Programme and Planning

Question 1

What are the names of each stage identified in the RIBA Plan of Work?

Answer 1

Stage 0 - Strategic Definition
Stage 1 - Preparation and Briefing
Stage 2 - Concept Design
Stage 3 - Spatial Coordination
Stage 4 - Technical Design
Stage 5 - Manufacturing and Construction
Stage 6 - Handover
Stage 7 - Use

Question 2

Why do we have the RIBA Plan of Work?

Answer 2

• The RIBA Plan of Work organises the process of briefing, designing, constructing and operating building projects into eight stages.
• The Plan of Work explains outcomes, core tasks and information exchanges required at each stage.

Question 3

What is a programme, and why do we need one for a construction project?

Answer 3

• The programme should reflect the scope of work, identify activities and sequence those activities efficiently; a well-executed construction programme outlines each step and provides dates for completion.
• Maintaining an effective programme is key to identifying potential risks, minimising delays and ensuring the project is completed on time.
• The programme is used to both plan work and monitor progress.

Question 4

What information does a programme typically show?

Answer 4

• Activities and their sequencing.
• Activity duration including the start and finish dates.
• Activity dependencies.
• Milestones (key dates).
• Float and lag.
• Critical path.
• Current and predicted progress.
• The programme can also be used to predict cash flow and resource requirements (plant and labour).

Question 5

What is programme float?

Answer 5

Float is the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the subsequent activity or critical path.

Question 6

What is lag between activities?

Answer 6

When the first activity completes and there is a delay before the second activity starts, this is called lag.

Question 7

Can you provide a working example of lag on a new build project?

Answer 7

Once a concrete foundation is laid, there will be lag prior to erecting steelwork (to allow the concrete to cure/harden)

Question 8

What is the critical path on a programme?

Answer 8

• The critical path is the longest sequence of activities that must be completed to successfully conclude
  a project.
• Activities on the critical path are known as critical activities because if they’re delayed, the whole project will be delayed.

Question 9

Can critical path activities have float?

Answer 9

Critical path activities have no float. If critical path activities are delayed, the overall completion of the project will be delayed.

Question 10

What are milestones?

Answer 10

A project milestone is a task of zero duration that shows an important achievement in a project.

Question 11

Please provide examples of typical programme milestones for a new build construction project?

Answer 11

• Planning permission granted.
• RIBA Stage 3 complete.
• Contractor appointed.
• Start on site.
• Building watertight.

Question 12

What is the difference between a jagged and a straight drop line on a programme?

Answer 12

Jagged drop line:
- Progress as a percentage is entered for each task. This shows activities which are on, behind or ahead on the reporting date

Straight drop line:
- After progress is entered, the programme is rescheduled so each task sits on the progress reporting date (this straightens the drop line).
- It is useful to determine the impact on the critical path.

Question 13

How would you put together a programme for a new project?

Answer 13

• I would first understand the purpose of the programme and the level of detail required.
• Identify all activities to be completed, project deliverables, contractual requirements and key milestones (consulting with the project team and stakeholders where required).
• Assign durations to each activity.
• Summarise activities into RIBA Stages.
• Identify relationships between activities and link them accordingly.
• Identify float and the critical path in the programme.
• Issue the programme to the team for comment, adjust as required.
• Monitor and review.

Question 14

What is a concurrent delay?

Answer 14

Two or more delays caused by different parties occur independently of each other, but during the same period.

Question 15

What is the benefit of assigning resources to specific programme activities?

Answer 15

• Assigning resources such as plant and labour to each activity allows a resource profile to be built.
• This ultimately identifies resource requirements for the project and/or pinch points.

Question 16

What is acceleration in programming terms?

Answer 16

Acceleration means completing the works in a shorter period or mitigating some form of delay (and completing on the original date).

Question 17

What options may be considered to facilitate acceleration?

Answer 17

• Re-sequencing works (activities are reprogrammed and completed in parallel).
• Working longer hours (evenings and weekends).
• Increasing resources (more labour and/or equipment).
• Adopting alternative construction methods, such as off-site manufacturing.
• Changing the design or specification (improving lead time, etc.).
• Reducing the scope of the works.

Question 18

What is a Gantt Chart?

Answer 18

• A Gantt chart is a project management tool that illustrates work completed over a period of time in relation to the time planned for the work.
• A Gantt chart can include the start and end dates of tasks, milestones, dependencies between tasks, assignees, and more.