Project Management (PjM) Flashcards
What is Adaptive Problem Solving?
Finding solutions in a timely and effective manor within the confines of the problem’s boundaries.
What is Innovative Problem Solving?
Finding solutions in an unconventional manor that often bends the rules of the problem’s context.
What is a Bridger (problem solving)?
Someone who can problem solve unconventionally but with discipline (adaptive + innovative).
Schedule of Meetings
Template of when to hold various meeting types: coordination, design, client review, etc.
Narrative Report
Descriptive report of decisions made in meeting(s) - typically client meetings. Can resemble a history of the project later on down the road.
Action Item Report
Tracking document with dates associated with tasks. Items are not removed until addressed. Items should be indexed and specifically assigned.
Design-Bid-Build
Owner+Architect working with a Contractor
Owner & Architect are key players until bid phase.
CM-at-Risk
Owner+Architect+Construction Manager
CM advises on means & methods during design.
Design-Build
Owner+Architect+Contractor
Well-defined project from the start. All parties work together from the beginning.
Integrated Project Delivery
Owner-Architect-Contractor Combo.
Risk/reward sharing structure that produces effective & efficient design.
Client’s Consultants
- Geotechnical
- Civil Engineer
- Hazardous Material Expert
- Landscape Architect (sometimes)
- Survey
- Traffic
- Legal & permitting
Architect’s Consultants
- Structural
- Mechanical
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Code
- Sustainability
- Cost Esitmators
- AV Engineers
- Lighting Designers
- Acoustic Designers
Pyramid-Style Firm Management
Principals act as project managers. Limited growth available because knowledge is not shared down to other levels.
Matrix-Style Firm Management
Project management is passed down to project architects and designers so that principals can focus on networking, acquiring work, and setting new directions for the firm.
Components of a Work Plan (9)
- Project description and client requirements
- Statement of Deliverables
- Team Organization
- Responsibility Matrix
- Preliminary Project Schedule
- Preliminary Staffing Needs
- Project Directory
- Internal Project Budget and Profit Plan
- Code Information
Project Description (Work Plan)
Description, scope, client budget, and client authorizations
Summary of Deliverables (Work Plan)
The types of deliverables (as well as quantities) that are anticipated to document the project.
Team Organization (Work Plan)
Team chart that defines what type of staff and hierarchy is needed to complete the project.
Project Coordination Matrix (Work Plan)
A list of who (internally and on consultant team) will do what and the types of coordination that the project calls for.
Preliminary Schedule (Work Plan)
Rough schedule of milestones needed based on the owner’s desired completion date.
Preliminary Staffing Needs (Work Plan)
A deep dive into a team organization matrix. Staffing/availability is weighed against the preliminary schedule to make sure firm can actually deliver.
Project Directory (Work Plan)
List of project entities and main points of contact.
Project Budget & Profit Plan (Work Plan)
Apportioning fee and profit to various phases of the project. AKA “Job Cost Budget”
Regulatory Requirements (Work Plan)
Outline of what governing codes will be referenced throughout the life of the project. Best practice is to follow the most stringent code available for the jurisdiction.
Types of Meetings (5)
- Executive Session
- Design Review Session
- Project Meeting
- Coordination Meeting
- Redline Work Session
Executive Session (Meeting)
High-level representation and decision-making for the project. Attended by client, principal-in-charge, AE team, and contractor.
Design Review Session (Meeting)
For design direction/reviews and approvals. Attended by client, AE team, PIC, and contractor
Project Meeting (Meeting)
Project planning & decision-making. Attended by client, AE team, PIC, select consultants, and contractor.
Coordination Meeting (Meeting)
Working session for coordination purposes. Attended by AE team, PA, and select consultants
Redline Work Session (Meeting)
Most detailed of meetings. Attended by select individuals for in-depth design review.
Creative Conflict
Transparency with client about effects of their decisions. I.E. instead of promising to conform to a tighter schedule, debate that mistakes or omissions should be expected as a result of a tighter schedule. Remind the client of the consequences to owner direction.
Staff & Project Organization Styles (3)
- Horizontal
- Vertical
- Matrix
Horizontal Team Organization
Project passes through different teams for each phase of design.
Pros: People within the team acquire high degree of expertise for that phase.
Cons: Inconsistent team members might mean loss of design intent established early on.
Vertical Team Organization
A project remains with the same team throughout the life of the project.
Pros: team continuity and consistency with design intent
Cons: Difficult to find team members who can excel in every phase of the project.
Matrix Team Organization
Project team remains the same with available input from in-office specialists.
Pros: office specialties and resources can be used on an as-needed basis. Unspecialized staff can have exposure.
Cons: This is ideal for large offices, small offices may lack this flexibility.
Integrated Design Process (IDP)
A series of design collaboration charettes that include many stakeholders - most importantly, the end user. Ideas born from this collaboration are translated into measurable goals.
When to start a Work Plan
Early in the marketing phase. Utilize a top-down approach.
Bottom-Up Budgeting
Staff resources listed out per phase
Top-Down Budgeting
Budget estimation based on market sector type and percentage of estimated construction cost. This amount represents architect & consultant fees as well as expenses. Total is then broken out into phases based on a pre-determined percentage. DETERMINES NSR
Different Compensation Options (6)
- Lump Sum Fixed Fees
- Hourly with no upset based on hourly rates
- Hourly-not-to-exceed fees based on hourly rates
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee
- Unit cost pricing
- Percentage of actual construction cost
Cash Accounting
Revenue is recognized at the time of payment - when cash is collected and expenses are paid.
Accrual Accounting
Revenue is recognized at the time of earning - usually before payment.
Fundamental Budgeting Techniques (3)
- Top-Down
- Bottom-Up
- Combination of both
Net Service Revenue
Typically 60% of the Gross Fee. Consultant Fees are typically 40% of GF. NSR is project labor budget + contingency budget + Direct expense budget.
Elements of a Project Budget
Gross Fee
Consultant Fees
Net Service Revenue
Project Contingency
Non-Reimbursable Expenses
Project Labor Budget
Calculate consultant fees
Gross Fee x 40%
Calculate Net Service Revenue
Gross Fee x 60%
Or Gross Fee - Consultant Fee
Calculate Non-Reimbursable Expenses
NSR x 5%
Calculate Project Contingency
NSR x 5%
Calculate Project Labor Budget
[Gross Revenue] - [Consultant Fees (or x60%)] - [Non-reimbursable Expenses] - [Project Contingency]
Work Plan Stages (4)
PDCA
Plan > Do > Check > Adjust
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
- Project Name
– Phase Name
— Task Name
—-Sub-Task Name
—– Sub-Sub Task Name
Schedule Types (4)
- Critical Path Method (CPM)
- Milestone Charts
- Bar Charts (Gantt)
- Wall Schedule
Critical Path Method (CPM Schedule)
Activity Lists, durations, and dependencies. Typically used for complex projects. It is good for architects to use CPM style schedules for design initiatives as well. The most detailed scheduling tool.
Milestone Chart
Best for short-duration projects. Used to track tasks against hours & percent complete.
Gantt Chart (Bar Chart)
Simply shows start and end dates of major WBS tasks. Shows some interdependencies but not as detailed as CPM.
Wall Schedule
A rough schedule activity before formalizing into one of the other 3 schedule types. Organizing all team members and tasks involved in design. Teams are listed on the left side (rather than tasks) and team-specific tasks are within their own row, organized in relation to dependency & timing.
Planned Cost
Labor hours and dollars planned at project initiation.
Job-To-Date (JTD)
Labor hours and dollars spent to-date.
Estimate-to-Complete (ETC)
Remaining hours and dollars required to bring project to completion.
Planned Estimate at Completion
A comparison of how the initial estimate did.. were we over/under the estimate labor hours / cost.
Break-Even Multiplier (equation)
(Direct labor + Overhead) / Direct Labor
Overhead Multiplier (Equation)
Overhead / Direct Labor
Effective Multiplier (Equation)
Current % Complete / Direct Labor
Target Multiplier (Definition)
Firm-wide standard fee multiplier
Planned Multiplier (Equation)
NSR / Planned Cost
Estimate at Completion (EAC) Multiplier (Equation)
total NSR / EAC labor dollars
Billed-Not-Earned (BNE)
Amount billed to client that have not been recognized as earned revenue (early invoice). Work has not been completed or expensed yet.
Earned-Not-Billed (ENB)
Amount earned but not yet billed (late invoice). Work has been completed but will be made up for in billing later.
Planned Labor
Raw labor costs determined from bottom-up project work plan.
JTD Labor
Actual raw labor costs to-date.
ETC Labor
Labor costs estimated to bring project to completion.
Planned Multiplier
Compensation / Planned Cost
Work in Progress (WIP)
Billable time and expenses that have not yet been billed to the client.
Spent (Equation)
Billed + WIP
BIM Execution Plan (5 Components)
- Roles & Responsibilities (Project Directory)
- Internal and External BIM goals and uses
- Modeling Protocol
- Process Plan
- Level of Development (LOD)
MEA
Model Element Author
Phase impacts of BIM
SD and DD phases are lengthened, CD and CA may be reduced as a result.
AIA C106
Digital Data Licensing Agreement (protection for model sharing)
AIA E202
BIM Protocol Exhibit (ownership)
Traditional Phase Breakdown
SD (15%)
DD (20%)
CD/B (45%)
CA (20%)
BIM Phase Breakdown
SD (22%)
DD (40%)
CD/B (25%)
CA (15%)
Possible fee generation with BIM
- Easier access to project imaging
- Model can be used for basis of shop drawings
- Higher LOD early on means higher level of coordination