Engineering Design Practices Public vs Private

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Questions and Answers

What defines the critical path in a project?

The path with the most activities

The longest path determining project duration (correct)

The sequence with the least resources required

The shortest sequence of activities

How is the earliest start time (ES) for an activity calculated?

It is the maximum earliest finish time (EF) of its immediate predecessors. (correct)

It is the sum of the activity times of all predecessors.

It requires the minimum finish time from all possible paths.

It is determined solely by the activity's duration.

What term is used to describe activities not on the critical path?

Mandatory activities

Float or slack time activities (correct)

Dependent activities

Non-critical path activities

To calculate the latest finish time (LF) for an activity, which formula is used?

LF = minimum LS of immediate successors Signup and view all the answers

What does float (or slack) time signify in project management?

Amount of time an activity can be delayed without affecting the project completion date Signup and view all the answers

How does the fee structure in the public sector influence design choices?

It promotes the use of tried and tested designs. Signup and view all the answers

What advantage do private sector owners have over public sector owners regarding design services?

They can freely offer incentives to contractors. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential benefit of employing a contractor's unique techniques in a construction project?

It may lower costs due to increased efficiency. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the planning and design phase crucial for utilizing contractor expertise?

It provides the best opportunity for input on construction techniques. Signup and view all the answers

What common misconception might be held regarding the impact of professional fees on innovative designs?

Low fees limit the exploration of alternative designs. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of construction management is often favored by private owners?

Professional construction management or integrated design/construction. Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason public sector design professionals might avoid innovative designs?

Risk of higher costs compared to traditional designs. Signup and view all the answers

How can contractors specifically enhance the value engineering process?

Through sharing their unique construction insights. Signup and view all the answers

What does a bid estimate include apart from direct construction costs?

Markup to cover overhead and profits Signup and view all the answers

Which estimate is conducted before a facility is designed?

Screening estimate Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of control estimates during a construction project?

To monitor project progress and budget Signup and view all the answers

In which stage is a preliminary estimate typically created?

At the conceptual design phase Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates a detailed estimate from a preliminary estimate?

Detailed estimates require completed plans and specifications. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key characteristic of an engineer's estimate?

It is founded on completed plans and specifications. Signup and view all the answers

What approach is commonly used to derive direct construction costs for bid estimates?

Subcontractor quotations Signup and view all the answers

During which phase is a screening estimate primarily utilized?

Evaluating client needs and programmatic requirements Signup and view all the answers

What do Engineer's Estimates typically include in their calculations?

Expected amounts for contractors' overhead and profits Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential problem with a contractor's bid estimate?

A contractor may estimate costs with less effort if their success chances appear low Signup and view all the answers

What is the main consequence of only the lowest bidder winning the contract?

Contractors might not invest much effort in estimates Signup and view all the answers

What does soliciting price quotations from subcontractors allow a general contractor to do?

Shift the burden of cost estimating to subcontractors Signup and view all the answers

Which method is NOT typically used in preparing bid estimates?

Random cost allocation Signup and view all the answers

What is the risk associated with relying on subcontractor quotations for bid estimates?

The general contractor may have limited control over subcontractor pricing Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of using quantity takeoffs from plans on bid estimating?

It offers a similar process to detailed estimates or engineer's estimates Signup and view all the answers

In what way can a general contractor benefit from subcontractor quotations?

By minimizing estimating responsibilities Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary purpose of adopting a budget estimate early in a construction project?

To plan long-term financing for the facility Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT typically included in the decomposition of a construction project for cost estimation?

Market trends of similar projects Signup and view all the answers

What role does the progress estimate play in construction projects?

Assess completed work for partial payments Signup and view all the answers

How does value engineering primarily benefit construction projects?

By identifying unnecessary costs without sacrificing quality Signup and view all the answers

Why might updated budgeted costs be necessary during construction?

To reflect the estimated cost to completion Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical step in the value engineering process?

Evaluating the promising alternatives Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is NOT typically influenced by the detailed estimate in construction?

Availability of design changes Signup and view all the answers

In the context of construction, what is meant by the term 'control estimates'?

Baseline estimates adopted for cost control during construction Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Engineering Design Services: Public vs. Private Sector

Public sector fees are typically tied to market prices or lowest bids, limiting innovative design options.
Private sector allows owners to offer incentives for innovative alternatives, promoting cost savings through shared savings incentives.
Contractors in the private sector can utilize proprietary techniques, leading to potential cost reductions.
The best time to leverage contractor expertise is during the planning and design phases to maximize efficiency and savings.

Cost Evaluation and Management

CPM (Critical Path Method) involves identifying the longest sequence of activities that determines project duration.
Critical activities are essential to the project timeline and must be closely monitored.
Forward Pass determines earliest start (ES) and finish (EF) times for activities, influencing scheduling.
Backward Pass establishes the latest start (LS) and finish (LF) times to prevent project delays.

Float or Slack Time

Slack time refers to activities not on the critical path, allowing flexibility in scheduling without affecting overall project completion.

Estimation Types in Construction

Direct construction costs include field supervision and a markup for overhead and profits, derived from:
- Subcontractor quotations
- Quantity takeoffs
- Construction procedures
Various design estimates:
- Screening Estimate: initial rough estimate based on similar past projects, used to define project scope.
- Preliminary Estimate: based on conceptual designs reflecting major structural systems.
- Detailed Estimate: derived from clear scope definitions, breaking down the project into specific components.
- Engineer's Estimate: created from completed plans, including contractors’ overhead and profit estimates.

Bid Estimates and Contractor Strategies

Contractors aim for competitive bid estimates, often to secure contracts with minimal effort if success chances are low.
General contractors may request subcontractor quotes to shift estimating responsibilities.
Bid estimates can utilize quantity takeoffs, construction procedures, and subcontractor quotations to achieve cost accuracy.

Control Estimates During Construction

Both owners and contractors rely on baseline estimates for cost control.
Owners typically use detailed estimates as budget estimates for long-term financing.
Budgeted costs must be updated regularly to reflect the project's actual progress and needs.

Value Engineering Approach

Value engineering identifies unnecessary costs while proposing cost-effective design and construction alternatives.
The process starts with gathering information, seeking creative ideas, evaluating alternatives, and proposing new solutions.
Public sector endorses value engineering through legislation, but it is less prevalent in the private sector construction industry.

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Description

Explore the differences in engineering design services between the public and private sectors. This quiz delves into how fee structures influence design choices, emphasizing the balance between innovation and risk in professional practices.