Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Open University System

Master of Science in Construction Management

Aquino, Nicole Marie R. Principles of Construction Management

2019-13382-MN-0 Dr. Guillermo O. Bernabe

Assignment No. 5

1. Talking with a scheduler, review a schedule for a construction project with which you are familiar
with. Find out the following:
a. How long did it take to complete the schedule?
I reviewed a fitout work schedule for a 50 sqm retail unit. It only took 2 hours to finish the
schedule.
b. When in the design/build process did the scheduling begin?
It initiated at the very start.
c. Is the schedule broken down into phases? Areas?
To properly assign accomplishment dates for all scope of work, it should be broken down
to smaller tasks.
d. How is the schedule coded? By contract? By responsibility?
It is coded by responsibility.
e. What activities fall on the critical path?
The activities on the critical path are the procurement of materials, MEPFS works,
waterproofing works etc.
f. How often is the schedule updated?
It is updated whenever a task is delivered or accomplished.
g. Is the schedule being used for any advanced project management activities such as
resource leveling, cash flow projections, and so on?
Yes, it is used in projecting the budget on a timely basis to prepare the cash needed in
procuring materials, payment to utilities, and sustaining manpower.

2. Working in a small group, construct a schedule for a small project or focus on part of a larger project
(with fewer than one hundred activities). Examples include a single-family house; tenant fit up work
for a commercial building; or the work of a particular major trade for a large project such as
mechanical, electrical, site, or concrete work. Use available schedule software as appropriate.
(Please see timeline on the next page.)
3. Gather from a local construction company some example forms used to report actual cost,
schedule, and performance information from the field to the home office. Report on the cost-coding
system used. Explain what value each bit of information provides to the following company
department:
a. Estimating – This form gives idea to the estimators and surveyors if the project is still within
the budget. They can also review if their unit rate and cost is at the correct amount
considering the delay charges and inflation rate.
b. Scheduling – Schedulers can gauge is the project is still within the timeline. They can
project the number of days delayed if there is any. Also they can update and adjust project
schedule based on the accomplishments on site.
c. Project Management – This form allows the PM team to give a comprehensive report to
the owners and stakeholders about the accomplishments of the project. It enables them to
coordinate effectively what is needed to be expedited, follow up the possible cause of
 delays, and manage the flow of materials, equipment and manpower on site. It gives the
PM team a clearer picture of what is planned vs the actual conditions.
d. Accounting – The accounting department can update the project budget on SAP or other
auditing software regarding the cash flow. They can audit if the allotted budget really went
to its proper place by seeing the accomplishment of works.
e. Contract Administration – Professionals and administrations assistants on this department
can monitor and review the contracts of the Gen. Con and the sub-contractors and compute
the billing according to the progress. They can also evaluate if the contractors is fulfilling
their contract obligations through reviewing the accomplished work and checking if it has
satisfactorily met what is stated in the contract.
f. Purchasing – Through the accomplishment report, the Purchasing Department can
determine what materials is needed next for immediate procurement, what scope of work
or areas to award next, evaluate the next products and its compliance with the
specifications.
4. Examine a new communication, computational, or software technology and explain what economic
benefits it can provide to the construction project control process. Possible topics might be
advances in three-dimensional CAD, BIM, estimating/scheduling/CAD integration, internet
communications, or digital photography.

The Contribution of Building Information Modeling (BIM) to the Global Economy

According to Graham Watts, OBE, Chief Executive Officer, Construction Industry Council: “BIM will
integrate the construction process and, therefore, the construction industry. However, it will also
have many additional benefits for the nation. It will enable intelligent decisions about construction
methodology, safer working arrangements, greater energy efficiency leading to carbon reductions
and a critical focus on the whole life performance of facilities (or assets)”. Watts points out that the
benefits for the economy that will accrue from better buildings and infrastructure delivered by the
construction industry would be of even greater importance.
The major threat to implementing BIM’s in the industry is interoperability and educators of BIM
technology need to be aware of this and strive instead to support open standards. Interoperability
is a man-made problem and one that the industry can no longer afford to tolerate.
BIM plays an important role in reducing the fragmentation among professionals at each and across
building delivery stages using evidences from the literature. It is evident from the literature that BIM
provides a virtual repository that allows easy access to and sharing of information and knowledge
in real time. Thus, BIM provides a platform for professionals to work in an integrated environment
at any stage of the building delivery process. However, the maximization of the benefits BIM
provides through the virtual repository depends on the contracting method adopted for the building
delivery. The identification of knowledge gained and gap from the literature led to suggestion of
future research direction needed to improve the delivery of sustainable building value to the
consumers.

References:

 International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment. (December 2017) Retrieved from:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/
 S. Al Jabri: How Building Information Modeling Contributes to the Global Economy. Retrieved
from: https://thebimhub.com/