Build Sheet to set Goals and Track Progress

[MotorCityImpala]

I am wondering if anyone has made or has available a Build Sheet or Progress Sheet to keep track of a projects goals? I have been a long time lurker and now I have a small budget to work with and I want to keep my goals realistic and be able to keep track of things. Has anyone done this and if so what method did you follow?

Thank you

Todd

[Rick D]

Todd, first welcome to Lat-G, second just take an Excel spreadsheet and track everything there. You can set your goals for time, money, really any part of the build. You set it up to subtract money from the buget as you purchase parts right down to every little thing you buy just add to the line.

I'm making sound super easy, it does take a little time to set up the formulas but even if you don't know how to do it just google it and you will see thousands of videos of how todo any thing in excel.

Don't forget to start a build thread!

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Simple note pad for me. Its tough to find time to sit on the computer and deal it out. I save that for profit loss work.

Just a note.


When doing a large build, I usually throw out the progress sheets and no longer keep an actual deadline or time milestone planner. They work if EVERYTHING GOES PERFECT. I'll will tell you, it does not.

Reason, you never know whats going to happen when you are dealing with vendors or any other aspects of the project you have no control over.

Instead of say putting down...."suspension mock up July 1st. Wheel fitment July 3rd and body fitment July 10th." Try "Suspension mock up July 1st. Wheel fitment 24 hours from receipt. Body fitment 48 hours after receipt."

Reason being, if there is even a 24hour delay it will throw the project time dead line off and then it turns to a negative.

From experience I can predict what job has to be preformed and completed before the next part of the project can take place.

My advice to you is if at all possible, keep your project running as long as possible during the process. If it does come to a point where you have to down the car, make it a goal to have it running again. What I see alot of is guys will start a pretty basic project. They start pulling parts off of it then the metality is "well thats off, I might as well pull that off "....repete....repete.
Next thing they know they have a car that now needs 1500 hours of labor, $12K worth of parts and guess what? You don't have the money or time to finish.

This is my order list. It may sound crazy but it works for me. Mind you we may go through 4-5 mock ups before final assembly. Every change has a repercussion in the build. Watch for it.

Wheels and tires (we use mock ups)- needed to fit and modify body and suspension
Suspension-modifications, frame powdercoating, assembly
Brakes-plumbing and installation
drive train- rear differential modifications, powder coat and assembly engine transmission installation,cooling, related plumbing.
fuel system-plumbing, system placement
wiring mock up-pre paint, plan routing, drill holes, weld in supports, note and remove
paint-paint interior, prep body, ready for final
wiring- final
interior-full instal with body seals
glass installation
trim out
tune

[MotorCityImpala]

Thank you Rick and Vince. I am looking to track my progress and to provide an additional item to showcase on my resume.

Todd

[Black93GT]

Originally Posted by Vince@MSperfab

My advice to you is if at all possible, keep your project running as long as possible during the process. If it does come to a point where you have to down the car, make it a goal to have it running again. What I see alot of is guys will start a pretty basic project. They start pulling parts off of it then the metality is "well thats off, I might as well pull that off "....repete....repete.
Next thing they know they have a car that now needs 1500 hours of labor, $12K worth of parts and guess what? You don't have the money or time to finish.

Wish you'd have said that 3 years ago when I was saying "whats one more rusted body panel". I might actually have a living room with furniture and not boxes of body panels.... well and a drivable car. haha!

[Sparks67]

Originally Posted by MotorCityImpala

I am wondering if anyone has made or has available a Build Sheet or Progress Sheet to keep track of a projects goals? I have been a long time lurker and now I have a small budget to work with and I want to keep my goals realistic and be able to keep track of things. Has anyone done this and if so what method did you follow?

Thank you

Todd

You can do it in Microsoft Project, and link the excel spread sheet to project. I used to do this for my former job, when I was a project manager on fighter aircraft. The projects were never on time and always over cost. I knew the exact turn around time for each process, but it never worked out as planned. Sheet metal always took longer than planned, and it is based on each aircraft. This same example is applied on cars, because of the same processes. In Pro-touring, you see something new that looks cool. So, you want to spend more money than you planned.

Shoe box method works better! Pay cash for everything.. Just put all your bills in the box and forget about it. You won't want to know the actual cost when you are done.

Jeff

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by Sparks67

You won't want to know the actual cost when you are done.

Jeff

This is undisputed!

I had an excel file going for awhile... shut that sh!t down a long time ago.

[Richio1]

Originally Posted by Flash68

This is undisputed!

I had an excel file going for awhile... shut that sh!t down a long time ago.

Word





An excel spreadsheet will replace this with this


Don't do it... You don't want to know

[kevin_l]

I am using the excel spread sheet, can't hide from the reality that these cars are expensive. Forces me stick to the budget and realize where my money is going. In fact, seeing the amount of money I dropped so far really motivates me to get it finished.

[ADiCarlo]

I'm using an excel spreadsheet. I broke it out into seperate sections so if you get stuck on one you can work on another.

Body - any parts or labor based modifications (tubbing, paint, rust repair etc.)
Suspension / Brakes - Suspension and brakes for these cars can go from mild to wild and multiple parts are needed.
Interior - Pretty self explanatory
Electrical - self explanatory
Driveline - Anything that is required to add motion to the car from wheels to rear axle to the trans and engine and accessories.

This process works if your building a complete car and starting from scratch. I like this set up because if I'm waiting 2 months on back order for parts I start on another section.I'm probably 70% there in 1 year.

And yes you don't want to look at the money but you might as well.