DBIA DBIA - Design-Build Institute of America Quality Management and Project Controls Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'critical path method' (CPM) schedule used for in design-build project controls?
- Identifying the longest sequence of dependent activities that determines the project completion date (Correct answer)
- Listing all activities in alphabetical order for tracking purposes
- Calculating the maximum number of workers needed on any given day
- Ranking subcontractors by their historical schedule performance
Correct answer: Identifying the longest sequence of dependent activities that determines the project completion date
CPM analysis reveals which activities drive project duration, allowing the design-build team to focus schedule management on the most time-sensitive tasks.
Question 2: What does 'schedule float' (also called slack) represent in a project schedule?
- The amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project completion date (Correct answer)
- Extra budget reserved for schedule acceleration costs
- Time allocated for owner reviews between design milestones
- The gap between the contract completion date and the substantial completion date
Correct answer: The amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project completion date
Float represents scheduling flexibility; activities with float can absorb delays without impacting the critical path or final completion date.
Question 3: In design-build, 'integrated project controls' combines which key functions?
- Cost management, schedule management, and change management in a unified system (Correct answer)
- Safety management, quality control, and environmental compliance reporting
- Design reviews, owner approvals, and regulatory permit tracking
- Procurement, logistics, and subcontractor payment applications
Correct answer: Cost management, schedule management, and change management in a unified system
Integrated project controls link cost and schedule data with change management so that the impact of any change is immediately visible across all three dimensions.
Question 4: What is a 'look-ahead schedule' in design-build construction management?
- A short-interval (typically 3–6 week) schedule used to plan and coordinate near-term field work (Correct answer)
- A long-range forecast of project completion dates submitted to the owner annually
- A schedule of upcoming design deliverables due to the permitting agency
- A projection of subcontractor mobilization dates for the entire project
Correct answer: A short-interval (typically 3–6 week) schedule used to plan and coordinate near-term field work
Look-ahead schedules focus on imminent work windows, enabling crews to identify and resolve constraints before they cause delays.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a 'Request for Information' (RFI) log in design-build project controls?
- Tracking questions and design clarifications to ensure timely responses and avoid construction delays (Correct answer)
- Recording all subcontractor bids received during the procurement process
- Documenting owner change requests and their associated cost impacts
- Logging safety incidents and near-misses during construction activities
Correct answer: Tracking questions and design clarifications to ensure timely responses and avoid construction delays
An RFI log provides a systematic record of field questions and design clarifications, ensuring accountability and preventing schedule delays from unanswered queries.
Question 6: In design-build quality control, a 'non-conformance report' (NCR) documents:
- Work that does not meet specified requirements and the corrective action required (Correct answer)
- A subcontractor's failure to meet the project payment schedule
- A design element that deviates from the owner's aesthetic preferences
- Equipment that arrived on site ahead of the planned delivery date
Correct answer: Work that does not meet specified requirements and the corrective action required
NCRs formally identify deficient work, assign responsibility for correction, and track resolution to ensure quality standards are restored.
DBIA DBIA - Design-Build Institute of America Quality Management and Project Controls Questions and Answers 2
What is a 'critical path method' (CPM) schedule used for in design-build project controls?