PROJECT MANAGEMENT STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔Technical complexity - ✔✔Ex. M&E, degree of finishes, Product availability,
Materials, technologies, equipment.
The level of technology employed and to some degree the project's risk level. Projects
with known technologies, readily available materials and average finishes carry less
risks than those that involve unknown technology and unusual materials
✔✔Procurement delivery methods - ✔✔Key requirements for selection: identifying the
client, his needs and objectives. Also, identifying the parties involved.
Define it in a way that has no bias.
✔✔Procurement systems - ✔✔-Traditional procurement system (design-bid-build)
[owner, architect/consultant, contractor]
-Design and build the procurement system [owner, + 1 person to design and build]
-Management contracting procurement system [owner, contract team for management]
-Cost reimbursement procurement system [owner, contractor, you'll be reimbursed for
your services w/ a percentage of the product itself]
-Partnering Procurement System [do a partnership with someone who has the know-
how or resources]
✔✔Project Risk and Liability - ✔✔The nature of any project is very risky but each project
carries its own set of additional risks that may be based on an aggressive schedule or a
particular location or politically charged environment
✔✔Traditional Procurement - ✔✔Method developed to satisfy client
Client appoints consultant to design and control the cost
After design stage, client appoints main contractor to start project
Client has full control over design quality
Best bid is obvious
Used in complex projects, technically advanced and highly serviced buildings
✔✔When to use traditional procurement - ✔✔Complex projects
Consultant design is warranted
Client wants to appoint owners and designers separately
Price certainty wanted before construction
Product quality required
Balance of risk placed between client and constructor
, ✔✔Advantages of traditional procurement - ✔✔-Many options
-All tendering contractors bid at the same time >>justice
-Client has direct influence
-Certainty of price as soon as you get contract
-Changes in contract easily applied
-this method is familiar in the market
✔✔Disadvantages of traditional procurement - ✔✔-Project cannot start before design
phase is finished
-Overall project can take longer
-Client can't make updates to the design by the contractor in construction phase bc it
was not done during the design stage
✔✔Design and Build - ✔✔Contractor responsible for both design and construction
Contract made with client detailing design, cost, and the time needed for completion of
the project
Contractor accepts full responsibility for design
Certainty of final cost
Overlap of design and construction saves time
Improved communication
✔✔When to use Design Build - ✔✔-Building functional rather than aesthetic
-Building is simple
-Brief for scope is likely to change
-Single organization takes responsibility for risk of design and construction
-Simpler projects with inexperienced clients. Common in repeated work and
prefabricated
✔✔Advantages of Design and Build - ✔✔-Reduces the need to provide resources and
time by providing designers and contractors together
-Final price in beginning
-Stimulates innovations and reduces time and cost
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔Technical complexity - ✔✔Ex. M&E, degree of finishes, Product availability,
Materials, technologies, equipment.
The level of technology employed and to some degree the project's risk level. Projects
with known technologies, readily available materials and average finishes carry less
risks than those that involve unknown technology and unusual materials
✔✔Procurement delivery methods - ✔✔Key requirements for selection: identifying the
client, his needs and objectives. Also, identifying the parties involved.
Define it in a way that has no bias.
✔✔Procurement systems - ✔✔-Traditional procurement system (design-bid-build)
[owner, architect/consultant, contractor]
-Design and build the procurement system [owner, + 1 person to design and build]
-Management contracting procurement system [owner, contract team for management]
-Cost reimbursement procurement system [owner, contractor, you'll be reimbursed for
your services w/ a percentage of the product itself]
-Partnering Procurement System [do a partnership with someone who has the know-
how or resources]
✔✔Project Risk and Liability - ✔✔The nature of any project is very risky but each project
carries its own set of additional risks that may be based on an aggressive schedule or a
particular location or politically charged environment
✔✔Traditional Procurement - ✔✔Method developed to satisfy client
Client appoints consultant to design and control the cost
After design stage, client appoints main contractor to start project
Client has full control over design quality
Best bid is obvious
Used in complex projects, technically advanced and highly serviced buildings
✔✔When to use traditional procurement - ✔✔Complex projects
Consultant design is warranted
Client wants to appoint owners and designers separately
Price certainty wanted before construction
Product quality required
Balance of risk placed between client and constructor
, ✔✔Advantages of traditional procurement - ✔✔-Many options
-All tendering contractors bid at the same time >>justice
-Client has direct influence
-Certainty of price as soon as you get contract
-Changes in contract easily applied
-this method is familiar in the market
✔✔Disadvantages of traditional procurement - ✔✔-Project cannot start before design
phase is finished
-Overall project can take longer
-Client can't make updates to the design by the contractor in construction phase bc it
was not done during the design stage
✔✔Design and Build - ✔✔Contractor responsible for both design and construction
Contract made with client detailing design, cost, and the time needed for completion of
the project
Contractor accepts full responsibility for design
Certainty of final cost
Overlap of design and construction saves time
Improved communication
✔✔When to use Design Build - ✔✔-Building functional rather than aesthetic
-Building is simple
-Brief for scope is likely to change
-Single organization takes responsibility for risk of design and construction
-Simpler projects with inexperienced clients. Common in repeated work and
prefabricated
✔✔Advantages of Design and Build - ✔✔-Reduces the need to provide resources and
time by providing designers and contractors together
-Final price in beginning
-Stimulates innovations and reduces time and cost