Project Management 5.0 Flashcards
When should an Architect use full disclosure?
When the Architect is compensated or has an economic interest in the issue. (The Architect should never accept compensation from more than one party, which is a conflict of interest, and the Architect should render decisions impartially when acting as the judge of contract performance. There is no requirement for fully disclosing why you give up a commission, but the Architect does need to fully disclose if they have a personal economic interest in a situation.)
What are phases in a typical work plan
-Plan -Do -Check -Adjust
A CPM schedule is developed, but after four weeks the contractor encounters major unforeseen conditions. The CPM was supposed to be 400 days, and the float time is 50 days. The unforeseen conditions will cause a 20-day delay in the critical activities path. Will the project be late, and if so, by how many days?
Yes, there will be a 20-day delay. (The float time for a CPM schedule is the number of days that a project can “lose” for non-critical activities. The question states that 20 days will be lost to critical activities; therefore, the project will be delayed by 20 days.)
An architect has been asked to recommend a schedule for an upcoming project. The complex project will have a series of interdependent activities and a need to overlay the architect’s scope of services and the timing of contract administration duties into the schedule. Which schedule is the architect most likely to recommend?
Critical Path Method (CPM) is the most likely choice in this scenario. CPM schedules are regularly used for large, complex projects and often incorporate the architect’s scope of services and timing of contract administration duties.
What is included in an Architect’s minimum construction contract administration services?
- Reporting to the building officials - Reporting to the owner - Shop drawing review - Periodic site visits ( The architect must report to the owner and building official whenever code violations od deviations from the contract documents are observed.)
An architect serving as a project manager for a large project has implemented a schedule in order to keep all parties on track. The architect has received feedback that deadlines have been missed and important information is not appearing in the schedule. What is most likely the reason for the issue?
The architect implemented a milestone chart. ( A milestone chart is a great choice for small projects, but it does not provide enough detail to manage a large project.)
Prime Agreement
Pre-existing owner/ Architect Agreement
Contracts
A201-2017
General Conditions of the Contract for Construction
Contracts
C401-2017
Standard Form of Agreement Between the Architect and the Consultant
Why the initial information in owner/architect agreements should not be skipped?
It is a critical part and the very foundation of the owner/architect agreement. For architects, it can be a tool to teach owners about the design and construction process. For owners, it can be a useful checklist of information they need to provide, and decisions they need to make, that will impact the project.
Contracts
B101-2017, Article 1
Helps to establish the parties’ expectations on the project, and provides a convenient checklist of items the parties should agree upon before executing the agreement.
What prompts are included for the parties to insert on the B101-2017?
On the B101-2017 the Standard Form of Agreement Between the Owner and Architect, the following includes prompts for the parties to insert: - Information about the owner’s program - The project’s physical characteristics - Representatives of the parties - The owner’s budget - The intended delivery method for the project - Milestone dates for the project - The owner’s sustainable objectives - Consultants to be retained by each party
What prompts are included for the parties to insert on the B101-2017?
On the B101-2017 the Standard Form of Agreement Between the Owner and Architect, the following prompts are included for the parties to insert: - Information about the owner’s program - The project’s physical characteristics - Representatives of the parties - The owner’s budget - The intended delivery method for the project - Milestone dates for the project - The owner’s sustainable objectives -Consultants to be retained by each party
What is the architect’s obligation to design to budget?
The first place to look at is the contract. AIA Contract Documents address this issue in two ways: - AIA Document B101-2017 Standard Form of Agreement Between the Owner/ Architect -AIA Document B103-2017 Standard Form of Agreement Between the Owner/ Architect for a Complex Project
Under the terms of B101, the architect is the person best suited to keep the design within the owner’s budget. Why is that the case?
- The architect is responsible for managing the design to meet the budget - The owner has the right to rely upon the architect’s conceptual cost estimating - The architect has considerable freedom in the design process to manage the design to achieve the owner’s budgetary goals ( The key section in the contract regarding this process is Section 6.3)
Contracts
B103-2017
Standard Form of Agreement Between the Owner and Architect for a Complex Project
How does B103 approach the budget?
In B103, the architect has the right to rely upon the estimate provided by the owner’s cost estimator, and the architect will be paid additional compensation to make changes, due to inaccuracies or incompleteness in those estimates or market conditions the architect could not reasonably anticipate.
Designing to Budget
Is a process of managing the project cost to stay within the client’s budget
On B101 the “ designing to budget” process anticipates…
… that the architect will consult with the owner regarding program, budget, and schedule; - Provide conceptual estimates of construction cost - Design with the intent to stay within budget - Update the estimates as the design progresses and inform the owner of variances from the budget - Obtain the owner’s approval of the design at each phase before moving on to the next one.
At the conclusion of the construction documents phase, if the lowest qualified bid is over the owner’s budget the owner may—among other possible remedies—require the architect, at …
… no additional charge, to perform redesign services to bring the cost within the budget. (B101-2017 Section 6.7) But if price increases due to market conditions the architect could not reasonably anticipate, then the architect will be paid to make changes to meet the budget as an additional service.
Spearin Doctrine
The gap between the Standard of Care and defect-free documents. Costs associated with the Spearin Doctrine are borne by the owner, as the architect developed them in accordance with the standard of care and not as a result of negligence.
Scope Creep
Occurs when a project’s original scope is stretched or expanded by ambiguities, events, or conduct.
Why should an architecture firm have a quality control program?
-To ensure the client’s expectations are met -To ensure the standard of care for professional practice is provided - To reduce liability and risk
Contingencies
Are intended to cover unforeseen events and should be included in fee planning.
Peer reviews
A process during which a firm subjects its architectural work to the scrutiny of experts in similar building types. Experts come from outside of the firm itself, which contributes to the objectivity.
Remedial Charrettes
Is a collaborative process during which the original kickoff team corrects quality problems and identifies corrective action
Components of a local comprehensive plan
- Downtown - Land use - Housing - Community health
Stipulated sum or Lump sum Method
Or fixed-price is a method for establishing the total construction cost of a project. It can represent a minimized risk to an owner because the owner knows the cost of services prior to beginning work on the design. This results in more accurate budgeting.
Performance zoning
An approach to land use planning that is based on quantifiable performance standards that regulate the intensity of land use to prevent adverse impact on abutting and nearby properties. It is characterized by a development that can be evaluated based on measurable performance criteria, such as pollution.
Benchmarking
A process used to estimate the performance of a project when compared to similar projects.
Net assignable area
The sum of all areas in a building assigned to, or available for assignment to, a specific use.
What are the elements of quality management in construction procurement?
- Constant monitoring and documentation - Feedback for program improvement - Effective in-house protocols
What are the practical ways to manage quality?
- Encourage regular self-checking - Use peer reviews - Implement an in-house third-party review
Project closeout checklist
Will ensure all project tasks are complete. Nothing should extend past closeout.
What is commonly included in a quality management program?
- The program is strictly enforced - The program is consistently managed - The program is clearly defined
What are most often alleged in claims against architects?
- Negligence - Breach of contract
Breach of contract
Change of scope can often result in a breach of contract. One of the parties to contract fails to perform as required.
Benefits of quality management in post-construction?
- Architect can leave a good impression. - Architect can make an appeal for future work. - Architect can provide responsive support as needed.
Appraisal Costs
Costs associated with measuring and monitoring activities related to quality. These costs are with the supplier and customer’s evaluation of purchased materials, products, and services to ensure that they conform to specs.
Fast-Track Delivery Method
When the overall time for design and construction must be compressed. In this method, the construction process is allowed to begin before the design process is completed.
Fast-track construction requires many prime contracts and a great deal of coordination, but it can reduce the time and cost of a project substantially.
Integrated Project Delivery Method
Design-Bid-Build Method
Design-Build Method
Guaranteed maximum price (GMP)
Methods for establishing the total construction cost of a project
- Fixed-price method (Stipulated sum or Lump sum)
- Cost-plus-fee with a GMP
- Cost-plus-fee without a GMP
RFP
Request For Proposal
Addenda
Only used during the bidding and negotiation phase.
Construction Change Directives
When a change needs to be made right away to allow the project to proceed, but the owner and contractor cannot agree on a price or time revision, the architect can issue a construction change directive. (AIA Document G714)
It must be signed by both the owner and the architect but does not have to be signed by the contractor.
AIA Document G714
Construction Change Directive
Quality Control Techniques
- Programming
- Checklist
- Process-Based Systems
- Quality Management Meetings
- Staffing
- Quality Circles
- Corporate Knowledge
Project records include …
- General Administration of the Project
- Programming
- Schematic Design
- Design Development
- Construction Documentation
- Bidding and Negotiation
- Construction Administration
- Project Closeout and Follow-up
What is the difference between additional service and supplemental service?
Supplemental services are services that are not included as basic services but are identified as the architect’s responsibility at the time the agreement is executed. Additional services are services that may arise as the project proceeds. (B101-2017 Owner-Architect Agreement)
Substantial Completion
Is a legal term in construction contracts to define the stage of a contractor’s work that is sufficiently complete in accordance with the applicable construction agreement. ( It doesn’t mean that the project is completely done.)
What does it implicate when the architect claims that the project is at “Substantial Completion”?
- The client is allowed to move in
- Occupancy must meet code
- Warranties start
RFI
Request For Information
Punchlist
Is part of the project closeout portion of the construction process. It is a document prepared during key milestones or near the end of a project listing work that has not been completed or not conforming to contract specifications that the general contractor must complete prior to final payment.
Change Orders
Can go all the way to the end of the project. It may happen when all the construction is done.
Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)
A site visit to observe current and past conditions and uses of the property and adjacent properties. It is the introductory phase of investigating if there is a potential for environmental risk or contamination on a property that would affect its value and if additional investigation and testing are warranted. It is the owner’s responsibility to look after it and the architect is responsible to review, fully understand and respond to the reports provided by the owner.
When an Architect is asked to put together a program …
The architect is asked to do the following:
- Research and analysis
- Assembling data, information, and goals
The architect is NOT:
Designing when asked to put a program together
FAR
Floor Area Ratio
What are the aspects of review for Zoning Code analysis?
- FAR (Floor Area Ratio)
- Setbacks
- Parking
Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
Easements
A right which a person has over land owned by someone else. Easements are normally attached to the land rather than to a person and can be considered to last in perpetuity.
Setbacks
Is the minimum distance which a building or other structure must be set back from a street or road, a river or other stream, shore, or flood plain, or any other place which is deemed to need protection.
Metes and Bounds
An old type of survey.
Are the boundaries of a parcel of real estate identified by its natural landmarks. Are often used in a “legal description” of a land. The legal description is the geographical description of a land that identifies its precise location and is kept with the deed of the land.
What is the first and second aspect of the process of establishing a Building Code Analysis?
First: Occupancy
Second: Construction Type
Means and Methods of Construction
A term used to describe the techniques and tactics (usually temporary structures) a contractor employs to complete the construction of a permanent project or structure.
The way things are going to be built and the schedule in which they will be built
Initial Budget Projections
MEP
Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing
Hourly Multiplier
x 3 - 4
sometimes
x 2.5 - 5.5
It can vary from state to state
Mediation
A conference between opposing parties facilitated by a neutral, mutually agreed-upon mediator.
AIA Document A101-2017
Owner and Contractor Agreement
Change orders could be due to the essence of the contract which is the following:
The Scope
The cost
The schedule
IDM
Initial Decision Maker (part of the dispute resolution)
Is the person identified in the agreement to render initial decisions on claims in accordance with section 15.2 under the AIA’s General conditions
An initial decision is a condition precedent to mediation, and mediation is a condition precedent to any bidding form of dispute resolution.
Lien
Is a claim made against a property by a contractor or subcontractor who has not been paid for work done on that property. Liens are designed to protect professionals from the risk of not being paid for services rendered.
Does the client have the copyright to the drawings?
The client has the right of use which is different than copyright unless it has been specified on the contract that the client has copyright.
Bridge Loan
It allows a homeowner to borrow against the equity in their existing residential property in order to buy a new home.
Zoning Variance
It allows the property owner to construct a building that goes against the physical requirements held within a zoning ordinance.
What does float mean in construction management?
It is defined as a difference between the early start and late start of construction activity. It is a delay in time for a particular activity in construction, without affecting the deadline of completion of the project.
Instruments of Service
In the AIA A201-2007 General Conditions, the document defines the various forms of work product prepared by the architect as “instrument of service”
They are defined as “representations, in any medium of expression now known or later developed, of the tangible and intangible creative work performed by the architect and the architect’s consultants under their respective professional services agreement. “
The design, documents, specifications, and reports are prepared by or on behalf of the prime consultant or consultants, including but not limited to plans, sketches, drawings, graphic representations, and computer-generated designs and materials.
Retainage
Is the withholding of a portion of the funds that are due to a contractor or subcontractor until the construction project is finished. It is meant to serve as a financial incentive and an assurance that the contractor will complete the project in a satisfactory manner.
Assemblies cost estimate
Is a sequential approach to estimating, which represents how the building is to be constructed. It is best used as a budgeting tool in the planning stages of a project because the accuracy of the estimate is typically plus or minus 15%.
Arbitration
Is a process in which a dispute is submitted to an impartial outsider who makes a decision that is usually binding on both parties. The arbitrator enforces his own point of view on the contending parties and the opinions of the participants are not given any predominance.
REPC
Barrister Review
Lawyer Review
Litigation
Involves the representation of stakeholders involved in a governmental, commercial, or residential construction project. Litigation attorneys typically prosecute or defend claims for professional negligence of design professionals ( both architects and engineers)
Negligence
When an architect is unable to uphold the performance and safety standards outlined in their contract, developers can take legal action by either filling a claim for breach of contract or suing the architect for negligence.
E and O insurance policy
Architect errors and omissions insurance is a professional liability. Is expensive insurance that protects design professional from claims related to mistakes that occur in the design, planning, and specifications stage of a construction project
GL insurance policy
General Liability insurance is usually purchased by all of the parties in the construction process. it is designed to protect the insured party against liability arising out of direct bodily insured and property damage to third parties
Pro Forma Documentation
Is the most important tool for developers. This malleable document calculates all the variables that go into putting a deal together with the intent of giving you the liability to make informed decisions regarding the project’s expected financial performance.
Quality Assurance Plan
It is a plan carried out before the construction project starts. Is a process that manages for quality. It lists the processes, standards, and policies that need to be carried out and ensures they are known to the people who need to know them.
Bid Bond
It is a type of construction bond that protects the owner or developer in a construction bidding process. It is a guarantee that you, as the bidder, provide to the project owner to ensure that if you fail to honor the terms of the bid, the owner will be compensated.
Performance Bond
Is a third-party agreement involving the contractor, the owner, and the bonding company that guarantees the completion of a construction project in accordance with the contract documents. It is usually provided by an insurance company to make sure a contractor completes designated projects.
P and L
Profit and Loss is the budget for a construction business and shows the income (or revenue) you have received or will receive and the expenses you have spent or will spend over a period of time.
Cash Flow Report
Is an analysis of all the cash that came in and went out for a given period and shows how much money you actually have on hand at a certain point in time.
RFP
Request for Proposal
RFS
Request For Services
RFQ
Request For Qualification
Feasibility Study
It is a study that considers the critical aspects of your proposed project. It allows us to test the viability of the project before undertaking any really significant expense. It attempts to answer the big questions early in the decision-making process.
Cost Plus Fee Contract
It is a type of contract in which the actual cost to build your project plus a management and coordination fee for the general contractor. The management and coordination fees are generally a predetermined percentage of the actual costs. Unlike the Fixed-cost, in the Cost Plus contract, the owner pays the contractor the actual costs of the materials and labor plus an additional negotiated fee or percentage over the amount.
Lead Time
The amount of time that elapses between placing an order for an item and its delivery to the site, but can also refer to the time required for the preparation of drawings, approvals processes, and so on.
ASHRAE 90.1
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers.
It is a standard that provides minimum requirements for the energy-efficient design of buildings
SMACNA
Sheet Metal Ait Conditioning Contractor’s National Association
Fee per phase
Phase’s percentage, multiplied by total working fee
What are the steps to Quality Management Improvement
- Review current processes
- identify Current process weaknesses
- Standardize and stabilize workflow
- Measure performance
- Improve quality continuosely
Liquidated Damages
Are funds covering the costs for each day the project continues past the agreed-upon date of completion. These funds are typically deducted from what the owner owes to the contractor for the work.
