Programming And Planning

Question 1

What is PERT?

Answer 1

PERT stands for Programme Evaluation Review & Technique and is a network planning technique.

The programme is created by establishing 3 different estimates for the duration:
1. Most optimistic (shortest time frame)
2. Most pessimistic (longest timeframe)
3. Most likely (an average of the two)

Question 2

What is CPM?

Answer 2

CPM stands for Critical Path Method. Critical path method establishes the longest sequence of activities that must be completed that must be completed for the programme to finish. From this you can calculate the length of the programme and the earliest date you will be able to reach practical completion.

Question 3

What is a project programme?

Answer 3

The project programme is sequence of tasks that must be completed on time to achieve the project completion date.

Question 4

What can be identified from a project programme?

Answer 4

1. Programme start date
2. Programme completion date
3. Activity start date
4. Activity completion date
5. Critical path
6. Amount of float in the programme
7. Tasks that must be completed sequentially.
8. Tasks that must be completed simultaneously.

Question 5

What must a project programme help you do?

Answer 5

1. Plan tasks
2. Monitor progress
3. Monitor resources

Question 6

What are the different types of programme?

Answer 6

1. Contractor’s Master Programme
2. Client Overall Programme
3. Design Team Programme
4. IRS Schedule

Question 7

What is included in a Contractor’s Master Programme?

Answer 7

The contractor’s master programme will schedule and sequence the construction activites.

Question 8

What is included in a Client’s Overall Programme?

Answer 8

The client’s overall programme will show the entire process from project inception, to design, construction and then handover.

Question 9

What is included in a Design Programme?

Answer 9

The design programme will schedule the design from inception through to Stage 4 Technical Design.

Question 10

What is included in an IRS Schedule?

Answer 10

An IRS schedule details information required by specific dates to meet the project programme.

Question 11

What is a Gantt Chart?

Answer 11

A Gantt chart is a programme technique to visualise a project timeline. This is demonstrated by the use of bars which will demonstrate activity start date, completion date and duration. The Gannt chart demonstrates dependant activities or activities that can run simultaneously.

Question 12

What is the critical path?

Answer 12

The critical path is the longest sequence of activities that must be completed to successfully conclude a project. Activities on the critical path are known as critical activities because if they’re delayed, the whole project will be delayed.

Question 13

Can critical path activities have float?

Answer 13

No, critical path activities have no float, as if a critical activity is delayed the whole project is delayed.

Question 14

What is float?

Answer 14

Float is the amount of time an activity can be delayed without it delaying the overall programme.

Question 15

What is lag?

Answer 15

Lag is when there is delay between one activity finishing and the next activity starting, an example would be concrete curing time before the next activity starts.

Question 16

What is a project milestone?

Answer 16

A project milestone is a predetermined task that has zero duration but shows a significant achievement in a project.
Examples:
1. Planning permission
2. RIBA Stage 3 complete
3. Contractor appointed
4. Start on site
5. The building being watertight

Question 17

What is jagged drop line on a programme?

Answer 17

A jagged drop line shows progress against each individual task by inputting a percentage complete against each activity. It details tasks behind, on time and ahead of schedule.

Question 18

What is a straight drop line on a programme?

Answer 18

After progress is entered, the drop line will reschedule tasks from the progress reporting date. This will detail impact on the critical path.

Question 19

How would you put together a programme for a new project?

Answer 19

To complete a programme I would establish the level of detail required before I proceed. I would establish key deliverables and key milestones; planning approval, design at RIBA Stage 3 and contractor appointment. I would then establish project activities and determine the duration. I would then establish relationships between activities and link accordingly. I would identify float and the critical path. I would issue the programme to the team to review and then use the programme to monitor progress.

Question 20

What is concurrent delay?

Answer 20

Concurrent delay is when two or more delays caused by different parties occur independent of each other, but at the same time.

Question 21

What is acceleration?

Answer 21

Acceleration is completing the project in a shorter period or mitigating some form of delay.

Question 22

How can you accelerate a programme?

Answer 22

1. Resequencing activities
2. Working longer hours
3. Increasing the resources
4. Reducing the scope
5. Changing construction methods
6. Changing design or specification

Question 23

What payment schedule provides the most accurate cashflow forecast?

Answer 23

Stage payments - payments made in instalments that do not necessarily reflect progress.

Question 24

What are the different types of float on an NEC programme?

Answer 24

1. Total float
2. Time risk allowance
3. Terminal Float

Question 25

What is the contractual status of the programme for your projects?

Answer 25

As i work under JCT the construction programme has no contractual status apart from identifying the weeks required on site which prelims are priced in accordance with.

Question 26

What is an activity schedule?

Answer 26

An activity schedule, used on NEC contracts, is when a cost is allocated to activities and payment is made once them activities are complete.

Question 27

How does a programme show key milestones?

Answer 27

A key milestone is a bar with no time duration, usually highlighted in another colour and a diamond symbol.

Question 28

Who owns terminal float on your contracts?

Answer 28

• NEC contractor owns terminal float
• Also on a JCT a contractor owns the float as if they have a start and finish date and 2 weeks float that is theirs however there is an argument it is who uses it first. If the design team delay information release by two weeks the float has been used.

Question 29

How do you use a programme to prepare your cash flows?

Answer 29

Use a programme to identify start date, completion date and duration of project. Also identifies subcontract dates which will identify stage and monthly payments. Can also work out staff costs, resource costs, site set up costs etc.

Question 30

What techniques are there to monitor progress?

Answer 30

Jagged drop line
Straight drop line

Question 31

How can you use a programme to identify resource requirements?

Question 32

What are the different types of float?

Answer 32

Total Float - time by which an activity can be delayed without effecting the completion date
Free Float - time by which an activity can be delayed without affecting follow on activities

Question 33

What is a flow diagram?

Answer 33

Construction flowchart is a series of flowchart symbols which connect the detailed steps of construction. It uses graphic symbols to visualise the complicated process step by step through construction.

Question 34

What is a project execution plan?

Answer 34

The project execution plan (PEP) is the governing document that establishes the means to execute, monitor, and control projects. The plan serves as the main communication vehicle to ensure that everyone is aware and knowledgeable of project objectives and how they will be accomplished.

Question 35

What is a project handbook?

Question 36

What roles does a PM have during commissioning and handover?

Question 37

What are close out reports?