Summary of Experience Q&A Flashcards
What constitutes a change, specifically looking at the 3MW Data Centre Project (Transfered)
A change is an alteration to the scope of works that was not included in the original contract. The change management process is set out in the contract and is the process of using a variation. Elements of the process including the use of the change control log are bespoke and based off senior projects managers on this projects previous experience working with the client. The change control log easily sets out all changes and actions associated with each change allowing the client to easily track any outstanding proposed changes before they are formally instructed under the contract as a variation.
Describe the change management process on the Data Centre project. (Transfered)
The first step is to propose the change, anyone in the project team can identify a change. This person must then provide a proposal for the change which describes the change and how it will benefit the project. The person identifying the change would complete part 1 of the change request form.
The next step is to understand the impact of the change. For this project the relevant party would provide me with the costs for the proposed change, usually this is the contractor providing as assessment of the change. As the project manager I would assess the time impact the change is expecting to have on the project.
Once the initial impact assessment has been completed the QS would validate the costs proposed and ensure these are best value for money for the client.
Once I am happy the form is complete with all relevant information,the change must be approved by the client through a formal email.
Once the client provides formal email approval the change will be recorded as approved in the change log tracker and inform the QS.
The QS will then provide a formal contract instruction to formally complete the change and allow the contractor to implement the change.
What is a project brief? (Transfered)
The project brief formally defines the client’s requirements and objectives providing sufficient detail to enable the proposed project to be designed and specified.
A good brief will provide clarity for the whole project team and creates a sound foundation for the successful delivery of the project.
What information is typically included in a project brief? (Transfered)
Client and Project Background (client brand/ culture, organisational structure, likely stakeholders)
Project Requirements (need for the project, phasing requirements, policies to be observed such as sustainability, client sign off procedures, etc.)
Financial (budget, funding)
Site Information (plot location, existing surveys, access to site)
Spacial & technical requirements (project end users, safety and security requirements, project performance targets)
What is a non-conformance report?
A formal document used to identify, record and address instances where materials, processes or work don’t meet the specified requirements or standards. This helps to maintain quality control on a project ensuring it complies with contractual, regulatory or industry standards.
How are risks evaluated?
Each risk is evaluated based on likelihood and impact both of these are given a score which when multiplied together will then form an overall risk score, helping to prioritise risks.
Difference between Project Brief and a PEP
A project brief describes what the project is including including client requirements and objectives, this is theoretical. Whereas a PEP is a governing document that describes how the project will be executed, it can be described as a methodology for delivering the project, this is the actual delivery.
Describe the RICS Guidance note on risk
Management of Risk, 1st Edition
The guidance covers:
- The definition of risk and issues
-Types of risk
- Response/ mitigation strategies
- Procurement routes and risk
- Risk quantification techinques
- Effect of risk on programme and cost
- Risk identification techniques
- Qualitative risk assessment and management
- Risk ownership v procurement route
- Contributing data for quantification
- Advising on appropriate procurement route
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What is the definition of risk?
A risk can be defined as an uncertain event orcircumstance that, if it occurs, will affect the outcome of a programme/project (note that where this guidance note refers to a project it could also refer to a programme). Risk management is now widely recognised as being concerned with both threat and opportunity. For the purposes of this guidance note, ‘risk’ refers to both positive and negative uncertainties.
What are the types of risk?
Risk avoidance: Where risks have such serious consequences on the project outcome that they are totally unacceptable. Risk avoidance measures might include a review of the employer’s brief and a reappraisal of the project, perhaps leading to an alternative design solution that eliminates the risk or even project cancellation.
Risk reduction: Where the level of risk is unacceptable and actions are taken to reduce either the chance of the risk occurring or the impact of the risk should it occur. Typical actions to reduce the risk can include: further site investigation to improve information, using different materials/suppliers to avoid long lead times or using different construction methods.
Risk transfer to the contractor: Risks that may impact the building programme are transferred to another party able to control it more effectively, usually involving a premium to be paid. If the risk materialises, the impacts are carried by the other party.
Risk sharing by both employer and contractor: This is when a risk is not wholly transferred to one party and some elements of the risk are retained by the employer. In accordance with NRM, the approach for dealing with risks that are apportioned between the client and the employer will normally be dealt with using provisional quantities, with the pricing risk being delegated by the contractor and the quantification risk being allocated to the employer.
Risk retention by the employer: In the event where risks are to be retained by the employer, the appropriate risk allowance identified in the cost plan will be reserved and managed by the employer.
What is a critical path?
It is the longest sequence of activities that must be completed to successfully conclude a project. They are known as critical activities because if they are delayed the whole project is delayed.
What is float?
It is the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the subsequent activity or critical path.
What are the different types of float?
Total, Free and Terminal
What is total float?
Total Float refers to the amount of time that a task can be delayed without affecting the completion date of the project. It is the difference between the estimated duration of the task and the latest possible start date.
What is free float?
Free float represents the amount of time an activity can be delayed without affecting the project’s duration or the start of any dependent activity. It provides flexibility in scheduling non-critical activities, allowing for efficient resource utilization and minimizing project delays.
What is terminal float?
This is the time between a project’s planned completion date and its contractually set completion date. This float is owned by the contractor, often used more in NEC contracts
What is positive and negative float?
Positive float indicates than an activity can be delayed without delaying the project completion date, positive float can be built in to a programme as a safety margin for unpredictable delays. Negative float indicates a task is behind schedule and it needs to be accelerated, this is a red flag for any project mangement team.
What are the JCT SBC Payment Terms for the 3MW Data Centre Project?
The first interim valuation date (IVD) is one month after the Date of Possession and afterwards the same date in each month or the nearest Business Day in that month.
The due date is 7 days after the IVD.
The Contractor’s interim application for payment must not be issued less than 7 days before the due date
Then 5 days after the due date the interim certificate must be issued
The final date for payment is 14 days after the due date.
Should a pay less notice be issued this must be done before 5 days before the final date for payment.
If no interim certificate has been issued the contractor can issue an interim payment notice at any time after the 5-day expiry. The final date for payment is extended by the same number of days as the delay between the due date and the interim payment notice being issued.
How do IEC’s work to cool the Data Centre?
Indirect Evaporative Cooling, this ensures the technical hall remains cooled utilising the natural air to provide cooling. The air-to-air heat exchanger uses external cold air and water spray evaporation to dissipate heat from a data hall. The unit uses outside air to cool the data hall avoiding the mixing of hot and cold air. The chilled air is taken from outside then forced through a heat exchanger and immediately exhausted. Internal air is drawn from the data hall and circulated through the other side of the heat exchanger. The unit circulates large volues of air across a heat exchanger to maintain the required temperature in the data hall. All servers will be kept within hot aisle containment which will push all the hot air in to the ceilling void which will be taken out to the IEC units.
Are there alternatives to IEC’s to cool a data centre?
Liquid/ immersion cooling
What was the procurement strategy for RCC?
D&B, 2 stage restricted through a framework, NEC4 Option A Fixed Price
Why did STFC use this procurement method?
STFC are a government funded organisation so must follow public sector procurement process. All public sector procurement is subject to a legal framework, which is designed to encourage free and open competition and value for money. The main focus for public sector procurement is to ensure value for money due to the nature of where the money has come from.
STFC are a very risk adverse client so used design and build procurement to transfer the design risk over to the contractor, but they still maintained control of elements of design that were most important to them.
In terms of the tendering method a framework must be used and this was done on a 2 stage basis. A restricted tender was the recommended approach to limit the number of contractors as this project was a data centre so only certain contractors could be used and it was difficult to find the appropriate framework to use. 2 Stage was used to be more attractive to the market due to the nature of the project.
How does change work under JCT SBC?
Under JCT (Joint Contracts Tribunal) standard building contracts, changes typically occur through a process known as variations. Variations are adjustments or modifications to the original terms of the contract, such as design alterations, scope changes, or additions to the works.
Here is an overview of how changes work under JCT standard building contracts:
Instruction: The architect, contract administrator, or employer issues an instruction detailing the proposed change.
Quotation: Upon receiving the instruction, the contractor provides a quotation for the cost and time implications of the proposed variation.
Valuation: The contract administrator assesses the quotation and determines the valuation of the variation.
Agreement: Both parties (employer and contractor) need to agree on the valuation before the variation works commence.
Documentation: Any agreed variations should be documented and formalized through a formal instruction process to avoid disputes later on.
Adjustment: The contract sum and completion date may be adjusted to reflect the effects of the variation.
It’s important to follow the specific procedures outlined in the JCT contract regarding variations to ensure that changes are managed effectively and fairly for all parties involved.
What is BREEAM?
Building Research Establishment, Environmental Assessment Method
This is an international scheme providing independant third-party certification of the assessment of the sustainability performance of individual buildings and infrastructure projects. The assessment and certification will take place at several stages during the building lifecycle from design, construction through to operation.
