CHAPTER 2 PLANNING, ESTIMATING, AND SCHEDULING

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Interpret the different types of construction drawings and specifications used within the Naval Construction Force (NCF), and identify the requirements needed to plan, estimate, and schedule using the Critical Path Method (CPM) and Engineered Performance Standards (EPS).

Good construction planning and estimating procedures are essential for any Seabee. They provide quality construction to the customer. This chapter gives you helpful information for planning, estimating, and scheduling construction projects normally undertaken by Seabees. This information will help you understand the concepts and principles and is NOT intended to be a reference or to establish procedures. Planning, estimating, and scheduling can be done through various techniques. This chapter describes suggested, proven methods that result in effective planning and estimating. Your responsibilities are to decide how and when to apply these techniques.

To plan any project, you must first be familiar with the construction drawings and specifications. The construction of any structure or facility is described by a set of related drawings that gives the Seabees a complete sequential graphic description of each phase of the construction process. In most cases, a set of drawings shows the location of the project, the boundaries, the contours, and the outstanding physical features of the construction site and its adjoining areas. Succeeding drawings give further graphic and printed instructions for each phase of construction.

TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS

Drawings are generally categorized according to their intended purposes. Some of the types of drawings commonly used in military construction are covered in this section.

MASTER PLAN DRAWINGS

MASTER PLAN DRAWINGS are commonly used in the architectural, the topographical, and the construction fields. They show sufficient features to be used as guides in long-range area development. They usually contain section boundary 'lines, horizontal and vertical control data, acreage, locations and descriptions of existing and proposed structures, existing and proposed surfaced and unsurfaced roads and sidewalks, streams, rights-of-way and appurtenances, existing utilities, north point indicator (arrow), contour lines, and profiles. Master plan and general development drawings on existing and proposed Navy installations are maintained and constantly upgraded by the Resident Officer in Charge of Construction (ROICC) and by the Public Works Department (PWD).

PRESENTATION DRAWINGS

PRESENTATIONS DRAWINGS present the proposed building or facility in an attractive setting in its natural surroundings at the proposed site. These often consist of perspective views complete with colors and shading. Presentation drawings are actually used to "sell" an idea or a design concept.

SHOP DRAWINGS

SHOP DRAWINGS are drawings, schedules, diagrams, and other related data used to illustrate a material, a product, or a system for some portion of the work prepared by the construction contractor, subcontractor, manufacturer, distributor, or supplier. Product data include brochures, illustrations, performance charts, and other information by which the work will be judged. As a BU, you may be required to draft shop drawings for minor shop and field projects, but, on the other hand, let the EAs do these drawings.

WORKING DRAWINGS

A WORKING DRAWING (also called project drawing) is any drawing that furnishes the information the craftsmen requires to manufacture a machine part or a builder crew requires to erect a structure; it is prepared from a freehand sketch or a design drawing. Complete information is presented in a set of working