Technical competencies Flashcards
What are the “principles of a contract” as stated in your submission?
Offer, Acceptance, Consideration, Intention, Capacity
What does the RICS guide Final Account Procedures include?
Advice on final account preparation, meetings, final account adjustments, release of retention, contractual timescales for agreeing final account under JCT and NEC contracts.
What does the RICS guide Retention include?
Advice and explanation on retention process In reference to various standard building contracts. 3-5% retention value Is normally deducted from contractor’s valuations, half of which Is normally released on PC and the remaining after defects liability period.
What are the key differences between NEC and JCT contracts?
I think NEC Is more collaborative compared to JCT by having processes like EWNs, programme acceptance, compensation event mechanism
Leicester PET-CT:
Explain how you issued the Practical Completion Certificate? what was required for you to issue this?
Completion of work and design team signoff of the works to confirm that works are complete in accordance with design Information.
Plas Dwr S278 Works:
What is the role of a PM under NEC?
Administering the contract, Issuing notifications, payment notices and Instructions to contractor.
Plas Dwr S278 Works:
Explain the take over meeting and what you required prior to issuing the takeover certificate?
Contractor confirmation and supervisor signoff of the works that works are completed In accordance with works Information was required for take over meeting.
St Peters MRI:
How did the client previous experience impact your contract selection?
For this project I discussed NEC contract with client because of Its collaborative and proactive approach with systems like EWNs, regular programme review and acceptance, obligation on all parties to respond within timeframes and agreements on variations; However, client legal team had a previous recent experience with JCT D&B which Is why I advised on using JCT D&B contract.
Leicester PET-CT:
How did you advise on the requirement of Partial Possession?
- Client becomes responsible for insuring the works.
- Half retention released.
- Alleviates contractors liability for LADS.
- Contractors Defect liability period commences.
- Partial possessions to be agreed post contract.
GDUK RUBB Bovington:
What would you advise the client puts in place if they did follow the PO, that they had suggested?
A standard contract setting payment provisions, insurances, Completion Date and LADs to protect the client.
What did you learn from Charles Handy’s explanation of various culture types?
Four different kinds of culture within organisations:
- Power - few Individuals In power and making decisions
- Role - highly controlled, more experience people In control
- Task - focused on task, teamwork, good collaborative environment.
- Person - small one-man organisation like Architect, Civil engineer.
What is your understanding of legitimate and illegitimate powers within an organisation?
Legitimate Power
Position – For example relationship between a project manager and a site engineer.
Illegitimate Power – Position power is strengthened, or weakened, by the presence of the following types of illegitimate power.
Expert – This relates to experience and specialist knowledge.
Information – Manager can exert influence through the control over dissemination or distortion of facts and info.
Personal – Personality, charisma and popularity.
What is your understanding if the Belbin Model?
A theory suggested by Belbin in 1981. Everyone possesses a pattern of behaviours in relationship to another in facilitating progress of a team. (Nine team roles/ behaviours). I consider myself Implementer.
What is equality Act 2010?
The Act simplifies, strengthens and harmonises the current legislation to provide Britain with a new discrimination law which protects individuals from unfair treatment and promotes a fair and more equal society.
Poole PET-CT:
Provide an example of when you have applied a management technique to manage the teams on this project?
Managing a design team to ensure each member fully understands:
Project objective
Next goal
Deadlines
Co ordination
This allows me to keep track of the progress of the team and coordinate them in order to deliver the required output on time.
Birmingham Sparkhill FM:
Give an example of how you manage the contractors to deliver repair on this property?
Plumbing, electrical and FF&E trades. I made sure commissioning/ handover certificates are available from one trade to the other. kept separate entrance from students. Review of RAMS, kept noise to minimum.
Plas Dwr S278 Works:
How did you assess the client’s aspirational dates at the outset of the project?
There were no key dates Included within the contract. These were additional works Instructed during the contract with no agreed completion date which later on the client wanted to complete prior to Completion Date.
Plas Dwr S278 Works:
Why were the client aspirational and the contractor’s end dates not aligned?
Because there were no Key Dates Inserted In the contract at the outset and these were additional works which the Contractor was not obliged for to complete prior to Completion Date.
GDUK Bovington:
In the significant change requested by the client, how did you assess the viability of the change?
I discussed with cost consultant and design team for the Impact and report overall findings to the client to make an Informed decision.
Leicester PET-CT:
What management methods had you attempted prior to not meeting the handover date?
Monthly progress meetings, project reporting, programme assessments, design team Inspections were some of the management methods used.
What does the RICS guide Tendering Strategy include?
RICS guidance on tendering procedures, types of tendering, tender scoring techniques, tender’s management and reporting etc.
What did you learn from RICS guidance E-tendering?
E-tendering ten points plan - choosing the medium, technology, security, tender checklist, preliminary enquiry, document standard, legality, return and evaluation, Do It.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of e-tendering?
Advantages - quick exchange of Info, reduced admin
Disadvantages - monthly cost, some contractors may not be able to use It for security reasons
Explain the rules of tendering, e.g. codes of practice or procedures, that you are aware of.
Transparency, Integrity, openness, fairness, competitive, accountability
What public sector, EU or international regulations relate to the tender process?
OJEU Supply services and design contracts and/or work contracts threshold in public sector needs to be consider as it may need to be advertised on OJEU website in accordance with EU legislation.
Sidcup Diagnostics Project:
Explain the process followed for preparing and issuing the invitation to tender (ITT), what did it include?
Preparation: It was one document Including sections on Introduction, Instructions, technical brief, tender evaluation methodology and conditions of tender along with overall scope of services and pricing schedule.
It was preselected design teams with whom we had already worked on various occasions In projects so no need of PQQs.
Poole PET-CT:
What stages occur between ITT and receipt of tenders? What Is the process for tender addendum?
In accordance with RICS guidance Tender Strategies, the stages b/w ITT and receipt of tenders could be mid tender Interviews, Issuing tender addendums (same to all) and arranging site visits.
Guildford PET-CT:
What was the benefit of delaying tender period until after the holidays? what other options did you consider?
I discussed availability with design team based on previous experience of Holiday period and some of them were not available. I also gave another option to client which was going through negotiated tender route with one consultant however we had float within the programme, so I recommended first option.
LW residential projects:
What did you advise in your presentation on Construction Management, Management Contracting and D&B procurement? How did you identify which one was the most suitable for your company and why?
Residential developments Is a new area for Lee Wakemans. I reviewed procurement routes. If LW acted as a D&B contractor then It would have created more profit for the company however due to LW’s Inexperience In this sector and no supply chain I advised to procure first couple of projects via management contracting route who already have an established supply chain and experience.
How does PERT work?
Programme, Evaluation, and Review Technique
You create three estimates for the duration of a project,
- The most Optimistic (Shortest)
- The most pessimistic (Longest)
- The most likely (an average of the two
What did you learn from the RICS guide Acceleration?
Acceleration under JCT/ NEC contracts. Techniques and risks associated with acceleration for client and contractor.
What does the RICS guide Defining Completion of Construction Works include?
PC and Completion under JCT and NEC contratcs. Sectional Completion, Partial Possession, Risks, Liabilities and Insurances etc.
What does the RICS guide Extension of time include?
Extension of time under various standard contracts, delay notices, delay analysis techniques such as overview of facts, comparing actual vs planned programme, critical path analysis and focused method of analysis.
What did you learn from the case law (Belfour Beauty and Chestermount Properties Limited) on concurrent delay?
Caselaw on concurrent delay. Architect Issued non-completion certificate and later Issued a variation under the contract. The court found that the Architect should have considered the variation delay and should extend the time.
Alliance Projects:
What specific allowances did you need to make to meet the requirements of Alliance Medical Project? Explain how you define critical path?
Estimate duration of each RIBA Stage, Included Alliance Medical review and signoff. I established critical path by logical sequencing and connection activities.
Plas Dwr S278 Works:
Give me an example of the process followed to review contractor’s programme? When would a programme be rejected?
I always review new programme in comparison with the last accepted programme. In accordance with NEC3 clause 31.3, there are four reasons on which you can reject a programme. 1. Not practical, 2. does not show Info the contract requires, 3. unrealistic, 4. not comply with works Information.
Plas Dwr S278 Works:
When advising on the request for early completion, what contractual mechanism did you advise to your client?
I advise two options to the client:
- resequencing of works through contract Instruction
- Accelerating the programme with the consent and agreement of the contractor.
Alliance Projects:
Explain how you assessed the time requirements for information release schedules and included for these in your programme?
Based on experience on recent projects completed and discussion with the design team.
St Peters MRI:
Explain the planning process followed on this project. what was the purpose of advising three section?
The site was occupied and there was no place to relocate the existing staff/ department. To avoid disruption to the existing facility, I planned the works to be carried out In three sections.
St Peters MRI:
How did you establish project objectives?
By discussing with the client and try to understand what their key objectives are in terms of cost, time and quality in reference to Barnes Triangle developed in 1980s and then I try to identify key risks and then report it back to the client to have an agreement from their side. I will use that to develop project execution plan. If time was more important usually cost and quality will be the risk items.
What stages does the RIBA Plan of work include?
Definition of RIBA Stages which has recently been updated In 2020. It include 8 stages from 0 to 7. 0 - strategic definition 1 - preparation and brief 2 - concept design 3 - spatial coordination 4 - technical design 5 - manufacture and construction 6 - handover 7 - in use. It also Includes guidance on core tasks, statutory processes and procurement routes etc.
What substructure types are you aware of?
Foundations (shallow and deep), basements, some retaining walls and damp-proof membrane.
What superstructure types are you aware of?
superstructure consists of door, windows, walls, stairs etc
What is value management?
Value Management is conducted in the initial stages of a project to define in detail what value means to the client and set out how this will be achieved e.g. quality of finishes, Improved functionality
What is value engineering?
Value Engineering is the process of improving value without affecting function or quality at the lowest possible cost.
What is whole life costing?
Considering costs to procure, construct, operate, maintain and dispose of a building. Can be a better means of assessing value for money than just the construction costs.
Poole PET-CT:
What structural slab strengthening methods were available?
- Increase depth of existing slab and add more reinforcement with supporting columns.
- Cut and replace the existing slab by new one with supporting columns.
Derriford Hospital PET-CT:
How did you assess the suitability of modular construction?
What advantages did it bring to the project?
Quick to construct and quality assurance which was both good advantages for Alliance In reference to the short-term lease agreed with the Trust. In future the whole building can be moved to somewhere else when Alliance lease is completed.
What leadership and communication strategies are you aware of?
Leadership: Collaborative, Delegative, Participative, Consulting etc.
Communication: Phone, face to face, meetings, group discussions, written (reports, emails, letters etc)
What are the uses of assertiveness?
Communicating direct to the point to minimise conflicts.
When should negotiation be used?
In any disagreement.
Guildford PET-CT:
What does the consulting leadership method include?
Listening to others, benefiting from more experience parties in the group. Guildford project example, I made sure that everyone had an opportunity to speak. Issued minutes for comments. making sure to Involve people.
St Peters MRI:
What formal methods of collaboration are available to you?
Meetings, workshops, group discussions etc. Give an example of St Peters.
What insurances are available on a project?
Employer’s liability Insurance
Public liability Insurance
professional Indemnity Insurance
All-risk’s Insurance
What warranties are you aware of?
Collateral warranty
Funder’s warranty
Manufacturer warranty
What level of PI insurance is required on projects?
Depending on size, complexity and value of the project.
What are the building regulations approved documents?
16 Documents available on the Planning Portal which demonstrate how to comply with Building Regulations such as structural safety, fire safety etc.
Plas Dwr S278 Works:
What benefits did you advice the client of the Trade Effluent Licence?
Trade effluent licence would give permission to the client from Highways to connect the site wastewater to public highway.
Ashford PET-CT:
What responsibilities for fire risk assessment did you advise the client they owned?
The Building Control requires clients to carry out fire risk assessment including measures to reduce fire risk.
Explain the role of Contract Administration?
The Contract Administrator is appointed by an employer to administer the contract between the employer and the contractor impartially.
What does the RICS guide Valuing Change include? What are the valuation rules?
General principles and description of change and how It Is valued under different forms of standard contracts such as JCT and NEC.
Explain the role of an Employer’s Agent?
The Employer’s Agent has a dual role acting impartially when making decisions regarding contract administration and acts on behalf of the client.
Leicester PET-CT:
Explain the process you followed before issuing the Non-Completion Certificate?
I arranged meeting with Contractor and Client on Contract Completion Date. Design team Inspected the works and confirmed various defects. Based the severity of defects, I advised my client for Non-Completion Certificate aligned with RICS guidance Contract Administration.
Plas Dwr S278 Works:
Give an example of a key issue affecting the project programme that you identified and reported?
The Gas Main Protection Slab at Plas Dwr Project was delaying the programme because of design approvals and amendments with statutory authorities and It being on the critical path of project programme. I was constantly reporting on this in my PM reports monthly
What information would typically be contained within a Project Execution Plan?
A document that sets out how a project will be run including project brief, scope, programme, directory, procurement strategy, risk management, change management, quality management, value management and handover strategy.
What does RICS guide Management of risk include?
Risk workshops held at the start of the project to develop client and design and construction risks into a risk register, risks reviewed monthly at progress meetings and dedicated workshops. • Probability • Severity of impact • Impact on cost • Impact on programme • Risk owners • Mitigation actions This allows risk to be calculated and costed and the total cost impact compared to the contingencies levels in the budget to see if there is sufficient cover for the client if all risks were realised in a worst case scenario.
What are the key aspects of risk management?
Identification, avoidance, reduction, transfer, sharing and retention of risks aligned with RICS guidance Management of Risk.
What is your understanding of how D&B procurement route allocating design risk among project parties?
Client Is carrying risk of the quality of works and main contractor performance while contractor Is carrying risk of design, cost, performance of subcontracts etc.
St Peters MRI:
Explain how you prepared the risk register on this project?
I used our standard LW template which Include proximity, probability and Impact and mitigation scoring/ strategies. owner of the risk and actions for the risk with a target date of closing It. With the help of project QS, we quantified client risks to assist the client with contingencies such as design, client, project and planning contingencies.
Take me through when you have helped identified who owns the risk in relation to the chosen procurement route on your project?
St Peters MRI: I Identified Contractor’s own the risk of design and specialist work such as RF Cage design and steel shielding because of the D&B procurement route.
What is the importance of the Housing Grant Construction and Regeneration Act 1996? What ammendments were made in 2009?
Payment provisions;
- No paid when paid clauses
- The statutory right to adjudication
- The right to interim payments on contracts over 45 day duration
- The right to suspend performance
- The right to be informed of the amount due, and any amounts withheld.
2009 amendment: Payment notice compulsory, payee must pay the required sum noted on notice.
How are interim valuation carried out?
Interm valuation and payment RICS guidance: usually monthly valuations by project QS comparing assessment with last valuation rather than valuing the whole works again.
What is your understanding of cashflow forecast?
A prediction of the incomings and outgoings of cash within a business/project.
• Organisational Cash Flow.
Used for planning and analysing company health.
It is used to predict the incomings and outgoings of cash within a business over a specific period.
• Project Cash Flow.
Used for determining he amounts of cash that will be paid to a contractor, and the time they will be paid.
Can be used to monitor performance by comparing value of interim valuations against cash flow forecasts.
Alliance Projects:
What was Included In the project Capex tracker?
Cashflow forecast of all projects Including contractors and consultants’ fees and variation which I updated monthly to assist the client In their cashflow forecast.
St Peters MRI:
How have you applied value engineering processes?
Process include workshops, design team involvement, QS to price the value engineering. I assisted the client by Introducing controlled areas on site which reduced the cost of steel shielding while providing the same functionality of radiation protection.
What is a development appraisal?
This is a method of assessing the profitability of a project.
• The residual development profit/return (deducting all development costs, including the site value/cost, from the scheme’s total capital value.
What is a project brief?
The project brief is the final stage in the process of defining the client’s requirements for a project.
What is a residual valuation?
- A financial appraisal of a development to calculate the residual site value.
- Deducting all development costs, including an allowance for the developer’s profit/return, from the scheme’s total capital value.
GDUK Bovington:
Explain the process followed for the development of your project delivery strategy and options considered?
I started drafting my report following Initial discussion with the client management team. I then met operational team on site to understand their requirements and demands. I concluded all that within my report giving three options to the client for the delivery of the project.
Ashford PET-CT:
Explain the process followed for the site due diligence?
I arranged several surveys such as Arboriculture, topography, GPR and ecology studies. Ecology survey revealed protected species on site. I gave two options to the client to either relocate the protected species or change the project site.
Tell me about your awareness of the principles of building regulations?
Building control ensures that building work complies with the building regulations, a set of standards intended to protect people’s safety, health and welfare in and around built environments.
A set of regulations and standard that all new buildings must be built to.
GDUK Bovington:
What are KPIs? Explain how you developed KPIs in meeting with the client?
Key performance indicators are metrics used to evaluate factors that are crucial to the success of a project.
Usually developed under Barnes Traingle of cost, time and quality. If time is critical to the client then cost and quality may be at risk.
Leicester PET-CT:
Explain how have you Implemented change control process on this project?
I agreed design freeze with client to happen at the end of RIBA Stage 3 and included change control process and procedure in PEP document.
What are HBNs and HTMs in healthcare projects?
Health Building Notes (HBNs) and Health Technical Memoranda (HTMs) give best practice guidance on the design and planning of new healthcare buildings and on the adaption/ extension of existing facilities. HBN guidance dictates minimum room requirements and room sizes for health facilities.
What should be included in design brief?
Project introduction, site context, schedule of accomodation, site risks,
What are current OJEU thresholds and how often does it changes?
It changes after every two years. the current thresholds are £4.7m for public contracts and £122k for supplies and services contracts for central government.
What are the different types of contract?
Lump sum contract Cost plus contract Incentive contracts D&B contracts Guaranteed maximum price contract
Explain cost plus contract?
Client pays for the material and labour (actual cost of the building) plus contractors overhead and profit. Three types
- cost + fixed percentage
- cost + fixed fee
- cost +fixed fee with GMP.
Explain different forms of NEC contracts?
NEC Option A - Priced Contract with Activity schedule
NEC Option B - Priced Contract with nill of quants
NEC Option C - Target contract with Activity Schedule
NEC Option D - Target Contract with Bill of Quants
NEC Option E - Cost reimbursable contract
NEC Option F - Management Contract
What are the contract documents under NEC ECC contracts?
The form of agreement Conditions of contract Contract data Prices, activities schedule and bill of quants Works information Site information
What are the NEC core clauses?
NEC3 have 9 core clauses
- General items
- Contractor’s main responsibilities
- Time
- Testing and defects
- Payments
- Compensation Events
- Title - plant, materials etc
- Risk and insurances
- Termination
What are NEC Z clauses?
NEC Z clauses are used for ammendments of standard form of NEC Contract such as collateral warranties requirement, obligation of contractor to comply with applicable regulations, statues and code of practice etc.
What are the different materials used in construction?
Concrete, timber, metal, glass, masonry such as brick, block and stone etc.
what structures are you aware of?
Solid, frame, shell, membrane etc.
what is pile foundation and what are the different types?
Pile foundation can be used where the surface soil is incapable of supporting the loads imposed. They are formed by long column made of steel, reinforced concrete or timber. Mainly two types
- End bearing piles
- Friction piles
What are end bearing piles?
End bearing piles develop most of their load bearing capacity at the toe of the pile bearing on a hard layer of rock or very dense soil.
What are friction piles?
Friction piles transfer the load to surrounding soil, this is used when harder layers are too deep to reach economically.
What leadership motivational theories are you aware of?
- Moslow heirarchy of needs
Needs of fulfillment such as
Physiological needs, safety and security, Belongingness and love, self-esteem and self actualization. - Hertzberg’s two factor theory
Needs classified into two broad categories namely hygiene and motivators to make sure employees are not dissatisfied.
What are retaining walls and its types?
Retaining walls are structures designed to retain material on one side, preventing it from collapsing or slipping usually soil. types are gravity retaining wall, reinforced retaining walls and gabions etc.
What are LW mission statement and values?
Our values are integrity, people centred, punctuality, consistency, high quality, respect
Mission statement: LW is dedicated to providing exceptional personlised service tailored to the unique needs of our client and projects. to achieve this we will treat our people, clients and suppliers with respect and integrity in a fun and enjoyable environment whilst delivering profit for the company.
