construction theory

Question 1

how many processes groups are there within project managing? name them

Answer 1

5. initiating, planning, controlling and monitoring, executing, and closing

Question 2

are there several estimators per project?

Answer 2

yes many companies have estimators that specialize in one area IE electric vs concrete

Question 3

how can computers help during cost estimating?

Answer 3

computers can help by assisting in the number crunching and by using databases to retrieve information for a similar project which can help them with figuring out costs

Question 4

what sequencing is the architect in charge of?

Answer 4

an architect is in charge of the design and creating contract documents

Question 5

what sequencing is the contractor in charge of?

Answer 5

construction

Question 6

what is programming and why do architects need it?

Answer 6

programming is the action of gathering data during a design sequencing phase

Question 7

what phases are in the “owner-architect agreement”

Answer 7

schematic design, design development, construction document, bidding or negotiating, and construction phase

Question 8

what dictates the amount of time allowed for each phase of the owner-architect agreement?

Answer 8

size and complexity of the project, number of staff working on the project, abilities and design methodology of the staff, and type of client

Question 9

what is the trade off in the time-cost trade off?

Answer 9

the shorter a project time is then the higher the costs and vice versa

Question 10

what is a direct cost?

Answer 10

a direct cost is a cost that vary with the level of output

aka direct cost, variable cost, operating costs, prime costs, and on costs

Question 11

whta is an indirect cost?

Answer 11

aka fixed cost

costs that are not directly related to a particular function or product. these costs include taxes, security costs, personnel, and administration

Question 12

what is crash time/critical path?

Answer 12

the shortest time in which an activity can be completed

Question 13

when fast tracking what percentage can be saved in terms of costs?

Answer 13

10%-30%

Question 14

what is resource leveling?

Answer 14

used to address overallocation. tasks can be delayed or tasks can be split so that parts are completed when planned and remainders are completed when resources become available

Question 15

what is EVM?

Answer 15

its earned value management which is a project management technique in where you compare the project value and the earned value

Question 16

why is the EVM different from other budgeting models?

Answer 16

its different because it requires you to calculate the costs in the present rather than at the beginning to track whether you are at your goal or not. also can base its value on hours or dollars

Question 17

what is the BCWS?

Answer 17

BCWS is the budgeted cost of work scheduled and is a spending plan for the project as a function of schedule and performance

Question 18

what is ACWP?

Answer 18

acws is the actual cost of work performed is the actual spending as a function of time or performance.

Question 19

what is BCWP?

Answer 19

the budgeted cost of work performed is the actual earned value based on the technical accomplishment. whatever has been accomplished in the project will earn value

Question 20

what is the CPI?

Answer 20

cost performance index is a cost efficiency factor representing the relationship between the actual cost expended and the earned value

Question 21

what does a CPI value greater than 1 suggest?

Answer 21

it suggests efficiency

Question 22

is competitive bidding forbidden?

Answer 22

no, the supreme court ruled that it restricts trade

Question 23

what are change orders?

Answer 23

change orders are documents that due to unexpected conditions or changes to the plan after bidding are important

Question 24

what are the specs?

Answer 24

specifications on a project specify the materials that must be used on the project

Question 25

what is the noise limit in construction?

Answer 25

90 dBA for an 8 hour shift

Question 26

what is float time?

Answer 26

aka slack time. The maximum amount of time an activity can be delayed without causing a delay in time

Question 27

what is the multiple prime project delivery?

Answer 27

it is to create multiple bid packages for different parts of the project

Question 28

what two elements affect a projects schedule?

Answer 28

design sequencing and construction sequencing

Question 29

what kind of chart is a gant chart?

Answer 29

the gant chart is a bar chart

Question 30

what is known about the activities on a critical path?

Answer 30

the activities on the critical path must be completed on the start days and must not exceed the duration in order to stay on the critical path aka the shortest path

Question 31

what is a float in a critical path model?

Answer 31

a float refers to the amount of time that a project can be delayed without affecting the overall time of the schedule

Question 32

what is the value of float along the critical path method?

Answer 32

zero

Question 33

what is the actual work in the earned value method?

Answer 33

actual work is the work that is projected to occur throughout the project

Question 34

what is the earned value in the earned value method?

Answer 34

the earned value is the budget and the hours that should’ve occurred with regards to the work that was actually completed

Question 35

what does a SPI greater than or equal to 1 suggests?

Answer 35

it suggests that the work is ahead of schedule

Question 36

what is the procurement stage of a project?

Answer 36

this is the part when a project manager plans purchases, acquisitions, and contracts

Question 37

what do construction specifications do?

Answer 37

construction specifications give detail as to the materials and methods

Question 38

what is the equipments cycle time?

Answer 38

the cycle time is the amount of time that passes between the beginning of the action to the beginning of the next repetitive cycle

Question 39

how can one calculate the cycle time?

Answer 39

the first method is to calculate all of the effective working minutes

the second is to multiply the theoretical cycle numbers per hour by an efficiency value

Question 40

what determines how productive an excavation machine is?

Answer 40

the load capacity must be known.