ch. 10 Flashcards
Project Management and Administration
Project Manager
The project manager is responsible for the overall completion of the construction project and fulfills the project objectives. In this capacity, he acts as a link between the fieldwork and office functions and coordinates all project related matters. He serves as a liaison between the owner and contractor, owner and owner representatives, owner representatives and contractor, and contractor and architect-engineer.
Duties:
include attending meetings, planning, organizing, scheduling, controlling fieldwork, and facilitating and coordinating the project superintendents.
Project Superintendent
works under the project manager and manages the day-to-day project field operations on a construction site. This individual supervises the trade workers, coordinates the subcontractors, checks daily production, and keeps the work on schedule.
Duties:
such as maintaining job records and training employees and the foreman. The project superintendent completes documentation, files reports, receives and stores materials, and schedules and maintains the equipment used in a project.
Field Engineer
(or assistant superintendent or project engineer) is usually tasked with the layout for the work the prime contractor or subcontractor performs on a project
Duties:
establishes benchmarks and reference lines, lays out the locations of individual items (drilled piers and columns, etc) and assemblies (walls and ramps, etc.), and establishes and monitors the structural components’ horizontal and vertical controls.
Shop Drawings
working drawings and specifications that augment the contract design. Items the general contractor fabricates and the equipment used for the project by the ar
Total Quality Management (TQM)
uses customer satisfaction to achieve long-term success by organizational participation to improve the work culture, services, processes, and products.
top management commitment to quality,
company-wide dedication to continuous improvement, customer focus, a team structure with company.
Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR)
an alternative method to the traditional judicial process, involves procedures that facilitate a private settlement or resolution without litigation. Arbitration Mediation Mini-trials Dispute Review Boards Settlement Conferences
Arbitration
process in which an impartial individual(s) makes the final and binding decision regarding a dispute between one or more parties.
Most construction arbitration is conducted American Arbitration Association (AAA).
Arbitration cuts down the time and money that would be spent in court. It does not require a contract clause, but construction contracts often contain broad-form arbitration provisions. These provisions cover all claims, disputes, and contract or contract breach issues. Although this method has become acceptable for resolving government related commercial disputes, it is not used situation where the federal government is involved.
Mediation
process where the parties involved in a dispute mutually decide on an impartial third party to assist in reaching a resolution.
occurs during the early stages of a dispute and is less formal than arbitration. The mediator cannot force a decision or a settlement.
Often the construction contract will stipulate that the parties with a dispute must attempt to resolve the problem using mediation prior to attempting another type of dispute resolution method. The current language used in the contract is in the AIA document A201, “General Conditions of the Contract for Construction.”
Mini-trials
a proceeding presided over by a referee or judge (individual mutually selected by both sides) where each party may use witnesses or oral presentations to present its case.
After the disputes are shared, the judge presents his findings and attempts to reach a settlement. In the event this process does not work, another method of dispute resolution is used.
Dispute review boards (DRBs)
are comprised of three impartial members who develop resolution recommendations at an early stage of a dispute.
Before starting work on a project, DRB is assembled and serves an active role in project administration. The contractor, with the approval of the owner, selects one DRB member. The owner chooses another member with the approval of the contractor. Then, these board members choose a third individual.
Settlement Conferences
the two parties meet to discuss the dispute.
The goal is to reach an agreement without litigation.
Project Partnering Process
involves two or more parties in a construction team working cooperatively to achieve a common goal where each member takes responsibility for his actions.
This process involves minimum dispute and mutual benefits when the individuals involved can prioritize the project, cooperate, and keep an open line of communication.
Lean Construction
is a project-based production process that reduces waste, promotes customer satisfaction, focuses activities of value, and endeavors to execute and produce a perfected construction project.
methods:
uses lean practices such as pull planning, just-in-time delivery, percent plan complete (PPC), Toyota Way, Six Sigma, and the last-planner process.
Expediting Process
involves sending a series of actions or reminders to constantly remind materials suppliers that timely delivery is important.
task:
an individual as a task or full-time job, or if the project is sizable, it may be contracted out to an expediting service, flow of work
owner project representative
full time representative of the owner is frequently included as part of the project team.
duties:
to protect and ensure the contractual rights of the owner during the construction process.
