network

a network is a logical and chronological graphic representation of the activities composing a project.

• arrow-precedence
• node

arrow networks-arrow disgramming method(ADM)
acticity on arrow(AOA) networks, I-J method: each activity is identified by the two nodes that define its start and end

predecessor activity
successor activities

dummy activity: a fictitious activity inserted in an arrow network to maintain proper logic distinguish activities's identities.

redundant

BAR (GANTT) Charts

Bar chart:
 "a graphic representation of project activities, shown in a time-scaled bar line with no links shown between sctivities."

Gantt Chart

Advantages:
1 simplicity and ease of preparation and understanding
2 appeal to persons who do not have a technical background
3 with the advent fo teh critical path method and the evolution of computer, more popular and valuable

Disadvantages:
1 lack of logical representation
2 size and complexity of projects.

•       subset
•       summary bars

THE PROJECT MANAGER

TRIPOD OF good project managerment:

1 planning
2 scheduling
3 projcet control

project mangement team

Project Manager  (PM)  (NOT ARTERNOON)

the scheduler

how to be a eligible scheduler:
you need at least satisfied 3 conditions:

1 computer
2 principle of scheduling and project control
3 specific technical field

Primavera Project Manger P6

CERTIFICATION:
AACE planning & Scheduling Professional
PMI Scheduling Professional

requirements:
1 eudcation
2 experience
3 exam
4 application

The tripod of scheduling system
1 human factor
2 technology
3 managerment

Why we need schedule projects?

There are different parties involved in any project. They all need benefits from project scheduling.

For constractors:
1 calculate the project completion date.
2 calculate the start or end of a specific activity
3 coordinate among trades and subcontractors, and expose and adjust conflicts.
4 predict and calculate hte cash flow
5 improve work efficiency
6 serve as an effective project control tool
7 evaluate the effect of changes
8 prove delay claims  （critical path method)

For project owners and developers need project scheduling to:

1 get an ideas on project's expected finish date
2 ensure sontractor's proper planning for timely finish
3 predict and calculate the cash flow
4 serve as an sffective project monitoring tool
5 evaluate the effect of chages
6 varify delay claims

Project Planning

What is project planning?
A process of choosing method and order ro adopted a project from different all the methods and orders to make the project done in the required time.

The basic of the cost estimating, scheduling . project control, so on aand on.

Scheduling - the key aords are timing, sequence and assembly.

A typical project plan should including :

• A scope definition
• A schematic or conceptual designn
• A budget number
• A time frame

PROJECT MANAGERMENT PLAN is defined as a "formal, approved document that defines how the project is executed, moniterd and xonreolled."-PMI

Objective of the plan is to find the approach to finish the project on time.

Program in construction

PMI define Program as "A group of related projects managerd in coordinated way to obtain bebefits and control not available from managing them individually. Programs may include elemenets ot related work outside of the csope of the discrete projects in hte program."

Programs maybe:

1. Temporary
2. Ongoing

in UK, this is like that:

• Portfolio
• Project
• Subprojects

Projects are unique, they maybe similar , but never the same.

Project and Program

In construction Industry, the term "Project" is need to defined.

"a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service. or redult"--PMI (The Project Management Insititute ) 2008

Unique / temporary are the key words for this definition.

1 any project must have a starting point and an ending point, and 2 it must have a product or service which is unique.

On the other hand, the "Program" means different things to differenr people depending on the text.

Program-a group of projects

Scheduling- another key course in Construction Manager

This is a article for the basic introduction for scheduling in construction industry.

What is the difference between planning and scheduling?

Scheduling is part of the planning.planning may include lots of aspects besides finicial.

SCA - Summit Creative Award 2011

Topic:

Creative

Deadline:

February 7, 2011

Awards:

Agency, Advertiser (In-house marketing department, public relations, 
multimedia producers, interactive firms......................................................... $30 million
Video/film/audio production, web design, annimation companies................... $25 million
Graphic design, desplay/package design........................................................ $20 million
Commercial Art/Photography........................................................................ $15 million

Eligible:

Advertising and Public Relations Agencies
In-house Marketing/Creative Departments
Video and Audio Production Firms
Web Designers
Interactive Agencies
Freelancers
Television/Radio Stations
Graphic Designers
Display/Package Design Companies

Role of Estimators in the Construction Process

Why the construction company needs estimator all the time, not just the beginning the project?

We could take a close look at the whole construction process, the estimators are working from the start to the end.

In the Program phase, owner needs to know if the project is earning money or not, the estimators need to do the conceptual estimates to fine the profit of the project.

In the Schematic Phase, designers could prepare some general sketches for the project, the estimators need to compile a cosr plan, decide which project will cost during the process.

In the Design Development Phase, the project developed, the estimators need to confirm the cost plan,

In the Contract Documents Phase, the drawing and details are basically ensured, you need prepare a final pre-bid estimate to predict the bid amount.

In the Constractor selection Phase, you need to do detail work to seperate budgets for detail acticities.

In the Construction Phase, you need watch for the costs of the project, fix any problem about the estimate and meet the requirement under the certain money.

Construction Estimating----Introduction

What is an estimate?
What is the role of estimating in the construction industry today?

As a construction managerment student, it is essential to learn the construction estimaing.

What is an estimate?

"An estiamte in its essence is an assessment of the probable total cost of some future activity."-cited from Fundamentals of construction Estimating, David Pratt.

Estimate is not just for construction, it could be and already be applied in all industries and government agencies.

In my opinion, the main purpose of estimate is to find out how much you will cost to do/build something or some activities.

What is the role of estimating in today's construction industry ?

Of course, very important!!!

There are two kinds of estimates that used lots in today's construction undustry.
1 conceptual estimate.
2 preliminary estimate.

Generally, the conceptual estimate needs less information and are not so accurae.
And the Preliminary estimate needs more information and need to revise again and again after you get more and more information about the project.

Construction companies need the estimate to prepare a price for the bid, then get the project.

Yes, very crucial, the estimate is closely relative to your income.

And this is what I learn for today.
Please leave comments if you have any opinions or questions about this. We could learn this together.

Thank you very much for your reading.