Works Progress and Quality Management

Question 1

How do you undertake a progress inspection?

Answer 1

Once on site, I make contact with the site manager and walk around the property to see what progress has been made

• Review against contractors programme
• I record my findings with photos.

Question 2

What else do you record on site when carrying out a progress meeting?

Answer 2

• Weather
• Number of operatives on site
• Materials on site

Question 3

Why do you include a financial report in your progress report? What can it show?

Answer 3

Whether the project is within budget and if not if additional funds are required.

Question 4

whos responsibility is it to report potential delays as early as possible?

Answer 4

the contractors

Question 5

What did the project at Spire Green entail? Did you highlight any issues either with quality or progress?

Answer 5

There was a delay to the programme of works due to client variations and force majeur. Therefore, there was an extension of time granted.

I raised issues with quality of:
* the spitter locations and also the downpipes being installed in the way of the fire exits and reducing the width - both had to be relocated.

Question 6

What do you record when inspecting site?

Answer 6

• Progress
• Weather
• Number of operatives
• Identifying any H&S concerns

Question 7

How do you review quality of work on site?

Answer 7

• Checking correct / good materials are being used on site
• Check compliance with the spec;
• Testing required during construction phase
  • Check compliance with the Materials and Workmanship

Question 8

What are quality descriptors?

Answer 8

• Detail the standards the contractor should adhere to. For example using British standards and ensuring the manufacturers recommendations.

Question 9

How do you ensure quality?

Answer 9

• Select a competent contractor;
• Include British Standards in a specification
• Ask for mock-ups/sample areas;
• Check compliance with the spec;
• Check compliance with the Materials and Workmanship
• Warranties and guarantees.

Question 10

Talk me through a progress meeting?

Answer 10

• Inspect site before to review works
• I will have made an agenda for the meeting
• Introduce everyone and take apologies for those not present
• Review previous minutes to pick up on action points
• Discuss programme and costs and variations
• Discuss any other points of interest

Question 11

Why did you bi-weekly site visits?

Answer 11

• The project was long so I thought it best to undertake biweekly visits to monitor the works and agreed with the contractor.
• I thought it best to see how the works were progressing

Question 12

What samples did you have them produce?

Answer 12

I had them produce a sample for the roof finish to see the quality and colour. This was then reviewed on site with the client for approval.

Question 13

What are meeting minutes?

Answer 13

• Written documentation of a meeting

* Details key points and items that require action

Question 14

What are the key aspects of a good set of site minutes?

Answer 14

• Well written.
• Clear
• Action points and responsibility clearly identified incl. date required for completion.
• Dated.
• All items of discussion recorded.

Question 15

What is the importance of accurate meeting minutes and progress reports?

Answer 15

• Meeting minutes and progress reports are a useful reference point.
• Accurate recording of discussions and decisions
• Useful for measuring progress
• Make it clear whos action it was so make people accountable

Question 16

Assuming areas of work were not visible during your visit, how do you monitor quality?

Answer 16

I would ensure the contractor notify me at critical points of the project before closing up.

I would also request photos to be taken.

Question 17

What might you look for to ensure that materials are of good quality?

Answer 17

• CE Mark
• British Standards Kitemark
• TRADA Certification

Question 18

How did you treat snags?

Answer 18

I undertook regular site inspections and noted any defects or snags as the works progressed

Question 19

Explain process at the end of defect liability period

Answer 19

inspect site with contractor

Issue a snagging list to the contractor that has been preagreed.

Once contractor has undertaken the works, I undertake another inspection. If satisfied, issue certificate of making good defects and final payment cert.

Question 20

What if works were behind programme, what would you do?

Answer 20

I would suggest that they provide more resource to the project.

Question 21

What if quality was poor, what would you do?

Answer 21

I would ask them to remove and recomplete the works and withhold payment for that element of the works until complete

Question 22

What are provisional quantities?

Answer 22

• These are quantities allowed for within the schedule of works that while we knew the process, we did not know the total number required

Question 23

• How did you determine the number of provisional quantities

Answer 23

• I counted the number in the accessible areas and scaled this up to the whole building

Question 24

Were these defined or undefined provisional sums?

Answer 24

These were defined provisional quants as the contractor could make allowances for them in their cost and programme.

Question 25

How do you report progress to a client on a project?

Answer 25

I prepare a monthly progress report which includes:

• an overview of the works
• progress vs programme
• and a project cost summary which includes the valuations to date and any contract instructions.

Question 26

How did you ensure quality of the repairs?

Answer 26

• Regular inspection
• Ensuring they were using correct materials
• Cladding consultant inspected to review repairs

Question 27

How did you determine if the variations costs were accurate?

Answer 27

• Compared with available online rates

* Compared with rates from similar projects

Question 28

How do you report progress to the client

Answer 28

Would depend on the length of the contract and complexity of the works.
project managers report monthly under the headings;
*progress,
*project cost summary and
looking forward which detailed the decisions required by the client
*key milestones and
*activities in the next month.