Jumpstart Construction Management Ch. 1-8

Name three alternatives to traditional litigation for resolving construction contract disputes.

Three alternatives to traditional litigation for resolving construction disputes are mediation, the minitrial, and arbitration.

Construction Impacts

Noise, Dust, Mud, Environmental Protection, Clean up, trash.

Site Logistic Plan

Organizing Job Site, Security, Access, Material Storage, Public Safety, Crane, Temp. Facilities, Environmental.

Change Orders

Owner Directed Errors and Omissions Site Conditions

Why is open bidding required on public projects?

Public projects require an open bidding procedure because taxpayer dollars are at stake, and an open bid allows any contractor to submit, reducing the risk of fraud, favoritism, and undue influence and reassuring taxpayers that their tax dollars are being spent properly.

What is a scope sheet?

A scope sheet identifies all of the items of work to be performed under a specific trade head- ing or work category such as masonry or siding.

What is a shop drawing?

A shop drawing is a special kind of submittal, usually required when a building material must be fabricated from scratch. The drawing includes details, dimensions, and the configuration of the item being fabricated.

Identify two instances when a change order might need to be initiated.

A change order would be required to correct a detail of the design that contained an error or omitted information or would be required when an owner wants to add scope to the project.

What is a construction estimate?

A construction estimate is a summary of probable quantities and costs of materials, labor, equipment, and subcontracts to complete a project, including taxes, overhead, and profit, based on the best available information at the time.

What is the purpose of a labor and materials payment bond?

A labor and materials payment bond is a guarantee, backed by a surety, that payment for the contractor's labor and materials used on the project will be made.

What is a laydown area?

A laydown area is a designated storage area within the construction site that is used for sort- ing out large orders such as the structural steel.

What is the difference between a plan view and a section view in a set of drawings?

A plan view represents a horizontal cut through the structure, and a section view represents a vertical cut through the structure.

What is the name of the tool used to keep track of and manage the completion of all of the loose ends, minor repairs, adjustments, and missing items at the end of the project?

A punch list is used to manage all of the loose ends, minor repairs, adjustments, and missing items at the end of the project.

There is a particular way in which the drawings are organized in a set of drawings. Identify the order of drawings in a typical set of plans.

A typical set of drawings is ordered with the civil drawings first, then the architectural, then the structural, then the mechanical, and finally the electrical drawings.

What does it mean to order something on will-call?

A will-call acts as a confirmation of an order that has been placed prior to the date it is actu- ally due for delivery. The will-call generally occurs the afternoon before the scheduled delivery and con- firms or denies that the delivery date is still a go.

What does CAD stand for?

CAD stands for computer-aided design.

Shop Drawings

Drawings prepared by the contractor, subcontractor, manufacturer, or supplier, showing how specific portions of the work shall be fabricated and/or installed.

In relation to construction, what is meant by the term due diligence?

Due diligence is the process of identifying any problems associated with the project early on so that those problems can be factored into the decision making that occurs during the pre-construction stage.

What is the name of the weekly magazine dedicated solely to the construction industry?

Engineering News Record (ENR) is the weekly magazine dedicated to the construction industry.

Identify at least three environmental issues that might interfere with the project schedule and cause unexpected delays on the job.

Environmental issues that can interfere with the construction schedule and cause unexpected delays on the job are encountering soil erosion problems, encountering endangered species on-site, hav- ing to protect vegetation on-site, trying to protect and preserve wetlands during construction, and dis- covering historical or cultural artifacts while excavating.

Identify at least three factors that can negatively impact construction productivity.

Factors that negatively impact construction productivity are crowded work spaces, poor coordination of work activities, poor supervision or lack of supervision, an inexperienced or poorly trained workforce, not having the proper tools and equipment, adverse weather conditions, confusing plans and specs, changes in the work plan, and inefficient job site layout

What is meant by the term project delivery?

Project delivery is the overall structural or organizational framework used to put all the aspects of designing and building a construction project together.

What is meant by the term fast tracking?

Fast tracking is a technique used to speed up the completion of a construction project by overlapping the design and construction processes.

What are general conditions?

General conditions are the same thing as indirect costs and represent the expenses incurred in order to deliver and manage the materials, labor, equipment, and subcontracts employed on any given job. Supervision, cleanup, temporary utilities, and security fencing are all examples of general conditions.

Under a guaranteed maximum price contract, what happens if the actual cost is less than the guaran- teed maximum contract price?

If the actual cost of the project is less than the guaranteed maximum contract price, the owner benefits from 100 percent of the savings unless there is an arrangement to split the savings with the contractor.

Why is it important to accurately report hours and cost codes on time cards?

It is important to accurately record hours and cost codes on time cards because they provide the payroll clerk with all of the information needed to calculate wages and distribute paychecks. They also provide fundamental information needed to track and monitor productivity and labor expenditures.

Why is it important to have a clear distinction between the project punchout and the warranty period?

It is important to have a clear distinction between project punchout and warranty because the completion of punchout denotes substantial completion of the project. If work items continue to get added to the punch list, it will be very difficult to clearly mark the end of the project.

Why is it important for the job superintendent and the other members of the on-site team to keep project diaries?

It is important to keep a project diary because there is so much information that must be communicated back and forth among the project participants, and there is a great opportunity for mis- understandings, confusion, and things falling through the cracks. The diaries help to keep straight all of the communications, conversations, and activities.

What does LEED stand for, and what is its purpose?

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It is a rating system that evaluates a building's environmental performance over its life cycle.

What is lean construction, and from what industry does its concepts stem?

Lean construction is a philosophy that focuses on adding value with less work and the elimi- nation of waste in the building process. It stems from the manufacturing industry, particularly the Toyota Production System.

What are liquidated damages?

Liquidated damages are an amount of money that is assessed to the contractor for a failure to meet a specified completion date.

Dispute Resolution

Litigation, Negotiation, Mediation, Arbitration

Name three associations affiliated with the construction industry.

Many associations are affiliated with the construction industry. Three of the best-known associations are the Associated General Contractors, the Associated Builders and Contractors, and the National Association of Home Builders.

Document Control

Meetings, Diaries, Records, RFI's, RFP's, Change Orders.

What is partnering?

Partnering is a team-building technique to establish a set of common goals and objectives for the project and develop a mutually acceptable protocol for communication and conflict resolution through a formal agreement.

Meeting

Pre-construction Conferences, Safety, Progress

What is retainage?

Retainage is a certain percentage of money owed to the contractor that is held back by the owner to encourage completion of the project.

What does SWPPP stand for and what is its purpose?

SWPPP stands for storm water pollution protection plan, and its purpose is to document how the contractor will manage erosion and prevent pollution of lakes, rivers, wetlands, and coastal areas by runoff water and sediment from the building site.

Why is scope definition so important in the construction process?

Scope definition is important in the construction process because it describes the extent of the work that is to be performed by the contractor.

What is the purpose of a submittal?

Submittals provide a means by which the architect and owner can confirm the intent of the design.

How does the quality of the design drawings impact the quality of the construction?

The construction contract calls for the contractor to build the project in accordance with the plans and the specs. If the plans, specs, or overall design is flawed or something is missing, then the contractor is obligated to perform as instructed or to bring the flaw or defect to the attention of the architect by processing a change order. Either way, the owner is left with paying the price for the error and is usually not happy.

Identify the way in which the construction industry has increased overall owner involvement in the con- struction process.

The construction industry has increased overall owner involvement in the construction process through a variety of collaborative software programs that establish intranet sites. These programs allow the owner to take part in a variety of project communications and may have a webcam linked to them.

Distinguish between construction management as a function and construction management as a project delivery method.

The construction management function entails various tasks performed by the contractor such as estimating, scheduling, cost control, and contract administration in order to monitor, manage, and control the work of the contract for which the contractor is obligated. Construction management as a project delivery method is a contractual arrangement whereby the construction manager is hired by the owner to provide services to the owner, such as design review, overall scheduling, cost control, value engineering, constructability reviews, and construction coordination. Under CM project delivery, the construction manager may or may not be financially obligated to carry out the construction work itself.

Identify at least three characteristics that make the construction project unique from other industry sec- tor projects.

The construction project is unique in a variety of ways. Each construction project is built as a one-of-a-kind structure or facility. Every construction project is built on a different and unique building site. The building process takes place outside. Much of the work is performed by the human hand. The labor force is by and large made up of transient workers moving from job to job.

How does the contractor receive clarification from the architect regarding details of the design?

The contractor receives clarification from the architect regarding details of the design by pro- cessing a formal request for information (RFI) in writing.

Explain how agency CM is different from at-risk CM.

The difference between agency CM and at-risk CM is in regard to who is responsible for per- forming the actual work of the contract. Under agency CM, the construction manager has no liability for the construction and acts only as an agent or advisor to the owner. With at-risk CM, the construction manager acts as an advisor to the owner during the design phase and is liable for the construction.

What is the name of the document that formally and officially authorizes a payment to the contractor?

The document that authorizes payment to the contractor is called an application and certifi- cate for payment.

What is the name of the official document that the owner uses to notify the contractor to start construction?

The document used to officially inform the contractor to proceed with the contract is called a notice to proceed.

Identify the eight functions of construction management.

The eight functions of construction management are estimating the project, contract administration, managing job site and construction operations, planning and scheduling the project, controlling project performance, managing project quality, managing project safety, and managing project risks.

What are the five primary sectors of the construction industry?

The five primary sectors of the construction industry are residential, commercial, heavy civil, industrial, and environmental construction.

Name the four basic types of construction contracts.

The four basic types of construction contracts are the lump-sum contract, cost-plus-fee con- tract, guaranteed maximum price (GMP) contract, and unit-price contract.

What are the four distinct stages of the design process?

The four distinct stages of design are programming and feasibility, schematic or conceptual design, design development, and contract documents.

Name the four fundamental stages of the construction management process after the design stage.

The four fundamental stages of the construction management process are pre-construction, procurement, construction, and post-construction.

Identify the four preparation steps taken to start the estimating process.

The four preparation steps taken to start an estimate are to review the plans and specs, to develop a query list, to attend the prebid meeting, and to visit the site.

Name the four primary categories of costs in the construction estimate.

The four primary categories of costs in the construction estimate are materials, labor, equip- ment, and subcontracts.

Name the four primary project values to be managed, monitored, and controlled.

The four primary project values that need to be managed, monitored, and controlled on a construction project are time, cost, quality, and safety.

Name the four primary sections of a project manual.

The four primary sections of a project manual are the bidding documents, the general condi- tions, the supplemental conditions, and the technical specifications.

Which procurement method is the most commonly used today, and what is the selection criteria used to determine the winner?

The most common procurement method used today is still design-bid-build. The selection criteria used to determine the winner when using design-bid-build is low price.

What is the name of the document that establishes the template for measuring work progress as it relates to requests for payment?

The name of the document that establishes the template for measuring work progress as it relates to requests for payment is a schedule of values.

Identify the notice document that informs the public of upcoming construction projects funded with taxpayer dollars.

The notice document that is used to inform the public about upcoming construction projects is an advertisement for bids. These ads are typically posted electronically through construction project lead services but may be published in newspapers and trade magazines as well.

What occurrence marks the official end of the project?

The official end of the project occurs when the architect releases a certificate of substantial completion.

What is the name of the organization credited with promoting construction management as a legitimate and unique area of study at four-year universities?

The organization credited with promoting construction management as a legitimate and unique area of study is the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC).

What is the role of the owner on a construction project?

The role of the owner on a construction project is to develop the program for the building, define the scope of the project, create the budget, and provide the funding for the project.

By what specific measurement is construction used as an economic indicator for the U.S. economy?

The specific construction measurement used as an indicator regarding the health of the econ- omy in the United States is housing starts.

Name the three basic ways in which a design-build entity may be configured.

The three basic ways in which a design-build entity may be configured are to have the contractor and the designer create an informal partnership for a project, to have a full-service design-build firm in which the designers and the contractors work for the same company, or to establish a legal joint venture between designer and contractor for a single project.

Identify the three primary project delivery methods and discuss how they differ contractually.

The three primary project delivery methods are design-bid-build, design-build, and construction management. With design-bid-build, the owner has separate contracts with the designer and the contractor. With design-build, there is only one contract between the owner and the design-build entity for both the design and the construction. With construction management, the owner holds three con- tracts: one with the construction manager, one with the designer, and one with the contractor.

Name the three selection methods used to buy construction services, and identify the solicitation instru- ment used for each one.

The three selection methods used to buy construction are low-bid selection, best-value selection, and qualifications-based selection. The solicitation instrument used for low-bid selection is the invitation for bids (or advertisement for bids). The solicitation instrument used for best-value selec- tion is the request for proposals. The solicitation instrument used for qualifications-based selection is the request for qualifications.

Name a tool used to reduce the number of bidders on a public project and increase the quality of the contractor pool.

The tool used to limit the number of contractors bidding on a public project is the require- ment for a prequalification statement.

What two construction associations offer voluntary certification programs for construction managers?

The two construction associations that offer voluntary certification programs for con- struction managers are the American Institute of Constructors and the Construction Management Association of America.

What two major components make up the contract documents?

The two major components that make up the contract documents are the drawings and the project manual.

Name the two primary selection criteria categories considered when using the best-value method.

The two primary selection categories considered with the best-value procurement method are price (quantitative factors) and qualification factors such as design, management, or past performance.

What are the two procurement instruments used to buy out the construction job?

The two procurement instruments used to buy out the construction job are subcontracts and purchase orders. Subcontracts are used to buy labor, and purchase orders are used to buy materials and equipment.

What type of estimate would we probably do if we were meeting with a client for the first time and they wanted to get a rough idea about their project cost?

The type of estimate that would most likely be presented to a client who was seeking a rough idea of cost for a new project would be a rough order of magnitude (ROM) estimate.

What types of information should be shown on a site logistics plan? Name at least four items.

The types of things that should be shown on a site logistics plan are the location of the field office, the location of the temporary utilities, the location of the storage trailers, the location of the laydown area, the location of the portable toilets, the location of dumpsters, on-site parking areas, the security fencing, and the entrance and exit gates.

What unit of measure is typically employed for pricing general conditions?

The unit of measure typically applied to general conditions is a unit of time such as hour, day, week, or month.

The 2004 CSI MasterFormat is broken down into how many divisions?

There are 48 divisions to the MasterFormat.

Identify at least four characteristics exhibited in a quality estimate.

There are many characteristics displayed in a quality estimate including correct quantities, accurate labor hours, correct pricing, accurate calculations, completeness, clear paper trail, proper over- head, and proper profit.

List at least three factors that are commonly considered before deciding to bid on a construction job.

There are many factors to consider when deciding whether to bid on a job. Some of these factors include location of the project, size of the job, who the architect or owner is, and the technical complexity of the project.

Identify at least three issues that the superintendent must be concerned with when trying to manage construction operations.

Three issues that the superintendent must be concerned with when trying to manage construc- tion operations are subcontractor coordination, material and equipment deliveries, and productivity.

Name at least three positions that make up the members of the on-site construction management team.

Three positions that make up the on-site project team are superintendent, assistant superin- tendent, and field engineer.

How are construction estimates typically organized?

Typically, construction estimates are organized according to either the 1995 CSI MasterFormat, which utilizes 16 divisions, or the expanded 2004 version, which consists of 48 divisions.

Progress Payments

Uses CSI 16 divisions, Payment Request can be Monthly based on percentage complete.

What is value engineering, and what is its purpose?

Value engineering is the process of analyzing the design, products, and materials associated with the project to determine whether the proposed application, installation, or execution is the best approach or solution. The purpose of value engineering is to optimize resources to achieve the greatest value for the money being spent.

Describe how the weighted criteria evaluation process works.

Weighted criteria is a form of best-value selection in which maximum point values are prees- tablished for qualitative and price components and award is based upon high total points earned by the proposers for both components.

When scheduling subcontractors for the job, you should try to follow three fundamental rules. What are they?

When scheduling subcontractors for the job, the three fundamental rules that you should try to follow are to resist bringing subcontractors onto the job until you are 100 percent ready for them; to make sure that once you bring them on the job, they have everything they need to proceed; and to pay all subcontractors promptly upon completion of their work.

When will you know the true accuracy of your estimate?

You will know the true accuracy of your estimate when the project is complete and all the costs and expenses have been added up.

Under which CSI division would you find building insulation?

You would find building insulation under Division 07, Thermal and Moisture Protection.

When did architects first begin to use drawings to communicate their design intent?

t was during the Renaissance when architects first started to use drawings instead of models to communicate design intent.