Glossary - Construction Project Scheduling and Control - page 474

Claim —A request from one contracting party (usually the contractor) to another
party (usually the owner) for additional compensation, a time extension, or
both. See Delay Claims .
Combination Relationship —Two activities related (or connected) by two logical
relationships, usually start-to-start and finish-to-finish.
Comparison Schedule —The original (usually As-Planned ) schedule is revised to
incorporate any claimed delays. Typically for a delay claim, the contractor
submits two schedules: one without the causative factors (factors allegedly
causing the schedule delays) and one with the causative factors (called the
“impacted” schedule). By comparing the two schedules, the contractor hopes to
prove that the delay was caused by the alleged factors.
Compensable Delays —Project delays, caused by the actions or inactions of another
party (usually the owner), that entitle the contractor to a time extension,
monetary compensation, or both.
Concurrent Delay —A combination of two or more independent causes of delay
during the same general time period.
Constraint —An externally imposed restriction affecting when an activity can start
and/or finish. Constraints may conflict with logical relationships. Individual
scheduling programs provide the user with a variety of constraint types, some of
which can override logic and some of which are subject to logic.
Constructability —“The optimum use of construction knowledge and experience in
planning, design, procurement, and field operations to achieve overall project
objectives” (Construction Industry Institute, 1986a, p. 2). Or “the practice of
peer reviewing the plans and specifications prior to issuing for bid with the
intent of correcting errors, omissions, inconsistencies or discrepancies”
(RSMeans, 2010).
Constructive Acceleration —Schedule acceleration by the contractor that occurs
when a delay takes place beyond a contractor's control and yet the owner
expects the project to be completed by the original contract completion date.
The contractor usually files a claim for this acceleration after the completion of
the contract.
Contiguous Activity —An activity that cannot be split or paused. Once work starts
on a contiguous activity, it has to continue until its completion.
Contingency —See Contingency Fees or Schedule Contingency .
Contingency Fees —Amounts included in the construction budget to cover the cost
of unforeseen events that will most likely occur during the life of the project.
Such fees are estimated or calculated directly proportional to the risk taken with
the project.
Contract —A legally binding agreement that obligates one party (the architect,
engineer, constructor, etc.) to offer products and/or services under certain
terms (budget, schedule, specifications), and obligates the other party (owner)
to pay for these products/service.
Contract Closeout —The completion and settlement of the contract, including
resolution of any open items. From a financial management standpoint, closeout