Schedule Updating and Project Control - Construction Project Scheduling and Control - page 205

activity with unsatisfactory numbers to pinpoint the trouble source. It is
very important to look at EV numbers as part of, but not the entire,
picture. They are only indicators and possibly red flags. Once a flag is
raised, more information must be collected to explain the substandard
results. Once that analysis is done and the source of the problem is
identified, a remedy must be prescribed.
6. We can describe activities with negative variance as “substandard per-
formance” as compared with “above-standard performance” for those
with positive variances. We do not use the term bad or good perfor-
mance because the analysis may show—for an activity with negative
cost variance—that the performance was satisfactory but another rea-
son caused the negative variance. The reason could be an unexpected
work problem (not caused by the field crew in charge of the activity), an
error or unrealistic assumption in the original estimate, or something
else. The possibility of poor performance also exists.
CHAPTER 7 EXERCISES
1. Define schedule updating.
2. Why is schedule updating needed for construction projects?
3. Define project control and discuss the roles of schedule updating as part of project
control.
4. Are the terms project monitoring and project tracking equivalent to project con-
trol? Explain.
5. Why is project control needed in construction projects?
6. What is a baseline schedule? Discuss how to adopt a balanced baseline
schedule—one that is not too optimistic and not too pessimistic.
7. What is an updated schedule? What does schedule updating mean?
8. What is the data date? What other names are used for it? Which are inaccurate?
Why?
9. What kind of information is needed for updating schedules?
10. How frequent should schedule updating be performed?
11. Why is schedule updating important for progress payments?
12. What does the term degressing a schedule mean?
13. When you are updating a project, an activity may be added or deleted. What are
the mishaps that may occur, and how do you avoid them?
14. What are the steps involved in updating a schedule?