Business and Project Management
Scope
A Utah general contractor runs a licensed business and a multi-trade project at the same time. The exam tests both halves: the administrative structure (entity, license and qualifier, insurance, bonding, records) and the management controls that keep work on schedule and on budget (work breakdown, CPM scheduling, submittals, RFIs, change control, cost-to-complete).
Concepts to know
Understand project delivery methods - design-bid-build, design-build, and construction manager at risk - and how each shifts risk. Know that the critical path is the longest duration path through the network and carries zero total float; delaying any activity on it delays substantial completion. Float generally belongs to the project unless the contract assigns it. Cost control means comparing budgeted cost of work performed with actual cost, not merely matching invoices to the bid. Track commitments, pending changes, and unapproved change orders as part of cost-to-complete.
Traps
Questions often confuse the critical path with the most expensive or most visible activity. Another trap is treating an oral direction from a field representative as a change; only a written, authorized change order modifies scope, price, or time. Watch for license questions that assume a company license alone is enough - a qualifier must be attached and responsible. Also watch for schedules that ignore procurement and submittal lead times.
Worked example
Three parallel paths: A-B = 12 days, A-C = 15 days, A-D = 9 days. The critical path is A-C at 15 days; D has 6 days of total float. If D slips 7 days, the project finishes at 16 days and D becomes critical.
Rule of thumb
Schedule the critical path first, protect its float, and never let a non-critical path's slip go unrecorded.