Gold Seal Superintendent flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Critical path

The longest-duration path through a schedule network; its activities have zero total float in deterministic CPM and determine the minimum possible project duration.

Total float formula

Total float equals late start minus early start, or late finish minus early finish; it is the time an activity can be delayed without delaying project completion.

PERT expected duration

PERT expected duration equals optimistic plus four times most likely plus pessimistic, divided by six; it weights the most likely estimate most heavily.

Resource leveling

A scheduling technique that adjusts activity start and finish dates to resolve resource peaks or shortages; it may extend the project when it consumes critical-path float.

Milestone

A zero-duration schedule marker for a significant event, decision, or contractual date; it consumes no resources and is not a work activity.

Schedule baseline

The approved version of the project schedule used to compare progress and analyze delay; changing it requires formal approval through schedule control.

Contingency

A budget allowance for known-unknown risks within the approved project scope; it is controlled by the project team and drawn down as risks are realized.

Cost performance index

CPI equals earned value divided by actual cost; a value below one means the work performed cost more than budgeted.

Estimate at completion

EAC forecasts total project cost; a common formula is budget at completion divided by CPI when current cost efficiency is expected to continue.

Labor burden

The percentage added to base wages for payroll taxes, insurance, benefits, and statutory costs; it converts base labor rates into fully loaded labor costs.

Quantity takeoff

The measurement of net material quantities from drawings and specifications; waste, overlaps, and unit conversions are applied separately when pricing.

Substantial completion

The stage when the work is usable for its intended purpose although minor punch-list items remain; it commonly starts warranty and lien periods.

Change order

A written and signed contract amendment that changes scope, price, or time; a field instruction may need confirmation before it becomes a binding change.

Compensable delay

A delay caused by the owner or an owner-risk event that entitles the contractor to both a time extension and associated cost recovery, subject to contract notice rules.

Lien holdback

A statutory percentage withheld from progress payments under provincial construction lien law; its amount, release timing, and substitution rules vary by jurisdiction.

Notice provision

A contract clause requiring timely written notice of a claim or event; missing the deadline can bar entitlement even when the underlying claim is valid.

Hierarchy of controls

A ranked approach to hazard control: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment, from most to least effective.

Risk score

A priority value calculated as likelihood multiplied by severity; higher scores indicate hazards requiring earlier or stronger controls.

Job hazard analysis

A process that breaks a task into steps, identifies hazards at each step, and defines controls before work begins; also called a job safety analysis.

Near miss

An unplanned event that did not cause injury or damage but had the potential to do so; it is reported and investigated to prevent recurrence.

Confined space entry

Work inside a space with limited entry or exit and possible hazardous atmosphere; it requires assessment, testing, isolation, ventilation, a permit, an attendant, and rescue planning.

Root cause

The underlying management-system or design reason an incident occurred; it differs from immediate causes such as an unsafe act or condition.

Quality assurance

Planned process activities that prevent defects by establishing procedures, standards, training, and audits before and during construction work.

Quality control

Inspection, testing, and measurement of completed or in-process work against specified acceptance criteria to identify nonconforming results.

Inspection and test plan

A document listing work activities, acceptance criteria, inspection methods, frequencies, and hold or witness points required for quality verification.

Cost of quality

The sum of prevention, appraisal, internal failure, and external failure costs; external failures usually carry the highest total cost to the project.

Nonconformance report

A record of work that does not meet a requirement; it documents the condition, disposition, root cause, corrective action, and verification of closure.

Tuckman team stages

Forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning; teams often experience conflict during storming before stable performance develops.

Communication channels formula

The number of possible communication channels equals n times n minus one, divided by two, where n is the number of participants.

Collaborating conflict mode

A conflict approach that seeks a win-win solution by addressing both parties' concerns; it is useful when issues are important and time is available.

SMART goals

Goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound; the format makes expected results and deadlines clear.

Situational leadership

A leadership model that adjusts directive and supportive behavior according to a follower's competence and commitment for a specific task.