Programming & Planning

Question 1

How would you set up a project programme in regards to durations, sequencing and programme?

Answer 1

Follow a logical plan - RIBA Stages and previous experience on other projects.

Question 2

What are interdependencies?

Answer 2

The state of being dependent upon one another.

Can refer to lags and leads.

Question 3

Name some programming techniques?

Answer 3

Using gant charts within softwares such a Asta Power Project or Microsoft Project.

Name P6 Planner - awareness.

Question 4

What is a flow diagram?

Answer 4

A flowchart is a type of diagram that represents a workflow or process.

Eg - do you want to take interview?
Yes No Maybe - then goes to next step

Flowchart also used by RICS in regards to Ethics - Ethical Decision Tree

Question 5

Name some different types of programmes/ schedules?

Answer 5

Pie charts
Bar charts
Task lists
Network diagrams

Question 6

What are examples of key milestones and programme objectives?

Answer 6

• Planning Permission
• Building Control/ Regulation
• End of RIBA Stage reports
• Stakeholder consultation
• Handover Phase

Question 7

What is programme float?

Answer 7

Key word - DELAY

The concept of float (or ‘slack’) 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.

Only tasks which are not on the critical path can have float.

Question 8

Types of float?

Answer 8

Total float – available either to the Employer or the Contractor (on a first come first served basis) to mitigate delays caused by compensation events or slow progress, i.e. its is ‘owned’ by the project;

Free float – this is the duration allowed in each activity by the Contractor to account for the risk in not completing that activity in the minimum possible period. It is ‘owned’ by the Contractor and cannot be used to mitigate the effect of a compensation event;

Terminal float – the duration between planned completion and the current contract Completion Date. This is also ‘owned’ by the Contractor and cannot be used to mitigate the effect of a compensation event.

Question 9

What is acceleration?

Answer 9

Acceleration under the NEC Form of Contract.

Acceleration is referred to in Core Clause 36 of the latest edition of the NEC3 Standard Form of Building Contract. Under clause 36.1 the Project Manager may instruct the Contractor to submit an acceleration quotation.

Question 10

What is critical path?

Answer 10

The project path that cannot be delayed, if delayed it will have an effect on the project end date.

Unless you have float within each of the sub activities.

In project management, the “critical path” refers to the longest sequence of dependent or floating tasks that must be completed in order to get the project done on time. … You can identify if a task is on the critical path if, delayed by one day, it can influence the duration of the project.

Question 11

What is PERT?

Answer 11

Project Evaluation and Review Technique.

PERT Analysis. Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) is a method used to examine the tasked that are in a schedule and determine a variation of the Critical Path Method (CPM). It analyzes the time required to complete each task and its associated dependencies to determine the minimum time to complete a project.

Question 12

Lean Programming?

Answer 12

Not got experience but based on experience of LEAN.

Using manufacturing and offsite manufacturing within the programme to create a more efficient process/ timeline eg pre cast piles, prefrabicated walles, modular units.

Question 13

Why do you need financial monitoring?

Answer 13

To understand the cash flow for the project and including the project expenditure.

Project expenditure: Cash flow - forecasted on my projects during the RIBA stages so I can understand how much we need to invoice the client, what works have been carried out and how much we need to pay our supply chain.

Forecast vs statement.

Question 14

What is an as built programme?

Answer 14

An as-built programme is:

‘The record of the history of the construction project in the form of a programme. The as-built programme does not necessarily have any logic links. It can be merely a barchart record of the start and end dates of every activity that actually took place. ‘As constructed programme’ has the same meaning.’

Question 15

What is a Histogram?

Answer 15

A histogram is an approximate representation of the distribution of numerical or categorical data.

Same as a bar chart.

Question 16

What’s is an S Curve?

Answer 16

In project management terms, an s-curve is a mathematical graph that depicts relevant cumulative data for a project—such as cost or man-hours—plotted against time.

The reason it’s called an s-curve is because the shape of the graph typically forms a loose, shallow “S.” (The shape depends on the type of project, though, so other formations are possible.)An s-curve in project management is typically used to track the progress of a project. In today’s fast-paced business climate, ensuring that a project is on schedule and on budget is paramount to its success.

Question 17

What is Earned Value Analysis?

Answer 17

Earned value analysis (EVA), also known as earned value management (EVM), is a technique used to assess project progress by comparing the amount and cost of work that was planned to have been done by a particular stage with the amount that has actually been done and what it has actually cost.

Planned vs Actual

Similar to project expenditure vs statement

Question 18

What is drop line?

Answer 18

The most recognised method of progress reporting is what’s commonly called a ‘drop line’. This is a line drawn down the programme on a chosen report date indicating tasks that either are ahead or behind schedule.

Shows the status of where you drop it within programme, as achieved, late or on schedule.

Question 19

What is a baseline programme?

Answer 19

A baseline is a fixed schedule, which represents the standard that is used to measure the performance of the project.

Clients programme aspiration for project. It is generally what was planned/ forecast.

Question 20

Programme as a contract document?

*

Answer 20

Required under NEC.

Contractor provides a programme.
14 day review time period.

Question 21

Extension of time?

*

Answer 21

Dealt with under compensations events.