1) Levels of Plan

Project planning depends upon level of decomposition done for any project. More the extent of
breaking down different activities, higher is the level of plan. Usually 4 levels of plan are used in an
EPCC environment. All four levels are explained below:
Level – 1 Plan
This is the most basic and contractual plan which shows start and end dates of all different phases of
project e.g. Engineering, Procurement, Construction etc.
Level – 2 Plan
Level – 1 plan is detailed further into various disciplines. Major activities are mentioned discipline
wise along with corresponding start and end dates e.g. commencement and completion of Mechanical,
Civil, Electrical etc. is shown more explicitly.
Level – 3 Plan
At this level, level- 2 plan is further broken down into Systems/Areas. Activities in level-2 plan are
further divided into smaller activities and plan for each is provided e.g. Start and end dates of
equipment, piping fabrication, piping erection etc. are included. Resource allocation is also applied for
this level.
Level- 4 Plan
In this level, level- 3 plan is further broken down into drawing level and making zones of Project.
This is prepared at start of the project after detailed study of BOQ and drawings.

2) Project management, then, is the application of knowledge, skills,

tools, and techniques to project activities to meet the project requirements.
3) Project management processes fall into five groups:

1. Initiating
2. Planning
 3. Executing
4. Monitoring and Controlling
5. Closing

4) Critical path method - The Critical path method is used to estimate the shortest
length of time needed to complete a project and to determine the amount of float
for activities that are not part of the critical path.

5) Forward pass - A technique used to calculate early start and finish dates by
working forwards from a point in a project schedule model.

6) Free float - The amount of time by which an activity can be postponed without
affecting the early start dates of a successor activity.

Total float - The length of time an activity can be delayed from its early start date
without affecting the project end date.

Lag/Lag time - A necessary break or delay between activities.

Float - A measure of the schedule flexibility involving a particular task.

Lead/Lead time - The amount of time an activity can be brought forward with
respect to the activity it is dependent upon.

7) Backward pass - This calculates late-start and finish dates for project activities
by working backwards from the project end date.

8) Contingency reserve - An allocation of time or money (or both) set aside for
the occurrence of known possibilities that could delay a project or make it more
expensive. It is not the same as a management reserve, which is an allocation
made for unforeseeable circumstances. Use of a contingency reserve is typically
authorized upon the occurrence of a contingency.

9) Management reserve - An allocation of money or time (or both) to address

unforeseeable circumstances that might delay or increase the costs of a project. A
management reserve is not the same as a contingency reserve, which is an
allocation made for known possibilities. The senior management must typically
approve any release of funds from a management reserve.

10) Contingency plan - An alternative or additional course of action planned in

anticipation of the occurrence of specific risks.
11) Fast tracking - A schedule compression technique or duration compression
technique in which the duration of a critical path is shortened by performing
sections of some critical path activities concurrently instead of consecutively.

12) Crashing - A schedule compression technique used to speed up project work

by increasing the rate at which critical path activities are completed by adding more
resources — usually more personnel or more equipment. Crashing increases
project costs, so it is used first on activities that can be sped up at the least
additional cost.

13) Constraint - A limitation on a project. Among other things, constraints may be

financial or based on time or resource availability.
14) Estimate at completion (EAC) - The estimated total cost for all project work,
calculated as the sum of the actual cost and the estimate to complete.
Estimate to complete (ETC) - At a given point in a project, the estimate of the
cost of the work that still needs to be completed.

15) Feasibility study - An evaluation of how likely a project is to be completed

effectively, or how practical it is, taking resources and requirements into
consideration.

16) Baseline - This term represent the costs and schedules approved at the start
of the project. They use baselines as a basis for monitoring and evaluating
performance

Deliverable - A final product or product component that must be provided to a

client or stakeholder according to contractual stipulations.

17) Data date - A data date, also called an as-of date, is a point at which a
project’s status is measured and documented. It separates actual data from
scheduled data.

18) Dummy activity - In activity-on-arrow diagrams, where arrows represent

activities, dummy activities show logical relationships between activities. They are
not actual activities themselves - dummy activity arrows are drawn with broken
lines to differentiate them from regular activity arrows.

19) Earned value - A concept used to gauge project schedule and cost
performance. Portions of the project budget are assigned to components of the
work breakdown structure, and successful completion of a work breakdown
structure component is understood as value earned through work.
Earned value management - A method of measuring project performance and
progress with regard to scope, time, and costs. It is based on the use of planned
value (where portions of the budget are allotted to all project tasks), and earned
value (where progress is measured in terms of the planned value that
is earned upon completion of tasks).
20) Finish-To-Start - In a finish-to-start relationship, a successor activity cannot
start until a predecessor activity has finished.
Finish-To-Finish - In a finish-to-finish relationship, a successor activity cannot
finish until a predecessor activity has finished.

21) Fixed duration - A task in which the time required for completion is fixed.

Fixed units - A task in which the number of resources used is fixed.

22) Initiation phase – The formal start of a new project. It involves receiving
proper authorization and creating a clear definition for the project.

23) Kickoff meeting - The first meeting between a project team and stakeholders.
It serves to review project expectations and to build enthusiasm for a project.

24) Milestone - Milestones indicate specific progress points or events in project

timelines. They mark progress needed to complete projects successfully.
25) Planned value (PV) - The budget assigned to the work it is meant to
accomplish. (See alsobudgeted cost for work scheduled)
Planning - The development of a course of action to pursue goals or objectives.
Planning phase - In project management, planning refers specifically to a phase
of the life cycle that involves creating plans for management, control, and
execution, as well as for what a project is meant to accomplish.

26) Portfolio - A collectively managed set of programs and projects.

27) Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) - PERT is a statistical

method used to analyze activity and project durations. PERT networks are typically
illustrated with activity-on-arrow diagrams. The method makes use of optimistic,
pessimistic, and most likely durations to estimate expected durations for project
activities and to determine float times, early and late start dates, and critical paths.
(See also three-point estimating)
28) Project charter - A Project charter is a document that details the scope,
organization, and objectives of a project. It is typically created by a project manager
and formally approved by the sponsor. A project charter authorizes the project
manager’s use of organizational resources for the project and is understood to be
an agreement between the sponsor, stakeholders, and project manager.

29) Project phase - A distinct stage in a project management life cycle. Each
phase comprises a set of project-related activities.
Project plan - A document formally approved by the project manager, sponsor,
and other stakeholders which states the approved cost, schedule, and scope
baselines. It guides project execution, control, and quality and performance
assessment. The project plan also forms the basis for communication between
parties involved in a project. Project plans can vary in their levels of detail.

30) Request for proposal - A formal invitation for expressions of interest that is
extended by an organization looking to procure goods or services. (See
also invitation for bid)
Request for quotation - Upon receipt of proposals after issuing a request for
proposal, an organization will issue a request for quotations to shortlisted
proposers, asking for detailed cost estimations for specific goods or services.
Risk - The probability of occurrence of a specific event that affects the pursuit of
objectives. Risks are not negative by definition. In project management,
opportunities are also considered risks.
Scope - The scope of a project constitutes everything it is supposed to accomplish
in order to be deemed successful.
31) Slippage - The negative variance between planned and actual activity
completion dates. Slippage may also refer to the general tendency of a project to
be delayed beyond planned completion dates.
Statement of work (SoW) - A Statement of work is a comprehensive and detailed
list of deliverables expected under a contract, with expected dates for each
deliverable.
Successor activity - In a schedule, a successor activity logically comes after and
depends on an activity immediately preceding it.
Sunk cost - A cost that cannot be recovered once spent.
31) Task - In project management, a task is a unit of work or activity needed for
progress towards project goals. Typically, a task must be completed by a set
deadline. Tasks may be further broken down into assignments or subtasks.

Work - In project management, work is the amount of effort needed to complete a

task.

32) What-If scenario analysis - A simulation technique that allows project

managers to determine and compare specific conditions’ effects on project
schedules and objectives.

33) Work breakdown structure (WBS) - A Work breakdown structure is a

comprehensive, hierarchical model of the deliverables constituting the scope of a
project. It details everything a project team is supposed to deliver and achieve. A
work breakdown structure categorizes all project elements, or work packages, into
a set of groups and may be used to form cost estimates.

Work package - The work packages of a project are its lowest-level deliverables.
They are detailed in a work breakdown structure dictionary.
1. How do you define CPM scheduling ?2. What is the definition of a critical path
?3. What is the difference between crashing a schedule and fast tracking a
schedule ?4. What are the three major components of scheduling ?5. How would
you create a cash flow curve in a scheduling program ?6. How would you create a
manpower histogram and curve in a scheduling program ?7. What is float and who
owsn the float ?8. What is a constraint ?9. Do you believe that negative lags should
ever be used ? If so why ? If not why ?10. Typcially should mandatory constraints
be used ? If so why ? If not why ?11. What is the largest project schedule that you
have ever managed ? Number of activities ?12. What is the largest project
schedule that you have ever managed ? Dollar value ?

13. Have you ever incorporated change order or change notices or extra work
items into theschedule ? If so what was the format that you used ?14. When
refering to the contemporaneous schedule what schedule is that refering to ?15.
What is mean by the term EOT ?16. What is the proper way to record progress in a
schedule17. If the project that you were working on fell behind schedule what
would you ? What stepswould you take to bring it back in line ?18. What is the
forward pass and what dates are derived from the forward pass ?19. What is the
backward pass and what dates are derived from the backward pass20. Why
should we hire you ?21. What do you consider your strengths ?22. What do you
consider your weaknesses ?23. How do you handle constructive criticism ?24.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now ? (short term goals)

25. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now ? (long term goals)25. Do you
belong to any National Project Controls Organizations which as PMI ?26. Are you
willing to travel ?27. Why should we hire you ?Power plant specific1. Have you
ever done any outage scheduling ?2. Have you ever scheduled down to the hour
as a planing unit ?3. During an outage how many times a day you update the
schedule4. Do you have any power plant experience ?I could go on and on forever
and do not ask me for any of the answers. That is for you to find outon your own.
You should really think about the question and then research any
questionsanswers that you do not know the answer for