MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

IND141  1988 Fall – 2010 Fall

Cost Control in Construction

1.

List the elements in the cost control cycle and describe the function of each. (I)

2.

Discuss the work of an estimator and the procedures involved in preparing a bid. (II)

3.

Locate specific information found in the estimate, specifications, and drawings for a construction project. (II)

4.

Describe how an estimate breakdown is made and used by the superintendent. (III)

5.

Review the factors affecting costs after a construction project is underway and discuss the superintendent's responsibility for cost control. (IV)

6.

Summarize the process and rationale for short interval production scheduling (SIPS). (V)

7.

Define cost reporting system and identify the principles of effective cost reporting. (VI)

8.

Compare the value of cost reporting forms and procedures used in construction. (VI)

9.

Describe the superintendent's role in keeping construction "under control". (VII)

10.

List causes of production variances and discuss their effect on production. (VII)

11.

Define debriefing and evaluation and discuss their function in the construction process. (VIII)

MCCCD Official Course Outline:

IND141  1988 Fall – 2010 Fall

Cost Control in Construction

I. Cost Control Cycle

A. Cost Control

1. Data Collection Elements - Awareness

2. Control Elements

B. Supervisor's Role In Cost Control

II. The Estimate

A. Bidding Procedures - The Estimator's Job

1. Study and Investigation

2. Planning and Scheduling

3. Preparation of a Bid

B. Construction Project Documents

1. Estimate

2. Specifications

3. Drawings

III. The Estimate Breakdown

A. Labor Budget

B. Material and Equipment Cost

C. How Superintendents Use the Breakdown

IV. Work and Cost Analysis

A. Superintendent's Role in Controlling Costs

1. Information Gathering

2. Decision Making

B. Factors Affecting Estimated Cost

C. Cost Factors in Choosing Supervisors

V. Short Interval Production Scheduling (SIPS)

A. Planning vs. Scheduling

B. Advantages of SIPS

1. System for Scheduling Daily Work

2. Comparison of Actual and Estimated Production

C. Developing SIPS

D. Use of Daily Production Record Forms

VI. Cost Reporting

A. Periodic Reporting - Job Conferences

B. Routine Reporting - Cost Reporting Systems

1. Forms and Procedures

2. Elements of Effective, Efficient System

C. Uses of Cost Report Data

D. Impact of Improper Data

VII. Production Control

A. Production "Under Control"

1. Quality Meets Standards

2. Production on Time

3. Completion Within Budget

B. Production Control Cycle

1. Monitoring

2. Controlling

3. Reporting

C. Production Variance

1. Factors Which Cause Variances

2. Effects of Variance on Production

D. Alternatives to Improve Production

VIII. Project Debriefing And Evaluation

A. Debriefing

1. Who Is Included

2. When

3. The Value of An Agenda

B. Evaluation

1. What is Evaluated

2. When

3. Self-Evaluation