Civil Engineering PE Project Planning and Estimating 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A highway project estimate uses parametric estimating at $2.5 million per lane-mile. For a 4-lane, 8-mile project, what is the estimated cost?
- $20 million
- $80 million (Correct answer)
- $40 million
- $32 million
Correct answer: $80 million
Cost = $2.5M/lane-mile × 4 lanes × 8 miles = $2.5M × 32 lane-miles = $80 million.
Question 2: The Estimate to Complete (ETC) using the typical EVM formula assuming past CPI will continue is:
- ETC = BAC - EV
- ETC = (BAC - EV) / CPI (Correct answer)
- ETC = AC + BAC - EV
- ETC = BAC / CPI
Correct answer: ETC = (BAC - EV) / CPI
ETC = (BAC - EV) / CPI assumes the remaining work will be performed at the same efficiency as work completed to date.
Question 3: A construction manager uses the S-curve on a project. What does the S-curve represent?
- Risk probability plotted against impact
- Cumulative planned versus actual cost or work over time (Correct answer)
- Activity relationships in a network diagram
- Resource histogram showing daily labor needs
Correct answer: Cumulative planned versus actual cost or work over time
An S-curve plots cumulative cost or work over time, typically forming an S-shape due to slow start, rapid mid-project progress, and tapering completion.
Question 4: Which procurement strategy is best suited for a complex project where the scope cannot be fully defined at the outset?
- Lump sum turnkey contract
- Design-build delivery method
- Cost reimbursable contract (Correct answer)
- Competitive sealed bid
Correct answer: Cost reimbursable contract
Cost reimbursable contracts allow work to proceed and scope to be refined as the project develops, with the owner bearing cost risk.
Question 5: In resource leveling, the primary goal is to:
- Shorten the project schedule duration
- Eliminate resource over-allocations while minimizing schedule impact (Correct answer)
- Increase total project cost to improve quality
- Add resources to the critical path activities
Correct answer: Eliminate resource over-allocations while minimizing schedule impact
Resource leveling adjusts start and finish dates to resolve resource conflicts and over-allocations, often extending the project schedule.
Question 6: A bid bond submitted with a construction bid typically guarantees that the bidder will:
- Complete the project within the bid price
- Enter into a contract and provide performance/payment bonds if awarded (Correct answer)
- Pay all subcontractors and suppliers
- Maintain the bid price for 90 days after award
Correct answer: Enter into a contract and provide performance/payment bonds if awarded
A bid bond ensures the bidder will execute the contract and furnish required performance and payment bonds if their bid is accepted.
Question 7: The critical chain project management method differs from CPM primarily because it:
- Uses three-point duration estimates for all activities
- Accounts for resource constraints and uses buffers rather than individual activity float (Correct answer)
- Requires a fully resourced schedule before sequencing activities
- Eliminates the need for a network diagram
Correct answer: Accounts for resource constraints and uses buffers rather than individual activity float
Critical chain focuses on resource-constrained scheduling and uses project buffers and feeding buffers instead of padding individual activity durations.
Civil Engineering PE Project Planning and Estimating 5
A highway project estimate uses parametric estimating at $2.5 million per lane-mile.
For a 4-lane, 8-mile project, what is the estimated cost?