitable vehicle.
With PlanningPME :
- filter the resources available over the period
- check rapidly which profiles are compatible (qualifications/skills)
- book the vehicle and equipment you need
- display other sites in parallel to avoid reducing the size of another team
Benefits for employees : clearer instructions, less back-and-forth, a better-prepared job site kickoff.
Benefits for managers : fewer assignment errors, better compliance, fewer unexpected issues.
Case 2 - Managing an after-sales emergency without disrupting the whole week
Situation : a customer calls in with a security/access problem. You need to send an after-sales service quickly, but there are also other works underway.
With PlanningPME :
- identify who is available at the right time, without breaking up a critical team
- schedule the job (time slot, duration, location)
- assign a resource and, if necessary, a vehicle
- keep track of the job in the schedule
Benefits for employees : less improvization, clearer job details, better coordination.
Benefits for operations : faster response, less disruption to the overall schedule.
Case 3 - Keeping up the pace despite absences and employee training
Situation : some employees will be on training (e.g. refresher courses, qualifications), while some others in the team will be on holiday.
With PlanningPME :
- unavailabilities appear automatically over the period
- anticipate actual capacity per team
- recruit temporary staff/subcontractors in the right place
- avoid planning a "risky" site with an incomplete team
Benefits for employees : more balanced work distribution, less overload, improved safety.
Benefits for HR/management : compliance monitored, business continuity better managed.
Comparison table : Excel vs PlanningPME for a scaffolding schedule
| Key criterion (scaffolding/work at height) | Excel (DIY scheduling) | PlanningPME |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time updates by several people | Limited (versioning, editing conflicts) | Yes, centralized schedule |
| Multi-team/multi-site display | Possible but quickly illegible | Built-in (filters, views) |
| Skills/qualifications monitoring | Difficult to ensure reliability | Integrated into the scheduling logic |
| Absence management (annual leaves, sick leaves, training) | Manual, risk of forgetting | Structured, visible on the schedule |
| Vehicle/equipment/rental schedules | Separate document, frequent omissions | Material resources can also be scheduled |
| Error detection (double assignment, overloading) | Manual checking | Overlaps immediately visible |
| Easy to share with field teams | Often via PDF/ WhatsApp | Smoother (controlled distribution) |
| Reliability and traceability | Depends on the file | More robust for everyday use |
Best practices for smoother (and more humane) site work scheduling
- Standardize your task types : installation, site preparation, workshop, after-sales service, on-call duty, administration... A common vocabulary reduces misunderstandings.
- Plan your teams and equipment together : a team without a vehicle or without key resources means delays at work site.
- Display training sessions and unavailabilities : safety and compliance are managed in advance, not the night before.
- Leave room for the unexpected : in scaffolding work, a share of unpredictability is inherent (weather, site access, emergencies). The schedule must be adaptable.
In a nutshell
When it comes to scaffolding and work at height, a schedule is not just a "simple calendar": it is a key for safety, productivity and quality of service. PlanningPME helps to organize teams, distribute assignments according to skills, integrate temporary staff and subcontractors, and also plan vehicles and equipment - all in a clear schedule that can be used on a daily basis. If you're looking to professionally schedule your scaffolding work, reduce errors in resource allocation and better handle the unexpected situations, PlanningPME is a solid basis for structuring your organization.
They trust us
We manage our 18 technicians as well as our material resources in a centralized fashion. The only way to guarantee a consistent view of all our account managers is to work with a single calendar that is accessible via network. We have used PlanningPME for 8 years and have been completely satisfied. We find it to be efficient and flexible, enabling us to manage our team of 18 technicians and also our equipment. It allows our 3 account managers to have a perfect view of availability for the daily management of their sites.
Challenge Bat
FAQ
Yes, if the schedule is legible, up-to-date and shared. The aim is for everyone to know quickly where they are going, with whom, and for what project, without having to make multiple calls.
By linking the scheduling system to skills/qualifications data and keeping this information close at hand. In this sector, it ensures safety in addition to saving time.
Excel works as long as the activities are stable and only one person is managing. As soon as there are multiple sites, reinforcements, absences, equipment and emergencies, it becomes difficult to make Excel sheets reliable on a day-to-day basis.
