CPC Certified Professional Constructor key terms

A scheduling technique that identifies the longest chain of dependent activities through a network, determining the shortest possible project duration and showing which activities cannot slip without delaying completion.

The amount of time an activity can be delayed from its early start without delaying the project finish date. It equals late finish minus early finish, or late start minus early start.

The time an activity can slip without delaying the early start of any successor activity. It is always less than or equal to total float and depends on successor timing.

A graphical model of project activities and their logical dependencies, drawn as nodes connected by arrows, used for forward and backward pass calculations in CPM scheduling.

In a schedule, a predecessor is an activity that must occur before another; a successor follows another. The relationship type (finish-to-start, start-to-start, and so on) defines the dependency logic.

A defined waiting period inserted between a predecessor and successor in schedule logic, such as curing time before formwork removal. Lag can be positive or negative and affects float calculations.

The approved, versioned project schedule against which actual progress is measured. Changes require formal change control; it is distinct from the current working schedule.

A performance measurement method integrating scope, schedule, and cost. It compares budgeted value of work performed against actual cost and planned value to forecast outcomes.

Earned value divided by actual cost. A value below 1.0 indicates the project is spending more than the value earned; it measures cost efficiency to date.

Earned value divided by planned value. A value below 1.0 indicates less work was completed than planned at that point in time, signaling schedule slippage.

The total approved budget for all authorized work on the project, established at baseline. It serves as the denominator for many earned value forecasting formulas.

A forecast of the total project cost based on current performance and known conditions. Common formulas include BAC divided by CPI or actual cost plus estimate to complete.

The expected cost to finish all remaining authorized work. It is derived by subtracting actual cost from estimate at completion, or by re-estimating remaining scope.

Funds or time reserved in the baseline for known risks with identifiable causes but uncertain probability or impact. It is released through change control when a risk event occurs.

Budget held outside the cost baseline by senior management for unforeseen work within project scope. Its use typically requires sponsor approval and a baseline change.

A contract paying a fixed rate per unit of measured work, such as cubic yards excavated. Total value varies with actual quantities, shifting quantity risk to the owner.

A contract for a fixed total price for defined scope. The contractor bears quantity and productivity risk, so accurate takeoff and clear scope definition are essential before bidding.

A surety instrument guaranteeing that a bidder will enter the contract at the bid price and furnish required performance and payment bonds if awarded the work.

A surety guarantee protecting the owner if the contractor fails to perform per contract terms. The surety may complete the work or pay the penal sum.

A surety instrument ensuring subcontractors, laborers, and suppliers are paid for work and materials on bonded projects, protecting the owner from mechanics liens.

A statutory claim against real property securing payment for labor, services, or materials that improved it. Strict notice and filing deadlines apply, and unmanaged liens can cloud title.

The stage when the work is sufficiently complete for its intended use, allowing the owner to occupy it. It triggers warranty start, retainage release milestones, and lien period clocks.

A percentage withheld from progress payments to protect the owner until satisfactory completion. It is released per contract terms, often partly at substantial completion and the balance at final completion.

Periodic payment for work completed and materials suitably stored, based on an approved application for payment. It is subject to retainage and certification by the architect or owner representative.

A breakdown allocating the contract sum among work items, used to evaluate progress payment applications. It should be balanced and realistic, not front-loaded, to avoid payment disputes.

A written, signed modification to the contract adjusting scope, price, or time. It requires authorization before performing changed work and becomes part of the contract documents.

A change arising from owner or designer actions, such as defective specifications or directed acceleration, that alters cost or time without a formal change order. Contractors must document and notice it.

Physical conditions materially different from those indicated in contract documents or unusual for the work. Many contracts provide notice and equitable adjustment procedures for them.

A formal written query from contractor to designer seeking clarification of contract documents. Timely, specific RFIs create a record and help avoid assumptions that lead to disputes.

The formal process of identifying, evaluating, approving or rejecting, and documenting changes to scope, schedule, or cost. It prevents uncontrolled baseline drift and preserves auditability.

A hierarchical decomposition of total project scope into manageable deliverable-oriented components. It underpins estimating, scheduling, cost coding, and progress measurement.

A network diagramming convention where activities are represented by nodes and dependencies by arrows. It is the basis for most modern CPM software and forward/backward pass calculations.

A short-interval, typically three-to-six-week plan produced by field supervision that details upcoming activities, constraints, and resource needs to support reliable weekly work planning.

A collaborative production planning method using pull planning, look-ahead planning, and weekly commitment tracking. Percent Plan Complete measures reliability of promises made by trade foremen.

A method of breaking a task into steps, identifying hazards at each step, and defining controls before work begins. It is often documented as a pre-task plan and reviewed with the crew.

A ranked approach to reducing risk: eliminate the hazard, substitute, engineer controls, apply administrative measures, then use personal protective equipment as the last line of defense.

An individual capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards and authorized to take prompt corrective action. Many construction safety standards require such a person for specific activities.

A brief, documented safety meeting held with a crew before or during the shift to discuss specific hazards, controls, and lessons learned for that day's tasks.

A quality document listing inspections, tests, acceptance criteria, and hold points for specific work. It assigns responsibility and records sign-off before work proceeds past each checkpoint.

A defined stage in a quality plan where work cannot proceed until a specified inspection or approval is completed and documented, often witnessed by the owner or authority.

Assurance covers planned processes that build confidence requirements will be met; control covers measuring and verifying actual work against acceptance criteria and correcting deficiencies.

A record of incomplete or deficient work identified near completion that must be corrected before final acceptance. Items are tracked to closure and can affect retainage and final payment.

A procurement document inviting firms to submit technical and price proposals for defined needs. It may allow negotiated scope and is common in design-build and best-value selection.

A procurement solicitation requesting sealed prices for well-defined work, typically awarded to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder. It is common in public lump sum construction.

A project delivery method where a single entity provides both design and construction under one contract, creating a single point of responsibility and enabling early cost certainty.

A delivery method where the construction manager commits to a guaranteed maximum price and delivers the project, participating in design and holding trade contracts.

A contract ceiling on the cost of work plus fee, with savings often shared. It is used in construction manager at risk and some design-build arrangements.

The degree of skill and care ordinarily exercised by competent professionals under similar circumstances. It frames negligence claims against designers and constructors.

A situation where personal, financial, or other interests could improperly influence professional judgment. It must be disclosed and managed, and undisclosed conflicts can void contracts and licenses.

The professional registration mark applied by a licensed practitioner to documents they prepared or supervised, accepting responsibility for their technical adequacy and compliance.

A living log of identified risks with owners, probability, impact, response strategies, and status. It supports contingency planning and is reviewed at regular project intervals.

A layout and sequencing plan for access, laydown, cranes, temporary utilities, and waste handling. Good logistics planning reduces rework, safety exposure, and schedule interference.

A document in which a party relinquishes lien rights for work or materials, often exchanged for payment. Conditional waivers take effect on payment; unconditional waivers take effect on signing.