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Chapter 7
Material Management
Review Questions:
1. Why is effective material management an essential project management function?
2. What type construction materials would a general contractor typically purchase on a
long form purchase order on a project involving the construction of a four-story
structural steel office building?
3. Why are submittals (i.e. shop drawings, product data, or product samples) required from
suppliers? Who reviews these submittals?
4. Why are submittal approvals obtained before the supplier ships the required materials?
5. How would you determine the required delivery date for the glazing system needed to
construct the exterior walls for the NanoEngineering Building?
6. What criteria should a project manager use when selecting a material supplier for a
project?
7. How does the organization of a job site affect material management efficiency on a
construction project?
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8. What is a purchase order? What are its main components? Why should a project
manager keep a purchase order log?
9. Why might a project manager choose to pay suppliers for materials received before
being paid by the project owner?
10. What criteria should the project manager use in selecting material storage areas on a
construction work site?
11. Who is responsible for preparing submittals?
12. Who is responsible for approving submittals?
13. What is the difference between a contract drawing and a shop drawing?
14. List five items that would require a submittal on a wood-frame multi-family construction
project.
15. Why would a contractor not want the design team to completely design an item of work?
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because it reduces the contractor’s degree of freedom to select the most efficient means
and methods of construction or installation. Examples include fire protection system,
small-bore plumbing routing, electrical conduit routing, blocking and backing, concrete
formwork or temporary shoring or scaffold, etc
16. How is a submittal considered part of the quality control process?
17. How is a submittal considered part of the design process?
19. When is the submittal log reviewed?
2. What other materials would your foreman need to build a deck?