Faculty of Technology and Built Environment

Department of Construction
BACHELOR OF CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME

2014 EXAMINATION
SUBJECT:

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT 1

SHEET:

1 of 16 plus Question 1 A3
Programme and Question 3 (a)
Graph paper

DATE:

DURATION:

Assessment breakdown:

2 Hours

This examination 30

Other 70

This examination has Four questions

The total mark for this examination is 70

MARKING SCHEDULE
COURSE REPORT
10 minutes reading time will be allowed before commencement of this
examination.
This is an open book examination.
Answer ALL questions. Answer Question 2 (a-c) on the chart provided and
Question 3 (a) on the blank graph paper provided.
Non programmable electronic calculators are permitted.
The following texts are permitted: Any
Start each question on a new page and write on one side of the paper only.
Upon completion of this examination, ensure that on the front page of your answer
book you have ticked the questions that you have completed, and also recorded
your student ID number, subject and subject code.
Before handing in your script, ensure that your student ID number is on the top of
any loose pages, and that all pages are attached and in the correct order.

Course Report (delete as appropriate)

General
Overall students have

Semester 1, 2014 Marking Schedule

CONS 7308 Construction Management 2

Page 2 of 13

PART A

QUESTION 1

(Total 15 marks)

Scenario
You have been asked by your construction manager to write a
project report explaining the intended action you intend to
implement to resolve some programme difficulties.
The client requires the project complete at the original time and as
this client is extremely important to your company, your CM has
agreed to fully investigate the possibilities.
Take into consideration the following:
i.
ii.
iii.

All tasks shown on the attached A3 programme are on

programme up to 30th June.
After 30th June, a significant area of unsuitable ground
conditions was encountered.
This will result in the following increases in task durations
(e.g. costs will be reimbursed but the overall contract time
must stay as the original).
Task 2.2
Task 2.3
Task 2.4
Task 2.6
Task 4.2
Task 5.2
Task 5.1

5 days
3 days
2 days
1 day
5 days
4 days
3 days

Note the following constraints

i.
Due to complicated details, 2.4 can only overlap 2.3 by one
day.
ii.
Access is not available on Saturday 5th, 12th July and
2nd August.
(a)

Quantify what impact each extension above has on the critical path
and suggest a suitable action. Acceptable actions include:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

overlap tasks,
introduce another team,
use contingency,
use float,
work available Saturdays

and any other efficiencies deemed appropriate. Refer to tasks by

their WBS code and the duration in working days.
Semester 1, 2014 Marking Schedule

CONS 7308 Construction Management 2

(15 marks)

Page 3 of 13

Answers:
(a) Sample overlap solution, there will be solutions involving, using Contingency,
using Saturdays and any other efficencies.
Status date 30/6/14
Task

Status

Task 2.2 5 days

Task 2.3 3 days

Task 2.4 2 days

Task 2.6 1 day

Task 4.2 5 days

Task 5.2 4 days

Task 5.1 3 days

Problem

This is on critical path

and if left un resolved
would result in 5 days
overall delay.
This is on critical path
and if left un resolved
would result in 3 days
overall delay
This is on critical path
and if left un resolved
would result in 2 days
overall delay

This is on critical path

and if left un resolved
would result in 1 days
overall delay
This is non-critical so
we can absorb this extra
time of 5 days from the
available float
This is non-critical so
we can absorb this extra
time of 4 days from the
available float
This is non critical so
we can absorb this extra
time of 3 days from the
available float

Semester 1, 2014 Marking Schedule

Solution
As this task will now finish
on the 4 July, to minimise
damage to critical path
overlap2.3 to start before
completion of 2.2. Start 2.3
on Weds 2 July, this will
minimise delay to two days
With 2.3 now starting on 2
July but being extended by 3
days the new completion
date for 2.3 is Weds 9 July.
Task 2.4 is able to start on 8
July and will finish on 16
Wed July
Task 2.6 is now 4 days long,
by overlapping with 2.4 and
starting on 15July it will be
complete on 18 July. By
adding up all delays to date
we have 11 days which
should take us to 14 July.
We have finished 2.6 on 18,
we have recovered 7 days
but still need to recover
another 4 days between now
and completion .Solution
overlap tasks 3.1,3.2,3.3,3.4
by one day each will recover
the 4 days to bring complete
back to its original date.

CONS 7308 Construction Management 2

Page 4 of 13

Examiners Comment (delete as appropriate)

QUESTION 2

(Total 15 marks)

Answer sections (a - c) of this question on the provided

answer sheet. From programme data in Figure 2:
(a)

Complete the network diagram to show node relationships.

(5 marks)

(b)

Complete the pass forward operation from start to finish to

confirm duration.

(4 marks)

Complete the pass backwards operation from finish to start to

confirm any float.

(4 marks)

If two or more links are converging into one node and there are two
or more early start dates, which figure do you use for the pass
forward calculation.

(1 mark)

Summarise the total duration of this project in days.

(1 mark)

(c)

(d)

(e)

Figure 2: Programme data

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21

Task Name
Award contract
Site establishment
Bulk cut site to RL
Excavate Foundations
Box Reo Pour fdts
Lay header blocks and grout
Under slab services
Backfill
Prep Slab
Pour slab
Erect timber frames
Erect roof trusses
Complete roof structure
Install roofing
Exterior windows and doors
Complete exterior cladding
1st fix services
Interior Finishes
Fit off and hardware
Inspections and Remedials
Handover complete

Semester 1, 2014 Marking Schedule

Duration
0 days
5 days
4 days
2 day
8 days
2 days
2days
5 days
2 days
1 day
5 days
3 days
2 days
5 days
5 days
8 days
5 days
12
5
5
0

Predecessors
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
7,8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
14
14,16,17
18
19
20

CONS 7308 Construction Management 2

Page 5 of 13

Answers:

Construction Management two Q1 2014

Network Template

1
0
0

Award
0
0

WBS Name
ES Duration
LS
Float
Node template

0
0

2
0
0

Answer
Site Est
5
0

3
5
5

ID

5
5

7
21
21

U/S servs
2
0

23
23

12
36
36

Trusses
3
0

Bulk cut
4
0

9
9

8
23
23

4
9
9

Exc.Fdts
2
0

11
11

5
11
11

Box Reo
Blockwork
8
0

6
19
19

Headr
Blk
U/S
Servs
2
0

39
39

17
46
54

1st Fix Srs

5
8

51
59

Backfill
5
0

28
28

13
39
39

Roof Strt.
2
0

41
41

18
59
59

Int. finish
12
0

71
71

9
28
28

Prep slab
2
0

30
30

14
41
41

Roofing
5
0

46
46

19
19

10
30
30

Pour slab
1
0

31
31

15
46
46

Windows
5
0

21
21

11
31
31

Erect walls
5
0

36
36

16
51
51

Cladding
8
0

21
81
81

51
51

19
71
71

Fit off
5
0

76
76

59
59

20
76
76

Inspect
5
0

81
81

EF
LF

Semester 1, 2014 Marking Schedule

CONS 7308 Construction Management 2

Page 6 of 13

Handover
0
0

81
81

Examiners Comment (delete as appropriate)

Semester 1, 2014 Marking Schedule

CONS 7308 Construction Management 2

Page 7 of 13

PART B

QUESTION 3 Quality Systems and Commissioning

(Total 20 marks)

Analyse the two case studies below using the framework of Quality
Systems.
(a)

Describe one event, activity or decision that falls under each of the
headings of:
i) TQM
ii) Quality Assurance
iii) Quality Control
iv) Third Party Inspection.

(1 mark)
(1 mark)
(1 mark)
(1 mark)

You can select from either of the case studies or just one.
(b)

(c)

Justify why each of the events, activities or decisions fit under the
chosen Quality Systems headings.

(8 marks)

Suggest what contribution each event, activity or decision has

made to the end result. Illustrate this with an example of the
impact on a building service for each heading.
You can also explain where the lack of an event under a particular
heading had a negative impact on the final result.

Semester 1, 2014 Marking Schedule

CONS 7308 Construction Management 2

(8 marks)

Page 8 of 13

Semester 1, 2014 Marking Schedule

CONS 7308 Construction Management 2

Page 9 of 13

Answers:
1 mark for each identification
2 marks for each justification
1 mark for contribution with a half a mark for a relevant service example
e.g. Possible answers
i)
a) The lack of use of a commissioning management organisation in Project B
shows a lack of TQM.
b) TQM indicates a desire for continual improvement requires a commitment to
commissioning at the outset. A commissioning management organisation would
have a focus on achieving quality from the outset of the project and illustrates a
commitment at the highest level of the organisation. Failure to employ one shows
a lack of interest in improving.
c) The absence probably meant a lack of a clear commissioning plan for the
airconditioning system which may have not maintained comfortable conditions
early in its occupancy
ii)
a) The after handover modifications in Project A indicate a lack of Quality
Control.
b) Quality Control activities include Self Checking by the installers rather than
by a third party. The need for modifications later in the project show that this
Shelf checking had not been done.
c) If these had been checked by the installers it could have avoided the need for
the modifications after handover. This could easily have meant that fans were
not operating to the right level before air balancing was started.
iii)
a) Quality Assurance processes were in place in project A.
b) This is demonstrated by the fact that the Commissioning Engineer identified
modifications during the installation. These checks would have been part of a
Quality Assurance process.
c) It did not help because the modifications were ignored. This could have
identified modifications to links between the airconditioning system and fire
protection system.

Semester 1, 2014 Marking Schedule

CONS 7308 Construction Management 2

Page 10 of 13

iv)
a) Third party inspection was clearly present in Project B
b) The checking by the commissioning engineers identified snags that needed
fixing. Commissioning engineers checking other peoples work is third party
inspection.
c)) This would have contributed to the delay of handover as work needed to be
corrected. Faults with the building controls were identified.

Examiners Comment
Generally quite well answered. There were some excellent responses connecting
principles to actual events in the case studies.
Some students failed to make any connection to the case studies at all simply restating content from notes. As this was an open book exam, this approach was not
showing the depth of understanding required and generally failed to earn half marks.
There were few answers that really demonstrated complete understanding by failing
to give an example of an actual service in section c). An number were broad
references to HVAC but a more detailed aspect considering for example, cooling
equipment or fan capacity was needed

QUESTION 4 Building Warrants of Fitness, O&M manuals and

Existing Buildings
(Total 20 marks)
(a)

Outline the difference between Building Warrants of Fitness and

O& M manuals by describing:
i) Their key function
ii) Who creates them
iii) Who uses them.

(b)

(6 marks)

Consider that Building A in the assignment is to have another floor

added to it 10 years after completion. Referring to five different
building services, describe a different challenge that they provide
in extending this building and specific sections of documents that
might need to be consulted to help overcome the challenge.

(14 marks)

Answers:
a) i) O&M document the building its services and its commissioning state
at handover. BWoF document the acceptable ongoing maintenance of the
building in its life. (2 marks)
ii) O&Ms are created by the services subcontractor and main contractor.
BWoF are initially completed by the same but then updated by an IQP
(2 marks)
iii)The building maintenance operative will use O&Ms to maintain the
building or consultants to involved in upgrading or subdividing. BWOf
are used by the owner to demonstrate compliance with the Code to the
public. (2 marks)
b) 2 marks for each realistic challenge applied to a relevant service in the
building
Semester 1, 2014 Marking Schedule

CONS 7308 Construction Management 2

Page 11 of 13

e.g. keeping the existing building operating whilst adding on.

Specifically relocating the outdoor condensing units on the roof of A.
Manufacturers information to guide whether the additional height can
be handles by existing equipment. (2 marks)
Or
Routing new electrical cables to the new floor. Specifically As Built
Drawings showing locations of existing distribution boards and main
switchboards equipment.

Examiners Comment (delete as appropriate)

Semester 1, 2014 Marking Schedule

CONS 7308 Construction Management 2

Page 12 of 13

Construction Management two Q2 (a-c) 2014

ID

Network Template

Award
0

WBS Name
ES Duration
LS
Float
Node template

Semester 1, 2014 Marking Schedule

Site Est
5

U/S servs
2
0

12

Trusses
3

17

1st Fix Srs

5

Bulk cut
4

Backfill
5

13

Roof Strt.
2

18

Int. finish
12

Exc.Fdts
2

Prep slab
2

14

Roofing
5

Box Reo
8

10

Pour slab
1

15

Windows
5

19

Fit off
5

Header Blk
2

11

Erect walls
5

16

Cladding
8

20

Inspect
5

21

EF
LF

CONS 7308 Construction Management 2

Page 13 of 13

Handover
0