Monitoring and Control of Complex Construction Projects

Learning outcomes covered

1. Examine techniques for monitoring progress and taking corrective action
• Apply progress reporting methods using traditional methods
• Manage the schedule for acceleration and productivity

2. Examine alternative methods of scheduling and monitoring complex projects

• Examine alternative methods of scheduling and monitoring

This assignment is designed to introduce you to a combination of issues that are VERY likely to be encountered in a reasonably complex construction project. Within the limits of this subject it is only possible to touch the surface of the complexity of controlling projects, nevertheless, this assignment will require understanding of the planning and scheduling a typical construction cycle, and then progress reporting and progressive forecasting.

The project requires the planning of the structural cycle of a ten story building constructed using one of the following methods:

1. A precast structure including precast lift core, precast columns, beams and slabs, with structural grouting and finish screed,
2. A composite structure consisting of cast-in-situ lift core and precast columns, beams and slabs, with structural grouting and finish screed,
3. A totally cast in-situ concrete structure,
4. A steel frame building with precast floors with structural grouting and finish screed, or
5. A steel frame building with cast in-situ floors.

Only the typical structural activities required for producing a smooth concrete floor need to be scheduled and monitored. And it may be assumed that the work commenced from an already constructed ground floor slab with any relevant cast-in bolts, services, starter bars, etc. already in place. The final top slab should be a normal floor slab, there is no need to schedule roof work.

Stage 2: Controlling and forecasting

In this stage, the progress of the CPM schedule must be recorded. The student doing the CPM schedule should record actual start and finish dates for all activities. Status reports and forecasts should be printed at the end of each month until the project is completed.

In parallel, the student doing the LBMS schedule must record the same actual start and finish dates for each task (operation) in each location (floor and zone). Then also produce a monthly status report and forecast until completion.

Stage 3: Summary report

Each student shall prepare a summary report, no more than two pages to describe the advantages of their method (either CPM or LBMS) compared to the other method for scheduling, monitoring and progressively forecasting the project end-date. Please note that this stage requires good understanding of the other student’s work and the other method.

You are required to

Familiarise yourself with the principles and methods of monitoring and control using literature

Familiarise yourself with CPM and LBMS methods and software

Create a construction project typical structural cycle

Save/print your report as a PDF file and name it starting with the name of the assessment (monitoring and control) followed by your student ID, name the schedule files as your student ID

Submit your schedule files and report on Moodle/Turnitin by midnight Sunday 31st of March