Construction Management: Project Scheduling

• Construction management oversees and coordinates construction projects from start to finish
• It encompasses planning, organizing, and controlling resources to meet project objectives
• Construction managers handle budgeting, scheduling, and ensure projects are safe, on time, and within budget
• Stakeholder communication, including architects, engineers, contractors, and clients, is also managed

Project Scheduling

• Project scheduling defines, sequences, and estimates the duration of project activities, allocating resources
• A well-developed schedule acts as a roadmap, indicating when tasks should begin and end
• Gantt charts, the critical path method (CPM), and Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) are common scheduling techniques
• Gantt charts offer a visual timeline of the project, showing start and end dates for tasks
• CPM pinpoints the longest sequence of activities (the critical path), determining the shortest possible project duration
• PERT utilizes probabilistic time estimates to account for activity duration uncertainty
• Effective scheduling minimizes delays, optimizes resource use, and enhances project coordination

Cost Estimation

• Cost estimation predicts the expenses needed to complete a construction project
• Accurate estimates are vital for budgeting, financial planning, and informed decision-making
• Preliminary, detailed, and control estimates are the categories of estimates
• Preliminary estimates are made early in a project with limited data
• Detailed estimates are created during design, using detailed drawings and specs
• Control estimates track actual costs versus the budget, flagging potential overruns
• Analogous, parametric, and bottom-up estimating are cost estimation methods
• Analogous estimating uses historical data from similar projects
• Parametric estimating uses statistical relationships between project parameters (e.g., square footage) and costs
• Bottom-up estimating involves summing up the costs of individual tasks

Risk Management

• Risk management identifies, assesses, and responds to project risks
• Construction projects are inherently risky because of weather, site conditions, and material price changes
• Risk management entails creating a plan that outlines risk management procedures
• Risk identification involves brainstorming potential risks and recording them in a risk register
• Risk assessment evaluates the likelihood and impact of each risk
• Risk response planning develops strategies to mitigate, transfer, avoid, or accept risks
• Risk monitoring and control tracks risks and implements response plans as needed
• Purchasing insurance, implementing safety measures, and using contingency funds are common risk mitigation strategies

Safety Regulations

• Safety regulations are designed to prevent accidents and injuries on construction sites
• Adhering to safety regulations is vital for worker protection, as construction is a hazardous industry
• Government agencies like OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) typically enforce these regulations
• Fall protection, excavation safety, electrical safety, and hazardous materials handling are key safety topics
• Wearing PPE, conducting inspections, and providing training are common safety practices
• Guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems are used for fall protection
• Shoring and sloping prevent cave-ins during excavation
• Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and lockout/tagout procedures ensure electrical safety
• Proper storage, labeling, and disposal are crucial for handling hazardous materials

Quality Control

• Quality control ensures construction work meets specific standards and requirements
• Inspections, testing, and documentation verify acceptable materials and workmanship
• A quality control plan outlines procedures for monitoring and controlling quality
• Material, concrete, welding, and structural inspections are performed during quality control
• Material testing confirms materials meet standards for strength, durability, etc.
• Slump, compression, and air content tests are performed on concrete
• Welding inspections verify welds meet codes and strength requirements
• Structural inspections verify correct installation and design requirements
• Effective quality control prevents defects, reduces rework, and improves product quality

Mechanical and Plumbing

• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are mechanical systems
• Water supply, drainage, and waste disposal systems are plumbing systems
• Mechanical/plumbing systems are essential for comfortable and healthy indoor environments
• HVAC systems regulate temperature, humidity, and air quality
• Water supply systems provide potable water for various uses
• Drainage systems remove wastewater from buildings
• Plumbing codes govern the design, installation, and maintenance of these systems
• Mechanical/plumbing design involves calculating heating/cooling loads, sizing pipes/ducts, and selecting equipment
• Installation involves placing pipes, ducts, fixtures, etc., per design specifications
• Maintenance includes inspecting, cleaning, and repairing systems for proper operation
• Using energy-efficient equipment, conserving water, and reducing waste are sustainable practices