QUESTIONNAIRE:

Brief Background of the Office

1. When was the company founded?
2. Who is the founder of the company?
3. What projects have the company undertaken?
4. What is the expertise of the company?

Project Control
1. What tools and techniques are the company using for Project Control?
2. Have the company been using Gantt Chart, CPM, PERT, System Management
Matrix, and/ or S-Curve? What are their experiences from using these tools?
3. What experiences prompted the company to apply such tools and techniques for
Project Control?
4. What instances made the company modify or stop using such tools and techniques
for Project Control?

Project Management
1. What are the systems the company use for Project Management?
2. What system or technique do the company use for Labor Estimate?
3. How does the company create a Material Estimate?
4. What are the company’s Equipment Outputs?
5. How does the company create their Technical Specification? What systems or
format do they use?
6. What are the different types of Construction Contracts the company utilize?
7. What positions compromise the Project Management Team of the company? What
is the role of each one and how do they work together harmoniously?
8. Do the company participate in Construction Bidding?
9. What systems do the company apply to ensure its compliance to R.A. 9184?
10. What are the learning experiences of the company due to flaws in their Project
Management? How did the company bounce back from it?

Other Issues
1. How did COVID 19 affect the Project Control and Management Tools and
Techniques of the company?
2. What software or program to you use to conveniently practice Project Control and
Management Tools and Techniques?

----- ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS WILL BE ADDRESSED IN THE INTERVIEW PROPER -----

 Salcedo-Mendoza Builders

Ar. Sarah Mendoza (First 20 minutes palaang)

A. Introduction
- CvSU 1st year
- Graduated at LPU
- Took 6 years in Architecture
- 28 years old
- currently married to a civil engineer Gerald Mendoza
- Adamson, 2016
- Took 7 years in Civil Engineer
- Non-board passed - worked in construction
- married sa “magandang architect” the popoy and basha!
- Ms. Sarah was still a 4th year arki student in 2017 while Mr. Gerald was working in a
residential subdivision (construction company).
- Mr. Gerald got the flow of the work and decided to build their own company since it is in
line with their college course.
- 1st project: Small Apartment in Tagaytay
- It is located near them, they contacted friends, and started from there.
- They handled small repairs and renovations at first.
- Mr. Gerald was 25-26, Ms. Sarah was 23-24 when they realized that they can so Mr.
Gerald resigned from his work and they started their company.
- They only took one project at a time and would often wait for some time before getting
another one.
- They used proper time management since Ms. Sarah was still studying and they were
only commuting at that time. It just happened that their project was located in the same
city. Tiyaga lang talaga.
- One of their advantages was Mr. Gerald’s knowledge of the construction’s workflow.
There were only minimal adjustments but they already knew how to deliver materials,
shorten time and scope of work and talk to clients.

B. Project Control
- Since they are still at the middle of their journey, one of the tools they often use are
Gantt Chart and S-Curve. It is easy for them to use and also easy to present or explain
to clients due to its visual properties. It includes target date of completion and scope.
- It is very applicable although sometimes, it isn’t used extensively. Still, it can be used to
track your progress.
- For example, for the first month of a ground zero project, you’ll do excavation, clearing,
rebars, etc. There are scopes that are not related with one another that can be done
simultaneously like the earthworks and metalworks. Using the tools will prove to you
what works you can do in relation with time management and manpower.
- Not everything in the Gantt Chart will be followed due to different factors, including
weather and labor. The speed of manpower varies everyday. “Yung labor mo, hindi
araw-araw masipag. May araw na tamad.”
- Deliveries may also be delayed, which also affect the work involved.
- Progress Billings aren’t also followed accurately. Sometimes, clients wouldn’t be able to
comply with it on time which results in delay of work.

- They apply Fajardo’s Labor Estimate. They modify it accordingly. Not everything should
be by the book. It should only be a basis for formula, it should still greatly depend on the
actual project. The prices and materials should be always updated due to inflation.
- They use their own template for Bill of Materials. Prices, labor, and location of the project
varies. Materials may cost differently per area. The type of project also affects the Bill of
Materials.
- They show the template to the clients. They use excel but already have a template so
they will only have to input data.
- They often have to show the Gantt Chart to their clients for mechanical works since it
takes a lot of time. It includes ducting, existing conditions, site visits to approve locations
for air conditioning units, windows, steelworks, etc.
- They will provide contracts to their clients, the scope of work, what works are no longer
part of their services, what documents the clients have to provide, terms of payments,
10% retention and the rest for progress billings although sometimes, the clients have
limited budget to start the project which they’re okay with since the payment is stipulated
in the contracts anyway.
- They are not strict with clients’ payment schedules. They try to understand their client’s
situations. They are ready to put out money first, they have 30 then 10% retention and
the rest for progress billing. Sometimes clients would offer to only give 10% at first.
- It is hard to force clients to pay because they might switch firms instead. You must
balance your rules and your care for clients. Sometimes, rules will be stretched for
clients. “Kami ay companion niyo rin.” You should have a good relationship with your
clients and workers to create good work.
- Most of the time, clients agree with the initial estimates and agreements. They often start
to have a problem or disagreements in the middle when they try to add elements not
initially agreed upon or disagree with those that are first agreed on. Sometimes they
wanted to include more elements that don't really fit with the design or can no longer be
added due to financial constraints.
- Another challenge is when clients hire architects but also consult Pinterest,
homebuddies and other social media resources for the design of their houses. Architects
are supposed to provide a design that is unique and right for your budget. It is hard to
modify the planning and budget when it is already done. Sometimes, they would ask to
add something and the architect will tell them that they have to add a budget for it which
they will be surprised to, thinking that it is already included with the initial budget despite
being not included with the initial plan. It also affects time and labor as readjustments
require both.

7. What positions comprise the Project Management Team of the company? What is
the role of each one and how do they work together harmoniously?
- They are a two-man team only. They keep themselves to the scope of their work only.
The Architect will design and shouldn’t be interfered with by the engineer. The architect
will only pass it to the engineer to be executed.
- They will only check each other’s work on the scope that affects both of them like
budgeting. The architect is in charge with the design, while costing is usually the
responsibility of the engineer. If there are any differences with their work, they would talk
it out and compromise.
- “Ang Architect ang boss.” There’s no work to do without the design. Civil Engineers
didn’t focus on designing since their focus is on the structure. The architect is in charge
of the design while the engineer takes up the costing.
- They also have a foreman on site. They do site visits themselves.
- They outsource mechanical work, since they already have a plumber and electrician.
They also do roadworks, since it usually only consists of pouring concrete. They also
outsource some material procedures like concrete mixing.
- “Kung tatanungin mo kami kung paano kami magtrabaho, nagsy-synchronize kami.
Thank You, Lord!” Usually, architects and engineers are depicted to be enemies. It is
true that there would be arguments, but it could always be talked about. Architects
usually focus on designing, but the structure should also be considered to make sure
that the design is feasible. Sometimes, the structural engineer would tell the architect if
the design is impossible or hard to execute. An example of this is the use of full glass
that may not be possible due to exposed beams.
- It is an advantage for the architect to be knowledgeable in structural and budgeting. You
should already think about how the design will be executed while you are doing it. Would
it fit the site? Is it within the expertise or capabilities of the engineer, or the labor? Can
the client afford it?
- They had a project in San Pedro which plans they have been revising for a month now. It
is near the West Valley Fault Line. They consulted the designs to their friend who is a
Structural Engineer who disapproved of the typical columns used in two storeys. The
Structural Engineer made the columns bigger, which took the space for the stairs. They
finally worked it out and are now handling the documents in the municipal hall to start
construction.
- There are engineers who would always interfere. Yet, there are also engineers who
know the scope of their work. Architects should always be the jack of all trades. We
should be knowledgeable of not just designing, but also the works of plumbing,
mechanical, and electrical. Every aspect, even the placement of different air conditioning
units, should be visualized. We should know which are our scope, and which are of the
engineer’s. Architects should be able to defend their design when needed, like the
positions of big windows to match the orientation of the house according to the
preference of the client who is an east person. “Support professionals. Huwag tayong
sobrang ego, though alam nating sa’tin nagsisimula ang lahat.”
- Get out of the office. It is better for architects to go on site because it is more fruitful to
see your design being actually built. It will also help you understand how your designs
come to life.”Be practical. Lumabas kayo, kasi andon yung pera.”
- Being knowledgeable and experienced on site will also give you the respect of your
clients. They would know to trust you and listen to you. It is also good to be able to
educate your clients, so they would also understand the design.
- Always be humble.

8. Does the company participate in Construction Bidding?

- Yes. They have many sources or friends who inform them regarding available biddings.
They once joined a bidding for City Global in Amoyong, Alfonso who were looking for
professionals to do their fit outs.
- In bidding, you will either win or lose. They would not only depend on you, but would
usually look out for at least three more companies. The process of bidding would start at
them calling the firm. They will give the project details with all the terms, details, and
contracts. You will do ocular visits because you have to see the site first before doing the
estimate. After you pass your estimate, they will study your proposal. Once you’re in,
there will be negotiations. If they choose you, they will conduct an Awarding.
- If you lose, you will not get back all the effort, time, and expenses you’ve spent. Bidding
is 50/50. You can still acquire learning by participating in bidding. You should always be
open minded, especially due to the fast progress of technology. You should also be able
to balance your wins and losses. They were once invited for a bidding, but they declined
since the project was located at Tarlac and would be very far and inconvenient for them.
- Bidding also includes the company doing ocular visits on the firm. They would check out
their credentials and the projects they have accomplished. If possible, the firm would
tour them around their finished projects.

9. What systems do the company apply to ensure its compliance to R.A. 9184?
- Compliance depends on what the company who conducted the bidding would require.
They would usually ask for a list of requirements such as company profile, BIR, finances.
They haven’t joined big bidding events so far.

10. What are the learning experiences of the company due to flaws in their Project
Management? How did the company bounce back from it?
- The project management you have developed would not always be followed due to
conditions or events affecting the schedule. For example, the rain would delay your
project. The costing and labor cost would be affected. You cannot force your workers to
continue working while it is raining because their health will be compromised. Some
 projects would either be delayed or have deficits. You will just bounce back from it to the
next project. You must analyze your lapses on the previous project and apply
improvements on the new one. An example is conducting consistent supervision on your
labor. Most of the time, they will show off when you are present on site, but will slack off
when you are gone. You can see it through the difference of their accomplishments
everyday. They recover from their losses by doing better on their next projects.
- “Sa construction, laban lang!”
- Not because you are a contractor, doesn’t mean you will always win. They should be
able to have 3-5% for the Total Contract Price allocated for their supervision, but it
doesn’t always happen. There are factors including material cost, labor cost, weather,
clients, and delivery of materials, that you should consider. The delay in delivery would
cause delay to the work of the labor which would cost you money.
- Labor is one of the main problems or factors in construction. Sometimes, engineers
would fight against their workers to force them to finish their work. Unlike others, they
believe that you should try to understand your subordinates. Without them, your project
will not progress. You should always be fair, no matter what their position is. Always give
respect.
- Sometimes they even have to pay for the loss of money due to delays. Still, they
prioritize their good relationship with their workers. There is also fulfillment in delivering
your projects complete and finished. “Huwag mong iiwanan ang kliyente, panget yun.”
- Clients would often recommend them to other people. They also experienced being
given an award in Manila.
- Even though labor costs them losses, they still try to find a new project that they will
begin once the previous one ends so their labor will not be left unemployed.
- They do not usually have losses regarding materials because they prioritize its quality.
They purchase their materials in Wilcon, and always choose Rizal cement or high quality
cements,and porcelain or homogeneous tiles (they do not use ceramic because they
are not sustainable and will inconvenience the client and will force them to replace and
repeat it again).

System Application
1. How would you ensure effective Construction Management?
- Make your site visits frequent so you can apply the Construction Management you
developed. If physical site visit is not possible, you can conduct video calls although it is
less effective. Engr. Mendoza was able to see a problem at one of their projects after
conducting a video meeting.
- “Dalasan niyo ang site visit. Kasi pag nandon ka, kita mo lahat.”
- Always prioritize safety. Wear a hard hat, harness, uniform or long sleeves, and safety
shoes. Unfortunately, most of the workers do not prefer to wear these because of the hot
weather and its added weight to them.
- In case of accidents within the site, they will handle the financial needs for their
hospitalization. They will talk to the victim and ask his state and whether he wants to be
hospitalized, which is usually declined by the worker because it will also mean they will
miss a day at work.
- Implement what you draw to avoid back jobs. Always get accurate measurements and
do not just estimate it by looking.
- If you finish your project on time, it means you are effective. It means that your
construction management system fits the project. It includes the use of Gantt Chart and
S-Curve. You will never perfectly follow these tools, but you can still finish your project
within the time frame you have given your client. Sometimes, you can also finish the
project earlier than expected.
- Your construction management is effective if your design is followed and well
implemented in the construction, you are able to lead your group properly, the house is
properly executed, the building is aesthetic and has high quality, and doesn’t create any
problems after months of use, and there are no back jobs.

2. How do you assess potential risks?

- The start of construction is already a risk. You have a 15-year liability for the building you
will design and build. Saying yes to the client already puts you at risk. The entire project
is at risk even before it begins.
- Time will always be spent in construction but it is necessary to avoid potential risks. The
work cannot be cramped into 8 hours and calls will often be received at any day, like in
unexpected change in delivery schedule and such.
- “Kakainin nila yung oras mo.”
- Health is also at risk because sleeping, eating, and even bathing is often compromised.

- When the clients want to revise something, they talk to them and explain the changes in
time and budget. Most of the time, the clients will like to change something but do not
want to provide an additional budget. Some clients are not also familiar with
measurements and will only see it in actual. From their experience, they once included a
storage room of 6 sqm for a residential project but upon construction, the clients want to
make it bigger. They also asked beforehand of the purpose of the storage room, but they
downplayed it. Since the client is financially capable to bear the changes, they made it
possible, but the timeframe was also adjusted since they have another scope of work to
do.
- Lengthen your patience in the way you handle the sudden changes. You will encounter a
lot of people with different attitudes that will appear at different times. Always explain that
all change has an equivalent change in costing and timeframe. Always provide a choice
whether to push through with the changes or stay with the original plan.

- Subcontractors often cause delays. An example of it is outsourcing the metal frame for a
window. They got the wrong measurements. Some professionals are used to using feet
as measurements while architects are more acquainted with the metric system. It will
cause delay since they will have to convert the measurement first before executing it.
- They tried to get their friend as a subcontractor who ran away and left them to bear the
consequences. They pushed through the project, paying what’s left out of their own
pockets, just to finish the project.
 - Their mantra is “hindi namin iiwan yan kahit malugi kami.” They want to preserve their
integrity as an architect and as an engineer. Since they are still a small company, they
want to create a reputation that they can be trusted and that they will never leave the
project unfinished.
- Clients need to be assured of how trustworthy you are since they are essentially hiring
strangers to build their dream.
- Building a company or firm also requires trust in your subordinates.

Advices
- You cannot stick to design alone, but must also study other aspects of construction.
- Get out of your comfort zone and of the office. There are many opportunities outside.
- The cons of working in big firms is that the work becomes repetitive and you become
unsure whether your drawing is right since you are not the one in charge of its
supervision.
- Architects are late bloomers.It will take some time to figure out what you want so feel
- free to explore.

How do you ensure time delivery adherence to contract terms and effective subcontractor
coordinators using an applied system?*
- Always make sure that you are on tract and that you are following your contract.
- Be on site. You will see the progress of the construction and will be able to estimate if
you are on track or running late on your schedule.
- The main applied system they apply in their projects, especially of residential houses, is
their personal approach on handling projects on site.
- Gantt chart and S-Curve are not always used although they have a different way to track
their progress which resembles the bar visuals of a gantt chart. It will also show which
activities or phases can be done simultaneously.
- If you are already experienced, you are able to estimate time by supervising the
progress. This is why contractors that already grew old in the business do not use gantt
charts anymore. You become knowledgeable of the cycle and timeframe of activities.
- Some contractors hire young professionals who are computer literate to do the activities
that require efficient use of technology such as gantt charts.
- Ar. Mendoza experienced having an on-the-job training where the architect manually
made a plan in front of the client, but asked them to transfer it to CADD after.
- You should have a timeframe for each activity like installation of tiles. However, it may
not be religiously followed. Oftentimes, labor will affect the timeframe in cases of their
absences. You can instead hire other professionals to do other work instead such as
painting an area while other parts are still under construction. However, you must think it
through because the order of work is also important. An example of it is painting before
tiling as tiling might make the pain dirty and dusty which will push you to redo it again.

1. How did COVID 19 affect the Project Control and Management Tools and
Techniques of the company?
 - They coincidentally do not have projects during COVID but it is also fortunate as
they did not have pending projects and workers who cannot work due to
restrictions since they would have to pay for their living expenses during the
lockdown.
- Budgets should have at least 5% contingencies in case of unforeseen events,
although the pandemic was very hard to predict.

2. What software or program do you use to conveniently practice Project Control and
Management Tools and Techniques?
- They use Gantt Chart since they only handle residential projects so far.
- Primavera is a software that can be used in construction management. It was
mentioned to them before but they haven’t experienced using it yet. It was meant
for big projects.
- The Gantt chart will show you the progress of construction and the percentage of
completed works that will tell you if your project is going fast or running late.

ADVICE TO THOSE WHO TO START YOUR OWN FIRM

As early as possible, it's a good choice to start your own firm. Once naging architect na kayo
one day, dapat marunong kayong mag handle sa sarili nyo kasi pano nyo i aapply yan sa ibang
tao kung sarili nyo mismo hindi nyo kaya. So lagi nyong isipin na ‘Kaya ko!’ May time kasi na
dumadaan ka situation na ‘Me Vs. Me’ kinakalaban mo yung sarili mo, sinasabi mo na hindi mo
kaya. Dapat lagi mong iisipin na kaya mo kahit nag ddoubt ka baka hindi mo pa talaga kaya,
kasi yun yung mag ppush sayo para kayanin mo.

And also wag matakot sa failure. Kasi yang failure, unli chances naman yan e. Hangga’t bata ka
pa, maraming chances ang nandyan para sayo. Pag nagkamai ka edi okay lang, at least may
natutunan ka ang yung natutunan mo na yon, yun na yung iapply mo sa susunod na chance na
gagawin mo. Kasi tao ka lang naman e. Tao ka lang din, nagkakamali ka rin di ka naman
pinanganak na perfect na alam mo na yung magiging plano mo exactly na hindi ka
magkakamali.

Kasi pag nag start ka talaga ng firm, wala kang hawak e. As in zero ka talaga, wala kang pera,
ang meron ka lang capability mo, yung confidence mo na mag explain sa mga client, pero once
na nakuha nyo yung trust, pag nagtiwala na sila sa inyo, kahit wala ka pang perang hawak,
nasisimulan nyo yung firm nyo. Laging isipin nyo na ang magagain nyo is experience nyo. Yung
experience nyo yung isa sa mapagmamalaki nyo someday kasi napagdaanan nyo at may
natutunan kayo.

Willingness to learn something new. Like Architect Sarah, may times na feeling nya kuklang pa
rin yung knowledge na meron sya, kaya may mga time na umaattend pa rin sya ng seminars
and meetings. Kasi in that way, mas lalaki yung circle nya and mas may makukuha syang
learning through communicating and connecting with other colleagues. Like also attending ng
mga events ng uap pati ng mga expos laike ConEx, Worldbex, etc. kasi through that malalaman
mo na ‘ah may ganito na pala, may bagong invent na pala na ganto’ mas maa update ka sa
kung anong modern equipment ang meron na pala sa market. And pag aware ka na sa mga
modern update, magagamit mo yon pag nagka client ka, maaaply mo yung mga nakita mo sa
mga future projects mo. Maa update ka sa kung ano na ba yung current design trend ng
generation ngayon.

When it comes to designing naman, Functional ang always choice ni Architect Sarah. Every
time na may client sya, lagi nyang aalamin muna kung ano ba yung purpose ng area.
Functionality comes first before aesthetic. Kasi pano nyo magagamit yung design nyo kung
hindi pala sya akma sa purpose na paggagamitan ng client. And also dapat laging pag nag
dedesign naka base sa standard law specially sa accessibility. Bp 1096 and BP 344. Not
because dahil need for compliance pero dahil yun yung talagang way para yung design mo is
maging functional sa mga taong gagamit ng building.

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR LIFE NOW THAT YOUR ARCHITECT?
Oo naman. Masaya kahit sobrang nakakapagod. Kasi talagang dadaan ka sa point na
sasabihin mo sa sarili mong sobrang napapagod ka na. Imagine from college years pa lang,
talagang susubukan ka na talaga. Lahat na ng pwede mong isacrife, masasacrifice mo. Sa
trabaho ganon din. Pag naging Architect ka na ganon din, mas lalong kakainin din yung time na
meron ka. Kaya as much as possible maintain nyo pa rin yung social life nyo kahit may mga
time na susuko ka na, lagi nyong isipin bakit ka nag start.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT CAST

CLIENT - (Ivy)

ARCHITECT- PROJECT MANAGER/ARCH. PHIA (PHIA)/ENGR.(ROI)

OJT/APPRENTICESHIP- (ANGGE)

INTRODUCTION

SKY TO FIRM

- Narration- " SA ISANG ARAW SI ANGELICA AY KAKATAPOS NG GRUMADUATE AT

NAGHAHANAP NG PAG-AAPLYAN NG APPRENTICESHIP, NAG APPLY SIYA SA IBA'T-
IBANG ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS AT FORTUNATELY SIYA AY NATANGAP SALCEDO-
MENDOZA CONSTRUCTION FIRM. DITO AY MATUTUNAN NIYA ANG UNANG HAKBANG
NG PAGIGING ARKITEKTO."

SCENE 1
PHIA- " Welcome sa firm at sa una mong pasok sa trabaho, sana hindi ka muna mabigla. ready
kana ba sa una mong trabaho?, bibigyan nlng muna kita ng introduction sa firm nato since ma
ipapasok ka muna sa project management."

-Brief Background (PHIA'S WORK)

"Since ikaw palang ang unang OJT namin gagawin natin to ng mas detailed sa iba so eto ang
ating system of management."

Explanation

"so ang system of management natin na ginagamit ay gant chart since ito ang mas applicable
sa aming mga small-scale projects. yung mga ibang mga system naman katulad ng pert
etc....explain why).

"regarding naman sa experience no( transcript).

ojt "singit kwento" "bakit ito po yung ginamit nyo?( chika old arki techy- tas d naman nasusunod
ng tama yung mga chart.)

phia " for the sake of professionalism papagawa ako ng gant chart for the next project).

PROJECT MANAGEMENT
NARRATION : " sa susunod na araw naman ay idinala na sa si ms. Angge sa project site, dito
malalaman ni angge kung papaano ang work flow at management pag dating sa totoong site
work."

SCENE 2 (SITE)

Welcome sa site ms. Cortez. etc (Explain questions)

SCENE 3

NARRATION: " dumating na ang araw na mamemeet ni angge ang isa sa mga kliente ng
salcedo company. dito masasaksihan ni ange client meeting, masasaksihan niya ang unang
yugto kung papaano makipag usap at makipag handle ng isang kliente.

casual talk.
engnr. " handa ka na ba iprepare mo na yung gant schedule tsaka ang mga ibang contract
documents."
architect " eto aabot mo nlng samin to mamaya kapag hiningi."

client meeting (nakaup na ang lahat)

handshake*

ipakita yung gant chart. explain yung sched. pwede mag karoon ng changes. explain yung work
flow. ano yung nangyayare pag may magdadagdag sa project. financial distribution. explaining
papaano ma complete yung project ng maayos.