Chapter 2 Questions
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 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.
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.
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 sector 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.
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 performing 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.
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.
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 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 contracts: one with the construction manager, one with the designer, and one with the contractor.
