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Calculating Activities Durations for the CPM Schedule
We start with an introduction to estimating or calculating the durations of the schedule’s activities. We discuss the work production rate and its relationship to both unit price and activity duration. We briefly cover factors that influence crew productivity such as weather, design complexity, and labor skill level. We give a few examples of adjusting productivity based on project conditions. We then show ..
Linear Scheduling Method, LSM
Linear Scheduling Method, LSM, has been known for a long time with several variations and several names. It is basically a graphical scheduling method where the project can be displayed as a few simple lines, with slope reflecting production. Although it started in the manufacturing industry, many experts argue that it is a good and suitable method for certain types of construction projects, mainly “linear”..
Construction Audit – Using EVM in Monthly Progress Reports
Earned Value Management (EVM): Understanding and ImplementationEarned Value Management (EVM) is a powerful project management technique used to measure and track project performance against the planned schedule and budget. It integrates scope, schedule, and cost metrics to provide a comprehensive view of a project's health and progress. By analyzing key metrics such as Planned Value (PV), Earned Value (EV),..
Construction Project Scheduling: Starting with the Right Foot!
Project scheduling is basically two parts: Creating the schedule before the construction phase starts, and then managing it during the construction phase. We must start the schedule on the right foot: An accurate and clear schedule that reflects the contractor's intent on the project work plan. The schedule must be simple and clear for the field crews. It must also possess the traits that make it dynamic an..
How to Audit Construction Projects: Month by Month or Vendor by Vendor
Whether vendor audits should be done instead of construction project audits depends on various factors, including the organization's goals, risk factors, and resource availability. Both types of audits serve different purposes and address different aspects of business operations. Therefore, it may be more appropriate to conduct vendor audits alongside construction project audits rather than as a replacement..
Remaining Duration: The Overlooked Aspect
This Webinar focuses on schedule updating, steps, and tips, for better results. We dive deep into each activity, especially those in progress, to measure or calculate:Work performed and the time it took (actual duration).Work yet to be performed and the time it is expected to take.We, further, compare the actual baseline and see how much we conform to the baseline, as things in construction projects, often ..
Adjusting Prices in Cost Estimates
This webinar discusses all factors a typical construction cost estimator must consider when preparing an estimate, approximate or detailed. It has two different tracks: approximate and detailed cost estimates, although many of the factors are the same in both cases. The seminar discusses adjusting unit prices based on an increase or decrease in production rate. It discusses the impact of fluctuation in prod..
Calculating Contractor Jobsite Overhead Delay Costs
Learn about the recoverability of extended field office overhead costs in the event a compensable delay arises on a project General Contractors and subcontractors will gain information on the various accepted methods of calculating this element of delay damagesOwners will be exposed to various methods of specifying this element of delay damages in contracts to avoid disputes later should a compensable delay..
Changes and Change Order Management
In order to deliver successful projects on time an in budget, owners and contractors must know how to manage changes to the work during the construction period. This webinar discusses how and why changes arise during the project’s construction phase; what owners can and cannot change; the types of change to the work in progress; how each type of change order should be handled on the site; the rules of contr..
Construction Cost Estimating Using RS Means Database and Online Estimating
This webinar contains two major components: An explanation of the RS Means database and its categories and components. The webinar explains all the displayed numbers and how they are calculated and how they should be adjusted. A quick overview of the RS Means Online system and how it can be used for itemized (detailed) estimates, assemblies, and summary estimates.Areas CoveredA quick overview of the RS Mean..
Construction Lending and Real Credit Administration: Evaluating, Underwriting, and Monitoring Construction Loans
Most bankers acknowledge that construction lending is riskier than other types of commercial lending:Repayment ability depends on successful completion of the construction before the project can generate cash flow from the sale of the finished property, from rental or lease of the real estate, or permanent take-out refinancingDuring the construction period, the collateral is literally work-in-progress and o..
Delay Claims: Prevention and Management
Delay claims are part of project management, however, the way we deal with them can make a big difference. Delay claims cost money and time, as well as strain the relationship between the contracting parties. So it is better to take all precautions to prevent them from arising, and then learn a few hints to manage those that do happen, in the most effective way. This webinar will go over the definition of c..
Differing Site Conditions – Who Really Owns The Risk?
The Differing Site Conditions clause is one of the oldest clauses used in construction contracts, having been created by the U.S. Federal government in 1926. It is generally accepted that the object of the clause is to transfer the risk of latent site conditions to the owner, thus enticing contractors to reduce their contingency cost at the time of bid. The promise of the clause is that if the contractor en..
Direct Versus Indirect Expenses in Construction Projects
This seminar discusses construction expenses, their type, and classification. It goes into each category and explains it in simple terms. We discuss labor, materials, equipment, other (government fees, lab tests), subcontracts, job (project) overhead, general (main office) overhead, contingency allowance, profit allowance, and inflation/escalation allowance. We then go into a brief analysis of all these exp..
Early Completion Schedules – Benefits, Risks and Defenses
A contractor’s right to complete work early was acknowledged by U.S. Courts in the 1960’s. Delayed early completion claims arose shortly thereafter and became somewhat common in the industry. It was then, and remains now, a controversial issue in the construction industry with many project owners refusing to accept early completion baseline schedules. Others crafted contractual mechanisms to defeat such cla..