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SCHEDULE VALIDATIONS AND AUDITS – Timing, Methodology and Conclusions – (Part 3 )

May 28, 2011 By

WHEN SHOULD VALIDATION AND AUDITS BE DONE?

Validation occurs when the initial or revised baseline schedule is submitted prior to the start of any construction field-site work, with the possible exception of mobilization, site preparation, ordering of long-lead time equipment or materials, permits, excavation, and installation of in-ground site utilities.

Validation is an extensive process and can be time consuming both initially and after each re-submittal of the proposed baseline ‘planned’ construction schedule until a valid baseline schedule is accepted by all significant stakeholders: Owner, Contractor, Subcontractors, Suppliers, Financing entities, and Permitting agencies.

Before a complete Validation process is performed an Appraisal is done to determine if the requirements for Validation are in place. [Read more…]

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SCHEDULE VALIDATIONS AND AUDITS – Validation and Audit (Part 2)

May 19, 2011 By

WHAT IS SCHEDULE VALIDATION?

Schedule Validation is a process by means of which Owner and Contractor resort to the expertise of a third party to validate the schedule of a certain project in all its features and components.

The Validation is thus an external evaluation to ensure that a foremost contract instrument — the schedule — is correct in scope and assumptions, as well as free from all sorts of pitfalls and booby traps. The validated schedule should represent the model of how the Contractor intends to carry out the work plan’s activities, and how the Owner is supposed to get the project delivered.

It is routine to find investors resorting to second and third evaluations, e.g. due-diligence appraisals by mortgage investors, to gain a level of confidence in the outcome and the return on their investment. This typical validation process, however, is not a common practice in the construction area, but Owners and Contractors can have solid benefits by adopting scheduling validation procedures and periodic audits. [Read more…]

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SCHEDULE VALIDATIONS AND AUDITS – Need and Benefit (Part 1)

May 13, 2011 By

ABSTRACT

Construction projects represent investments at risk for Owners and Contractors, who invest massive amounts of money and resources.

Although some investors resort to evaluations (e.g., appraisals by mortgage investors), to gain a level of confidence in the outcome, validation processes are not a common practice in construction.

There are many advantages in engaging Owners and Contractors in performing a realistic, rational, and feasible independent Validation of the work plan and planned schedule, as well as periodic Audits of the performance achieved.

Planning and scheduling practices have become more complex as they have matured and can now produce a greater degree of management and control. However they are also vulnerable to incorrect procedures, illogical logic, abuse, misuse, and outright manipulation.

Schedule Validation and Audit can be used to minimize the impact of conflicts by detecting issues and anticipating problems. Reasons for implementing Schedule Validation and Audits, benefits, methodology, deliverables, and steps towards a standard practice and procedure are presented herein. [Read more…]

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