3 - Programming and Planning Flashcards
What is the difference between Total and Free Float?
- Total float is the amount of time an activity can be delayed before affecting the end date
- Free float is the amount of time an activity can be delayed before affected a subsequent activity
What is the Critical Path?
- A technique defining the sequence of activities determining overall programme duration. The shortest possible route from the programme start to finish.
- There is no float on the CP
Explain Earned Value
Earned Value looks at the value earned by the project by a point in time. Two key metrics are the Schedule Performance Index and the Cost Performance Index (SPI and CPI)
Explain the SPI calculation
- Earned Value divided by Planned Value e.g.
100m wall, £1,000 per metre, 100 days duration. At day 10 there is 20m of wall complete.
20 divided by 10 = 2.
Greater than 1.0 is good, less is bad.
Can then apply this factor to the end date to get a forecast completion date.
Explain the CPI calculation
- Earned Value divided by Actual Cost e.g.
100m wall, £1,000 per metre, 100 days duration. At day 10 there is 5m of wall complete, but it’s cost £10,000:
5000 divided by 10,000 = 0.5
Greater than 1.0 is good, less is bad
Divided the total cost by 0.5 to get EAC.
What kinds of Delay analysis are you aware of?
Split in to two key camps: proactive and retrospective.
- Time impact analysis - do it as you go. Drop in the change.
- Time Slice Window - Retrospectively split your programme in to time windows and drop in the impact sequentially. Effectively a retrospective NEC approach.
- Collapsed As Built - Take the as-built and subtract the delay out of it
All require good records and programme data..
How do you create a programme?
- Scope of programme
- WBS
- Plug in constraints
- Fill in what I know
- Consult wider team
- Add risk and opportunity
- Run analysis of scenarios
- Identify the CP
- Identify assumptions
How can you show progress on a programme?
- Drop line
- % Complete metrics
- Jagged drop line
What is time at large?
When there is no completion date or where completion date has become invalid following there being no clause covering the relevant event.
Removes obligation to pay LADs.
What are some alternatives to a Gantt Chart?
- Network Diagrams
- WBS
- Kanban board/task list
- Sprint cycles
What is the difference between resource levelling and resource smoothing?
Both are used to avoid peaks and troughs, but:
Levelling = when resources are constrained, what is the programme going to be?
Smoothing = when time is constrained, can resources be smoothed out to achieve the end date? I.e. delay some tasks to get the CP done.
Can you explain a time where the programme was impacted?
Change in use from residential to commercial.
Needed to programme the implications by liaising with consultants.
What is a gantt chart
A chart showing series of horizontal lines detailing the different work activities and their corresponding time periods to complete a particular objective.
Milestone Definition
A significant stage or step in achieving a particular outcome that has zero duration.
On Stapleford I programmed key milestones at the end of each RIBA Stage and the issuing of the Stage reports. Requirement for the funder to review.
What is a jagged drop line programme?
A programme showing progress as a percentage of work completed
What is a straight drop line programme?
A vertical line drawn on the current date to indicate progress.
What is a concurrent delay?
Two or more delays caused by different parties occurring independently of each other but in the same period.
What is acceleration?
Completing the works in a shorter period of time than outlined in the contract.
Can you give some acceleration examples?
Resequencing works
Working longer hours / weekends
Increasing labour / plant
Alternative forms of construction
Changing the design or specification
Reducing scope of the works
What is a S73 Application
Minor Material Amendment - Allows you to remove or vary a planning condition
What is a S278 Application
An agreement with the Council and Highways to make permanent alterations or improvement to the public highway
What are S106 Agreements
Agreements with the council that are connected to the planning conditions
What is a network diagram
- Helps visualise the activities required to complete a task.
- Series of nodes showing earliest start/finish and latest start/finish which creates dependencies between.
What are the types of float?
Terminal Float
Total Float
Free Float
What is the NPPF?
Sets the Gov’s economic, environmental and social planning policies. Apply to the preparation of local and neighbourhood plans and to decisions on planning applications.
What are approved inspectors?
A body of people that inspector and monitor developments
Whata re the four main types of planning permissions
Full application
Householder application
Outline application
Reserved matters - this follows outline
What is project governance?
Set of policies procedures functions and responsibilities that define the establishment management and control of projects
Difference between programme and project planning?
Project - Define dates and key deliverables
Programme - Undertaken on a larger scale and may comprise of several project, strategic vision or end goals
What is the benefit of aligning resource to programme?
Allows activities that are under resourced to be spotted
What is buildability?
How easy something is to physically build
What are MMC’s?
Modern Methods of Construction
- Term to describe new technologies thaty improve speed quality and reliability on site. Bathroom pods, pre-cast concrete / piles etc
What is terminal float?
Difference between planning completion and contract completion.
What is a Section 96a?
A non-material amendment
