Construction Management
What this domain tests
This domain examines planning and scheduling tools, site organisation, material and labour control, and quality and safety management on a construction project.
Core rules and concepts
- Functions: planning, organising, staffing, directing, coordinating and controlling.
- Bar chart (Gantt): simple, but it cannot show the interdependence of activities or the effect of a delay.
- CPM: deterministic durations, shows the critical path with zero float; total float = latest finish − earliest finish.
- PERT: probabilistic, three time estimates (optimistic, most likely, pessimistic).
- Site management: stores with bin cards, muster roll for labour, measurement book for quantities, running account bills, daily progress report, testing records for concrete cubes and materials.
- Quality and safety: checklists before concrete pouring, curing records, scaffolding inspection, PPE issue register, accident reporting.
Worked example
Activities: A = 3 days and B = 4 days, both precede C = 2 days; C precedes D = 5 days; D precedes E = 2 days. Path A–C–D–E = 3 + 2 + 5 + 2 = 12 days. Path B–C–D–E = 4 + 2 + 5 + 2 = 13 days. The critical path is B–C–D–E at 13 days, and total float of A = 13 − 12 = 1 day.
Traps that cost marks
Calling PERT deterministic; marking a path critical without adding all its durations; ignoring float; confusing a bar chart with a network; leaving the measurement book unsigned.