CASE: Improper Project Scheduling Part I a a Background: ABC company is a construction firm with a good track record in building construction. Most of the construction projects built by ABC were finished by the contracted completion date. The success of ABC is based upon the fim philosophy of recruiting good personnel and full support from the head- office administration to on-site operations. The economic boom and construction growth has resulted in more works than the company has experienced before. As a result, inadequate human resources become a big problem. ABC started to recruit many young inexperienced engineers with much potential to become project engineers for many of ABC projects. ABC Organizational Practices A project engineer is completely responsible for on-site operations. Completing the project within the established schedule and specified quality are the major tasks of a project engineer. He has to direct foremen and coordinate sub-contractors to ensure the smoothness of operations. No organizational formal procedures for quality or schedule control are set. Mostly, the on-site planning and control procedures or systems depend upon the project engineer in-charge. Cost control is centralized. On-site management are not responsible for material and equipment cost. Only labor budget cost is transferred to sites for control. Material and equipment procurement is also centralized. A project engineer has to place an order to the head-office procurement department with specified amount of quantity and delivery dates. The selection of all subcontractors for projects are done by the head office managers. Project Information John is a new ABC project engineer in charge of a 20 story high-rise office building being built in Bangkok. Before coming to work with ABC, he has three-year work experience with a good CM consultant firm as a on-site engineer for building construction. His background experiences are more on the technical engineering aspects of building construction such as concrete placing procedures, ground slope protection, etc. John knew his weakness in construction management aspects. He has tried to talk to ABC experienced project engineers and learn from them as often as he could. In this 20 story project, the contract duration is 2 years. Site (excavation, piling, etc.), structural, and masonry works are to be executed by ABC. Other work items will be subcontracted either only labor or all costs depending upon the types of works. John has five foremen and one engineer working with him. Bob and Neil are very senior foremen with a lot of experiences with ABC. Scott and Tom are new foremen with no work experience. Carl is also an experienced senior foreman that John has brought him along from his former company. Dave is a newly graduated engineer that the company send to work with him. Questions Based on the available information, What do you think about the likelihood of completing the project on-time? Please give four good reasons