Time and Cost ControlCritical Path SchedulingThe project schedule incorporates information from the work breakdown structure and the logic diagram to establish a baseline schedule for doing the work. Using such commercially available programs such as Primavera Project Planner, the program manager's project controls staff will develop the schedule and then determine the critical path. The critical path consists of al1 of the elements of work that influence the project completion date. In other words, tasks not on the critical path can be delayed or extended without delaying the project. The only way to accelerate the work, however, is to shorten the critical path. This can be done by shortening the completion time of items on the critical path or by changing the logic of the work to move a lengthy task off the critical path. The current practice is to utilize resource-loaded critical path schedules for major projects. These schedules include the resources require to accomplish each task in the project database. Thus we not only know how long a particular task will take, but also how many labor-hours are planned to be expended. We also know the quantity (and value) of materials to be put in place during that task. This is a powerful tool for securing accurate appraisals of work complete and work in progress, as well as for evaluating contractor c1aims and payment requests, particularly if they are based on the percentage of work complete. Cost Control and EstimatingCost control refers to tracking project costs, comparing them to project budgets, and evaluating and explaining variances. Cost control can also be used to forecast cash flow requirements for payments. Various systems are used for cost estimating. In some cases it is merely a conventional "spread sheet" with experience data for a given region and type of construction. The database is continuously updated with current data to provide accurate and timely information. Commercial programs such as Timberline and other software are also available for cost estimating. There are several different types of cost estimates. In one case, an estimator "takes off" quantities from drawings and specifications, determines the current prices, and compiles an estimate accordingly. This method does not work for certain types of projects, or for situations in which complete designs are not available. Design-build jobs and renovations of existing buildings are good examples of not being suited to the "take off" approach. In these cases a much greater skill level is required because the cost estimator must have experience visualizing and recalling all elements of the work. We call this "conceptual cost estimating."
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The Program Manager's Tools
