Critical Path Methods

VA
U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs
Facilities Management
Critical Path Method
design
DECEMBER 2012
Guidelines for Preparation of

CPM Schedule
Volume I
Design Manual for CPM Schedule &

Risk Management for Architect/Engineers (A/E)
Version 1.0
December 1, 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS, Volume I

1.
2.
3.
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 3
1.1.
Purpose and Scope ................................................................................................... 3
1.2.
Applicable Documents .............................................................................................. 4
1.3.
Definitions and Abbreviations .................................................................................. 5
SCHEDULING METHOD ..................................................................................... 9

2.1.
Introduction ................................................................................................................. 9
2.2.
Scheduling Software ................................................................................................. 9
2.3.
Assumptions .............................................................................................................10
2.4.
Scheduling Best Practices......................................................................................10
2.5.
Risk Analysis ............................................................................................................11
2.6.
Deliverables ..............................................................................................................12
GUIDELINE FOR DEVELOPING AN INTEGRATED PROJECT MASTER

SCHEDULE (IPMS)............................................................................................ 14
3.1
Comprehension of the full scope of the project...................................................14
3.1.1
3.1.2
3.1.3
3.1.4
Design .......................................................................................................................14
Procurement .............................................................................................................15
Construction .............................................................................................................15
Activation Planning/Beneficial Occupancy...........................................................16
3.2
Assign Unique Identifiers to the IPMS ..................................................................16
3.3
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) .......................................................................17
3.4
Define Project Milestones.......................................................................................19
3.5
Establish Project Calendars and Work Periods ..................................................19
3.6
Activity Identification/Coding ..................................................................................20
3.7
Activity Definition .....................................................................................................20
3.8
Activity Sequencing .................................................................................................22
3.9
Estimating Activity Duration ...................................................................................22
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3.10
Cost Loading Requirement ....................................................................................23
3.11
Analyzing the Schedule Output .............................................................................24
3.12
Narrative Report.......................................................................................................24
3.13
Approving the Schedule..........................................................................................24
3.14
Baselining the Schedule .........................................................................................25
UPDATING/MAINTAINING THE INTEGRATED PROJECT MASTER

SCHEDULE (IPMS)............................................................................................ 26
5.
CHANGE ORDERS ............................................................................................ 27
6.
EXHIBITS ........................................................................................................... 28
Exhibit I.1. Level 1 Schedule for a Typical VAMC Project ...................................................29
Exhibit I.2. Level 2 Schedule for a Typical SD-1 VAMC Project ........................................30
Exhibit I.3. Level 2 Schedule for a Typical Construction Phase in VAMC Project...........31
Exhibit I.4. Level 3 Schedule for a Typical SD-1 VAMC Project ........................................33
Exhibit I.5. Level 4 Schedule (60-day look ahead) for a Typical SD-1 VAMC Project ....39
Exhibit I.6. Sample Phasing Narrative for a Typical VAMC Project ...................................45
Exhibit I.7. Cost Projection S-Curve for a Typical Design Phase in VAMC Project ........51
Exhibit I.8. Sample Outline for a Schedule Narrative Report ..............................................52
Exhibit I.9. Longest Path for a Typical Design Phase in VAMC Project............................53
Exhibit I.10. Schedule Impact Analysis Sample Change Order Fragnet .........................59
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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1.
Purpose and Scope
This document is intended to provide guidance to the Architect/Engineer (A/E) in the

development of the Integrated Project Master Schedule (IPMS) and Detailed Design
Schedule during the design phase of Medical Center Major New Facilities, Additions
and Renovations projects by the United States Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA oversees
complex projects throughout the country which require careful planning and execution
during the evolution of the projects.
The purpose of the Integrated Project Master Schedule (IPMS) is to determine the
number of days that is reasonable to complete the design, construction and activation
phases of the project. It also provides a useful road map that can be used by the A/E
and the project team to assist them in completing the project successfully.
The IPMS is intended to be a dynamic tool for project control and Earned Value
Management (EVM), developed by the A/E with input from all parties involved including
the Office of Construction and Facilities Management (CFM) Project Manager, the
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) Director and Facility Engineer,
Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) Capital Asset Manager, VA CAMPS
Office, the Office of Strategic Management and Contracting Officer and Peer
Reviewers. The IPMS may be used as a reference by the Construction staff as it also
encompasses high level activities in the procurement, construction and activation
phases.
The VA executes projects using three project delivery methods: Design-Bid-Build,
Design-Build and Integrated Design-Build. In Design-Bid-Build, the VA awards a single
construction contract to a General Contractor after the design is complete. In DesignBuild, the A/E and the Contractor are brought together as a single point of
delivery/management. In Integrated Design-Build, the VA contracts a Construction
Manager (CM) early to participate in parallel with the A/E in pre-construction activities
and manage the overall program from design through activation.
The level of detail of the IPMS that the A/E has to produce during a VAMC project is
contingent on the project delivery method. This guideline is written primarily for the
Design-Bid-Build Project Delivery System. It could also be applicable to the Integrated
Project Delivery System.
It is recognized that several scheduling methods exist and these methods may produce
fully acceptable results. It is not the intent of this document to discredit other methods or
to discourage creativity and flexibility. Rather, it is the intent of this document to provide
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the A/E with a set of approaches, techniques and methods that have been proven over
time as acceptable.
It is also recognized that these guidelines cannot cover every situation one may
encounter when creating schedules, reviewing schedules or analyzing changes or
delays. These guidelines may serve as a starting point for analyzing these unique
situations.
This document is solely intended as a guide, it is not intended to dictate means and
methods. The A/E is responsible to develop the means and methods and correlate with
the VA requirements.
1.2.
Applicable Documents
A baseline set of governing documents to be applied on developing the CPM

Scheduling Guideline is listed in the following table (Table 1).
Document Title
PG 18-15 A/E Submission Requirements for VA
Medical Center Major New Facilities, Additions
and Renovations.
Document Location
http://www.cfm.va.gov/contract/ae/
aesubmaj/
Design Manual for CPM Schedule & Risk

Management for Architect/Engineers (A/E),
Department of Veterans Affairs. December 2012.
http://www.cfm.va.gov/til/dManual/
Architectural and Engineering CPM schedules.

Section 01 32 16.01.
http://www.cfm.va.gov/til/spec/
A Guide to the Project Management Body of

Knowledge (PMBOK@ Guide).
Refer to http://www.pmi.org/
The Associated General Contractors of America,

Construction Planning and Scheduling (2nd
Edition).
Refer to http://www.pmi.org/
PMI Practice Standard for Scheduling.

Table 1
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1.3.
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Definitions and Abbreviations
Activity or
Event:
A discrete, identifiable task or event that takes time, has a

definable start and stop date, furthers the works progress, and
can be used to plan, schedule and monitor a project.
Activity,
Controlling:
The first incomplete activity on the critical path (Also referred to as

the controlling operation).
Activity, Critical:
Any activity on the critical path.
Activity ID:
A unique, alphanumeric, identification code assigned to an activity.
Activity Network
Diagram:
(Also called a pure-logic diagram) A graphic representation of a

CPM schedule that shows the relationships among activities.
A/E:
Architect/Engineer.
Bar Chart:
(Also called a Gantt chart) A graphical representation of a

schedule without relationships. A timescale appears along the
horizontal axis.
Calendar Day:
A day on the calendar, beginning and ending at midnight.
Completion
Date, Contract:
The original date specified in the contract for completion of the

project or a revised date resulting from authorized time
extensions. The contract may also specify completion dates for
interim milestones, phases, or other portions of the project.
Completion
Date,
Scheduled:
The completion date projected or forecasted by the schedule. The

schedule may also project or forecast interim completion dates for
milestones, phases, or other portions of the project.
Constraint:
A restriction imposed on the start or finish dates of an activity that

modifies or overrides the activitys logic relationships.
Critical Path:
The Longest Path through the project network that determines the
project duration.
Critical Path
Method (CPM):
A network analysis technique used to predict duration by

analyzing which sequence of activities (which path) has the least
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amount of scheduling flexibility (least amount of float). Early dates

are calculated by means of a forward pass using a specified start
date. Late dates are calculated by means of a backward pass
starting from a specified completion date (usually the forward
passs calculated project early finish date).
Data Date:
The first day in the initial or baseline schedule and the first day for
performance of the work remaining in the Monthly Schedule
Update or Revised Schedule. (May also by defined as the date
from which a schedule is calculated).
Duration,
Original:
The estimated time, expressed in workdays, needed to perform an

activity.
Duration,
Remaining:
The estimated time, expressed in workdays, needed to complete

an activity.
Float, Free:
The amount of time an activity can be delayed and not delay its
successor(s).
Float, Total:
The amount of time an activity can be delayed and not delay the
project completion date.
Fragnet
A breakdown of an activity into a number of smaller activities that

provide greater detail for the planning, scheduling, monitoring, and
controlling the larger activity.
Holidays:
Holidays observed by the United States Government are:

1st day in January (New Years Day)
3rd Monday in January (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
3rd Monday in February (Presidents Day)
Last Monday in May (Memorial Day)
4th day in July (Independence Day)
1st Monday in September (Labor Day)
2nd week in October (Columbus Day)
11th Day in November (Veterans Day)
4th Thursday in November (Thanksgiving Day)
25th Day in December (Christmas Day)
For holidays that fall on a Saturday, both the Saturday and
preceding Friday are considered to be holidays. For holidays that
fall on a Sunday, both the Sunday and following Monday are
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considered to be a holiday.
Longest Path:
The longest continuous sequence of activities that establishes the

scheduled completion date.
Milestone:
An activity/event, with no duration, that is typically used to

represent the beginning or end of the project or its interim stages.
Narrative
Report:
A descriptive report submitted with each schedule. The required

contents of this report are set forth in a scheduling specification.
Open End:
The condition that exists when an activity has either no

predecessor or no successor, or when an activitys only
predecessor relationship is a finish-to-finish relationship or only
successor relationship is a start-to-start relationship.
Predecessor:
An activity that is defined by schedule logic to precede another

activity. A predecessor may control the start or finish date of its
successor.
Relationship:
The interdependence among activities. Relationships link an

activity to its predecessors and successors. (A schedules
relationships are sometimes referred to as the logic of the
schedule. Examples of relationships are: finish-to-start, start-tostart, and finish-to-finish).
Relationships
between
Activities:
a. Finish to Start - The successor activity can begin only when the
predecessor completes.
b. Finish to Finish - The finish of the successor activity depends
on the finish of the predecessor.
c. Start to Start - The start of the successor activity depends on
the start of the predecessor.
d. Start to Finish - The successor activity cannot finish until the
current activity starts.
Schedule:
A group of activities interconnected by relationships to depict the

plan for execution of a project, usually shown by calendar dates.
Schedule,
Baseline:
The accepted schedule showing the original plan to complete the

entire project. (Sometimes known as the as-planned schedule).
Successor:
An activity that is defined by schedule logic to succeed another

activity. The start or finish date of a successor may be controlled
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by its predecessor.
TIL:
VA Technical Information Library.
Work
Breakdown
Structure (WBS):
A deliverable-oriented grouping of project elements, which

organizes and defines the total scope of a project. Each
descending level represents an increasingly detailed definition of a
project component. A logical breakdown of project hierarchy or
structure.
Working
Schedule:
A schedule utilized for duration of a project for creation of the

baseline schedule and updates.
Work Package:
A deliverable at the lowest level of the work breakdown structure.

Work package contains activities.
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2.
SCHEDULING METHOD
2.1.
Introduction
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Scheduling methods provide the framework within which schedule models are
developed. Critical Path Method (CPM) is the VAs chosen methodology for developing
project schedules.
In accordance with PG 18-15, the Architect/Engineer (A/E) shall furnish and maintain an
Integrated Project Master Schedule (IPMS) utilizing a computer based network analysis
scheduling software. The IPMS shall be prepared using the precedence diagramming
method (PDM) and shall depict the major phases of the project. The IPMS will provide a
summary level schedule for the Procurement, Construction, and Activation phases of
the project. The A/E will expand the level of detail for the Design Phase to show in detail
how the A/E plans to execute the design.
The A/E shall develop a logic-based network of design activities with empirically derived
durations for execution in a realistic and practical manner, in order to establish a
meaningful critical path. There must not be any open ends other than the project start
and finish milestones. Constraints must be restricted to those that represent external or
internal conditions that cannot be feasibly accomplished with activity logic.
The A/E shall also identify and assign resources to the design schedule activities.
2.2.
Scheduling Software
The A/E shall propose to the VA, a scheduling tool that is capable of assembling the
schedule model and providing the means of adjusting various parameters and
components that are typical in a modeling process. It shall be capable of producing the
reports required by the VA contract documents. The proposed scheduling tool shall
have the capability to:
Select the type of relationship (such as finish-to-start or finish-to-finish)
Add lags between activities (applied only on an exception basis)
Apply resources and use that information along with resource availability to
adjust the scheduling of activities
Add start and finish constraints
Capture a specific schedule as a baseline or target schedule
Compare the most recent schedule against the previous one or against a target
or baseline to identify and quantify trends or variances
Define longest path activities
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2.3.
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Assumptions
During development of the IPMS, the A/E shall identify any necessary assumptions and
document those assumptions properly. Typical assumptions for a VAMC project may
include:
Normal workday involves an 8-hour shift, Monday through Friday excluding major
holidays.
Allow 45 Calendar Days after receipt of NTP for the A/E to submit a complete
CPM Schedule.
Value Engineering occurs at the end of submission milestones.
The final CPM schedule in its original form shall contain no contract modifications
or changes which may have been incurred during the final CPM schedule
development period and shall reflect the entire contract duration as defined in the
bid documents.
All permits will be obtained prior to the Notice-To-Proceed.
The VA Medical Center will provide input during each phase of the design.
No single design activity shall exceed 20 work days, except for which the Project
Manager and/or the Contracting Officer may approve the showing of a longer
duration.
The A/E will adequately plan his/her work according to the sequence of design
provided in the contract documents and prosecute the work in a continuous
fashion.
2.4.
Scheduling Best Practices
In developing a schedule, at a minimum, the A/E shall adapt the following best
practices:
Clearly define activities supported by specific quantity and scope.
Provide good logic based on realistic sequence of work agreed by A/E team.
Do not use negative lags. (See VA NAS Specification).
Do not use a finish to start relationship with a lag. Instead, an activity must be
added to represent actual scope of work.
A project shall have one beginning and one end except for multiple phased
projects. All activities shall have a predecessor and successor except the
projects start and finish milestones. No open ends will be permitted.
Durations of work activities shall not exceed the update cycle (20 work days).
Longer durations may be used provided there is quantitative means for
measuring progress.
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If an activity is a start-to-start relationship- it shall be closed with a finish-to-finish

or finish-to-start relationship (No open ends).
All intermediate milestones (interim completion dates) required for the project
shall be shown in the proper logical sequence and input as either the start-noearlier-than or finish-no-later-than date.
Use of mandatory starts and
mandatory finishes is discouraged.
2.5.
Risk Analysis
The A/E shall conduct the schedule risk analysis (SRA) based on the detailed design
activities, identifying major schedule risk areas and recommended risk mitigation plans.
The risk analysis shall be conducted by a person or firm skilled in developing schedule
risk analysis based on the (PDM) CPM schedule techniques for major projects,
preferably in the major health care related projects. The cost of this service shall be
included in the A/Es proposal.
The Contracting Officer has the right to approve or disapprove the person or firm
designated to perform the risk analysis. The risk analysis exercise shall be performed or
updated during each design phase as defined in VA PG 18-15 or as directed by the VA
Contracting Officer.
According to VA PG 18-15, the A/E shall provide for the VA review and comment, the
Risk Management Plan (risk register, recommendations for addressing major risks,
mitigation plans, and other related documents) included in the Manual for Preparation of
Risk Management Plan for Medical Center Project which is a supplement to this
guideline.
As depicted in Table 2 of the RMP, the schedule risk analysis is required over a period
of time throughout the different phases (Pre-Design, Schematic Design, Design
Development and Construction Documents) of the project.
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2.6.
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Deliverables
VA PG 18-15 requires multiple submissions of the CPM schedule over a period of time
that evolves throughout the project. These deliverables are in addition to the monthly
schedule updates that the A/E shall submit in accordance with the VA A/E scheduling
specification section 01 32 16.01. The below table identifies the phases and the level of
detail in which the A/E shall submit the CPM schedules for the VA review and comment:
IPMS Deliverable
Design Phase
Pre-Design
Schematic Design (SD-1)
Anticipated Integrated Project Master Schedule

(IPMS) including anticipated duration of each
phase of design and construction.
Narrative establishing users vision, goals, and
desired image.
Qualifications for analysis and CPM consultants for
approval by VA.
Project risk analysis including Recommendations
for mitigation of major risks.
Concise narrative describing integration of existing
and new work.
Cost loaded Project Master Schedule that
identifies major design activities, procurement
phase activities and construction phasing
sequence with major milestones, and VAMC
overlapping activation phase.
Cost Loaded Detailed design schedule identifying
major activities, submissions, participants, and
milestones including Bid and Award, show
activities for each primary design discipline.
Schedule Risk Analysis based on CPM for detailed
design and overall construction schedule.
Phasing narrative, plans on reduced site plans and
diagram marked on full size drawings for VA
review.
Written list of systems divided by technical
discipline, including temporary systems by phase.
Table 2
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Design Phase
Schematic Design (SD-2)
Design Development (DD-1)
Design Development (DD-2)
Construction Documents
(CD-1)
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IPMS Deliverable
Updated Project Master Schedule and Detailed
Design Schedule.
Updated Schedule Risk Analysis.
Phasing narrative, plans on reduced site plans
and diagram marked on full size drawings for VA
review.
Design Schedule.
Updated Schedule Risk Analysis.
Updated Phasing narrative, diagram and plans on
reduced site plans marked on full drawings for VA
review.
Design Schedule with increased detail.
Updated Schedule Risk Analysis with increased
detail in new risks and mitigation plan.
Updated Phasing narrative and Phasing diagram.
Full-size contract drawings for the CPM phasing
plans.
Updated Project Master Schedule with increased
detail.
Updated Schedule Risk Analysis identifying new
risks and mitigation actions, particularly in
construction areas.
Updated Phasing Narrative and Phasing Diagram.
Full-size contract drawings for the CPM phasing
plans.
Table 2 (Continued)
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3. GUIDELINE FOR DEVELOPING AN INTEGRATED PROJECT

MASTER SCHEDULE (IPMS)
The IPMS is to be a master schedule covering all phases (pre-design, design,
procurement, construction and activation) of the current project and integrating other
projects within the campus master plan, if applicable. The IPMS is to be prepared in
CPM network format. The construction phase is to be a Level 2 schedule while the other
phases are to be Level 3 schedules. The A/E shall utilize the IPMS to plan, implement,
and effectively control the overall project at a high level.
The development of a CPM schedule to provide management of a typical VAMC project
that would follow the specification requirements designated in VA PG 18-15 is a process
that involves a series of individual steps, each building upon products of the previous
steps and project control. The following are hierarchical steps involved in developing the
IPMS.
3.1
Comprehension of the full scope of the project
The A/E shall review and fully understand the projects scope documents. These
documents provide the background, information and understanding needed to develop
the IPMS. The goal of this process is to ascertain that all aspects of the project scope
have been adequately defined and captured in the IPMS.
The A/E shall identify and proactively communicate with the entire project stakeholders,
identify all the potential risks involved in each phase of the project, from Pre-Design to
Activation. The A/E shall also understand the constraints such as zoning requirements
and permitting (environmental).
The IPMS shall depict the complete life cycle of the VA project. A typical VA project life
cycle is as follows:
3.1.1 Design
This phase contains the sequence of design activities as detailed in the A/E
specifications from Notice-To-Proceed (NTP) to the Design Review Meeting in the
Construction Documents (CD1) phase. It also encompasses the minimum submission
requirements for the detailed design phase of the Integrated Project Master Schedule
(IPMS). This phase captures one conceptual submission, two schematic Design (SD1
and SD2) submissions, two Design Development (DD1 and DD2) submissions and two
Construction Documents (CD1 and CD2) submissions. The A/E will be responsible for
preparing a detailed design schedule for the project. Refer to Exhibit I.1 depicting a
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Level 1 Project Master Schedule. A complete sample of IPMS is available on the VAs
Technical Information Library.
3.1.2
Procurement
This phase occurs when a typical VAMC project formally transitions from design
preparation into construction mobilization. This phase includes the bidding and award
processes. The projects schedule and budget are finalized in this phase. Typical
milestone activities included in this phase are in the following sequence:
Construction Bid Document Printed
Construction Package Advertised
Necessary Addenda Issued
Bids Received and Tabulated
Analysis of Low Bid and Bidders Qualifications
VA Award Construction Contract
Contractor Furnish Bonds and Insurance
Contractor Executed and Certified by VA
Construction Notice To Proceed
3.1.3
Construction
The construction phase presents the actual physical construction of the project. The A/E
shall develop a preliminary construction schedule for the purpose of construction
phasing and duration. The A/E shall define project constraints, requirements of
stakeholders, operation and facility requirements. The A/E shall come up with the
construction phasing in collaboration with the VA. The proposed schedule of the
construction phase is expected to be a Level 2 schedule in the IPMS. It commences
with the issuance of the Construction Notice to Proceed, followed by mobilization of the
General Contractor to the site, then the physical construction, commissioning of building
systems and finally ends with activities associated with Substantial Completion.
According to VA PG 18-15, during the Pre-Design phase, the A/E in collaboration with
the VA and all the project stakeholders shall develop an outline of phasing requirements
including anticipated overall construction schedule, considerations that influence
phasing, anticipated duration of each phase of construction and a narrative establishing
users vision, goals, and desired image. In this preliminary phase, major milestones for
the construction schedule shall be discussed by the project stakeholders.
The A/E shall provide a written narrative to outline phasing requirements and sequence
for the construction schedule. The A/E shall justify the phasing and construction
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duration suggested. The phasing shall be supported by enough details including trade
activities, long lead items and VAMC operational requirements.
All areas of the project included in Construction shall be identified as part of a phase.
Each phase description shall include constraints particular to that phase, what other
phases must precede it, other contractors working in that phase, and any VA
moves/relocation which must precede the start of the phase or phases. If equipment
and other removable items require storage and relocation by the VA, these
requirements shall be listed in the phasing narrative. Special phasing constraints which
may be common to the project during construction should be listed at the end of the
narrative and not within each individual phase description.
The A/E shall provide a written list of systems divided by technical discipline, including
temporary systems by phase. Additionally, the A/E shall develop a phasing diagram
using CPM that shows the sequence and interdependencies of phases within the
project.
As the design progresses from pre-design through construction documents, the A/E is
responsible to submit an increased level of detail of the construction schedule during
each phase. Exhibit I.6 is a sample of a phasing narrative for a typical VAMC project.
3.1.4
Activation Planning/Beneficial Occupancy
The A/E shall communicate with the project stakeholders to understand the complete
requirements of a VAMC facility. In this phase, VA medical equipment is installed and
activated and the owners personnel are recruited, trained and mobilized to run the
hospital operation.
The Activation phase is very critical to the completion of the project as this is when the
beneficial occupancy is achieved and the VAMC or other facilities are ready for veterans
use. The VA activation planning phase should commence at the end of Schematic
Design (SD-2) phase and should be in parallel with the design and construction phases,
overlapping the tail end of construction as necessary.
3.2
Assign Unique Identifiers to the IPMS
The A/E shall assign a unique name and identification number to identify the specific
project and each version of the schedule shall have a unique version number or ID. This
is essential to allow the proper archiving of project schedules and audit processes.
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3.3
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Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
The Integrated Project Master Schedule WBS encompasses the entire project at Level
1. Subsequently, Level 2 of the WBS subdivides the project into major phases that
comprise Design, Procurement, Construction and Activation. Level 3 subdivides each of
the major work items into work packages as follows:
Pre-Design, Schematic Design SD1 & 2, Design Development DD1 & DD2 and
Construction Documents CD1. Level 4 of the WBS shows the twenty seven (27)
different design elements. Level 5 of the WBS breaks down the design elements into
specific work activities.
The A/E shall develop the WBS to capture the complete project scope in accordance
with VA PG 18-15. A typical VA project WBS is as follows:
WBS Level
Title
Project
II
III
IV
Description
The Project (e.g. VA IPMS)
Major Phase
This level subdivides the project into

major phases that comprise the
project (e.g., design, procurement,
construction, activation)
Work Package
This level subdivides each of the

major work items into work packages
or components (e.g., pre-design,
schematic design, design
development, construction
documents)
Major Work Item

major work packages into major work
components or deliverables (e.g.
architectural design element, site
development design, cost estimating,
and other
Activity

major work items into specific work
activities (e.g., prepare and submit
basis of design report, VA review and
comment on submittals, prepare
estimate, and other related work
activities)
Table 3
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The objective is to establish appropriate levels of schedule detail for planning,

scheduling, monitoring, controlling and reporting on the overall project.
The work breakdown structure and the levels of schedule detail established for the
project should allow information to be accurately transferred from one level of schedule
detail.
For a typical VAMC project, as many as five levels of schedule detail may be utilized by
the A/E. A description of these levels follows:
Level 1: Integrated Project Master Schedule Consists of a bar chart or a time-scaled
network of 15 to 50 activities. This level of detail can be useful for periodic management
briefings and reporting. (See Exhibit I.1)
Level 2: Summary Design Schedule Design activities are summarized in this
schedule to cover all phases of the project. This is the schedule that is used to plan,
implement, and control the various design phases such as SD1, SD2, DD1, etc. (See
Exhibit I.2)
Level 2: Overall Construction Schedule A/E shall develop a construction schedule
based on phasing, major trade activities at summary level (Level 2), long lead items,
overall critical path, and VAMC operational needs. This schedule is intended to validate
the phasing and anticipated construction duration. (See Exhibit I.3)
Level 3: Detailed Design Schedule Detailed design activities are provided to show
staff requirements, task deliverables and subcontract requirements of each discipline.
(See Exhibit I.4)
The following levels are more detailed schedules which the A/E may use at their
discretion:
Level 4: One- or two-month Look-Ahead Schedules Schedules that are prepared
each week and in advance of the next two or three weeks of planned efforts. These may
be prepared for each of the major design disciplines and may be in bar chart form or in
simple network abstracts. These schedules should include the identification of all
required resources (equipment and manpower by craft/trade) on a daily basis. (See
Exhibit I.5)
Level 5: Daily Work Schedules These schedules are used mainly for construction;
however, the A/E may develop and use them to manage detailed design activities
These schedules should be prepared at least one day in advance and with the
participation of field superintendents, area supervisors, craft supervisors, foremen, and
so on. The objective is to plan, schedule, and coordinate on a daily basis the required
labor, construction equipment, and materials needed for each work task. In addition,
they need to communicate work task versus cost accounting information essential for
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capturing and documenting actual field costs. These include not only base contract
work, but also changes, problems, and areas of potential disputes. Such schedules can
also aid in capturing manpower data and measuring labor productivity.
3.4
Define Project Milestones
Milestones are key events or significant points in time during the life of a project. Once
the A/E has a feel for the overall scope of the project, he or she can begin to determine
the projects major and minor milestones. Milestones should have zero duration and be
used as the bench marks to measure progress against.
They can also reflect the start and finish points for various project events or conditions
and/or identify external constraints or interim deliverables. At a minimum the detailed
design schedule, developed by the A/E shall contain start and finish milestones
culminating to each design phase (Pre-Design, SD1, SD2, DD1, DD2, and CD1). This
will facilitate tracking of the A/E progress for each contractual deliverable.
3.5
Establish Project Calendars and Work Periods
The A/E shall determine, in conjunction with the project team, the work periods which
need to be selected for the design phase of the project. These work periods may be
different for specific activities or portions of the project including resources. The A/E
shall consider the following prior to establishing a calendar:
The proposed number of working days in a week
The number of hours to be worked each day
Any periods of scheduled overtime work or non-working time (e.g. shutdowns)
The holidays to be observed during the life of the contract (by day, month, and
year)
All of these elements play a major role in determining the number and structure of the
project calendars required for the IPMS. The use of multiple calendars introduces
significant complexity to the calculation of float and the critical path. However, while
scheduling is simplified by the use of a single calendar, the A/E shall be cognizant that
one calendar may not suffice for effectively managing the project.
The A/E shall utilize project calendars which are adequate and reasonable to perform
the scope of work, based on normal working times. The project calendar then may be
used as the primary or default calendar for the project. A limited number of customized
calendars may then be used for areas of the project requiring different working times.
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The sample IPMS includes a 5-day work week calendar w/holidays for all activities in
the detailed design schedule and 7-day workweek calendar with no holidays for the
summary level construction activities.
3.6
Activity Identification/Coding
The A/E shall assign unique number to each activity/event with numbers ranging from 1
to 99998 only for the activity identification. The A/E shall utilize software where once the
activity ID is created, it will not change due to the addition or deletion of activities, this is
paramount to guarantee the traceability of the schedule
The CPM schedule activities should be generally coded in such a way to reflect
disciplines, phase or location of the work. The A/E shall develop a coding structure to
facilitate the selection and sorting of the schedule data, and to facilitate the
development and maintenance of the IPMS, as well as meeting the project reporting
requirements. A well designed coding structure is also very helpful in analyzing project
performance data by facilitating aggregation selection and sorting to highlight trends
and anomalies.
The IPMS shall be categorized and the activities/events coded as listed below:
RESP: Responsibility determines the party responsible for the activity as shown below:
Architect
Mechanical Engineer
Fire Protection Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Veteran Affairs
Other Government Agencies
AREA: The A/E shall use this code to assign design element coding such as
Architectural, HVAC, Fire Protection, and other related design element coding.
PHASE: The A/E shall use this code to divide the items of work into different phases
within the Project such as Pre-Design, Schematic, Design Development, and other
project phases.
3.7
Activity Definition
The A/E, in conjunction with the project team members responsible to perform the work
of the project, should create the list of activities that will need to be performed to
complete the project. The Sample IMPS includes activities related to the design
submission requirements for VAMC Major New Facilities, Additions and Renovation as
detailed in PG 18-15.
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The A/E shall consider the following to break down the scope of work into manageable
activities for the detailed schedule of the design, procurement and activation:
The A/E shall show a concise description of the work represented by the
activity/event (35 characters or less including spaces preferred).
The A/E shall describe work activities/events clearly, so the work is readily
identifiable for assessment of completion. Activities/events labeled start,
continue, or completion, are not specific and will not be permitted. Lead and
lag time activities will not be acceptable.
The A/E shall designate a single entity that shall be responsible for performing
the activity. This does not preclude the idea that multiple resources may be
required to accomplish the activity, but it does require that a single entity is
responsible for its performance. That person should be the same one who will
report progress on the activity (Performance Responsibility).
Duration of activities/events shall be in work days.
Activities/events shall have cost assigned to them. Cost shall not exceed $99,999
per activity.
The A/E shall show activities/events for work for each discipline.
Each activity/event on the computer-produced schedule shall contain as a
minimum, but not limited to, activity/event ID, duration, predecessor and
successor relationships, area code, trade code, description, budget amount,
early start date, early finish date, late start date, late finish date and total float.
Work activity/event relationships shall be restricted to finish-to-start and start-tostart without lead or lag constraints (Exception allowed with approval).
The A/E shall break up the work into activities/events of duration no longer than
20 work days each, except for which the Project Manager and/or the Contracting
Officer may approve the showing of a longer duration (long, continuous design
activities and procurement activities where a single work item such as fabricating
and delivering/shipping a component to a remote site).
The A/E shall adhere to the VA NAS specification for A/E design.
For the summary level construction schedule, the A/E shall break down the schedule
into the proposed phasing plan. The A/E shall assign reasonable durations to the
activities and assign a 5-day work week calendar to each construction activity contained
in the IPMS.
When complete, the A/E shall confirm that the activity list in the IPMS shall describe
100% of the work required to complete the project in its entirety, although the
construction element of the IPMS will be developed at a summary level until the time for
that work draws nearer.
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Activity Sequencing
The A/E shall show on the CPM Schedule the sequence and interdependence of work
activities/events required for complete performance of all items of work. For instance, in
the design component of the IPMS, the A/E shall depict in sequence the relationship
between A/E submittals, VA Approval, Peer Reviews, Design Review meetings, and
other required work activities/events.
Work activity/event relationships shall be restricted to finish-to-start and start-to-start
with no lag constraints. Activity/event date constraints not required by the contract will
not be accepted unless submitted to and approved by the Contracting Officer.
The A/E shall make a separate written detailed request to the Contracting Officer
identifying these date constraints and secure the Contracting Officers written approval
before incorporating them into the CPM Schedule. The Contracting Officers separate
approval of the CPM Schedule shall not excuse the A/E of this requirement (See NAS
Specification).
In the construction phase of the IPMS, the A/E shall depict in sequence the
interdependencies among the construction phasing from the issuance of the
Construction Notice-To-Proceed all the way through Project close out activities. This
shall include constraints particular to each phase, what other phases must precede it,
other contractors working in that phase, and any VA moves/relocation which must
precede the start of the phase or phases.
3.9
Estimating Activity Duration
The A/E shall define the activities/events first, and then the A/E shall tie the
activities/events logically into the overall schedule sequence and then the A/E shall
focus on how long it will take to accomplish the work. The A/E shall use the following
guidelines in estimating activity durations for design, procurement and activation:
Expert judgment guided by historical information.
Analogous estimating based on experience on similar projects.
Parametric estimating based on formulas describing relationships among project
parameters and time.
Use of simulations to develop distributions of probable duration of each activity
Consider each activity/event independently.
Skip around the network when assigning duration estimates to specific activities.
Avoid following a path of activities all the way through the network and to the
end.
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Activity duration shall be in work days based on physical work content. Example:
Complete SD-2 foundation design, 50 drawings (1,000 man-hours, 20 days with
4 structural designers).
The A/E shall break up the work into activities/events of duration no longer than
twenty (20) work days, except for the construction schedule and for which the
Project Manager and/or the Contracting Officer may approve the showing of a
longer duration. Exceptions to this rule are procurement activities, certain
approvals, concrete curing, and so on.
In order to estimate duration for the construction and activation phases of the IPMS,
the A/E shall coordinate with the VA and the project stakeholders. The A/E shall assign
reasonable durations to each component of the construction phasing in the IPMS. The
A/E shall take into consideration physical conditions, safety requirements, and any
labor agreements that may be in effect. The activity duration for the Level 2
construction schedule shall be in calendar days with the timescale showing months and
years.
3.10 Cost Loading Requirement

The A/E shall cost load all work activities pertaining to the design phase of the project
from concept design through construction documents in the IPMS. The A/E is not
responsible for cost loading the procurement, construction, and activation phases. The
cost loading shall reflect the appropriate level of effort of the work activities/events. The
cumulative amount of all cost loaded design activities/events (including alternates) shall
equal the total contract price for the engineering part of the IPMS. Prorate overhead,
profit, and general conditions on all work activities/events for the entire project length.
The A/E shall generate from this information cost projection curves indicating
graphically the total percentage of work activity/event dollar value scheduled to be in
place based on both early and late finish dates. These cost projection curves will be
used by the Contracting Officer to assist him in determining approval or disapproval of
the cost loading. In the event of disapproval, the A/E shall revise and submit in
accordance with NAS specifications. Negative work activity/event cost data will not be
acceptable, except on VA issued contract changes.
The A/E is expected to update the cost at the end of each deliverable. For example,
once the schematic development SD1 phase is completed and submitted to the VA for
review and comment, the A/E shall cost load the affected design activities associated
with the deliverable. Exhibit I.7 depicts a sample design phase baseline cost projection
S-curve that should be produced by the A/E upon completion of each deliverable.
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3.11 Analyzing the Schedule Output

Once complete with developing the IPMS, the schedule will contain a number of unique
activities, of varying durations, logically linked together. The A/E shall analyze the IPMS
to calculate the dates and other values of the IPMS.
The A/E shall provide to the VA Project Manager, Contracting Officer and CPM
Schedule Analyst, all computer-produced time/cost schedules and reports generated
from the software as required by the A/E spec.
The Project Manager shall identify the different report formats such as early start total
float report, and late start total float report, that the A/E shall provide based upon the
schedule output.
The A/E shall generate cash flow curves indicating graphically the total percentage of
work activity/event dollar value scheduled to be in place on early finish, late finish.
These cash flow curves will be used by the Contracting Officer to assist him in
determining approval or disapproval of the cost loading.
3.12 Narrative Report

As part of the schedule development, the A/E shall submit a baseline schedule narrative
report and subsequent monthly narrative report as part of his monthly review and
update, in a form agreed upon by the A/E and the Contracting Officer. The narrative
report shall include, at a minimum: changes due to design affecting construction; a
description of problem areas; current and anticipated delaying factors and their
estimated impact on performance of other activities/events and completion dates; and
an explanation of corrective action taken or proposed. A typical breakdown of a design
schedule outline narrative report is included as Exhibit I.8.
In addition to providing a narrative report, the IPMS developed by the A/E should allow
for high level schedule reporting based on the need of the VA and the project
stakeholders. For instance, the A/E shall provide the longest path of the project during
each schedule update as depicted in Exhibit I.9.
3.13 Approving the Schedule

Within 30 calendar days after receipt of Notice to Proceed, the A/E shall submit for the
Project Manager and Contracting Officers review; three copies of the complete CPM
Schedule and an electronic backup file from the scheduling software, The submittal
shall also include three copies of a computer-produced activity/event ID schedule
showing project duration; phase completion dates; and other data, including event cost.
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The final CPM Schedule in its original form shall contain no contract modifications or
changes which may have occurred during the final CPM Schedule development period
and shall reflect the entire contract duration as defined in the bid documents.
The A/E, VA and key stakeholders shall be actively involved in reviewing the results of
the initial scheduling process. The review shall consider the analyzed project end date,
milestone completion dates and resource requirements to determine the acceptability of
the schedule.
These iterations continue until an acceptable project schedule is developed, one that all
of the relevant project stakeholders can agree with.
3.14 Baselining the Schedule

Once agreed by all project stakeholders, the A/E shall designate the final version of the
initial schedule as the Baseline. This baseline becomes the benchmark against which
project performance will be measured. In accordance with good scheduling practices,
the A/E shall have a Baseline Schedule in place before the execution of the project work
commences. Once the Baseline has been agreed, reports are distributed in accordance
with the projects communication plan.
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4 UPDATING/MAINTAINING THE INTEGRATED PROJECT MASTER

SCHEDULE (IPMS)
The primary purpose of updating the IPMS is to report on and evaluate the current
status of the work, based on progress to date, and to forecast a realistic project
completion date given that progress.
The A/E will be responsible for updating the detailed design activities of the IPMS on a
monthly basis to facilitate progress payments. However, at the submission of each
deliverable (SD1, SD2, DD1, DD2), the entire schedule shall be updated to evaluate the
effects of changes/improvements in the design.
Monthly progress meetings shall be held on dates mutually agreed to by the Project
Manager and/or Contracting Officer and the A/E. The A/E shall update on a monthly
basis the project schedule, including actual start and finish dates, and actual %
complete of each activity in progress. All schedule data required shall be accurately
filled in and completed prior to the monthly progress meeting. The A/E shall provide this
update to VA three (3) work days in advance of the progress meeting. Job progress will
be reviewed to verify:
1
Physical percent complete (%) of each activity.
Actual start and/or finish dates for updated/completed activities/events.
Remaining duration, required to complete each activity/even started, or

scheduled to start, but not completed.
Logic, time and cost data for change orders, and supplemental agreements that
are to be incorporated into the CPM schedule.
Percentage for completed and partially completed activities/events.
Logic and duration revisions to keep the schedule current.
Activity/event duration and percent complete shall be updated independently.
With each invoice, the A/E shall submit an updated schedule and the following reports,
for review and approval, to the Project Manager:
1. Detailed Design Schedule, including Critical Path (Longest Path),
2. Cost Earned Report as basis for the Invoice,
3. Sixty (60) day look Ahead/Hot list report,
4. Update Schedule Narrative that explains all the changes performed to the
schedule.
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5. CHANGE ORDERS
The IPMS in its original form shall contain no contract modifications or changes which
may have been incurred during the final CPM schedule development period and shall
reflect the entire contract duration as defined in the bid documents. These
changes/delays shall be entered at the first update after the final CPM schedule has
been approved.
The A/E should provide their requests for time extension for contract time as a result of
contract changes/delays in the design phase after the first schedule update. The time
extension must be supported by CPM data and analysis, justification narrative, related
documents and etc for VA approval.
The A/E shall submit each request for a change in the contract completion date to the
VA in accordance with the provisions specified under Article, FAR 52.243 -4 (Changes),
VAAR 852.236 88 (Changes Supplements). The A/E shall include, as a part of each
change order proposal, a fragnet showing all CPM logic revisions, duration (in work
days) changes, and design cost changes, for work in question and its relationship to
other activities on the approved CPM schedule (See Exhibit I.10 as a reference). All
delays due to non-work activities/events such as RFIs, weather, strikes, and similar
non-work activities/events shall be analyzed on a month by month basis.
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6. EXHIBITS
Exhibit I.1. Level 1 Schedule for a Typical VAMC Project
Exhibit I.2. Level 2 Schedule for a Typical SD-1 VAMC Project
Exhibit I.3. Level 2 Schedule for a Typical Construction Phase in VAMC Project
Exhibit I.4. Level 3 Schedule for a Typical SD-1 VAMC Project
Exhibit I.5. Level 4 Schedule (60-day look ahead) for a Typical SD-1 VAMC Project
Exhibit I.6. Sample Phasing Narrative for a Typical VAMC Project
Exhibit I.7. Cost Projection S-Curve for a Typical Design Phase in VAMC Project
Exhibit I.8. Sample Outline for a Schedule Narrative Report
Exhibit I.9. Longest Path for a Typical Design Phase in VAMC Project
Exhibit I.10. Schedule Impact Analysis Sample Change Order Fragnet
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EXHIBIT I.1
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EXHIBIT I.3
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PHASING PLAN
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CPM Schedule

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VA

Critical Path Method

Guidelines for Preparation of

Design Manual for CPM Schedule &

TABLE OF CONTENTS, Volume I

Purpose and Scope ................................................................................................... 3

Applicable Documents .............................................................................................. 4

Definitions and Abbreviations .................................................................................. 5

SCHEDULING METHOD ..................................................................................... 9

Scheduling Software ................................................................................................. 9

Scheduling Best Practices......................................................................................10

Risk Analysis ............................................................................................................11

GUIDELINE FOR DEVELOPING AN INTEGRATED PROJECT MASTER

Comprehension of the full scope of the project...................................................14

Assign Unique Identifiers to the IPMS ..................................................................16

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) .......................................................................17

Define Project Milestones.......................................................................................19

Establish Project Calendars and Work Periods ..................................................19

Activity Identification/Coding ..................................................................................20

Activity Definition .....................................................................................................20

Activity Sequencing .................................................................................................22

Estimating Activity Duration ...................................................................................22

Guidelines for Preparation of

Design Manual for CPM Schedule &

Cost Loading Requirement ....................................................................................23

Analyzing the Schedule Output .............................................................................24

Approving the Schedule..........................................................................................24

Baselining the Schedule .........................................................................................25

UPDATING/MAINTAINING THE INTEGRATED PROJECT MASTER

CHANGE ORDERS ............................................................................................ 27

Guidelines for Preparation of

Design Manual for CPM Schedule &

Purpose and Scope

This document is intended to provide guidance to the Architect/Engineer (A/E) in the

Guidelines for Preparation of

Design Manual for CPM Schedule &

A baseline set of governing documents to be applied on developing the CPM

Design Manual for CPM Schedule & Risk

Architectural and Engineering CPM schedules.

A Guide to the Project Management Body of

The Associated General Contractors of America,

PMI Practice Standard for Scheduling.

Guidelines for Preparation of

Design Manual for CPM Schedule &

Definitions and Abbreviations

A discrete, identifiable task or event that takes time, has a

The first incomplete activity on the critical path (Also referred to as

Any activity on the critical path.

A unique, alphanumeric, identification code assigned to an activity.

(Also called a pure-logic diagram) A graphic representation of a

(Also called a Gantt chart) A graphical representation of a

A day on the calendar, beginning and ending at midnight.

The original date specified in the contract for completion of the

The completion date projected or forecasted by the schedule. The

A restriction imposed on the start or finish dates of an activity that

A network analysis technique used to predict duration by

Guidelines for Preparation of

Design Manual for CPM Schedule &

amount of scheduling flexibility (least amount of float). Early dates