Florida General Contractor Construction Project Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the critical path method (CPM), what does 'total float' represent for an activity?
- The amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project completion date (Correct answer)
- The total labor hours budgeted for the activity
- The number of crew members floating between tasks
- The extra materials kept as buffer stock
Correct answer: The amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project completion date
Total float is the time an activity can slip without pushing out the project's finish date.
Question 2: A schedule of values submitted with a payment application primarily serves to:
- Break the contract sum into line items so progress payments can be measured (Correct answer)
- List all subcontractor phone numbers
- Record daily weather conditions
- Establish the retainage bond amount
Correct answer: Break the contract sum into line items so progress payments can be measured
The schedule of values allocates the contract sum to work items so percentage completion can be billed.
Question 3: Which document typically defines how change orders are priced and approved on a Florida commercial project?
- The general conditions of the contract (Correct answer)
- The building permit application
- The OSHA 300 log
- The soil boring report
Correct answer: The general conditions of the contract
The general conditions establish the change order procedures, pricing, and approval process.
Question 4: Retainage is best described as:
- A percentage of each progress payment withheld until the work is satisfactorily completed (Correct answer)
- A fee paid to the architect for inspections
- The contractor's profit margin on materials
- A deposit for the building permit
Correct answer: A percentage of each progress payment withheld until the work is satisfactorily completed
Retainage is money held back from payments as security for completion of the work.
Question 5: On a CPM network, an activity with zero total float is located on the:
- Critical path (Correct answer)
- Punch list
- Submittal log
- Bid tabulation
Correct answer: Critical path
Activities with zero float lie on the critical path and directly control project duration.
Question 6: The main purpose of a submittal log is to:
- Track the status and approval of shop drawings, product data, and samples (Correct answer)
- List every worker's certification expiration
- Record concrete cylinder break results only
- Document all safety violations
Correct answer: Track the status and approval of shop drawings, product data, and samples
A submittal log monitors the review and approval status of required submittals.
Question 7: When a project is 'fast-tracked,' it means:
- Construction begins before design is fully complete to compress the schedule (Correct answer)
- Only night shifts are used
- The permit is expedited by paying a fee
- All materials are prefabricated offsite
Correct answer: Construction begins before design is fully complete to compress the schedule
Fast-tracking overlaps design and construction phases to shorten overall duration.
Florida General Contractor Construction Project Management 2
In the critical path method (CPM), what does 'total float' represent for an activity?