COSC 353 Exam 3 Fall 2025

The process of listing specific tasks in a sequence in which they will occur

Scheduling

Type of Schedule:

Simple and quick to produce

Easy to read and understand

Good for meetings

But does not show the interrelationships of the project

Bar Chart Schedule

Type of Schedule:

Best for repetitive work (Multiple floors)

Easily understood by non-technical people

Best used as a coordination tool in the field

But lacks detail on tasks

Matrix Schedule

Type of Schedule:

Follows the Critical Path method

Requires many resources

Shows interlationships from the project

Requires technical training to develop

Network Schedule

An activity that must be completed before another activity can take place

Predecessor

An activity that can only be completed after another activity has already taken place

Successor

Scheduling logic that involves a set of tasks that occur one after another

Sequential Logic

Scheduling logic that involves a set of tasks that occur at the same time, overlapping, thus saving time

Concurrent Logic

What are the 3 tasks/activities groups in scheduling?

1. Production Activities

2. Procurement Activities

3. Administrative Activities

Type of scheduling activity:

Directly related to the actual construction of the project on-site

Production Activities

Type of scheduling activity:

Purchasing and tracking of materials and equipment from the supplier to the site

Procuement activites

Type of scheduling activity:

Permits, inspections, approvals, and other government requirements

Administrative activities

The amount of time assigned to a specific task on the schedule

Duration

What are the phases of the 3-phase process of CPM scheduling

1. Planning

2. Scheduling

3. Monitoring and Controlling

Establishes the standard by which the project will be held up to

Baseline/Target

What is the baseline for the project cost?

Estimate

What is the baseline for the project duration/time?

Schedule

What is the baseline for the project quality

Plans and Specs

80% of the results are caused by 20% of the efforts

Pareto's Law

The process of accelerating activities to shorten the duration of the project. While leading to a decrease in indirect cost, it will lead to an increase in direct cost.

Crashing

Determines the most efficient project duration by analyzing the critical path

Minimum Cost Scheduling

How is "Units Completed" determined?

Amount of work actually done/Amount of work outlined by the schedule

How is "Incremental Milestone" determined?

Measured by how much something has been set up relative to the final product

Looking back at project cases for failures and successes, and using that to create a forecast

Trending

Provides information on the ultimate cost and completion date of a project. Includes cost to complete, cost at completion, and projected date of completion

Forecasting

Gathering and analyzing data from a project

Reporting

If you need to go to a dispute, what document do you need to refer to?

Contract

If somebody dies on the job site, how long do you have to notify OSHA?

8 hours

If somebody on the job site goes to the hospital, recieves an ampuation, or experieces loss of eyesight, how long do you have to notify OSHA?

24 hours

Instead of using the term "accident", what term does OSHA use?

Incident

Why is it critical to investigate all safety accidents, even close calls?

To identify the root cause/the why

Who determines whether or not a citation is issued after an OSHA inspection has been completed on a jobsite?

Area Director

If a citation is issued, how long does the employer have to take action?

15 days

What are the steps of the 3-phase inspection process?

1. Opening Conference

2. Walk around

3. Closing Conference

1st step of the planning process?

Review Historical Data for similar projects

2nd step of the planning process?

Review lessons learned from previous projects

3rd step of the planning process?

Review the contract for MILESTONES (Notice to proceed, completion date, etc.)

What 5 tasks must be done during planning and scheduling?

1. Review the plans and specs

2. Define specific tasks

3. Define relationships in tasks

4. Define the duration of tasks

5. Estimate required resources

Activities with zero float, which are monitored closely, since any delay on them could delay the entire schedule

Zero Float Activities

How much time can an activity be delayed without affecting the project schedule?

Float

An activity that falls on the critical path and is critical for adequate completion within the set time

Critical activity

Good project control reports show what?

Variances between the set baseline and the actual progress made

What theory is made up of the following steps:

1. Initial work plan

3. The work plan is used to initiate field operations

3. As work progresses, data is collected and compared with the baseline

4. Data is cost-engineered to provide recommendations

5. Management uses the data to adjust the plan

Basic control theory

Why should you use Minimum cost scheduling?

It determines the optimum duration for a project

How is cash flow managed on a project?

Before the project begins, a payment plan will have already been set in place for incremental payments as the project progresses.

Communicating, documenting, and keeping a permanent record of actions undertaken during the construction process. When done correctly, it tells the whole story of the project

Project Administration

A form that formalizes a request for clarification or information regarding the project, may pass through many hands before it is answered.

Request for Information (RFI)

Form used when certain information about the plans or specs is required to be submitted to the design professional for review and approval

Submittal

A record of the day-to-day activities and conditions on the job site

Daily Report

Should be action-oriented and kept for all meetings, especially ones involving job progress. Should include: Project name, project number, date of meeting, people in attendance, and a brief summary of the items discussed

Meeting Minutes

Partial payments made to the contractor from the owner as the project moves on

Progress Payment

Allows someone who provides labor or materials for a project to hold back the project's real estate if no payments are made

Lien

The trade partner gives up the right to place a lien on the project, protecting the owner by ensuring that the general contractor pays all partners and material suppliers

Lien Waiver

A change in the project scope, money, or time after the contract has already been signed. If approved, it becomes part of the contract

Change Order

Used when there is not enough time for an official change order, since there is an urgent need for a change. Allows work to proceed with temporary instructions while final scope and details from the change are determined

Construction Change Directive

Value and amounts of the work associated with the progress payments for each activity or work element

Schedule of Values

- Shop Drawings

- Product literature/data

- Product samples

- Reports from testing agencies

- O&M manuels

- Product warranty information

Types of Submittals

What is the process of reviewing and approving submittals?

Before submittals are sent to design professionals, the general contractor reviews each one to ensure it meets the plans and specs. The design professional then revises and approves or disapproves the submittal

What is the process of submitting, reviewing, and approving contractor progress payment requests

The general contractor reviews and submits a payment request, along with a schedule of values. The owner/design professional reviews the request and ensures it matches the schedule of values. If so, it is approved

1. Submit a change order form

2. Review the form for scope and pricing

3. If approved, the change becomes part of the signed contract

Change Order Process

- Owner changed project scope

- Owner changed materials

- Unforeseen conditions

- Discovery of unknown HAZMAT on the jobsite

- Errors/Missed items on Construction Documents

Reasons for a Change Order

How do construction change directives (CCD) differ from change orders?

Construction Change Directives do not become part of the contract but instead are a set of temporary instructions, allowing work to proceed while final cost and scope details are determined. Used when time does not permit a change order

An agreement establishing rules between two or more parties, usually in written form. Must be consistent with a common set of legal principles.

Contract

1st step of creating a contract between parties, does not have to be in writing and does not to to state what it is. "I will do X for you, if you provide Y for me."

Offer

A contract can be formed unless the receiving party does this; it can be done verbally, in writing, or by conduct indicating this

Acceptance of the offer

Contract Element:

Something of value is being exchanged on both sides of the transaction, usually money, but it does not have to be necessarily so

Consideration

Contract element:

1. Must be of legal age (18) and of sound mind

2. In a corporate party, the contract must be authorized by an officer on the board of directors

Capacity

Attempts to proactively prevent disputes, fostering a culture of cooperation and open communication, so issues are addressed before they become disputes.

Partnering

Type of Dispute Resolution:

Occurs before arbitration, a neutral mediator facilitates a negotiation to help parties reach a mutual agreement. No binding result

Mediation

Type of dispute resolution:

Parties agree to have disputes heard with a final decision having a legally binding effect on parties, whether they like the result or not (Same as a judge or jury)

Arbitration

Last resort for disputes, complicated, time-consuming, expensive, and rarely results in a "real winner."

Litigation

The government develops and adopts statutes and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels

The role of government

They interpret and enforce statutes and regulations and apply common law principles to resolve disputes

Role of courts

You have an unresolved conflict with the owner on your construction project. Which document would you reference to find out how to move forward?

Contract

What are the 4 elements of a contract?

1. Offer

2. Acceptance of offer

3. Consideration

4. Capacity

Damages related to a building or structure, consisting of the actual cost of repair

Direct damages

Indirect damages caused by a breach of contract, such as lost profits, lost opportunities, and negative publicity

Consequential damages

Pre-agree daily damages payable by the contractor in cases of a contractor-caused delay. Loss of money is usually due to a lack of daily production

Liquidated Damages

Penalties given to an injured party over and above actual damages due to committed actions deemed willful, malicious, or reckless

Punitive damages

- Cost of medical transportation (Ambulance)

- Cost of the healthcare provider

- Cost of hospital

- Cost of medications

- Cost of medical equipment

Direct Costs of Accidents

- Lost productivity

- Lower morale

- Training replacements

- Increase in insurance rates

- Negative publicity

- Lost contracts

- Potential legal fees

- OSHA investigations and fines

Indirect Costs of Accidents

Used to price workers' compensation insurance premiums, acts like a credit score for safety. If less than 1, then considered safer than most, but if more than 1, then it results in higher insurance premiums and negatively impacts profitability

Experience Modification Rating (EMR)

What does OSHA stand for?

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA officer explains why OSHA is inspecting the workplace and describes the scope of the inspection. A company representative is elected

Opening Conference

OSHA officer talks privately with owners, discussing safety, injuries, PPE provided, and training provided

Walkthrough

Walkthrough findings are discussed along with possible corrective procedures and reasonable timelines for correction

Closing Conference

Why does a company's Experience Modification Rating matter

It directly impacts insurance worker compensation premiums, increasing the overall cost

3 Primary causes of accidents on a job site

1. Falls

2. Struck-By incidents

3. Electrocutions

Role of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Ensure a safe and healthy work environment by setting and enforcing safety standards, providing training, and offering assistance to employers to prevent accidents and injuries

What 3 things can be used to manage safety on the job site

Safety meetings, making sure PPE is being worn, and injury prevention measures