Podcast
Questions and Answers
What defines the critical path in a project?
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?
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?
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?
To calculate the latest finish time (LF) for an activity, which formula is used?
What does float (or slack) time signify in project management?
What does float (or slack) time signify in project management?
How does the fee structure in the public sector influence design choices?
How does the fee structure in the public sector influence design choices?
What advantage do private sector owners have over public sector owners regarding design services?
What advantage do private sector owners have over public sector owners regarding design services?
What is a potential benefit of employing a contractor's unique techniques in a construction project?
What is a potential benefit of employing a contractor's unique techniques in a construction project?
Why is the planning and design phase crucial for utilizing contractor expertise?
Why is the planning and design phase crucial for utilizing contractor expertise?
What common misconception might be held regarding the impact of professional fees on innovative designs?
What common misconception might be held regarding the impact of professional fees on innovative designs?
What kind of construction management is often favored by private owners?
What kind of construction management is often favored by private owners?
What is one reason public sector design professionals might avoid innovative designs?
What is one reason public sector design professionals might avoid innovative designs?
How can contractors specifically enhance the value engineering process?
How can contractors specifically enhance the value engineering process?
What does a bid estimate include apart from direct construction costs?
What does a bid estimate include apart from direct construction costs?
Which estimate is conducted before a facility is designed?
Which estimate is conducted before a facility is designed?
What is the primary purpose of control estimates during a construction project?
What is the primary purpose of control estimates during a construction project?
In which stage is a preliminary estimate typically created?
In which stage is a preliminary estimate typically created?
What differentiates a detailed estimate from a preliminary estimate?
What differentiates a detailed estimate from a preliminary estimate?
What is the key characteristic of an engineer's estimate?
What is the key characteristic of an engineer's estimate?
What approach is commonly used to derive direct construction costs for bid estimates?
What approach is commonly used to derive direct construction costs for bid estimates?
During which phase is a screening estimate primarily utilized?
During which phase is a screening estimate primarily utilized?
What do Engineer's Estimates typically include in their calculations?
What do Engineer's Estimates typically include in their calculations?
What is a potential problem with a contractor's bid estimate?
What is a potential problem with a contractor's bid estimate?
What is the main consequence of only the lowest bidder winning the contract?
What is the main consequence of only the lowest bidder winning the contract?
What does soliciting price quotations from subcontractors allow a general contractor to do?
What does soliciting price quotations from subcontractors allow a general contractor to do?
Which method is NOT typically used in preparing bid estimates?
Which method is NOT typically used in preparing bid estimates?
What is the risk associated with relying on subcontractor quotations for bid estimates?
What is the risk associated with relying on subcontractor quotations for bid estimates?
What is the effect of using quantity takeoffs from plans on bid estimating?
What is the effect of using quantity takeoffs from plans on bid estimating?
In what way can a general contractor benefit from subcontractor quotations?
In what way can a general contractor benefit from subcontractor quotations?
What is a primary purpose of adopting a budget estimate early in a construction project?
What is a primary purpose of adopting a budget estimate early in a construction project?
Which of the following is NOT typically included in the decomposition of a construction project for cost estimation?
Which of the following is NOT typically included in the decomposition of a construction project for cost estimation?
What role does the progress estimate play in construction projects?
What role does the progress estimate play in construction projects?
How does value engineering primarily benefit construction projects?
How does value engineering primarily benefit construction projects?
Why might updated budgeted costs be necessary during construction?
Why might updated budgeted costs be necessary during construction?
What is a critical step in the value engineering process?
What is a critical step in the value engineering process?
Which aspect is NOT typically influenced by the detailed estimate in construction?
Which aspect is NOT typically influenced by the detailed estimate in construction?
In the context of construction, what is meant by the term 'control estimates'?
In the context of construction, what is meant by the term 'control estimates'?
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.
