Programming and Planning

Question 1

What is critical path analysis?

Answer 1

• It is the identification of the sequence of curtail activities within the programme from start to finish
• Identifies other tasks that are required to complete the project but will not delay the programme if those activities are delayed

Question 2

What is the critical path?

Answer 2

• It is the longest bath from start to finish within the programme
• It indicates the minimum time necessary to complete a programme

Question 3

What is total folat?

Answer 3

• It is the amount that an activity can move without affecting the critical path
• Shared contractually by both parties

Question 4

What is free float?

Answer 4

• It is the amount that an activity can move by without affecting a non critical path item
• Must be less than or equal to total float
• Shared contractually by both parties

Question 5

What is time risk allowance?

Answer 5

• A proportion of an activity duration that has been assessed by the contractor as risk
• For example poor ground for excavations
• Requirement for it to be shown on NEC programmes
• Owned by the Contractor

Question 6

What is terminal float?

Answer 6

• It is the duration of time between the planned completion date and the contract completion date
• Owned by the Contractor

Question 7

What are the reasons for rejection of programme under NEC?

Answer 7

• Contractors plans shown are not practicable.
• It does not show the information which the contract required.
• It does not represent the Contractors plans realistically.
• It does not comply with the Works Information.

Question 8

How would you advise a client on assessing a EOT if there is no accepted programme?

Answer 8

• The only practical solution would be to agree the CL31 programme before assessing the EoT
• Without an accepted programme, there is no way to impact the last accepted programme
• Therefore my advise to the Client would be to focus on agreeing the CL31 programme and then using that as the baseline to impact any CE’s

Question 9

What has changed with programme management under NEC4?

Answer 9

Notifications can now be issued for the non acceptance of programmes, leading to their acceptance if there is non reply to the notification.