Construction Delays and Other Claims - Construction Project Scheduling and Control - page 362

Figure 13.1 CPM network for example 12.1
Example 13.1
In the construction project represented by the logic network shown in
Figure 13.1 (a), the owner issued a work order to the contractor that would
delay the start of activity E until day 16 (i.e., its late start date). Would the
contractor be entitled to a time extension, compensation, both, or neither?
Solution
As we see in Figure 13.1, activities C, E, and F have total float equals to 5,
3, and 8 days, respectively. Let's redraw the schedule as a bar chart, showing
the amount of float—if any—that each activity has. See Figure 13.2.
The contractor may choose not to start noncritical activities on their early
dates. Assume that these three activities require the same crew. For the most
efficient use of the crew, the contractor chooses the plan shown in Figure 13.3.
According to this plan, all activities are “critical,” some by logic constraints and
others by resource constraints. If we start activity C 1 or 2 days earlier than
shown in Figure 13.3, we then have to hire the crew for an extra day or two
(since activity E cannot be started earlier).
Now assume that the owner caused a delay of 3 days at the start of
activity E (so it starts on its original late date). The owner can use the argument
that activity E had 3 days of total float; thus, the contractor does not qualify
for a time extension or compensation (see Figure 13.4).
The contractor argues that this delay will force it either to hire a second
crew on days 20, 21, and 22 or finish the project 3 days late. For this reason,
the contractor requests additional compensation and/or a time extension for