Test 1

Question 1

What is a project

Answer 1

A project consists of a series of activities having the following characteristics:
- The project and end date
- It has well-defined objectives (what are we trying to achieve)
- It achieves a specific product or result
- It is unique and non-repetitive (temporary)
- Cost, time schedules and resources are consumed (resources, labour equipment, material)

Question 2

Project vs Operation

Answer 2

Operation are ongoing and repetitive (mass production)
Projects are unique (single time)

Question 3

Ultimate goal of a construction project

Answer 3

To complete the project successfully (profitably) within the project parameters
1. Time
2. Money
3. Quality

Question 4

4 aspects of a project

Answer 4

1. Scope of work; What is included? (What do you want)
2. Time: Schedule, Start/Finish, Milestone dates, etc.
3. Quality: Characteristics of products, testing and inspections according to specifications
4. Cost: budget, Cost control, Payments, Cash flow

Question 5

If you change one aspect of a project? With example

Answer 5

It affects another one. Example: Melamine counters to granite = SCOPE, new counters will take longer time = TIME, QUALITY is different therefore COST changes aswell.

Question 6

In the PMI, Scope, Time, Cost and Quality are referred to as ? Other ? include

Answer 6

Areas of knowledge

-Integration management
-Human resources
-Communications
-Risk
-Procurement

Question 7

Examples of a project

Answer 7

-Developing software
-Deigning transportation vehicle
-Construction of a new building or bridge

Question 8

4 main phases in a project

Answer 8

• Feasibility
  (Project formulation, feasibility studies, strategy design and approval)

-Planning and design
(Base design, cost and schedule, contract terms and conditions, detailed planning)

-Construction
(Manufacturing, delivery, civil works, installation, testing)

-Turnover and Close-Out
(Final testing, maintenance)

Question 9

What are the intermediary steps between phases

Answer 9

1 to 2: Project GO decision
2 to 3: Major contracts let
3 to 4: Installation substantially complete
4: Full operations

Question 10

Feasibility

Answer 10

A study to determine if a project is viable: Market study, population growth, incomes, environmental impact, preliminary budget, schedule

Question 11

Planning and design

Answer 11

The project is designed, costs and schedule are determined. Contracts are given out: Preparation of Bid documents

Question 12

Construction

Answer 12

Manufacturing and delivering the product, installation and testing, detailed schedule

Question 13

Turnover and Close-Out

Answer 13

-Final testing and approvals
-Correction of deficiencies
-Contract and document close-out
-Turn-over of facilities to owner: As builts, guarantees

Question 14

Planning

Answer 14

Determine the order in which the activities are to take place.

Determine what is to be done. Make a WBS. Make a list of activities. Determine durations for said activities.

Question 15

Concurrent activities

Answer 15

Activities that can occur at the same time (do not depend on each other)

Question 16

Sequential

Answer 16

Activities which depend on the completion of another activity

Question 17

Critical path method

Answer 17

Technique used to predict project duration by analyzing which sequence of activities has the least amount of float.

Question 18

General Guidelines

Answer 18

1. Evaluate activities one at a time
2. For each activity, assume a normal level of personnel and or equipment
3. If time units of working days are being used, assume a normal workday of 8 hours
4. Do not include overtime or double shifts
5. Concentrate on estimating the duration of the individual activity and ignore all other time considerations. (Avoid making the project fit into a pre-determined time frame)
6. Use constant time units throughout (When using working days as time units, weekends and holidays are not included)
7. Use appropriate time units: Construction project (days)
   Manufacturer (shop hours)
   City planning (Weeks)

Question 19

Tools and techniques for estimating activity duration

Answer 19

1. Expert judgment: consultants, workers and technical associations
2. Analogous estimating: top down estimating, based on past projects
3. Quantitatively based durations: the quantities are taken off and the productivity rates are sued to estimate the activity durations
4. Reserve time (contingency): To account for lost weather days, soil conditions, etc.

Question 20

Advanced calculations of durations for estimating activity duration involve?

Answer 20

The use of statistics and probabilities of the use of weighted average PERT.