Construction Planning
▶Additive price ▶Deductive price
2 ways to present alternates:
1.Reviewing town zoning laws 2.Community sentiment 3.Life cycle costing 4.Available funds 5.Schedule 6.Aesthetic value
A feasibility study would examine several options in light of the owner's objectives:
▶Lead designer ▶A combination of the collaborative process ▶Consultation with other experts Traditionally, construction professionals were not part of this team
A good design is a result of:
This causes an overlap in the activities rather than a delay between them
A negative finish-to-start lag of 2 days
Where the float exist on the project
A project manager must know before a project begins:
In medium- to large-sized construction projects.
A start-to-start lag is a common relationship
Each item of work in network scheduling
Activity:
Individual work items (tasks)
Activity:
Changes made after the documents are issued but before the bids are due ▶The most common reason is to correct simple mistakes in the bidding documents ▶Contractors dig deeply into the documents and can spot things missed by the designer or the specification writer ▶Often the contractor may propose a better method or product to fit the character of the project
Addenda
True
Addenda are changes made after the documents are issued but before the bids are due
▶Competitively priced by the contractors who are bidding ▶Acknowledged on the bid form in the space provided
Addenda are:
Is usually the best method for the owner since it is priced as a new item ▶The owner will typically get the best price
Additive alternate
In some ways, lags simplify the schedule by reducing the number of activities. In other ways, lags make the schedule more difficult to understand and therefore interfere with effective communication.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Lags
▶Bid bonds are returned to all bidders ‣Even to the lowest bidder
After the bid is accepted:
it is important to review and analyze the schedule to make sure it is complete, reasonable, meets primary goals, and satisfies contract requirements.
After the initial development of the schedule and prior to creating reports:
Reduces the number of days required to complete the project.
Allowing critical activities to overlap:
A request for a price for substituting one material for another for ▶Adding to scope of work ▶Deducting from the scope Some bid documents contain many alternates to be priced by the contractor
Alternates
▶Each alternative means more work for the contractor and can result in a diminishing interest in the project ▶A large number could indicate the owner and architect do not know what they want to do on the project and will continue to waffle throughout
Alternatives should be used sparingly
20%
An Order of Magnitude estimate has an accuracy of?
Does Excavate really need to happen before Termite Poison and FRIPS (Form, Reinforce, Inspect, Pour, and Strip) Footings? Yes, so that is OK. Are there any other activities that should happen before Termite Poison? No, so that is OK.
Are the Relationships Valid?Physical Relationships
Are the schedule's logic and durations creating excessive costs anywhere? Are there too many people working in one area at the same time, creating a crowded condition? Are there areas where two activities that are currently scheduled in a straight line could be concurrent in order to shorten the project duration? Take a close look for this especially on the critical path.
Are the schedule's logic and durations creating excessive costs anywhere? Are there too many people working in one area at the same time, creating a crowded condition? Are there areas where two activities that are currently scheduled in a straight line could be concurrent in order to shorten the project duration? Take a close look for this especially on the critical path.
it can take the pressure off as many of the activities as possible.
As float is shared
▶The amount of money invested is increased ▶Any change has the potential to be costly
As the design becomes more detailed:
True
As time moves on in a project the influence decreases while cost increases
Design development stage Groups of individual items combined into a convenient unit of measure Within + or - 10% accuracy
Assemblies Estimate
Design Development Stage
Assemblies estimates are completed during the _____ stage
The backward pass is the second step in the calculation process ▶It follows the forward pass since it requires the overall project duration to be known ▶Begins with the last node and is completed by working backward through the network ‣Subtracting the activity's duration from the previous late time
Backward Pass
The activities are listed in chronological order, or, in scheduling terms it is called ES, EF sort or order.
Bar Charts for the Project Manager
Bar charts based on networks are much more accurate than non-network based bar charts.
Bar Charts for the Project Manager 2
The typical bar chart for the subcontractors would be one that does not show any float, with the activities displayed in their early dates and sorted or ordered by ES, EF.
Bar Charts for the Subcontractors
Are the default schedule that most people think of, but they lack the detailed information and clarity of network logic diagrams
Bar charts
They may not always be desirable ▶If the owner feels confident of the financial strength of the company ▶If the job is simple or short
Because performance and payment bonds cost the owner money:
He should become familiar with the project by studying the plans and specifications thoroughly
Before a manager can begin to create a schedule:
▶The owner needs justification for the requested level of funding ‣An organization usually has many competing needs for funds
Before the owner's organization makes a formal commitment to a project:
▶Furnished with the bids ▶Basically guarantee that the contractor will enter into a contract with the owner for the price of the bid Ensures that a bidder does not withdraw their bid after becoming the successful candidate
Bid Bonds
The document on which the bidder submits the price ▶Prepared by the designer ▶Blanks left to be filled out by the bidder ▶Makes the bid easier to compare ▶ Items may include some or all of the following ▶Name of contractor ▶Price both in numbers and in words ‣Minimizes decimal point mistakes ▶Price breakdown for the major trades ‣Guide progress payments ‣Assist the review of the bid's accuracy ▶Amount of the bid ▶Alternatives Price of other materials or altered scope of the work
Bid Form
With the drawings and specifications and are often bound in the specification book ▶They do not form a part of the contract ▶If legal provisions are stated here, they need to be repeated in the contract documents
Bid documents are sent out:
This section of documents includes ▶The invitation to bid ▶Instructions to the bidder ▶The bid form itself
Bidding Information:
▶Protects the owner if the contractor fails to perform in accordance with the contract ▶Paid by the owner If the contractor cannot complete the work, the bonding company will either ▶Pay for work to be completed ▶Find someone to complete the work ▶ The bonding company is responsible only up to the amount of the contract
Bonds
Essentially property insurance for the building while it is under the control of the contractor It covers looses resulting from ▶Fire ▶Smoke ▶Water ▶Explosions ▶Vandalism ▶Theft ▶ The general contractor can obtain this insurance, but the owner may elect to carry ▶The contractor should determine the amount of deductible provided for within the policy (generally a large value)
Builder's Risk
Check the contract documents to make sure the scheduled completion date meets all contract requirements. Also make sure the completion date meets the management team's requirements. Even more important, does the project's total duration feel right?
Check the contract documents to make sure the scheduled completion date meets all contract requirements. Also make sure the completion date meets the management team's requirements. Even more important, does the project's total duration feel right?
Among architects, the owner and construction manager is also a key element
Chemistry:
Would color-coding of key activities help the schedule? Having each trade represented by a specific color?
Color-Code Some Activities
To receive a good return on investment ▶For a firm to grow and prosper, it must have profit to invest in itself ▶One firm can turn a good profit on a project while another may only get by
Companies main motivation is:
It covers ▶Injury to non-workers at the site ▶Damage caused by construction vehicles ▶Damage occurring after completion ▶ The damage and injuries must be a ▶Direct result of the contractor's work ▶Damage caused by subcontractors ▶Sometimes injury to workers beyond and distinct from workers' compensation claims
Comprehensive Liability
Designers have traditionally left methods of installing building components to construction professionals ▶In a design-bid-build delivery method, this can lead to project components that are difficult to install ‣Adds cost to the project ‣Affects the overall schedule ‣Possibly creating unsafe working conditions
Constructability Analysis
When the hand-drawn schedule is input into the computer, the reports automatically convert from work days to calendar days. When the computer-generated report shows an activity starting on Tuesday, it is meant to start the morning of that day. When the report shows a finish date, it is meant to be finished before the end of that day.
Converting Work Days to Calendar Dates
Look closely at the scheduled activities focusing on costs.
Cost Relationships:
Considers only cost first ▶Reduce the quality or quantity of the project to save money
Cost reduction:
(arrange nodes) Place in calculated durations
Create Network Diagram
1.Activity Definition ● 2.Network diagram ● 3.Activity duration ● 4.Calculations ● 5.Refining ● 6.Monitoring
Creating the Schedule
the most important step in CPM
Creation of the logic diagram is:
The path with zero float that goes from the beginning of the project to the end.
Critical Path:
Are the activities that have no total float. The activities that have zero total float obviously have no extra days; Therefore, they are critical. This path of zero float activities that goes from the beginning of the project to the end is called the critical path of the project. Another definition of critical path isthe longest paththrough the network of activities
Critical activities
may leave some of the cost in the price ▶Designers like this method better because they can produce a complete set of documents that can then be deducted from
Deduct alternate
Also known as descriptive specifications Detailed descriptions of ▶Materials ▶Workmanship ▶Installation ▶Erection procedures It is the contractors' obligation to follow the instructions as laid out in the specifications The owner takes responsibility for the results Puts a huge burden on the designer to understand and specify how the building is put together ▶Can lead to a good product as long as the system described is proven assembly
Design specifications
Descriptive
Design specifications are also known as ______ specifications
1. Solve the schedule and identify the critical path. ▶Ignore critical activities as they don't have any float. 2. Calculate Free Float for all activities with float ▶FF = (lowest) ES of following (succeeding) activities - EF of the current activity 3. Identify 'sandwiched' activities (i.e. pred/succ. both critical activities). ▶Shared float = zero ▶FF = ES (succ) - EF IF = TF - SF of the current activity
Dr. Torres' Float Identification Method
4. Identify 'path/string float activities' or Shared Float ▶All of these activities will share the float that the first activity in the string has to offer. ‣I.E. the first activity's SF = TF; FF = ES (succ.) - EF; IF = TF-SF ▶Middle activities ‣Same SF as the first string float activity, but be careful if there's two branching middle activities, you may need to consider each one as a float path. ‣Middle activity gets FF = ES (succ.) - EF; IF =TF-SF; ‣If there is no middle activity, then jump to end activity ▶End activity of string float ‣Same SF as the previous string float activity ‣FF = ES (succ.) - EF ‣IF = TF-SF
Dr. Torres' Float Identification Method 2
Time required to complete each activity
Duration:
The next full day.
Durations typically are rounded up
Design work is launched into the construction arena
During the bidding period:
1.Investigations of local conditions 2.Construction practices 3.Labor markets 4.Site with its surrounding conditions
During the design period, a series of tasks falls outside the design activities themselves including:
▶A duration ‣Hours ‣Days ‣Weeks ▶A connection by a network diagram
Each activity gives this information:
Completion of the activity prior to original completion date
Early Finish:
The earliest an activity can start if all proceeding activities are completed
Early Start:
Developed from the detailed thinking required of the network logic diagram. Each of these different types of reports has its benefits, and is designed specifically for the person receiving it.
Efficient managers realize the potential for bar charts and tabular reports
As the network logic diagram is created, there is no need for redundant arrows.
Eliminate Redundant Arrows
The owner must develop the amount of money that can be spent on a project
Estimating:
Through the network where all the activities are critical ▶This is called the critical path ▶This path demands close management attention
Every project will have at least one path
1.Access to the site 2.Amount of laydown are available 3.Railroad locations 4.Utility availability 5.Routes into the site
Factors that effect how design team formulate the documents are:
▶The owner ▶Professional consultants ▶Financial advisor
Feasibility studies are often done with:
With 2 day lag, activity A finishes and then 2 days later activity B finishes.
Finish-to-Finish Relationships
A general rule is that if the later activity has a longer duration than the earlier activity, use a start-to-start lag. if the later activity has a shorter duration than the earlier activity, use a finish-to-finish lag.
Finish-to-Finish Relationships Rule
When it seems logical to use either a start-to-start or a finish-to-finish lag, consider using both.
Finish-to-Finish Relationships Rule 3
Large construction projects.
Finish-to-finish is a common relationship in
Check the paths or strings of activities that have large amounts of float and see if that is really the case. Do those activities actually need to be completed prior to the start of other activities? When a path or string of activities share float, it is not a bad idea to increase their activity duration in order to share that shared float.
Float Paths
Forces the management team to think through the project in detail and then the diagram communicates that thinking and planning to all involved in the project - provided they have been taught to read and understand the logic diagram
Forces the management team to think through the project in detail and then the diagram communicates that thinking and planning to all involved in the project - provided they have been taught to read and understand the logic diagram
Free float is the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the early start of activities following it. Free float is the amount of time an activity can be delayed without taking away float from later activities. Free float of an activity is determined by subtracting its earliest finish time from the earliest of the early start times of the activities that directly follow.
Free Float
From a management point of view, it is difficult to see any real advantage to free float. Free float tells the manager only if that activity uses it; no later activities will be affected. However, free float could be shared with prior activities and if the prior activities use it, it will not be available for the last activity. Therefore, it is crucial to not give away free float or commit free float too early in the job.
Free Float
The lowest bid, without considering the duration.
Generally, subs are selected by:
How do we overcome the CPM scheduling problem?
How do we overcome the CPM scheduling problem?
▶Procure Materials ▶Formwork ▶Place Reinforcement Steel ▶Pour Concrete ▶Deliver to Site ▶Place Beam in Bridge
Identify Activities
The bid time might be extended
If an addendum comes late in the bidding period:
▶The contractor must pay a percentage of the bid cost as stipulated in the bid documents ‣Usually 5-10% of the bid itself ▶The owner will be will be compensated for the time it costs to get another bid
If bids are withdrawn:
▶A construction professional might supply services to either the architect or the owner
If feasibility study evaluates different design solutions:
The overhead costs of supervision and other overhead increase
If the activity duration is much longer than a typical duration
The costs go up because of a crowded work space or fatigue
If the activity duration is much shorter than a typical duration
▶The bonding company becomes liable for it
If the contractor goes bankrupt or other wise cannot complete the work:
The owner can ▶Opt to increase the amount of money committed to the project ▶Can direct the team to redesign until it meets the budget
If the project is not staying within the budget:
a zero lag
If there is no number on the arrow, the assumption is
Change the logic diagram (arrows) to eliminate the unsafe working conditions.
If unsafe conditions are noticed:
Comprehensive
If you're on a field trip (as a student) to a commercial project and you get injured. What form of insurance will cover you?
▶Displayed as bars ▶The beginning and end of each bar connected to its predecessors and successors
In Primavera and Microsoft Project activities are:
1.Description of the project, schedule, and cost as understood from the RFP ● 2.Comments on the sample contract provided with the RFP ● 3.Description of services offered ● 4.Identification of how fee would be configured ● 5.Project participants with resumes ● 6.Description of company safety plan ● 7.Description of the range of company's services beyond the RFP ● 8.Management plan
In the response to the RFP, construction professional should expect to include some of the following:
Independent float is float that belongs to one activity and that activity alone. It is not shared with any other activities, earlier or later. Independent float is float a management team could use because it has no effect on other activities.
Independent Float
Three insurances are obligated by contract and law for the life of the project ▶Workers' compensation ‣A state law that compensates employees who are injured on the job ▶Comprehensive liability ‣Protects the contractor against third-party claims ▶Builders risk ‣Protects against property damage during construction ‣ It is in the best interest to seek advice of an insurance agent
Insurance
▶A formal presentation ▶Informal dialogue with questions and answers
Interviews are set up in two ways:
Type of the project ▶Different types of projects attract different contractors The size of the project ▶Small contractors can only handle a certain workload ▶Large contractors might find it unprofitable to bid on small projects ▶ The location of the project ▶Many contractors are local or regional in their ability to staff a job ▶If the staff must travel any distance, there will be an additional costs Legal Requirements ▶Several items might be addressed here ▶The owner may want to describe the circumstances under which the bid would be disqualified or explain under what circumstances the contractor could withdraw a bid
Invitation to Bid
Start and completion dates ▶Contractors use these dates to gauge whether or not the applicable staff is available for the duration ▶Could affect their price if they have to get labor from a distance ▶ Bonds ▶If these are required, the owner needs to let the contractor know ▶Some will elect not to bid with this requirement ▶ Document location ▶Bid documents can usually be picked up at the architect's or construction manager's office ▶There may be a centrally located plan room as well ▶ Bid due date ▶Helps the contractor staff the bid correctly so that all prices can be gathered in the allotted time
Invitation to Bid (continued even more)
Type of the project ▶Different types of projects attract different contractors The size of the project ▶Small contractors can only handle a certain workload ▶Large contractors might find it unprofitable to bid on small projects ▶ The location of the project ▶Many contractors are local or regional in their ability to staff a job ▶If the staff must travel any distance, there will be an additional costs Legal Requirements ▶Several items might be addressed here ▶The owner may want to describe the circumstances under which the bid would be disqualified or explain under what circumstances the contractor could withdraw a bid ▶
Invitation to Bid (continued)
How long it will take to do the assigned work.
It is common to simply ask the subcontractor
▶Type of job ▶Size ▶Proposed delivery method
It is important to match the construction management firm with:
A realistic cost
It is important to select a duration that represents:
▶The job is complex ▶A long term project
It is sensible to require a bond when:
A person with high experience level considers all kinds of difficult-to-quantify information to make that duration decision.
It may be the most accurate duration estimation
True
It's important to thoroughly familiarize yourself before beginning a schedule
Allow you to overlap activities
Lags
Develop, maintain, and update the schedule, and allow for more flexibility in the field.
Lags also reduce the time required to:
The number of activities needed in a schedule.
Lags can significantly reduce:
To eliminate communication problems.
Lags may not show the level of detail needed:
Completion of the activity later than the original completion date
Late Finish:
The latest an activity can start w/o interfering with the following activity
Late Start:
▶All the delays and indirect costs that usually results when a contractor mulls out in the middle of the job
Liability is only for the cost of the contract and does not cover:
Can be used in new construction or renovation ▶Renovation projects the owner must ‣Determine if the building should be torn down or retained ‣How extensive the renovations need to be
Life Cycle Costing:
Identification as early as possible ▶The designer must accelerate this portion of the design ▶Isolate the bid package to separate it from the rest of the work ▶The earlier the designer knows about the item, the easier it will be to adjust the team to accommodate
Long Lead Item Procurement requires:
During the scheduling exercise, items are identified that have to be bought early to arrive on time ▶Often these are large items or systems ‣Air handler units ‣Steel assemblies ‣Curtain wall systems
Long Lead Item Procurement:
The working conditions are safe and that all activities will be done in the proper sequence to maintain high-quality standards and keep costs at a minimum.
Managers must also review the activities and logic relationship to ensure that:
Are the project milestones about where you would expect them? Think of the project in big chunks. For example, on a commercial building project think of the following: Is the project duration about right to get from the excavation to the completed foundation?
Milestones
▶Projects are becoming more complex ▶Need for early completion
More construction professionals are being brought into the design process because:
By hand rather than on a computer
Most experienced schedulers prefer to create the logic diagram:
▶Strong economic market ‣Contractors are more able to choose which projects to bid ▶Slower economic market ‣Contractor may have to bid on less desirable work
Motivation to bid varies depending on:
Negative float is obtained by having a fixed project start date and a fixed project finish date, where the finish date is set at a time earlier than would be calculated by the forward pass. Negative float means the project is already that many days behind schedule. A manager typically does not want to see negative float on the project.
Negative Float
▶Activity on arrow (AOA) notation ‣The work or activity is shown on the arrows ‣ ▶Activity on node (AON) notation ‣In precedence notation, work occurs on the nodes, which are connected by arrows
Network schedules can take two forms:
A graphical representation of the activities, ▶Typically a rectangle or triangle shape, ▶Could also include the duration, start and finish dates
Nodes:
Float
On a node,what information is found in the bottom middle cell?
Early Finish
On a node,what information is found in the top right hand corner?
True
On a typical AON notation, the Late Start is found in the bottom left hand corner of the node?
▶Any changes can be extremely costly both in time and in actual cost
Once the project is in the construction phase:
To confirm that Required Completion Date can be met given the desired scope of work ▶If not the owner can ‣Pay a premium for accelerating the schedule ‣Back off on the desired scope of the project Complete the building in phases
One of the first activities for the construction manager is:
▶Speaking with people who have worked with them in the past ‣Specifically with the project members ▶Visiting sights of the past work ▶Speak to the firm about the industry ‣Shows how knowledgeable they are and how forward-thinking they are
Opportunities to find information about the construction management firm:
Used for initial project planning Based upon historic data ▶ cost per bed ▶ cost per room ▶ Within + or - 20% accuracy
Order of Magnitude Estimate
Is there any way you can reorganize the schedule to simplify it or make it communicate better?
Organize to Simplify
▶Has experience that is broad-based enough for the type of project ▶The scope of preconstruction work fits the talents of the firm
Owner should discover whether the firm
Painting the stripes on the highway can't be finished until a few days after the pavement is finished.
Painting the stripes on the highway can't be finished until a few days after the pavement is finished.
Also called labor and material bonds Assure that the contractor will pay all bills ▶Leaving the owner unharmed by claims and liens
Payment Bonds
Guarantee that a contractor will perform the contract in accordance with the terms of the agreement
Performance Bonds:
Lay out the expected results of the work and leave the methods to the contractor ▶Give an incentive to the contractor to devise innovative approaches to the work Performance can be expressed in a number of ways a)Operational capacity b)Functional qualities c)Appearance d)Finish e)Color f)Texture g)Structural tolerances h)Mechanical parameters
Performance specifications
Is it physically possible to construct the project in the manner shown by the relationship arrows? To check this out, (1) Does this activity really need to be done before each of the following activities can start? (2) What other activities should take place before this activity can start?
Physical Relationships
Has the schedule included the key items of procurement? Double-check, especially the items that have a long lead time. Should they be included as part of the schedule?
Procurement
Critical and must be monitored closely ▶If any activities are delayed, the project is delayed
Projects that do not have float are defined as:
Make sure the logic diagram shows the activities in the proper sequence of construction in order to maintain high-quality standards
Quality Relationships:
Early criterion established by the owner ▶Sometimes such dates are fixed firmly because of commitments or financing
Required completion date:
Manager must review the activities and logic relationships, focusing on safety and a safe work environment. Look at activities that may have a higher safety risk and examine concurrent activities to make sure no one is working under the high-risk activity.
Safety Relationships
One method would be to simply increase the duration if the activity must be done during adverse weather conditions. Another method of scheduling for inclement weather is to add a weather contingency activity at the end of the schedule with a duration of the number of forecasted nonwork days. An additional method is to input the number of projected weather delays each month into the calendar as nonwork days.
Scheduling for Inclement Weather
Activity Flow:
Sequence of activities from one to the other
Because shared float belongs to the path or string of activities, it is frequently called path or string float.
Shared Float
▶Influence early estimates of the project ▶Alert the design team if special instructions must be included in the documents
Site investigations do this:
▶Soil composition in relation to types of foundations ▶Need for fill, clearing, and grubbing
Site investigations include:
The logic diagram indicates that activity A finishes and then 5 days later activity B can begin
Sometimes, a manager may want to put a lag on the relationship line
The technical specifications are written descriptions of the quality of the project They detail the ▶Materials ▶Equipment ▶Workmanship
Specifications
Proprietary specifications ▶State exactly the product or method to be used ‣Ensures the owner gets a preferred product or method ▶Sometimes they allow for one specific alternate or have an "or equal" clause Open specifications ▶Nonrestrictive and allow many different choices within set criteria ▶A number of different manufactures may be listed, giving contractors great leeway in getting the best price
Specifications - Proprietary and Open
Based upon building use Used when only approximate size and basic parameters are known Within + or - 15% accuracy
Square Foot Estimate
With a 2 day lag, activity A starts and then 2 days later activity B finishes. This is a very uncommon relationship in any type of construction project.
Start-to-Finish Relationships
Indicates that activity A starts and then 2 days later activity B can start. This allows the activities to overlap.
Start-to-Start Relationships
Another way to display the information from the network logic diagram is with tabular reports. Tabular reports are basically just rows and columns of information without any graphic representations, such as bars.
Tabular Reports
The tabular format is the favorite report for many managers because it communicates the project information to the different parties as desired in a simple and easy-to-understand format. It eliminates the problem of misinterpreting information or receiving more information than is needed Are not effective in a proposal for a negotiated contract because they are not flashy or impressive
Tabular Reports format
1.Feasibility studies 2.Site investigations ▶Site visit ▶Local practices 3.Value engineering 4.Design review 5.Estimating 6.Scheduling 7.Long lead item procurement 8.Work packages
Tasks and Responsibilities of the Construction Manager:
The technical information is presented in 2 ways a)Drawings b)Specifications These two different formats (one graphic, and one narrative) do not exist independently
Technical Information
First, obtain the quantity of work to be done from the estimate or quantity survey. Then obtain the productivity rate of the crew. Activity Duration = Quantity / Productivity Rate Typically, it is better to use a company's own productivity rates because productivity may change in different parts of the country and under different weather conditions.
Textbook approach to determining durations
The End of the Work day, the line between day 1 and day 2 represents the end of the day for day 1
The Lines on a Network Diagram Calendar Represent
Much greater at the beginning of the project ▶When the amount of money spent is low
The ability to influence the course of a design is:
Is not only that the bar chart is simpler to understand but also that it can be designed specifically for the person receiving it. Most importantly, the bar chart is based on the detailed thinking required for the development of the network logic diagram
The advantage of using a bar chart created from a network:
1.People feel they have just attended the first project meeting 2.Discussion focuses on the project 3.Dialogue flows freely among all members of the team
The best interviews are those in which:
▶Activity interrelationships ▶Durations ▶Considers available resources ▶Assumes how the project will be pursued
The completed network schedule defines:
Mechanical
The cost breakdown of a project shows that _____ in a project yields the highest cost?
The critical path should not be a surprise. Don't overlook your common sense and construction experience.
The critical path should not be a surprise. Don't overlook your common sense and construction experience.
1.Cost 2.Schedule 3.Constructability
The design period requires ongoing checks on:
In the center box of the top row of the node
The duration is entered:
Is typically the duration that meets or exceeds quality standards, provides for a safe work environment, is within budget, and gets the project done on time.
The duration of the activity
Is from the people who will be doing the work
The easiest way to get durations
Implies that activity A must finish before activity B can start.
The finish-to-start relationship with zero lag
activity A must finish before activity B can start.
The finish-to-start relationship with zero lag implies that
Forward Pass ▶Determines the early starts and finishes for each activity and the project duration ▶Conducted by adding activity durations along the different paths ‣Beginning and at the start node and ending at the finish node
The first step in the calculation stage is the:
The first node assigned at time "0" (End of Day 0) ▶The duration of each successive activity is added to this time
The forward pass begins with:
▶Give the owner several alternatives that meet the client's needs ▶Discover which alternative will cost the least over the life of the building
The goal in life cycle costing is:
Communicating it to the subcontractors and workers and anyone else involved in the project.
The management team must review and analyze the schedule before:
Estimators about problem areas relating to the project that the estimators may have seen as they prepared the bid
The management team should talk with:
Early in the design process ▶Help is received from the construction professional
The method of assembling the bidding documents is normally determined:
One developed by the Construction Specification Institute (CSI) ▶Trade association made up of constructors, designers, manufacturers, and specifies ▶Primary focus is the commercial and institutional building markets ▶ CSI was formed to ▶Create standards ▶A format to improve communication among parties
The most widely used format for specification is:
Is to force detailed thinking and then communicate the schedule with all team members.
The overall goal in plan, organize, direct, and control (PODC):
1.Research into any specifics about the project will add strength to the proposal 2.Responding exactly to that request of what the owner asks for will help 3.Many firms include information not requested to try to look better ‣This typically does not win points with the owner
The owner examines the responses from prospective candidates(RFP)
As the performance bond from the same company ▶Will cover the cost of unpaid bills in a default situation
The payment bond is usually purchased at the same time:
▶One prime contractor ▶Sometimes it is broken into smaller bid packages
The project is bid out to:
▶Evaluate the market ▶Identify the lending rates ▶Find the owner's financial fit
The purpose of feasibility study is to:
▶What is the project's duration? ▶What are the start and finish dates for the project activities? ▶Can a project activity be delayed? If so, how long?
The scheduling calculations are performed to answer the following questions:
▶In house ▶Consultant whose primary business is specification writing ▶Engineers usually write the engineering sections The designer provides directions and overall coordination
The specs may be written:
▶The drawings show the location in the system ▶The specs call out the acceptable manufacturers, operational and maintenance criteria, requirements for submittals, warranties, and spare parts
The technical information should be used as a unit:
1.Design specifications ● 2.Performance specifications ● 3.Proprietary specifications ● 4.Open specifications
The types of specifications include:
can significantly reduce the number of activities in a schedule. It may be logical for one activity to start and then a few days later the successor activity could start, without waiting for the predecessor to be completely finished.
The use of lags
(1) finish-to-start (FS); (2) start-to-start (SS); (3) finish-to-finish (FF); (4) start-to-finish (SF).
There are four types of logic relationships using lags:
(1) decrease the duration by using more equipment or people; (2) schedule to work on weekends, overtime, or multiple shifts; (3) change the logic to have two or more critical activities work concurrently
There are three things that can be done to accelerate the activities on the critical path:
A.Activity on Arrow (AOA) B.Activity on Node (AON)
There are two notations for CPM schedules
independent float.
There is only one type of float that cannot be given away
Between the bid opening and the signing of the agreement ▶Clears the way for straightforward negotiations between the owner and the contractor concerning the terms of the agreement ▶If changes are needed, they will be treated as changes to the contract after the initial negotiations are complete
There should be no changes to the work:
Is done with the use of lags. It is also possible to use lags to show a period of time between activities, rather than an overlap.
This overlapping of activities
Double-check the activities that must be done during a particular time of year. Will it be too cold or too hot for the seasonal activities? Is special weather protection needed during part of the construction process?
Time of Year
Total float is the difference in the early start and the late start days or the difference in the early finish and late finish days. A manager who is inexperienced with CPM may give the schedule to a typical subcontractor or vendor who thinks their activity has float that belongs to that activity alone. However, when the float is used, it is realized that it takes float from several other activities as well.
Total Float
Contingency time allotted to compensate for unforeseen delays ▶Total Float = Late Finish - Early Finish ▶Total Float = Late Start - Early Start
Total Float:
Lengthening the critical path or the duration of the project.
Try to eliminate conflicts without:
Requires working drawings and specifications Can be done at various stages of drawings and specifications Within + or - 5% accuracy
Unit Price Estimate
Is a process that considers cost in the context of other factors 1.Life-cycle costs 2.Quality 3.Durability 4.Maintainability 5."better bang for the buck"
Value Engineering
Confused ▶Has given value engineering a bad name among designers
Value engineering and cost reduction are often________________
(1) finish-to-start (FS); (2) start-to-start (SS); (3) finish-to-finish (FF); (4) start-to-finish (SF).
What are the four types of logic relationships using lags:
Select the activity that is less critical to become the successor.
When changing the logic:
FALSE Value=Function/Cost
When doing value engineering the equation for value=availability/cost?
They usually leaves unpaid bills ▶The owner does not want to be left responsible particularly for bills for materials, labor, and equipment that the defaulting contractor has already invoiced and been paid for
When the contractor goes bankrupt:
Bid Bond
Which bond guarantees that the contractor will enter into a contract with the owner for the price of the bid?
This is a systematic means of defining the activities so that each activity can be readily identified by its WBS number
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS):
A.Project delivery method chosen B.Completion date identified C.Local practices understood and identified
Work Package Activities
Are a breakdown of how the work will be accomplished as it relates to ▶Availability of labor ▶Availability of materials
Work Packages:
▶The project delivery method is chosen ▶The desired scheduled completion date identified and confirmed ▶Local practices regarding how work is accomplished understood
Work packages are assembled when:
This insurance covers disability and medical treatments for injuries resulting from accidents that occur during employment Individuals states set the rules for this coverage However, they have the same basic provisions in common ▶Covering medical expenses ▶Hospitalization ▶Disability
Workers' Compensation:
23 days or 536/24
You're a door subcontractor and you have a large project with 536 doors. Your crew can install 24 doors/day. How many days will it take to install all of the doors?
There is no number on the arrow
Zero lag
Titles, Legends- gives the name of the project and major consultants Demolition Drawings- prepared by architect Site Drawings, Topographic Survey, Soil borings data, Site demolition, Civil, Landscape - These show the location of the project, the property lines, survey information Architectural drawings - the basis for all the other drawings on the job Structural Drawings - These drawings are prepared by the structural engineer. They include all the work necessary to support the structure Plumbing - prepared by plumbing engineer, they show the piping needed for sprinkler system as well as a fire pump HVAC - prepared by mechanical engineer. They include the heating ventilating and air conditioning system for the building Electrical - prepared by the electrical engineer, they include the power and lighting for the project, but can also include telecommunication systems, security, and audiovisual support systems.
drawings
the number of activities to deal with while using or updating the schedule
lags reduce
▶Gives the owner a way out if the makeup of the team is not effective ▶Still has the choice of pitting the project out for a hard lump sum bid
preconstruction proposal
The preconstruction proposals that the owner puts together will come to the prospective construction managers in the form of this
request for proposal (RFP)
logic diagram is developed, durations are assigned, start and finish date calculations are done.
the network logic diagram order:
