CPE CPE Project Scheduling & Time Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How does 'fast-tracking' affect project cost estimates?
- Always reduces total project cost
- Overlaps design and construction phases, potentially increasing cost through rework and coordination (Correct answer)
- Eliminates all contingency needs
- Has no cost impact — it only affects schedule
Correct answer: Overlaps design and construction phases, potentially increasing cost through rework and coordination
Fast-tracking compresses schedule by overlapping phases but increases coordination complexity and rework risk, which estimators must account for with higher contingency.
Question 2: Equipment rental cost for a crane is $2,500/week. The activity requiring the crane is on the critical path and takes 6 weeks. If the activity is delayed 2 weeks due to late drawings, what is the additional crane cost?
- $0
- $2,500
- $5,000 (Correct answer)
- $15,000
Correct answer: $5,000
Two weeks of delay × $2,500/week = $5,000 in additional crane rental cost directly attributable to the late drawing delay.
Question 3: Which scheduling technique is best suited for repetitive construction such as high-rise floors or highway paving?
- Critical Path Method (CPM)
- Line of Balance (LOB) / Linear Scheduling (Correct answer)
- PERT analysis
- Gantt chart only
Correct answer: Line of Balance (LOB) / Linear Scheduling
Line of Balance (also called Linear Scheduling) shows the flow of repetitive work crews through identical units over time, optimizing crew utilization and minimizing idle time.
Question 4: A project is scheduled to complete in 12 months, but the owner compresses the schedule to 10 months. Which cost element most likely increases?
- Material unit prices
- Labor cost due to overtime and crew augmentation (Correct answer)
- Permit fees
- Design consultant fees
Correct answer: Labor cost due to overtime and crew augmentation
Compressing schedule typically requires overtime premiums, additional crew sizes, or shift work — all of which increase labor cost substantially.
Question 5: What is a 'look-ahead schedule' used for in construction cost management?
- Projecting final project cost at completion
- A 3–6 week detailed schedule used to coordinate upcoming work, procurement, and resource needs (Correct answer)
- A long-range 10-year capital plan
- A post-construction as-built record
Correct answer: A 3–6 week detailed schedule used to coordinate upcoming work, procurement, and resource needs
Look-ahead schedules focus on the near-term horizon to ensure materials, subcontractors, and equipment are procured and on-site when needed, preventing costly delays.
Question 6: Construction loan interest is a time-dependent cost that a CPE estimator calculates based on:
- Final project cost only
- The average outstanding loan balance over the construction duration (Correct answer)
- The owner's credit score
- Subcontractor payment schedules only
Correct answer: The average outstanding loan balance over the construction duration
Construction interest is calculated on the average outstanding loan balance (typically approximated as 50% of total loan) multiplied by the interest rate and construction period.
CPE CPE Project Scheduling & Time Management 2
How does 'fast-tracking' affect project cost estimates?