CPM Scheduling

Critical Path Method Scheduling

CPM stands for Critical Path Method, a project controls process that identifies all the discrete bits of work that go into the full body of work for whatever is being planned, and organizes those bits of work into their logical sequences, creating the Plan”. RPMI likes the phrase “Plan the Work, Work the Plan”, as it encapsulates the objective of CPM scheduling.

CPM scheduling can be applied to any process – RPMI have scheduled design, software development, and the legal process (not the delay claim, but the management of the delay claim). In the classroom we work with an example of boiling an egg, where the unit of time used is one minute. In the context of RPMI, however, CPM is applied to the planning and management of the development, design, construction, occupancy, mediation, and/or litigation of construction projects

Twenty-eight Years of Experience

RPMI has been scheduling complex projects for over twenty-eight years. RPMI’s method of producing and updating cost- and resource-loaded CPM schedules is a product of extensive failed-project research as part of its delay analysis and expert witness services for owners, designers and contractors in project delay litigation.

Through this experience, RPMI understands how an effective, updated schedule can leverage both an owner and a contractor away from the need for litigation by providing the means to immediately identify delays, present solutions, and predict the results of remedial efforts.

RPMI has PM-level CPM schedulers experienced in all areas of construction who understand project planning and control.

For more information on the principles of CPM Scheduling read our article “CPM and Resource Loading“. To learn about some of the common misconceptions in building a Project Master Plan, read our article, “Master Plan Myths“.

Litigation and Delay claim Avoidance

RPMI has an excellent record on the projects it schedules and maintains for builders – there are no delay claims at the end of the project. This is not to say these projects do not have delays, every project does somewhere along the line. The difference is that in the normal course of schedule management, RPMI identify, quantify, and bring focus to issues that present schedule risk, regardless of ownership. RPMI respects, and causes its clients to respect, the obligation to mitigate damages to all parties, and leverages the CPM schedule to accomplish this, on a cyclic (typically monthly) basis, as a normal course of action. We have some great stories to tell about this process and our track record.

  • CPM Scheduling

    RPMI meets with the necessary persons, reviews available documentation, and prepares a detailed timeline for the project. This timeline will focus on Master Planning and Design and on the local, state, and federal jurisdictional and permit application procedures. RPMI takes steps to clearly understand all codes that apply to the project so review processes occur without surprises. Construction is initially represented in general terms, but will provide the structure for future schedule development and phasing decisions. RPMI will update and maintain the schedule during design, and will expand and maintain the schedule through construction as a ‘third party’ scheduler, or will provide the schedule to the builder for them to update, report, and maintain for the project team.

  • Site Master Planning - Team Selection & Contract Negotiation

    Team Selection & Contract Negotiation: RPMI leads the selection of the site master planning team. This task may include some or all of the following consultants: architectural, civil, geotechnical, surveying, traffic engineering and environmental engineering.

  • Construction Scheduling

    Resource and Cost loaded detail construction schedules. To learn more about Construction Scheduling and CPM/Resource Loading, please read our article CPM and Resource Loading.

  • Plan Check Consultant

    RPMI procures a Plan Check Consultant and manages the process of creating a Plan Check Report that works to coordinate the design drawings and discover errors and omissions.

  • Initial Contractor Schedule Review

    RPMI reviews the contractor’s baseline schedule for compliance with scheduling best practices, adherence to established schedule parameters, completeness, and timeframe and duration reasonableness. RPMI prepares a report documenting its findings and presents this to the Owner. RPMI works with the contractor to resolve issues that arise from RPMI’s review.

  • Ongoing Contractor Construction Schedule Oversight

    RPMI reviews the contractor’s monthly schedule submission, which includes the electronic schedule file, from the start of construction through completion. RPMI reviews the schedule for content, progress, logic, and changes since the previous update. Consistent with the initial schedule review, RPMI submits a report documenting its findings and resolves issues arising from its review. This effort focuses on avoidance of claims, mitigation of impacts and proactive solutions.

  • Procurement Management of Owner Purchased Items

    RPMI will administer bidding and negotiation of FF&E contracts, coordinating Owner-purchased item delivery and installation, and managing the work of others responsible for these services.RPMI provides management support to the equipment planning consultant, including determining the relative responsibilities of Owner and the consultant, delivery time frames, use of mock-ups, training, and key decision points in the schedule.

  • Change Order & Time Extension Evaluation

    RPMI evaluates time-related change orders and contract time extension submittals, delay claims, and other specific project administration issues.RPMI evaluates all time-related issues internally while using the resources of a professional cost consultant to review the cost-related merits of change orders.

  • Cash Flow Projections

    RPMI generates cash flow projections from the CPM schedule. This includes the initial set-up of the cash flow parameters and reports. Schedule revisions and other significant changes to the construction program will alter the cash flow projections.

  • Multiple projects and Master Schedules

    Master Schedules built from individual multiple project schedules with fully loaded resources.

  • Phasing Plans

    Phasing Schedules

  • Commissioning and Acceptance Schedules

    Schedules for Commissioning, Acceptance and Punch List milestones.

  • Material Control

    Owner and contractor furnished equipment and material schedules.

  • Furnishings, fixtures and equipment

    Schedules for furnishings, fixtures and equipment.

  • Owner / Tenant Occupancy

    Schedules for move-in and owner/tenant occupancy.<div id=”cpm15″></div>