Programming and Planning - Level 1

Question 1

What is the difference between planning and programming?

Answer 1

Planning defines what needs to be done, while programming sets out when and in what order it will be done.

Question 2

Can you tell me some takeaway from the RICS Programming and planning course and how you have applied it?

Question 3

Why is planning important in construction projects?

Answer 3

Planning is essential to coordinate activities, manage resources, and ensure the project is delivered safely, on time, and within budget.

Question 4

What do you do if you realise the programme is falling behind?

Question 5

What risks arise from poor planning?

Answer 5

• Delays
  -cost overruns
• resource conflicts
• rework
• increased project risk.

Question 6

What is a construction programme?

What is the purpose of it?

Answer 6

• A construction programme is a structured plan that sets out the sequence, duration, and dependencies of activities required to deliver a project.
• To plan, sequence, and manage activities during the construction phase.

Question 7

What is the critical path?

how do you identify it?

why is it important?

Answer 7

• the longest sequence of dependent activities that must be completed on schedule for a project to be finished on timed. The path with zero float.
• It is identified through logic links and duration analysis within the programme.
• Because any delay to critical activities directly delays the overall project.

Question 8

What is the difference between critical and non-critical activities?

What happens if a critical activity is delayed?

Can non-critical activities affect the project completion date?

Answer 8

• Critical activities directly affect the completion date, while non-critical activities have float and can be delayed without impacting overall completion.
• The overall project completion date is delayed.
• Yes, if their float is used up and they become critical.

Question 9

What is float?

why is it important?

Answer 9

• the extra time available for an activity beyond its planned duration. Or
• The amount of time an activity can be delayed without affecting the project completion date.
• It provides flexibility and is a key indicator of programme risk.

Question 10

how is float calculated?

Question 11

What are different types of float?

Answer 11

• Total float (time available without delaying completion)
• free float (time available without delaying the next activity).
• in NEC contracts; terminal float (the time between the contractors planned completion and the contractual completion)

Question 12

what happens if float is used up?

Answer 12

The activity becomes critical and any further delay will impact the project completion.

Question 13

How can float be eroded during a project?

Answer 13

Through delays to preceding activities, changes in scope, poor sequencing, or unplanned constraints or events.

Question 14

who owns float?

Answer 14

• total float can be owned by the contractor to manage risk but it is often shared and used on a first come first served basis.
• however, terminal float in nec contracts is owned by the contractor

Question 15

What is the difference between critical path and float?

Answer 15

The critical path determines project duration, while float is the flexibility available on non-critical activities.

Question 16

What is a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)?

Why is a WBS useful?

Answer 16

• A WBS is a hierarchical breakdown of the project into smaller, manageable tasks.
• It helps define scope, organise activities logically, and ensure nothing is overlooked.

Question 17

What do you mean by logical sequencing?

Answer 17

Arranging activities in the correct order based on dependencies and available resources, rather than arbitrary dates.

Question 18

Why is poor sequencing a programme risk?

Answer 18

It creates unrealistic assumptions and increases the likelihood of delay or rework.

Question 19

What are dependencies in a programme?

How do dependencies affect programme reliability?

Answer 19

• Relationships between activities that determine the order in which they must be completed.
• If dependencies are not correctly identified, delays may not be visible until it’s too late, undermining the reliability of the programme.

Question 20

What types of dependencies exist?

Answer 20

• Finish-to-start (most common)
• start-to-start
• finish-to-finish
• start-to-finish.

Question 21

What are typical constraints that affect sequencing?

Answer 21

Typical constraints include site access and logistics, material lead times, labour and equipment resource, time and cost, external constraints such as weather, safety and quality controls.

Question 22

What is a Gantt chart?

what are the advanatages and limitations of gantt charts?

Answer 22

• A visual representation of a programme showing activities against time.
• Gantt charts are easy to understand and useful for communicating programme information.
• however they can mask poor logic if not properly linked and should not be relied on without understanding dependencies and float.

Question 23

What other programming tools are available?

What are other methods to visualise the programme?

Answer 23

Tools like Microsoft Project visualise the programme in a linked bar chard method. But there is also;

• bar chart diagrams
• Network diagrams or arrow diagrams
• precedence diagrams.

Question 24

How have you used Microsoft Project?

Answer 24

I have used Microsoft Project at a basic level to identify critical paths, monitor progress of tasks on the critical path and understand and establish the length of projects.

Question 25

How do you monitor progress against a programme?

Answer 25

By comparing actual progress against the baseline and reviewing key milestones, progress updates, and review of critical path movement with the contractor.

Question 26

What is the difference between baseline and actual performance? Why is baseline comparison important?

Answer 26

- The baseline is the planned programme; actual performance shows real progress. - Comparing the two highlights variance and emerging risk. It allows identification of delays and supports corrective action.

Question 27

What is milestone tracking, and why is it useful?

Answer 27

Monitoring key points or completion points rather than every activity. - It is useful for monitoring progress, identifying slippage early, and supporting governance reporting.

Question 28

How do you assess whether a programme is realistic?

Answer 28

By testing logic, durations, lead times, dependencies - alignment with known constraints and assurance processes. - input from relevant stakeholders.

Question 29

what should be included in an NEC Programme? what is the required detail for a programme?

Answer 29

- key dates; start dates, access dates, sectional completions, planned completion, completion dates - order and timing of contractor activities to complet the works - order and timining of activities by clients or other as agreed with them - float and time risks allowances - programme narrative / statements of how the work will be carried out

Question 30

What are the reasons for a project manager to not accept a programme?

Answer 30

- the contractors plan are not practicable - it does not show the required information - it does not repesent the plans relaistically - it does not comply with the scope.

Question 31

what is the programme narrative? what does it include?

Answer 31

it's the statement of how the contract plans to carry out the works includes; - sequence of activities - resources and equipment required - critical path - time risk allowances and assumptions - key dates

Question 32

What factors should be considered when developing a programme?

Answer 32

- Scope - resources - sequencing - lead times - risks and external constraints.

Question 33

How do you account for uncertainty in a programme?

Answer 33

****- By including contingency, reviewing risks, and regularly updating the programme.

Question 34

Why are lead times important in programming? what is their impact?

Answer 34

- Because procurement and manufacture often drive the critical path, particularly for specialist equipment. - They can delay activities and must be factored in to ensure realistic sequencing.

Question 35

How do you use programmes to support decision-making rather than just reporting?

Answer 35

By using them to test scenarios, assess impacts of change, identify emerging critical risks, and inform discussions on re-sequencing or re-phasing rather than simply recording progress.

Question 36

What risks arise if lead times are underestimated?

Answer 36

Delays, rushed decisions, increased cost due to impact on programme.

Question 37

What does RICS guidance say about assessing programme feasibility?

Answer 37

RICS guidance emphasises testing logic, durations, lead times, dependencies, and external constraints to ensure programmes are realistic and achievable.

Question 38

How would you develop a basic construction programme? How would you identify the critical path?

Answer 38

1- establishing scope 2- breaking it into tasks 3- sequencing activities 4 - assigning durations 5- identifying dependencies, 6 -sharing with stakeholders for feedback. - By analysing the sequence of activities and identifying the longest path with no float.

Question 39

How would you update a programme during a project?

Answer 39

By recording actual progress, comparing it to the baseline, and revising forecasts as needed.

Question 40

What is the difference between a programme and a schedule of works?

Answer 40

A programme is a comprehensive, time-based plan detailing the sequence of tasks, dependencies, resources, and milestones to complete a project, often visualized as a Gantt chart. A schedule is generally a more focused list of activities, dates, and deadlines, often forming a subset of the overall programme.