22 - Works Progress and Quality Management Flashcards
Works Progress and Quality Management - Extract from Candidate Guide - Aug 2018 (updated Feb 2022)
How do you check the product is correct as used by the contractor?
- Check the specification
- Reference British Standards
- Check Manufacturers data
- Physically inspect
What do you if the contractor comes to you with an alternative product?
- Check the suggested difference
- Ensure the same standard is reached or improved.
- Consider costings
- Consider guarantee
- Consider suitable application
When you carry out site inspections, what do you include in the inspection report?
- Date
- Time
- Weather
- no operatives on site
- health and safety
- progress
- discussions had on site
- action points
- progress
- Requests for information
What tests on concrete can you carry out on site?
- Slump test
* Rebar cover
How can progress be recorded on a project ?
Base against contract programmed to monitor the progress.
What might be the difference between the duties of a contract administrator and a clerk of works?
- A Clerk of works only responsible for the progress and quality on site. A clerk of works or clerk of the works (CoW) is employed by an architect or a client on a construction site. The role is primarily to represent the interests of the client in regard to ensuring that the quality of both materials and workmanship are in accordance with the design information such as specification and engineering drawings, in addition to recognized quality standards. The role is defined in standard forms of contract such as those published by the Joint Contracts Tribunal. Clerks of works are also the most highly qualified non-commissioned tradesmen in the Royal Engineers. The qualification can be held in three specialisms: electrical, mechanical and construction.
- In the construction industry, the contract administrator is the individual responsible for administering the construction standard contracts. The contract administrator may be the project architect, but could also be the lead consultant, the cost consultant, a specialist consultant, a client representative or employer’s agent, the project manager or an engineer. On a construction management contract, the role of contract administrator might be attributed to the construction manager, and on management contracts the management contractor will perform the role of contract administrator. Contract administrators are appointed by the client, but when certifying or giving an assessment or decision, they should act honestly and reasonably and their decisions are open to challenge via the dispute resolution procedure unless the contract makes their decisions final and conclusive.
Why is it important to record progress?
- To ensure the programmed is evolving and to try and meet the construction programmed.
- Proof that you were monitoring the progress against the project timescale should any disputes arise.
How regularly might site visits be undertaken and why?
- Dependent on complexity and size.
* I normally carry out weekly inspections unless prompted for more.
Did you prepare reports following your site inspections? If you did, explain what was included in these.
Site inspection record details • Date • Time • Weather • no operatives on site • health and safety • progress • discussions had on site • action points • progress • Requests for information
How do you ensure that the project is kept on track?
I chair regular meetings with the site manager and if required, the client. At this meeting, I will discuss the current status of the project to ensure that it is on track both in terms of timing and finance. Before I chair these meetings, I will review the most recent payment certificate as well as the variations that were applied for, I will then make a note of how much work has been carried out based on the programmed of works provided by the contractor. I will then inform the client of the next payment application that is expected as well as what works should be completed by then so that they have an idea of the amount of money they need to make available.
How do you carry out a site inspection?
I will first check all the latest correspondence and make notes on anything I need to pay particular attention to such as for valuation purposes or quality standards etc. I will then confirm who will be on site to show me the progress of work and ensure that I am wearing all the relevant PPE. I will then review the progress of the work according to the specification and make a note of any concerns and raise this with the site manager and client.
Why do you need to record the progress of works?
The purpose of recording progress is to ensure that the project does not fall behind schedule and where it is, the necessary actions can be implemented to pick up any slack or delay. This will also help mitigate disputes between employer and contractor as the communication is kept regular and issues can be quickly addressed.
What quality descriptors are you aware of?
The contract will be appended with the agreed spec. This will include the quality standards in the preambles that the contractor must achieve. This could be the type of paint to be used on a material and the amount of coats required or the render/plaster mixture to apply to the wall and how many coats are required.
What is clerk of works?
Their role is to check the quality and progress of the works carried out on site according to the specification and report this back to the client/CA. They have no authority to administer any contractual changes.
How do you prepare site reports?
I will list out who carried out the inspection, who I met with, the date, time, weather, what I went to see, if there are any issues with what I had seen, if previous issues had been addressed and the agreed date for the next inspection. I then formulate this in an easy to read format that can be tracked using bullet points which can be referenced easily.
How do you determine if something has been done to the correct quality?
I can check that the work has been carried out according to the specification. Certain work can be judged based on experience but on occasion, we use specialists to ensure that the construction has met the standards as designed particularly with sound proofing. The works can be opened up if I believe it has not been done to the required standard although this is a last measure as it can lead to issues with the client in terms of EoT etc.
How do you inform your client that the project is behind schedule?
By reviewing the project programmed, I can identify where the project should be, I will prepare a second programmed to overlay on top of the existing programmed to show where the delay is and what the knock-on effect is to the next stages of work. This helps the client understand how far the work can potentially be pushed back to. This is first done verbally after my site visit so that they are aware and then I detail all my findings in an email as outline what action can be taken to make up the delay in time.
Apart from hitting the completion date, does a contractor have to follow the construction programmed?
No, most standard form contractors do not require a programmed to be followed activity by activity. The obligation is to finish by the completion date and meet the required standards. (The programme is treated different within different contracts)
What can you do if a contractor does not finish on time?
Make a claim for Liquidated damages if an extension of time has not been submitted and or approved.
How long would you need to keep the records of site visits for?
6-12 years depending on how the contract was executed (under hand or deed), 15 years in relation to the limitations act.
What are project milestones?
Key stages of a project that are define in the contract documents.
What is a Gantt chart?
Diagram used to plan and schedule a project. Shows the path tasks must be completed by in order to complete on time.
What contractual status does a contractors programmed have under the major standard forms of construction contract?
- Under JCT, the contractor does not have to follow it as it is not considered contract document.
- In NEC3, it is considered contract data and has to be updated regularly and approved by the PM.
