The establishment and continual monitoring of a detailed, critical path method programme is essential for the management of a Project. In some instances the Project Manager or Engineer would have established an outline programme for a Project, however, the Contractor is still required by Contract to provide, with its tender, a detailed Critical Path Method programme establishing key milestones and completion dates for the various sections of the Contract.
A recognized planning software (Primavera, Microsoft Project, Candy Site Plan, etc) should be utilised by the Contractor as the main programming control software for a Contract. This software must be utilised for the duration of the Contract and should not be updated or changed without the approval of the Engineer.
This software calculated programme, which is to be approved by the Engineer, must generally establish the following:
1. A logical succession of design, procurement, manufacturing and installation, testing and commissioning activities from the commencement of the Project until Taking-Over by the Employer, clearly identifying all successors and predecessors.
2. A clear definition of each activity including manpower, plant, equipment and major material quantities as resource.
3. A clear identification of key interfacing activities, including design submittals and approvals, major material and equipment deliveries, off-site manufacturing processes, and all other external constraints that may affect the completion of the Project; including all submissions, approvals and permits from the relevant Statutory Authorities.
4. Key dates for the provision of design information by the Engineer and award by the Employer of separately procured Subcontractors to meet the completion date.
5. A clear narrative explaining the timing of events including both logistics and sequence planning.
6. Agreement of the interim milestones, programme co-ordination requirements, times for completion and key dates stated in the Contract.
Programmes, commentaries and recommendations should generally be submitted for review and approved by the Engineer as follows;
a. Within 28 days of the receipt of the Letter of Acceptance submit the Clause 14 programme, approved by the Engineer, detailing all necessary activities required to complete the Contract. This programme shall clearly highlight the critical path activities through the completion of the Works.
b. Submit with the Contractors Monthly Report an updated CPM programme to show progress against the baseline and a commentary on the reasons for any delays, measured against the accepted programme.
c. Submit, with the Contractors Monthly Report, recommendations for maintaining the Contract on programme.
d. The Engineer may request to submit weekly reports for sections of the Works where the Engineer considers such sections of work crucial to the overall progress of the Works.
e. Submit to the Engineer for his review all Subcontractors procurement, manufacturing, fabrication and delivery programmes.
The programme submitted should also reflect the dates shown in the Subcontractors programmes. As Subcontractors are progressively engaged, update the programme to reflect the dates agreed with the Subcontractors.
Approval by the Engineer, of the Contractors and Subcontractors programmes, shall only confirm the conformance to the overall Project requirements. Such approval by the Engineer does not relieve the Contractor of any of their responsibilities whatsoever for the feasibility, logic, duration and resources applicable to the activities indicated in the programme.