Construction Project Management And Reinforcement

Project Management in Construction

The management of construction project demands specialized proficiency and knowledge of handling project management tasks. Construction is an area which requires more experience to handle teams of diverse nature to meet the required objectives (“Construction Project Management 101”, 2018). In this technology oriented world effective technologies have paved way for easing the difficulties of construction projects.  Similarly, the complexities of construction management are resolved by various helpful methods and tools, such as Microsoft project management and so on. The construction management not just focuses on the tasks to be completed, instead it also gives importance for quality, contract administration and safety management apart from the other basic factors. Further, communication and effectively utilizing the available resources by the defined scope, budget and schedule has a significant role in construction management (Maria Delos Santos, 2017).

Project Management can be defined as an art that effectively directs and helps in coordinating with diverse people and material resources (“Project Management for Construction: Construction Planning”, 2018). However, to help the project managers the Microsoft project software is used widely in the construction field. It has features that help in managing the material resources and human resources effectively (“Project Management for Construction: Labor, Material and Equipment Utilization”, 2018). On the other hand it helps to accomplish the required project on time and helps to have a track of all the tasks to be completed throughout the project (Hendrickson & Au, 2008).

This project aims to provide a clear understanding of the process to be undertaken in the construction of the building. The relative timing to complete the project, relationship between the information flows and the specialist trade packages is also the purpose of this aim.

This project’s objectives are listed below:

1. To collect information of the programme.
2. To design the IDEF0 process map based on the collected information flow.

• To determine the required time, for the successful completion of the project.

1. To assess the effectiveness of Microsoft project software, and
2. To determine the critical appraisals related to the implementation of 4D BIM tool, Microsoft project software and ADePT methodology.

This project revolves around the construction of a 50-storey tower i.e., built off of a three-storey podium deck in a city center location. It is basements at two levels. The building’s central core is a concrete construction. It is to be built in front of the floor slabs.  The jump form, central tower crane, floor slabs all have a significant role in the construction. The complete construction of the building has reinforced concrete. This is a huge project and required many people to work on designing and on project management. If the design is not understood clearly it can create misunderstandings between the contractors and the managers. The misunderstanding can have negative impact on the management of the work, then on cost and time of the project (“Project Management 101 for Commercial Concrete Polishing Contractors”, 2018).

Specialty Trade Packages in Construction Management

The following are the activities of this project, in a sequence:

• Lifting the screens.
• Reinforcing and column formation.
• Position forming aimed at the band and perimeter beams.
• Beam formation.
• Metal deck positioning.
• Reinforcing and cable stressing process.
• Concrete floor slab execution.

This project’s construction management contains the following specialty trade packages- Core, framework, reinforcement, stressing, concrete, screens and crane. The selected specialty trade package for this project is, “Reinforcement.” The reinforced concrete is a modern material used in construction of buildings. It has the capacity to be molded into the desired shape (“What is reinforcement in construction – Basic Civil Engineering”, 2018).

It is observed that there exists difficulty in clearly understanding process to be undertaken. This is resolved by designing an effective process model for the construction of a 50-storey tower or a building, where the relative timing to complete the project, relationship between the information flows and the specialist trade packages will be determined. Further, this report also aims to determine the advantages and barriers of 4D BIM tool, Microsoft project software and ADePT methodology’s implementation.

For this project, it is recommended to use 4D BIM design tool and ADePT methodology for successfully completing the project on time. On the other hand, this project also ensures to concentrate on the quality, contract administration and safety management along with the other important factors (“Construction Management – Basthatfield”, 2018).

This section of the report emphasizes on the structure of the whole report. The report’s initial section presents the focal point like aim, objectives and background of the study. This section is the introductory part of the whole project.

The second section explores the selected specialist trade package and signifies the purpose and scope in the construction management process. Further, this section is subdivided with the information of IDEF0 process map, for the project. The process mapping is basically a business process model and this model is developed in this part for the selected specialty trade package. The model is designed based on the gathered information as, information flow.

The third section of the report inspects the implementations of Microsoft Project software, 4D BIM tool and ADePT methodology in the construction project. The Microsoft Project software is used for investigating the time constraints, cost and resources required for the project. Gantt chart and the step-by-step tasks required for the project are determined in this specific part. However, Microsoft project is also used to concentrate on its critical appraisal and scrutinizes its competencies to help the project managers, in the construction industry. Additionally, in construction business the advantages and barriers of 4D BIM tool and ADePT methodology’s implementation is determined. This section also includes the critical appraisals for Microsoft Project software.

Microsoft Project Software in Construction Management

The selected specialist trade package is, reinforcement. In construction, reinforcement is held responsible for the structure of the building, thus it is the foundation of the building which has to be monitored effectively. If this goes wrong, then it imposes negative impact on the budget of the project. The following aspects must be taken care (“Concrete and Aggregate Testing”, 2018) (Koutsogiannis, 2018):

• Follow the design (“Construction Project Management | Coursera”, 2018).
• Ensure to check the constructed bar bindings, to manage the risks.
• Follow the guideline for reinforcement (Landau, 2018).
• Ensure right amount of materials are used, with right size, weight and quantity.
• The reinforcement of column, beam and wall has to be carefully monitored by the project manager (“Column Reinforcement”, 2018).
• The bending stress must be cross-checked.
• Tension resistance on the beam must be determined.
• Length of the bar must be checked.

The purpose is to establish an accurate reinforcement to successfully complete the construction of the building. This ensures to secure the building and to fulfill the scope of the project.

This project’s scope is to enhance the construction management with improved techniques and tools, which results in effective co-ordination and cooperation between the workers, project managers and sub-contractors. Further, it ensure the following scopes:

• The problem of lifting the screens will be considered and resolved with effective measures.
• The issues of the processes like, striking and collecting the used materials to pass it to the next above floor will be controlled.
• The necessary security measures will be included, for the safety of the people working on the site.
• The risks will be defined.
• The staff will be trained to follow the newly proposed process.
• The inputs of the project manager, subcontractors and workers will be gathered, to work on improving the process.
• The stressing system will be improved and monitored.
• Improved construction management will be presented.

Coordination between the workers, project managers and sub-contractors are essential in the reinforcement process. Project manager and workers for the following process (“What is reinforcement in construction – Basic Civil Engineering”, 2018) (“Column Reinforcement – Reinforcement Details In Column”, 2018):

1. Binding of bars.
2. Bar Notation
3. Steel bar lapping
4. Length of the crank.
5. Covering
6. Stool in reinforcement.

The reinforcement drawing must be completed and designed correctly, if not it can distort the diameters of the bar and result in wrong reinforcement.

Information supplied by Project manager	Information supplied by Sub-contractor
Engineering reports	Reports of the performed schedule.
Reports of the schedule.	Project design
Requirement of health and safety.	Cost plan
Information related to risks at the site.	Scheduled processes.
Other construction information	Safety programme is scheduled
Inputs of the workers and the sub-contractors.	Training programme is scheduled
Cost estimation	Reports of the performed schedule.
Schedules of all the processes at the site.	Inputs of the workers.
Training programme
Security programme

For construction of reinforcement, the easily understood process model is provided in this part of the report. The IDEF0 mapping method is utilized to denote the activities and functions of the package (“IDEF0 – Part 1 (understanding it)”, 2018). This model delivers clear understanding of all the necessary processes to be undertaken (Damelio, 2011). The clarity is made possible by the graphical representation of each process in the model (Introduction to IDEF0/3 for Business Process Modelling, 2013). The IDEF0 Process Map is depicted in the below figure.

This section represents the abilities of Microsoft Project software and defines the complete structural construction programme for the selected trade package.

The complete tasks for the construction project are mentioned in the below table.

Task Name

Construction Floor Cycle Project

Gathering the Project Requirements

Analysis the Project Requirements

Pre-construction of Construction Project

Prepare project contract Drawings

Permit Foundation for Project

Permit full building

Site utility relocation

Construction Project Procurement

Subcontractor bid

Interview period

Recommendation of subcontracts

Approval of subcontracts

Shoring and sheeting procurement

Other material procurement

Construction

Notice to proceed

Drill Dewatering Wells

Install Solider Piles

Excavation

Install Lagging

Install Tiebacks

Concrete Footings

Concrete Walls

Concrete Columns

Concrete Slab

Lift screens

Reinforce and form columns

Position forms for the band and

Perimeter beams

Form beams

Position metal deck

Reinforce including stressing

Cables

Concrete floor slab

Inspections & Close?Out

Weather Day Allowance

Commissioning & Training

Final Clean

Punchlist Generation

O&M Manual Submission

Substantial Completion Process

Substantial Completion

Resources

Project’s resources are listed below.

Resource Name	Type	Initials	Max. Units	Std. Rate	Accrue At	Base Calendar
Project Executive	Work	P	100%	$2,500.00/hr	Prorated	Standard
Senior Project Manager	Work	S	100%	$3,000.00/hr	Prorated	Standard
Project Engineer	Work	P	100%	$2,000.00/hr	Prorated	Standard
Project Admin	Work	P	100%	$1,900.00/hr	Prorated	Standard
Project Accountant	Work	P	100%	$1,500.00/hr	Prorated	Standard
Project Scheduler	Work	P	100%	$1,500.00/hr	Prorated	Standard
Senior Superintendent	Work	S	100%	$2,000.00/hr	Prorated	Standard
Safety Manager	Work	S	100%	$1,500.00/hr	Prorated	Standard
Layout Engineer	Work	L	100%	$1,000.00/hr	Prorated	Standard
Unskilled Laborer	Work	U	100%	$1,000.00/hr	Prorated	Standard
Equipment and Facilities	Work	E	100%	$2,500.00/hr	Prorated	Standard
Contractor	Work	C	100%	$1,000.00/hr	Prorated	Standard
Sub-Contractor	Work	S	100%	$1,000.00/hr	Prorated	Standard

The overall construction project plan is shown below.

Task Mode	Task Name	Duration	Start	Finish	Predecessors	Resource Names
Auto Scheduled	Construction Floor Cycle Project	266 days	Fri 3/16/18	Fri 3/22/19
Auto Scheduled	Gathering the Project Requirements	1 day	Fri 3/16/18	Fri 3/16/18		Project Engineer, Project Scheduler, Senior Project Manager
Auto Scheduled	Analysis the Project Requirements	2 days	Fri 3/16/18	Mon 3/19/18		Project Engineer, Senior Project Manager
Auto Scheduled	Pre construction of Construction Project	10 days	Fri 3/16/18	Thu 3/29/18		Layout Engineer, Project Engineer, Senior Project Manager
Auto Scheduled	Prepare project contract Drawings	2 days	Fri 3/30/18	Mon 4/2/18	4	Equipment and Facilities, Layout Engineer, Project Engineer
Auto Scheduled	Permit Foundation for Project	1 day	Tue 4/3/18	Tue 4/3/18	5	Equipment and Facilities, Senior Project Manager, Senior Superintendent
Auto Scheduled	Permit full building	3 days	Wed 4/4/18	Fri 4/6/18	6	Equipment and Facilities, Project Engineer, Senior Project Manager
Auto Scheduled	Site utility relocation	5 days	Mon 4/9/18	Fri 4/13/18	7	Layout Engineer, Senior Project Manager, Senior Superintendent
Auto Scheduled	Construction Project Procurement	14 days	Mon 4/16/18	Thu 5/3/18	8
Auto Scheduled	Subcontractor bid	3 days	Mon 4/16/18	Wed 4/18/18		Project Engineer, Senior Project Manager, Sub-Contractor
Auto Scheduled	Interview period	2 days	Mon 4/16/18	Tue 4/17/18		Project Engineer, Senior Project Manager
Auto Scheduled	Recommendation of subcontracts	6 days	Thu 4/19/18	Thu 4/26/18	10	Contractor, Project Admin, Project Executive, Senior Project Manager
Auto Scheduled	Approval of subcontracts	1 day	Mon 4/16/18	Mon 4/16/18		Project Engineer[50%],Project Scheduler[50%],Senior Project Manager[50%]
Auto Scheduled	Shoring and sheeting procurement	2 days	Fri 4/27/18	Mon 4/30/18	12	Equipment and Facilities, Layout Engineer, Senior Project Manager, Senior Superintendent
Auto Scheduled	Other material procurement	3 days	Tue 5/1/18	Thu 5/3/18	14	Project Admin, Project Engineer, Senior Project Manager
Auto Scheduled	Construction	199 days	Fri 5/4/18	Wed 2/6/19	9
Auto Scheduled	Notice to proceed	1 day	Fri 5/4/18	Fri 5/4/18		Contractor, Equipment and Facilities, Layout Engineer, Senior Project Manager, Senior Superintendent
Auto Scheduled	Drill Dewatering Wells	30 days	Mon 5/7/18	Fri 6/15/18	17	Contractor, Equipment and Facilities, Project Executive, Sub-Contractor, Unskilled Laborer
Auto Scheduled	Install Solider Piles	20 days	Mon 6/18/18	Fri 7/13/18	18	Contractor, Equipment and Facilities, Project Executive, Sub-Contractor, Unskilled Laborer
Auto Scheduled	Excavation	10 days	Mon 7/16/18	Fri 7/27/18	19	Equipment and Facilities, Project Executive, Sub-Contractor, Unskilled Laborer
Auto Scheduled	Install Lagging	5 days	Mon 7/30/18	Fri 8/3/18	20	Equipment and Facilities, Layout Engineer, Project Engineer, Project Executive, Safety Manager
Auto Scheduled	Install Tiebacks	5 days	Mon 8/6/18	Fri 8/10/18	21	Contractor, Equipment and Facilities, Project Engineer, Project Executive, Unskilled Laborer
Auto Scheduled	Concrete Footings	6 days	Mon 8/13/18	Mon 8/20/18	22	Equipment and Facilities, Project Engineer, Project Executive, Sub-Contractor, Unskilled Laborer
Auto Scheduled	Concrete Walls	7 days	Tue 8/21/18	Wed 8/29/18	23	Contractor, Equipment and Facilities, Project Accountant, Project Admin, Project Executive, Unskilled Laborer
Auto Scheduled	Concrete Columns	9 days	Thu 8/30/18	Tue 9/11/18	24	Contractor, Equipment and Facilities, Project Engineer, Project Executive, Sub-Contractor
Auto Scheduled	Concrete Slab	20 days	Wed 9/12/18	Tue 10/9/18	25	Contractor, Project Engineer, Project Executive, Sub-Contractor, Unskilled Laborer
Auto Scheduled	Lift screens	12 days	Wed 10/10/18	Thu 10/25/18	26	Equipment and Facilities, Project Engineer, Project Executive, Sub-Contractor, Unskilled Laborer
Auto Scheduled	Reinforce and form columns	5 days	Fri 10/26/18	Thu 11/1/18	27	Contractor, Equipment and Facilities, Project Engineer, Sub-Contractor, Unskilled Laborer
Auto Scheduled	Position forms for the band and	7 days	Fri 11/2/18	Mon 11/12/18	28	Contractor, Equipment and Facilities, Project Engineer, Project Executive, Safety Manager
Auto Scheduled	Perimeter beams	8 days	Tue 11/13/18	Thu 11/22/18	29	Equipment and Facilities, Project Executive, Sub-Contractor, Unskilled Laborer
Auto Scheduled	Form beams	9 days	Fri 11/23/18	Wed 12/5/18	30	Project Executive, Project Scheduler, Sub-Contractor
Auto Scheduled	Position metal deck	12 days	Thu 12/6/18	Fri 12/21/18	31	Equipment and Facilities, Layout Engineer, Project Admin, Sub-Contractor
Auto Scheduled	Reinforce including stressing	8 days	Mon 12/24/18	Wed 1/2/19	32	Project Engineer, Project Executive, Sub-Contractor
Auto Scheduled	Cables	10 days	Thu 1/3/19	Wed 1/16/19	33	Equipment and Facilities, Layout Engineer, Project Accountant, Project Engineer
Auto Scheduled	Concrete floor slab	15 days	Thu 1/17/19	Wed 2/6/19	34	Contractor, Layout Engineer, Project Executive, Project Scheduler, Safety Manager, Sub-Contractor, Unskilled Laborer
Auto Scheduled	Inspections & Close?Out	32 days	Thu 2/7/19	Fri 3/22/19	35
Auto Scheduled	Weather Day Allowance	4 days	Thu 2/7/19	Tue 2/12/19	10	Project Admin, Project Engineer, Project Executive, Project Scheduler, Senior Superintendent
Auto Scheduled	Commissioning & Training	7 days	Wed 2/13/19	Thu 2/21/19	37	Equipment and Facilities, Project Engineer, Senior Project Manager
Auto Scheduled	Final Clean	9 days	Fri 2/22/19	Wed 3/6/19	38	Contractor, Equipment and Facilities, Project Admin, Unskilled Laborer
Auto Scheduled	Punchlist Generation	4 days	Thu 3/7/19	Tue 3/12/19	39	Contractor, Layout Engineer, Project Engineer, Project Executive, Sub-Contractor
Auto Scheduled	O&M Manual Submission	6 days	Wed 3/13/19	Wed 3/20/19	40	Layout Engineer, Senior Project Manager, Senior Superintendent, Project Admin
Auto Scheduled	Substantial Completion Process	1 day	Thu 3/21/19	Thu 3/21/19	41	Project Accountant, Project Admin, Senior Project Manager, Senior Superintendent
Auto Scheduled	Substantial Completion	1 day	Fri 3/22/19	Fri 3/22/19	42	Project Admin, Project Executive, Project Scheduler, Senior Project Manager, Senior Superintendent

Work Breakdown Structure

Work breakdown structure represented as shown below.

Timing required for the Project Completion

The time required to finish this construction project is 266 days.

Project Cost

The overall project cost is as shown below.

Name	Actual Cost	Remaining Cost	Baseline Cost	Cost	Cost Variance
Construction Floor Cycle Project	$0.00	$16,714,800.00	$0.00	$16,714,800.00	$16,714,800.00

The above graph depicts the cost of the whole project.

Cost of the Resources

The total cost of the resources cost are presented in the following table.

Name	Start	Finish	Remaining Work
Project Executive	Thu 4/19/18	Fri 3/22/19	1,488 hrs
Senior Project Manager	Fri 3/16/18	Fri 3/22/19	436 hrs
Project Engineer	Fri 3/16/18	Tue 3/12/19	1,028 hrs
Project Admin	Thu 4/19/18	Fri 3/22/19	392 hrs
Project Accountant	Tue 8/21/18	Thu 3/21/19	144 hrs
Project Scheduler	Fri 3/16/18	Fri 3/22/19	244 hrs
Senior Superintendent	Tue 4/3/18	Fri 3/22/19	168 hrs
Safety Manager	Mon 7/30/18	Wed 2/6/19	216 hrs
Layout Engineer	Fri 3/16/18	Wed 3/20/19	576 hrs
Unskilled Laborer	Mon 5/7/18	Wed 3/6/19	1,176 hrs
Equipment and Facilities	Fri 3/30/18	Wed 3/6/19	1,368 hrs
Contractor	Thu 4/19/18	Tue 3/12/19	1,104 hrs
Sub-Contractor	Mon 4/16/18	Tue 3/12/19	1,368 hrs

The following are the programme information required for the selected package:

• Schedule for lifting the screens.
• Striking process
• Information of collected used materials.
• Cleaning process
• Stressing system
• Risks
• Scheduled working staff
• Information from the subcontractors and workers, to improve the process.

The highly used software for project management is, “Microsoft Project Software”, because it provides satisfied results.  It has smart features to help scheduling. It ensures to work parallel with the tasks and gives effective communication. It tracks the progress and highlights the encountered issues.

The Microsoft project software helps in resolving the following issues.

• Lifting of screens is scheduled based on the available manpower, to avoid any delay of the work.
• The striking process is scheduled.
• Collection of used material is monitored, and the same is sent to the above floor next.
• Cleaning process is scheduled, to avoid any mishaps in the site.
• The stressing system is monitored and scheduled.
• The risks are defined.
• The staff are scheduled to provide the required training, to get accustomed to the newly proposed process.
• The inputs of the project manager, subcontractors and workers have helped in improving the process.
• Improved construction management is presented.

The advantages of implementing the 4D BIM are as follows:

• 4D BIM ensures to benefit the users with four dimensional graphical representation of the building that is designed for construction (Ahmed, Emam & Farrell, 2014).
• It is an effective design tool which helps the development phase of the plans along with its schedule.
• It has significant design features which helps to combine the design and construction.
• It benefits with consistent scheduling and intelligent features.
• It helps to save costs related to rework and scheduling.

The barriers for the effective implementation of the 4D BIM design tool are listed below:

• The construction project managers lack enough skills to work on the 4D BIM tool.
• The users are not provided with sufficient training.
• Availability of the required software and matching the standards of the industry.
• Cost for upgrading the hardware and software at the initial stage can be barrier too (Hardin & McCool, 2015).

The advantages of implementing the ADePT are as follows: 

• ADePT is mainly is useful before planning stage (Austin, Baldwin, Li & Waskett, 2000).
• ADePT has better change management handling.
• It seizes any limitations related to building’s drawing (Schultz, 2002).
• ADePT supports to manage the building design, helps in decision making, and in defining the roles.  
• It improves project management and helps in prioritizing the work.

The barriers for the effective implementation of the ADePT are listed below: 

• Complexity to clearly understand the design.
• Delayed construction.
• Highly expensive

References

Ahmed, S., Emam, H., & Farrell, P. (2014). Barriers to BIM/4D Implementation in Qatar‏. 1St International Conference On Smart, Sustainable And Healthy Cities [CIB-MENA], At Abu Dhabi, UAE. https://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.4990.4164

Austin, S., Baldwin, A., Li, B., & Waskett, P. (2000). Analytical design planning technique (ADePT): a dependency structure matrix tool to schedule the building design process. Construction Management And Economics, 18(2), 173-182. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/014461900370807

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Koutsogiannis, A. (2018). Construction Project Management Processes: Everything You Need to Know – GenieBelt. GenieBelt. Retrieved 19 March 2018, from https://geniebelt.com/blog/construction-project-management-processes

Landau, P. (2018). Construction Project Management – A Quick Guide. ProjectManager.com. Retrieved 19 March 2018, from https://www.projectmanager.com/blog/construction-project-management

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Project Management 101 for Commercial Concrete Polishing Contractors. (2018). For Construction Pros. Retrieved 19 March 2018, from https://www.forconstructionpros.com/business/business-services/article/12281263/project-management-101-for-commercial-concrete-polishing-contractors

Project Management for Construction: Construction Planning. (2018). Cmu.edu. Retrieved 19 March 2018, from https://www.cmu.edu/cee/projects/PMbook/09_Construction_Planning.html

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Schultz, T. (2002). ADEPT-The Advanced Database Environment for Planning and Tracking. Bell Labs Technical Journal, 3(3), 3-9. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bltj.2111

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