CAT Project and Client Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client changes the scope of an AV installation mid-project by adding 12 additional ceiling speakers. What is the FIRST step a CAT should take?
- Begin installing the additional speakers immediately
- Issue a formal change order documenting added cost and timeline impact (Correct answer)
- Refuse the request until the original scope is complete
- Inform the general contractor verbally and proceed
Correct answer: Issue a formal change order documenting added cost and timeline impact
A formal change order protects both parties by documenting scope changes, revised costs, and updated timelines before work begins.
Question 2: Which document establishes the agreed-upon deliverables, schedule, and payment terms for a commercial AV project?
- RFI (Request for Information)
- As-built drawing
- Contract/Statement of Work (Correct answer)
- Punch list
Correct answer: Contract/Statement of Work
A contract or Statement of Work defines deliverables, schedule, and payment terms and is the binding agreement between client and contractor.
Question 3: During a site walkthrough for a new boardroom AV system, you discover the ceiling height is 2 feet lower than shown on the architect's drawings. What should you do?
- Adjust your design without notifying the client
- Submit an RFI to the architect to resolve the discrepancy (Correct answer)
- Cancel the project until drawings are corrected
- Proceed based on your field measurements and ignore the drawings
Correct answer: Submit an RFI to the architect to resolve the discrepancy
An RFI formally documents discrepancies between drawings and field conditions so the design team can issue corrected documentation.
Question 4: A commercial AV project has a hard opening deadline for a hotel grand ballroom. Which scheduling tool is MOST useful for identifying tasks that cannot be delayed without pushing the completion date?
- Gantt chart only
- Critical path method (CPM) (Correct answer)
- Budget spreadsheet
- Daily punch list
Correct answer: Critical path method (CPM)
The critical path method identifies the sequence of dependent tasks whose delay would directly extend the overall project duration.
Question 5: A client requests a system demonstration before final payment is released. This review is BEST described as:
- Substantial completion walkthrough
- System acceptance testing (SAT) (Correct answer)
- Pre-bid meeting
- Design development review
Correct answer: System acceptance testing (SAT)
System acceptance testing (SAT) is a formal client verification that the installed system meets specified performance requirements before final payment.
Question 6: When budgeting a large commercial AV installation, a contingency percentage is typically added to cover:
- Profit margin above the base bid
- Unforeseen conditions and scope uncertainties (Correct answer)
- Labor overtime only
- Equipment warranty costs
Correct answer: Unforeseen conditions and scope uncertainties
Contingency funds are reserved for unforeseen conditions, design changes, or scope uncertainties that arise during construction.
Question 7: A subcontractor on your AV project consistently submits invoices late, causing delays in your billing cycle. The BEST corrective action is to:
- Pay the subcontractor without invoices to keep the project moving
- Add invoice submission deadlines to the subcontract agreement (Correct answer)
- Replace the subcontractor immediately
- Absorb the billing delays without documentation
Correct answer: Add invoice submission deadlines to the subcontract agreement
Formalizing invoice submission deadlines in the subcontract agreement creates enforceable terms that protect cash flow and billing timelines.
CAT Project and Client Management 2
A client changes the scope of an AV installation mid-project by adding 12 additional ceiling speakers.
What is the FIRST step a CAT should take?