Programming & Planning Theory

Question 1

RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Plan of Work 2013 has outlined a system for planning / managing the stages of a construction project through its life cycle. List and briefly describe each of the stages.

Answer 1

Stage 0 - Strategic Definition - Identify Business Case & Strategic Brief
Stage 1. Preparation & Brief - Develop all Project Objectives, Feasibility Study, Handover Strategy & Risk Assessments
Stage 2. Concept Design - Concept Design & Preliminary Cost Info. Prepare Strategies incl. Sustainability, O&M, Handover & Construction.
Stage 3. Developed Design - Detailed development of Stage 2
Stage 4. Technical Design - Develop Technical strategies concerning architectural, structural & building services
Stage 5. Construction - Off-site Manufacturing & On-Site construction
Stage 6. Handover & Close Out - Handover of Building & Conclusion of Building Contract
Stage 7. In Use - Conclude Handover Strategy & Issue any Post-Occupancy items.

*Each Stage must be complete before the stakeholders can move onto the next stage.

Question 2

Bar charts are one of the most common ways of presenting a construction programme. Describe the logical steps of developing a bar chart for a construction programme.

Answer 2

1. Identify the work and set an objective
2. Deciding the detail required for the WBS
3. Break work into individual activities
4. Developing alternative planning strategies
5. Selecting the preferred planning strategy
6. Review preferred planning strategy on a bar chart
7. Commit to Bar Chart Schedule
8. Monitor Progress Regularly

Question 3

There are many different types of plans and schedules used in the construction industry with varying levels of detail.
List and describe common plans and schedules used in construction and refer to the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Answer 3

1. Time Schedule - This schedule assumes that all activities will be given all the resources that it needs. this is unrealistic.
2. Resource Schedule - When resources are limited, then the remaining resources drive the scheduling task.
3. Target Schedule - Includes Target Dates, which when added to a resource schedule result in the creation of a target schedule.
4. Bar Chart, Flow Chart and Line Of Balance

Question 4

The planning process of the construction client and the construction contractor are
very different. List the different Actions that may be carried out by the client and
contractor during each stage of their involvement in the construction process.

Answer 4

Stages
Client 1 - Design Stage - Business Case, Assemble Project Team, Check Tenders, Sign Contract
Client 2 - During Construction Stage - Bonds & Insurances, Payments, Monitor Progress
Contractor 1 - Pre Tender Stage - Review Tender Options, Create Estimate, Tender Risk Assessment, Pre Qual
Contractor 2 - Pre Contract - Secure Procurement, Programme,
Contractor 3 - Contract Planning - Progress reporting, Cost Value Reconciliation

Question 5

Name the 8 stages of the RIAI Plan of Work

Answer 5

SPC, DTC, HI
0. Strategic Definition
1. Preparation & Brief
2. Concept Design
3. Developed Design
4. Technical Design
5. Construction
6. Handover
7. In-use

Question 6

What Anagram lists the RIAI Plan of Work

Answer 6

S, P, C, D, T, C, H, I

Question 7

What is Stage 0 of the RIAI Plan of Work?

Answer 7

Stage 0 - S = STRATEGIC DEFINITION - Identify Client’s Business Case, Strategic Brief and any other project requirements

Question 8

What is Stage 2 of the RIAI Plan of Work?

Answer 8

Stage 2 - C = CONCEPT DESIGN - Concept Design & Preliminary Cost Info

Create Strategies for:
Sustainability
Operational & Maintenance
Handover
Risk Assessments
Identify any research & Development aspects
Consider Off-Site Fabrication

Question 9

What is Stage 3 of the RIAI Plan of Work?

Answer 9

Stage 3 - D = DEVELOPED DESIGN - Prepare Developed Design, Cost Information, & Project Strategies

Review, Develop and update all Strategies in Stage 2

Question 10

What is Stage 4 of the RIAI Plan of Work?

Answer 10

Stage 4 - T = Prepare all Technical items relating to Architectural, Structural & Building Services

Specialist Sub-Contractor Design & Specifications are developed

Question 11

What is Stage 5 of the RIAI Plan of Work?

Answer 11

Stage 5 - C =

Question 12

What is Stage 6 of the RIAI Plan of Work?

Answer 12

Stage 6 - H =

Question 13

What is Stage 7 of the RIAI Plan of Work?

Answer 13

Stage 7 - I =

Question 14

What is Stage 1 of the RIAI Plan of Work?

Answer 14

Stage 1 - P = PREPARATION & BRIEF - Develop Project Objectives, Quality Objectives, Outcomes, Sustainability Aspirations, Project Budget, Project Brief.

Undertake Feasibility studies, Handover strategy & Risk Assessments

Question 15

What is a Bar Chart?

Answer 15

A Bar Chart is a simple-to-use, visual scheduling tool. The columns provide a timescale and the Activities appear in the rows.

Their advantages are:
1. Ease to develop
2. Ability to communicate information
3. Ease of understanding

However, the lack of flexibility to do certain tasks means it is rarely used on larger, more complex projects.

Question 16

Stage 4 of the process to develop a bar chart is - 4. Developing alternative planning strategies - What other details are in Stage 4.?

Answer 16

1. Preparing a Logic Diagram
2. Determine the duration of activities based on the amount of work and resources
3. Record info in Method Statements
4. Prepare preliminary bar charts for all separate alternatives
5. Consider the use of resources
6. Check resources at each time interval

Question 17

Stage 6 of the process to develop a bar chart is - 6. Review preferred planning strategy on a bar chart - What other details are in Stage 6.?

Answer 17

1. Does it make sense
2. Will user understand
3. Is there enough information
4. Is anything omitted
5. Any Alternatives?
6. Does it meet planning objectives

Question 18

What is a Time Schedule

Answer 18

This schedule assumes that all activities will be given all the resources that they need. This is unrealistic as resources are finite. Time schedules can be used to develop an overall strategy but are unworkable in isolation. They provide an overly optimistic analysis of the project period.

Question 19

What is a Resource Schedule?

Answer 19

When resources are limited, then the remaining resources drive the scheduling task. A resource schedule provides a much better method than a time schedule and provides more control.

Question 20

What is a Target Schedule?

Answer 20

Includes Target Dates, which when added to a resource schedule result in the creation of a target schedule. If the schedule is resourced-based and has target dates then it becomes a realistic scheduling tool.