Construction Project Planning Flashcards

A project has a planned value of $500,000, earned value of $450,000, and actual cost of $480,000. What is the Schedule Performance Index (SPI)?

Answer: 0.90

SPI = EV / PV = 450,000 / 500,000 = 0.90, meaning the project is behind schedule.

Using the same data (PV $500,000, EV $450,000, AC $480,000), what is the Cost Variance?

Answer: -$30,000

CV = EV - AC = 450,000 - 480,000 = -$30,000, indicating a cost overrun.

What is the primary purpose of resource leveling in a construction schedule?

Answer: To smooth resource demand peaks, possibly extending duration

Resource leveling adjusts activity timing to reduce peaks and valleys in resource usage, which may extend the schedule.

Which scheduling method is best suited for repetitive linear work such as high-rise floors or highway segments?

Answer: Line of Balance

Line of Balance (linear scheduling) shows production rates of repetitive units and helps keep crews flowing continuously.

In PERT, an activity has optimistic 4 days, most likely 6 days, and pessimistic 14 days. What is its expected duration?

Answer: 7 days

Te = (O + 4M + P) / 6 = (4 + 24 + 14) / 6 = 7 days.

A three-week look-ahead schedule is primarily used by the field team to:

Answer: Plan short-term work, crews, and constraints in detail

Look-ahead schedules break near-term work into detail so superintendents can coordinate crews, materials, and constraints.

Which item is typically identified early in planning as a long-lead procurement item?

Answer: Switchgear and custom electrical equipment

Switchgear and other custom fabricated equipment often take months to fabricate, so they must be released early.