A panel is provided that includes stucco, water and a dispersant component having dispersing properties and comprising a comb-branched polymer with polyether side chains, naphthalene sulfonate-formaldehyde condensate or melamine sulfonate-formaldehyde condensate. A polycondensation component is also included in the slurry that includes three repeating units. A method of making the gypsum panel includes combining stucco, water and a first dosage of a first dispersant to form a slurry, the first. A second dosage of a second dispersant is added to the slurry. Properties of the gypsum slurry are tested and it is formed into a product. The product sets and properties of the product are identified. The first dosage or the second dosage is changed based on the properties of the slurry or product.