Programming & Planning

Question 1

How do you track progress against a programme?

Answer 1

Regular dropline updates are completed to show which activities are on programme and which are behind.

Review works completed on site.

Milestone dates aligned to the RIBA Stages

Question 2

What is the critical path?

Answer 2

The critical path is essentially the route which represents the key items that must be completed on a project. The reduction of the total execution timeframe will only be possible if the activities on this path can be shortened, since the time necessary to execute non-critical activities does not affect the project’s total duration.

An example of a critical path activity would be:
- procurement of FCUs / long lead items
- Joinery
- Lift works

Question 3

What is float in a programme? And how is this calculated?

Answer 3

Float is a period allowed within a programme or allocated to a specific activity that will allow a period of delay without impacting the overall project completion date.

Float is calculated against the critical path and specific tasks depending on the start and finish dates required.

Question 4

How do you forecast a programme?

Answer 4

I will consider:
- complexity of the works
- size & scope
- potential risks
- choice of procurement
- align to the RIBA stages
- market influence
- existing building information
- planning & licences

Also understand each task, then any dependencies and milestones to work out a logical sequence of events.

Question 5

Why do you reference the RIBA plan of works in your programmes?

Answer 5

It is an industry recognised process that allows for clear milestone dates to be agreed. It also allows deliverables at each stage to be better understood.

Question 6

(L2) How did you assess your programme and works were 4wks behind the programme?

Answer 6

The contractor presented the delay within the project progress meeting with the dropline programme. Works could have also been reviewed on site against the advised percentage complete.

Question 7

What stage was the project at when this potential 4wk delay was presented?

Answer 7

The total programme was 14 months and the delay was noted in week 6 on site.

Question 8

What specific items were noted to be behind and why so early on? Surely this was a concern from the team on site not managing their trades?

Answer 8

The main item referenced was the M&E soft strip out and the finalisation to the steel design due to additional fire protection.

M&E soft strip - Soft strip demolition preserves the structure of a building by only removing specific elements and fixtures externally or internally. This did not impact the critical path due to the lead time of new M&E equipment.

The site team were closely monitored and requested any further delays be immediately flagged and not only raised in formal meetings to allow the entire team to assist where possible

Question 9

What activities were on the critical path

Answer 9

An example of a critical path activity would be:
- procurement of FCUs / long lead items
- Joinery
- Lift works
- commissioning

Question 10

What do you mean re-sequencing the programme? Were there any risks associated with this?

Answer 10

Resequencing is a process of altering the construction programme without impacting the overall PC date.

The risks associated would be:
- the logical sequence is disrupted
- Pushing activities back might cause additional pressure at milestone
- Cannot be done regularly and could ultimately could impact overall progress

Question 11

Could measures have been implemented to make back the programme and not resequencing?

Answer 11

This would be at the discretion of the main contractor, more labour could have been brought to site.

Question 12

What are the risks of accelerating? Would this be a cost to the client?

Answer 12

Acceleration could lead to a lack of quality due to the number of operatives on site. It is also a very expensive process that will not guarantee a quicker programme.

The cost would be dependant on the reason for acceleration and if this was instructed or an action undertaken by the contractor to meet PC.

Question 13

(L3) What activities did you show in your programme recommending a competitive tender?

Answer 13

A high level programme showing the:
- briefing stage
- design period
- tender
- contract execution
- start on site
-PC

Question 14

Is a programme a contractual document?

Answer 14

A programme is a tender document but not a contract document. The PC date will be noted in the contract.

Question 15

How does a programme differ between a negotiated / D&B / Traditional contract?

Question 16

What are the different types of float?

Answer 16

The concept of float is used to describe the amount of time that an event or activity can be delayed without delaying the overall completion of the works. Float is calculated by subtracting the time necessary to perform a task from the time available to perform it.

Free float is the amount of time that a task can be delayed without impacting the subsequent task.

Total float is the amount of time a task or a project can be delayed without impacting the overall project completion time.

Question 17

What is concurrent delay?

Answer 17

Where there is multiple events causing a delay. Each event must be reviewed individually to understand the cause and if this entitles the contractor to an extension of time.