Answer 1
The principal objectives that a construction engineer should have when planning a construction project are.
1. Planning of each action:
The construction project planning should identify and include every action of the project in a consecutive order. Every activity should be scheduled in a timeline for tracking of construction project.
2. Construction Means:
Plans should include construction means to be adopted for different construction action and tools and planning for tools and tackles for each action so that they can be made available whenever required.
3. Planning for Construction Equipment and Machinery:
Construction cost varies greatly with the use of equipment and heavy machinery as their renting cost are very high per day. So, planning and scheduling for such equipments should be done in advance so that project activities goes on smoothly. Project should be planned in such a way that the use of these machinery can be made to extreme during the specified period to make it cost effective.
4. Planning for employee skills:
Some of the construction activities requires accessibility of skilled person to effect that work. It is not necessary to hire such person throughout the construction, so appropriate planning of such work can decrease the cost of operation for that activity.
5. Acquisition of materials:
Project planning should also include acquisition planning for materials. It is not advisable to keep the material not for use in the site for a long time. This can damage the material as well as much of the cost is spent on such materials.
6. Planning for required papers and drawings:
Construction projects are executed based on the drawings and specifications. The availability of these drawings are necessary at site and on time so that the construction activities are not stopped.
7. Fiscal Planning:
It is the most important aspects. Different amounts are required at different stages of project. Planning of funds for construction aids the project should advance smoothly. There is no point in investing all the accounted amount on the project during start. This can be done in phases as and when required.
Answer 2
Quality is about:
1. Delivering to the client a project that meets and surpasses their standards and specifications.
2. Constructing the project in agreement with the construction drawings and design details.
3. Meeting the code and specification necessities of the state or country (until or unless the client has particular exemptions allowing deviations from these codes and requirements).
4. The project meeting the local bylaws and codes.
5. Meeting the construction company’s standards.
6. Meeting your own standards
When defining objectives for quality the client should consider:
1. The contract manager should have funding and time.
2. Current corporate policies (environmental policies etc.).
3. The requirements for the Construction project.
4. The opinions of the local planning authority
Answer 3
Conventional Construction Contracts
1. In the conventional contract the Employer hires Consultants to design The Works and manage a Contractor in the performance of the Work.
2. The Contractor is nominated on the basis of his rightness for the type of work and the effectiveness of his price relative to other Contractors then he/she goes into a contract with the Employer, taking responsibility to perform the Works in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract for a settled price.
3. It is conventional, accepted and recognized that it works and all parties are able to function in their designated roles towards achievement of the project. It is timed and widely understood.
4. The Employer choose Consultants who will be specialists in their field and among the best available.
5. A huge amount of time is required to take the project through all of the required stages.
Construction Management Contract
1. It is a written agreement between the owner of a project and construction manager for the overall planning, management, and control of a project from its foundation to completion. It is aimed at meeting a client’s condition in order to make an operating and financially practical project.
2. Construction costs are identified and predicted during the design stage. The Team interacts relating to construction cost, completion schedule, and quality work to maximize owner’s value.
3. Construction manager contributes to a team approach in the owner’s interest.
4. Project may not be needed to fully design at start of construction which may expose owner to change orders. This is likely to inherent in any form of fast-track construction, but can be controlled to a minimum.
5. Schedule is controlled during design stage to confirm that design efforts are unified with projects requirements. A fast track approach is taken for the construction to provide earlier completion.
Answer 4
The applications that can be valuable for construction profession are as follows;
1. Primavera
2. MS Excel
3. Revit