PDCA CPC flashcards

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

Total float formula

Total float equals late start minus early start, or late finish minus early finish. Zero total float indicates a critical activity whose delay postpones project completion.

Cost slope

The additional cost per unit of time saved when crashing an activity, calculated as crash cost minus normal cost divided by normal time minus crash time.

Free float

The amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the early start of any successor activity. It is always less than or equal to total float.

Time impact analysis

A delay analysis method that inserts a fragnet representing a delay event into the schedule at its occurrence and compares the resulting completion date to the prior forecast.

Earned value CPI

Cost performance index equals earned value divided by actual cost. A value below one means the project has spent more than the work performed is worth.

Unbalanced bidding

A pricing strategy that raises unit prices on early or quantity-increased items and lowers others, increasing total payment under unit-price contracts and shifting risk to the owner.

Performance bond

A surety instrument, commonly equal to one hundred percent of contract price, guaranteeing the contractor will complete the work per the contract or the surety will fund completion.

Contingency versus markup

Contingency is an allowance for known unknowns drawn down as risks resolve. Markup is added profit and overhead. They are separate and should not be combined.

Order of precedence

A contract clause ranking documents to resolve conflicts, typically agreement, general conditions, supplementary conditions, specifications, then drawings, with specific over general.

Performance specification

A specification stating required end results such as capacity or thermal performance, leaving means, methods, and product selection to the contractor who warrants the result.

Construction change directive

A written owner-architect order directing a change before price and time are agreed. It is used when the contractor and owner cannot reach agreement on a change order.

Differing site conditions

Contract clause covering latent physical conditions materially different from those indicated, or unknown unusual conditions. It typically entitles the contractor to equitable adjustment.

Shop drawing review effect

The reviewer's stamp indicates conformance check only. It does not relieve the contractor of responsibility for compliance with contract documents or for dimensions and quantities.

Substantial completion

The stage when work is sufficiently complete for its intended use. It typically starts warranty periods, shifts risk of loss to the owner, and triggers retention release.

Hold point

A designated inspection stage in an inspection and test plan where work cannot proceed until the inspector or owner signs off following verification.

Proctor test

A laboratory test determining maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of soil. Field compaction is measured as a percentage of that maximum density.

Punch list

A record of incomplete or defective items identified at substantial completion that the contractor must correct before final completion and final payment.

Competent person

An individual trained to identify existing and predictable hazards and authorized to take prompt corrective measures, required for scaffolding, excavations, and fall protection.

Recordable incident rate

Calculated as recordable cases times two hundred thousand divided by total hours worked. The constant normalizes one hundred employees working forty hours for fifty weeks.

Hierarchy of controls

Risk mitigation ordered from most to least effective: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment.

Excavation protective system

Required for excavations five feet or deeper unless a competent person determines stable rock. A means of egress is required at four feet.

Mechanic's lien

A statutory claim against real property securing payment for labor, materials, or services that improved it. Notice and filing deadlines are strict and jurisdiction-specific.

Statute of repose

A statute barring claims after a fixed period from substantial completion or design, regardless of when the defect is discovered, unlike a statute of limitations.

Promissory estoppel

A doctrine that can enforce a subcontractor's bid where the contractor reasonably relied on it and the subcontractor should have expected that reliance.

Standard of care

The degree of skill and care ordinarily exercised by similarly situated professionals under similar circumstances. It is not a warranty of perfect results.

Communication channels formula

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

Tuckman team stages

The sequence forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. Conflict typically peaks during storming and resolves as roles and norms clarify.

Thomas-Kilmann conflict modes

Five conflict approaches: competing, collaborating, compromising, avoiding, and accommodating. Collaborating pursues mutual gain and suits important issues with time available.

Work breakdown structure

A deliverable-oriented hierarchical decomposition of project scope. The one hundred percent rule requires child elements to sum exactly to the parent.

RACI matrix

A responsibility assignment tool labeling each task with Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed roles. Each task should have exactly one accountable party.

Value engineering

A structured review of design elements to improve value by reducing cost without reducing function, or improving function for the same cost.

Constructability review

A pre-construction review assessing whether the design can be built efficiently, safely, and economically, conducted before construction documents are finalized.