CPM in Construction Management (Pro Engineering) [Hardcover]

James O'Brien (Author), Fredric Plotnick (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071457690 | ISBN-13: 978-0071457699 | Publication Date: October 13, 2005 | Edition: 6

This title is perfect for PSP certification on the CD-ROM. The CPM software updates new case studies, on CD and in text. It provides added in-depth coverage of Primavera[trademark]. Accelerate with CPM - and this leading guide to construction planning and scheduling. Widely used to network schedules effectively, critical path management (CPM) has become a powerful catalyst for fail-safe construction project design and management. And when it comes to applying CPM to day-in, day-out construction situations, this guide is the one you'll want to have.Written by the former vice chair of the celebrated construction management firm that renovated San Francisco's cable car system and redeveloped New York's JFK Airport, and by one of America's leading construction scheduling experts, the "Sixth Edition of CPM in Construction Management" arms you with more glitch-busting tools than ever for smooth handling of complex jobs.This highly informative, highly useful book shows you how CPM: works - and how to make it work for you; Serves as the analytical tool of choice for the evaluation, negotiation, resolution, and/or litigation of construction claims; cuts costs in a one-person operation or the most complex multinational enterprise; helps you stay on top of every aspect of complicated projects; saves you big money in delay avoidance, accurate cost predictions, and claims reduction; multiplies the effectiveness of your instincts, experience, and knowledge; and explains how to fully and properly utilize the power of leading scheduling software such as Primavera[trademark]. With case studies of major construction projects around the world and a 'John Doe' example project that's followed throughout, this book goes a long way in simplifying your application of CPM. From cutting project time up to 40 percent, to advanced gains from computer programs; from assessing critical deliveries, to courtroom evidentiary value - this updated classic is the construction tool that makes everything around you work better, faster, and more economically. This title helps you expedite CPM - and your projects fundamentals of CPM. Following are the features: event time computations; activity time computations; procurement; preconstruction; the CPM schedule; preparation of CPM network; CPM by computer; monitoring project progress; CPM and cost control; equipment and work force planning; precedence networks; computer programs and systems; applications and advantages of CPM; specifying CPM; CPM costs; case histories; and, CPM in claims and litigation.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

• Perfect for PSP certification
• On the CD-ROM: CPM software updates
• New case studies, on CD and in text
• Added in-depth coverage of Primavera(tm)

ACCELERATE WITH CPM -- AND THIS LEADING GUIDE TO CONSTRUCTION PLANNING AND SCHEDULING
Widely used to network schedules effectively, critical path management (CPM) has become a powerful catalyst for fail-safe construction project design and management. And when it comes to applying CPM to day-in, day-out construction situations, this guide is the one you'll want to have. Written by the former vice chair of the celebrated construction management firm that renovated San Francisco's cable car system and redeveloped New York's JFK Airport, and by one of America's leading construction scheduling experts, the Sixth Edition of CPM in Construction Management arms you with more glitch-busting tools than ever for smooth handling of complex jobs.

This highly informative, highly useful book shows you how CPM:

• Works -- and how to make it work for you
• Serves as the analytical tool of choice for the evaluation, negotiation, resolution, and/or litigation of construction claims
• Cuts costs in a one-person operation or the most complex multinational enterprise
• Helps you stay on top of every aspect of complicated projects
• Saves you big money in delay avoidance, accurate cost predictions, and claims reduction
• Multiplies the effectiveness of your instincts, experience, and knowledge
• Explains how to fully and properly utilize the power of leading scheduling software such as Primavera(tm)

With case studies of major construction projects around the world and a "John Doe" example project that's followed throughout, this book goes a long way in simplifying your application of CPM. From cutting project time up to 40 percent, to advanced gains from computer programs; from assessing critical deliveries, to courtroom evidentiary value -- this updated classic is the construction tool that makes everything around you work better, faster, and more economically.

Expedite CPM -- and Your Projects
Fundamentals of CPM * Event time computations * Activity time computations * Procurement * Preconstruction * The CPM schedule * Preparation of CPM network * CPM by computer * Monitoring project progress * CPM and cost control * Equipment and work force planning *Precedence networks * Computer programs and systems * Applications and advantages of CPM * Specifying CPM * CPM costs *Case histories * CPM in claims and litigation

About the Author

James J. O'Brien, PE, PMP, was vice chair of the board of O'Brien-Kreitzberg & Associates, Inc., the construction management firm that handled the renovation of San Francisco's cable car system. He was also the program manager for the redevelopment of JFK International Airport. Mr. O'Brien is the author or editor of many other books, including Contractor's Management Handbook, Second Edition; Construction Management: A Professional Approach; Value Analysis in Design and Construction; and Scheduling Handbook, all published by McGraw-Hill. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Project Management Institute, and the Construction Management Association of America. He is a charter member and a vice president of the PMI College of Scheduling.

Fredric L. Plotnick, Esq., PE, is CEO and principal consultant of Engineering & Property Management Consultants, Inc. He has bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering and is a registered Professional Engineer. He is also an attorney and a member of the bars of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida. Mr. Plotnick is an adjunct professor in the departments of Civil Engineering, Engineering Management, and Construction Management at Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is a past president of the Philadelphia chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers, past Construction Group chair of the Philadelphia section of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and member of the American Association of Cost Engineers. He is a charter member and director of the annual Technical Track conference of the PMI College of Scheduling.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 651 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional; 6 edition (October 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071457690
• ISBN-13: 978-0071457699
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #831,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "CPM in Construction Management" - a comprehensive and practical guide for commercial building construction, April 8, 2008

By 

J. F. Mccarthy "Pareto - Building Improvement" (WESTCHESTER, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: CPM in Construction Management (Pro Engineering) (Hardcover)

The original edition of this revised book dates from the early 1980's, so predates the use of personal computers for scheduling. The careful, methodical thinking that was essential when paper and pencil or mainframe computers were the only choices, is evident in the organization and subject matter of this book. Although currently popular PC scheduling software is addressed in this edition, the discipline of the underlying knowledge and methods are always evident. A welcome contrast to scheduling texts that want to "get to the good stuff", such as schedule acceleration, before building a firm foundation.

The use of case studies from both construction and manufactoring were particluarly relavant. This is the most comprehensive and clear book on this subject I have found.

Choosing Project Success - A Guide for Building Professionals