260 Section 4 Construction Management
CPM software is available to help planners develop networks. The soft-
ware reminds the planner of steps they may have missed and calculates the
critical path. Printers and plotters produce printouts of the network, tables, and
graphs that summarize CPM data. Once the job is underway, data from prog-
ress reports are entered into the computer, and the software recalculates the
critical path. Managers are immediately alerted to problems with the schedule.
Scheduling Workers
A schedule allows a contractor to determine the number and type of
workers that will be needed for a project. For example, building foundation
forms may require four carpenters for ten days, two rodsetters for three
days, and four laborers for ten days. The general contractor either hires
workers directly or hires a subcontractor who will hire the workers. If the
project requires the hiring of union workers, the contractor contacts the
appropriate union and requests a specific number of workers.
Construction companies typically employ a number of workers, called
regular employees, on a continuing basis. In practice, construction compa-
nies typically have several projects underway at any given time. A home-
building company will begin construction on each home at a different time,
allowing skilled workers to complete their craft on one home before moving
to the next home. In this way, the contractor provides continuing employ-
ment for the regular employees.
There are occasions when the workload exceeds what regular employees
can complete on schedule during a standard workweek. In such a case,
the contractor may ask regular employees to work overtime or may hire
temporary employees in order to complete work on schedule. By comparing
the schedules for all projects currently underway, the contractor decides how
many of each type of workers are needed, when they should be sent to each
project, and how long they will be needed at each project. When the amount
of available work decreases, temporary workers are laid off first. Overtime
work for regular employees ceases and if necessary, regular employees are
laid off until additional work becomes available.
Contractors try to keep their regular employees working on a consistent
basis because regular employees tend to be dependable workers. One way
to provide continuing employment for regular workers is by building on
speculation. In this situation, construction is started on a project that has not
been sold. The aim is to find a buyer at some point during the construction
process.
S a f e t y Ti p
Barriers and Other Safety Equipment
Planning and scheduling site work includes planning for safety. Managers must decide what safety
signs, barriers, and other devices are needed during each part of the project. Installing a fence that
completely encloses the site is a commonly used safety feature. Barriers are needed to prevent workers
from falling into excavations or from elevated areas. Open stairwells and elevator shafts also require
barricades. Shoring may be needed to prevent trenches from collapsing in on workers. First-aid supplies
must be on hand for minor injuries. Hard hats, safety glasses, and other protective devices are required
equipment. Fire extinguishers may be required. These examples illustrate the wide range of possible safety
hazards on a job site. Making certain that the work environment is safe is a major concern of construction
managers.
regular employees:
Workers who are
employed on a
consistent basis by
one company.
overtime: Time
worked beyond a
typical workday.
temporary
employees: Workers
hired for short
periods of time.
building on
speculation:
Building a structure
that is not sold.