scheduling

Question 1

what is CPM

Answer 1

Critical path method

Question 2

why understand network (CPM) schedules?

Answer 2

• understanding fundemental properties of network/CPM schedules and being confident in your knowledge of associated terminology helps when dealing /w/ contractors
• the schedule is only a tool, but its the primary tool available to the construction project planner

Question 3

what 6 things must be accounted for in the construction project planning phase for proper managmenet of a construction project?

Answer 3

1. The identification of specific activities of work
   required and the interrelationships between those
   items (precedence relationships)
2. The proper sequencing of the specific activities of
   work to complete project asap
3. The time for delivery of materials and installed
   equipment
4. The types, quantities, and duration of use of
   construction equipment
5. The classification and numbers of workers required
   and the periods of time they will be required
6. The amount and timing of financial assistance
   required

The first two items are the scheduling portion of
construction planning, while the rest are derived
from or added to the schedule

Question 4

what do you need to do to create a schedule

Answer 4

Identify specific activities of work required, at a level of detail that reflects the complexity you desire in the schedule—this is called the work breakdown structure, or WBS

you then need to Identify the relationships between these activities and their proper sequencing in order to
complete the project in some combination of
optimum time and budget within reasonable
constraints

Question 5

what are the two types of schedules, and examples of each type

Answer 5

non-network schedules
- bar (gantt) charts

network schedules
- critical path method (CPM) diagrams, including:
- AOA (activity on arrow, or arrow) diagram
- AON (activity on node, or node) diagram

Question 6

bar/gantt chart details

Answer 6

• most common non-network technique
• easy to create, read & understand
• can show logical interrelationship between activities
• can be updated to show status of project
• difficult to show/calculate effects of delays, changes,
  etc.
• does not provide as much useful information as a
  network schedule

Question 7

critical path method schedule details

Answer 7

• interrrelationships between activities are shown
  (precedence relationships)
• Critical activities determine project duration and
  indicate critical path

Question 8

AOA CPM diagrams

Answer 8

Question 9

AON CPM diagrams

Answer 9

uses a”finish-start” relationship between dependant activities
less onerous to draw than arrow diagrams

Question 10

gantt chart /w/ crit path

Answer 10

Question 11

drawing AON diagrams

Answer 11

• A node or arrow diagram requires
  that you assign logical “precedence” activities to
  each activity. need to determine
  which activities precede each given activity
  identified in the work breakdown structure.

some terminology:
IPA’s - immediatly preceding activity, IPA’s assigned to each activity
sequence steps
dummy activities
CP Critical Path = the longest interconnected path
through the network the length of which equals the
project duration activities