project management construction terms

If you're interested in construction project management, taking the time to read through these terms is one of the smartest moves you can make. This list breaks down key industry language in a way that’s easy to understand, giving you the tools to communicate clearly, follow project conversations, and avoid costly misunderstandings. Whether you're just getting started or looking to sharpen your skills, knowing this terminology helps you navigate plans, reports, and meetings with more confidence. It’s not just about learning definitions.

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A –

A2 Survey - An A2 survey is a formal representation of a project’s setbacks, property lines, dimensions, etc., as presented by a licensed surveyor.

Acre -  is a unit of land/area that equals 4,840 square yards or 0.405 hectare.

Adaptive Reuse - This is a process where the existing building is going to be altered and used for a different purpose. Adaptability is the ability to change the space for use beyond the one originally intended.

Aggregate - a raw, natural material used in construction. This material is mined, and it can vary from coarse to medium grained.

Arterial Road -  is a high-capacity urban road. Its main function is to carry longer distance flows between urban centers.

ASTM (American Society of Testing Materials) - is an international standards organization that is developing international standards for materials.

Architect -  a person who designs buildings, advises and supervises their construction.

Architectural drawing - a technical drawing, plan or a sketch of a structure that is going to be built.

Acceleration - Acceleration is additional work, within the same time period, as originally identified by the initial contract.

Acceptance criteria - The specific requirements expected of project deliverables. To be formally accepted, deliverables must meet all acceptance criteria.

Acceptance test - A test in which a team of end users runs a product through its full range of use to identify potential problems.

Acquisition process - This process obtains the personnel and resources necessary for project work. Acquisitions are closely coordinated with project budgets and schedules.

Action item - An activity or task that must be completed.

Action item status - This tracks an action item’s progress from creation to closure. Since work packages comprise multiple action items, keeping action item statuses updated is important for project progress.

Active Layer - The layer of material, sand, earth, gravel, silt, etc. that freezes and thaws in a cold climate above a permanently frozen material.

Active Panel - The panel or sash, that operates by sliding or swinging, on a window or door unit. Normally the active panel is identified with an X on the documents.

Activity - The smallest unit of work necessary to complete a project work package (which includes multiple activities). Time, resources, and finances are required to complete each activity.

Activity code - An alphanumeric value by which activities can be grouped and filtered. A code is assigned to each activity.

Activity identifier - A unique alphanumeric value by which an individual activity can be distinguished. An activity identifier is assigned to each activity.

Activity label - A short descriptor for an activity. Activity labels may be placed below arrows representing activities in activity-on-arrow (AOA) diagrams.

Activity list – A documents containing all the activities necessary to complete a project. Each activity is accompanied by its activity identifier and a description of the work it entails.

Activity-On-Arrow (AOA) - In this network diagram, arrows represent activities and nodes represent events or milestones. AOA diagrams can only indicate finish-to-start relationships.

Activity-On-Node (AON) - In a network diagram of this nature, nodes represent activities and arrows illustrate logical relationships between activities. AON diagrams can illustrate four relationship types: start-to-start, start-to-finish, finish-to-start, and finish-to-finish.

Actual cost of work performed (ACWP) - This represents the total cost incurred for work done in a given period of time.

Actual duration - The length of time taken to complete an activity.

Actual effort - The amount of labor performed to complete an activity. It is expressed in person-hours or similar units of work.

Actual expenditure - The sum of costs paid from a budget.

Actual progress - This measures the amount of work completed on a project. It is used to assess the comparison between project progress and project baselines and is usually stated as a percentage.

Actuator – A piece of equipment that is used as a means of starting a mechanical or electrical process.

ADA - Stands for “American Disabilities Act”. This is the standard that all handicap requirements and stipulations are determined.

ADA Compliant - This is the term that is used when all ADA requirements are completed and properly installed, either within a room, specific area, or the entire structure.

Addendum - This is a formal notification of a change in the project.

Admixture ( masonry ) - Any ingredient used to change certain characteristics of a masonry product or adhesive.

Adaptive project framework (APF) - An approach to project management that rejects traditional, linear project management and instead accepts changing requirements and allows projects to be affected by external business environments. The ADF stresses flexibility in many aspects of project management and focuses on performing and evaluating project work in stages to allow room for replanning due to changing business goals, objectives, and requirements.

Administrative closure - This refers to the set of formal requirements fulfilled to end a project. Among other things, it involves documenting the formal acceptance of deliverables and ensuring that all relevant information is sent to a project’s sponsor and stakeholders.

Aggregate planning - This strategy uses demand forecasts to manage scheduling and planning for project activities between three and 18 months in advance, so that the necessary resources and personnel can be efficiently acquired or assigned.

AFF / Above Finish Floor - Abbreviation used on construction plans and contract documents to indicate an elevation above the finished floor.

Agile - The Agile family of methodologies is a superset of iterative development approaches aimed at meeting ever-changing customer requirements. Agile development proceeds as a series of iterations, or sprints, with incremental improvements made in each sprint. Since agile projects do not have fixed scopes, agile methodologies are adaptive, and the iterative work is guided by user stories and customer involvement.

AHU: Air Handling Unit - A mechanical device that supplies air circulation for heating and cooling.

Air Changes Per Hour - This term is normally used in regard to the energy conservation calculations of a construction project or in the mechanical design of a space.

Air Entrainment - Air entrainment is the insertion of air bubbles into concrete to create a more durable product that has less cracking and better wear capabilities.

Air Gap - This is a common term used to identify a technique for preventing backflow through a pipe.

Allocation - The assigning of resources for scheduled activities in the most efficient way possible. (See also resource allocation)

Allowances – An allocation of funds set aside within a bid or price, for a construction project.

Alternative analysis - The evaluation of possible courses of action for project work in order to find the most suitable course of action.

Analog Information - Analog information is an older, more dated type of means of visually showing a measurement.

Analogous estimating - This technique uses historical project data to prepare time and cost estimates. It is considered the most inaccurate estimation technique. (See also top-down estimating)

Analytical estimating - This technique computes total project time and cost estimates by preparing estimates for each project activity and adding them together. Analytical estimating is considered the most accurate estimation technique. (See also bottom-up estimating)

Anchor Bolts - Fasteners that secure the framing of a structure to the foundation, or anchors other structural components, posts or supports to the surface that they rest upon.

Angle of Repose - The angle of repose is the normal and natural angle that dirt, sand, gravel, stone, or other natural site-work material will take, if left to seek its own equilibrium.

Annunciator Panel - Fire alarm panel that is required in any major construction project that has installed a sophisticated fire alarm system.

Application area - The specific project category of which the project is a part. Application areas can be defined on the basis of project products’ characteristics or applications or by the projects’ customers or stakeholders.

Apportioned effort - Project work associated with components of a work breakdown structure and performed in proportion, with discrete effort. Since the amount of apportioned effort (which includes activities such as quality assurance) depends directly on the amount of discrete effort, it cannot be considered separately from discrete effort. It is one of three types of activities used to measure work performance as part of earned value management.

Apprentice - The first labor tier of learning a trade.

Approach analysis - During the project planning phase, this type of analysis is used to examine the various methods by which a project’s goals may be achieved.

Apron -  The decorative piece of trim located under the window sill on the interior of the structure.

Architect -  a licensed professional who is qualified to design and provide advice - both aesthetic and technical - on built objects in our public and private sector.

Architect of Record (AOR) - the person who’s name or firms name that appears on the building permits for a specific construction project.

Area of Refuge - An established area for occupants of a building to congregate, if an emergency should occur, such as a fire.

Argon Gas - The gas used between panes of glass to further the insulating qualities of the sandwiched glass panels.

Arrow diagramming method (ADM) - A method of constructing a network diagram that uses arrows to represent activities and nodes to represent events or milestones. The ADM is used to construct activity-on-arrow (AOA) diagrams.

Artifact - Items that support software development. Artifacts include both items associated with the process of development, such as project plans, and items used to support actual aspects of development, such as use cases and requirements.

As-Built – The end result of a new installation or renovation captured in a final set of construction documents.

As-Equal - A substitute or replacement product presentation, in substitution of an established specification requirement.

Assembly - An assortment of devices or products, that are linked together to have a specific purpose.

Assignment contouring - The process of assigning people to project work for changing numbers of hours per day as the project moves through different stages. Assignment contouring is typically done using project management software.

Assumption - Factors deemed to be true during the project planning process, though proof of their validity is not available. A project’s assumptions can affect its risks and outcomes, so you must consider them carefully.

Astragal - Refers to a trim piece that covers the interface of assembled window or door units.

Authentic Divided Lites (ADL) - The separation of glass panels within a door or window unit.

Authorization - In general, authorization is the power to make decisions that the management grants. The specific remit for authorization varies on a case-by-case basis.

Authorized work - Work that management or others in authority approve.

Automatic Temperature Controls – Devices that control heating and cooling, as well as ventilation, automatically, based upon thermostats or other devices that register heat and cooling.

Avoid - A response to a negative risk that seeks to ensure the risk does not occur or (if the risk cannot be eliminated) seeks to protect the project objectives from the negative risk’s impact. (See also risk avoidance)

Awning Window - A window unit that includes the hinging of a window sash at the top of the window frame, allowing the opening to the exterior to resemble an awning when the window is opened.

B - Project Management in Construction

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

Balance - A phase in the portfolio life cycle that involves balancing a portfolio’s components based on risk, costs, and use of resources. It is an aspect of organizational project management. (See also portfolio balancing)

Balconette -  is a false balcony. It consists of railing at the outer plane of a window-opening reaching to the floor.

Baseboard - is a board made of wood, pvc, or other rigid material used to cover the lowest part of the wall, touching the floor. The size of a baseboard can range from 2” to 8”.

Bay window - This type of window is projecting outwards from the wall. This term is used for all protruding window structures, no matter if they are angular or round.

Bar chart - A diagrammed calendar schedule of project activities’ start and end dates in logical order. (See also Gantt chart)

Baseline – (In scheduling)  The Baseline schedule is a projected schedule, based on information that is known to date.

Beam – A beam is a horizontal structural member in a structure to resist the lateral loads applied to the beam’s axis.

Benefits realization -This term focuses on ensuring that project results give customers and stakeholders the benefits they expect.

Best Value Method – A method used to award a contractor(s) based on quality of work, work performance, and price from previous work completed.  

Bid -  Price proposal typically based on the design specification and documents.

Bid Package -  Construction documents where the pertinent portions of information are placed into a suitable bidding package by the contractor.

Bid-Hit Ratio – is the ratio a company successfully bids and wins the bid on a construction project.

Bid Package -  Construction documents where the pertinent information is placed into a bidding package by the contractor.

Bid Selection -  The process of examining and comparing contractors’ bids to select the right one based on price and services provided.

Bid Solicitation -  Notifying potential bidders regarding a bid opportunity as it may be a request to submit a bid or obtain a request for proposals.

Bill of Quantities (BOQ) – is an itemized list of labor and materials required to complete a construction project.

BIM (Building Information Modeling) - is the process of creating and managing 3D, 4D, and 5D information for a construction project across multiple disciplines used to model structures, buildings, roadways, railways, and bridges.

Blocking –refers to using any type of framed construction to backup an installation on a ceiling, wall or floor.

Blueprint - A 2-dimensional method used to copy large architectural and construction drawings.

BMS or Building Management System - is an overarching control system that is responsible for the automatic regulation and control of facility subsystems, maintaining predefined parameters.

Bottom-Up estimating - This calculation computes total time and cost estimates for projects by preparing individual estimates for each of a project’s activities and adding them together. Bottom-up estimating is considered the most accurate estimation technique. (See also analytical estimating)

Box Cribbing - Blocking used for stabilization and support for heavy objects during construction. Box crib is an arrangement of stacked wood.

Budget - The sum of money allocated for a project. The term may also refer to a comprehensive list of revenues and expenses.

Budgeted cost of work performed (BCWP) - The portion of the budget allocated to scheduled work actually performed in a period of time. (See also earned value)

Budgeted cost of work scheduled (BCWS) - The portion of the budget allocated to work scheduled to be performed in a period of time. (See also planned value)

Building Department

Building engineer - is an expert in structural engineering.

Building Permit - An official approval document issued by the local government agency that allows a contractor to proceed with either construction or remodeling project on a desired property.

Business analysis - The practice of identifying and solving business problems.

Business case - A documentation of the potential outcomes of a new project, including benefits, cost, and effects.

Business imperative - An issue, situation, or circumstance with the potential to affect a business positively or negatively, depending on the course of action used to address it.

Business model - The system by which an organization’s profitable activities are planned, structured, and executed, and by which it interacts with its customers.

Business operations - The entire ensemble of activities or business processes through which a company uses its assets to create value for its customers.

Business process - A system of activities by which a business creates a specific result for its customers.

Business requirements - The conditions a product must satisfy to effectively serve its purpose within a business.

Business value - The business value of a project is the sum of positive effects — tangible and intangible — it has on the business.

C – Project Management Construction Terms

CAD (Computer Aided Design) – software used to assist in creating and manipulating designs.

Cant - An angled surface or line that cuts a corner off. used on roof surfaces to divert rain-water from settling in a corner.

Case Study – Formal research created to generate an in-depth understanding of a complex situation.

Catastrophic Failure – a complete and sudden failure of a component or components that results in a total system failure.

Cathedral Ceiling -  is a tall and symmetrical type of ceiling with the peak in the center.

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) - This is an entry-level certification for project managers offered by the Project Management Institute. It is designed to build knowledge of project management processes and terms.

Change control - Change control is the process of identifying, evaluating, approving, and implementing changes to a project.

Change control board - An appointed group of stakeholders who evaluate proposed changes and decide when and whether to make them.

Change control system/process - The process by which changes to the project are evaluated before approval, implemented, and documented.

Change freeze - The point at which scope changes to a project are no longer permissible.

Change management  -  is created to ensure all changes are managed according to procedure.

Change request - A formal document submitted to the change control board that requests changes to the finalized project management plan.

Charter – a formal short document that states a project exists and provides project managers with written authority to begin work.

Client/Customer - The people who will directly benefit from a project. A team executes a project with specific attention to a client’s requirements.  

Closing Phase - The final phase of the project management life cycle, in which all aspects of the project are officially completed and closed.

Code of accounts - An alphanumeric system used to assign unique identifiers to all work breakdown structure components.

Coffered Ceiling – is an architectural term used to describe a type of indented ceiling.

Collaboration - is when more than one team or persons work together.

Collaborative negotiation - Collaborative negotiation entails all negotiating parties obtaining at least some of what they want from negotiations.

Communications log - This document is used to track all project-related communications.

Communications management plan – A plan that states who will send and receive information on aspects of the project, what details are communicated, and when communications are sent.

Communities of practice - Groups of people who share an area of interest within project management.

Competence - The ability and knowledge required to perform the tasks associated with a specific role.

Competence framework - The set of competence expectations by which one assesses a person’s suitability for a specific role.

Concept - The beginning phase of the project management life cycle.

Conceptual project planning - Conceptual project planning involves developing the documentation from which a project’s organization and control system will originate.

Concrete -  is a material used in construction. It is composed of aggregate bonded together with cement.

Concrete Cover -  Reinforced concrete as it is the least distance between the outer concrete surface and the reinforcement.

Concrete Slab -  A horizontal platform used to construct the ceiling or the floor of the building.

Concurrent engineering - A product development approach where design and development are carried out at the same time.

Configuration - Configuration of a product involves shaping its functions and characteristics to make it suitable for customer use.

Configuration management - Configuration management ensures that the product of a project meets all necessary specifications and stipulations.

Consensus - A decision agreed upon by all members of a group.

Constraint - A limitation on a project. Among other things, constraints may be financial or based on time or resource availability.

Constructability - Constructability is a concept used in complex hard projects to assess and examine the entire construction process before beginning construction.

Construction - The process by which a team builds infrastructure.

Construction Build Out - Changing or modifying the existing commercial space to make it usable for business functions.

Construction Drawings - The final preconstruction drawings of the whole building.

Construction Estimate - Forecasting the construction costs for the building as it may be used to determine the feasibility of the project.

Construction Management – a professional service that provides a project's owner(s) with effective management of the project's schedule, cost, quality, safety, scope, and function.

Construction Management Software -  enables construction managers to improve project efficiency, scheduling, oversight, and task assignment.

Consumable resource - A nonrenewable resource that cannot be used once consumed.

Contingency plan - An alternative or additional course of action planned in anticipation of the occurrence of specific risks.

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.

Contract administration - The process by which a team manages a relationship with a contracting party.

Contract closeout - The process of determining whether the terms of a contract were completed successfully and of settling any remaining terms.

Contract Formation – A contract in the construction industry that indicates the offer and the acceptance between to agreeing parties as the agreement is signed.

Corrective action - A step taken to bring work back into alignment with performance expectations after it has failed to meet expectations.

Cost baseline - The sum of work package estimates, contingency reserve, and other associated costs by which project performance is assessed.

Cost Codes - Codes used to track budgets and expenses of labor activities.

Cost engineering - The application of scientific and engineering principles to several aspects of cost management.

Cost management plan - This plan details how project costs will be planned, funded, and controlled. It is a part of the project management plan.

Cost of quality - The cost associated with ensuring project quality. This cost may mean the difference between unacceptable and acceptable project results.

Cost overrun - A cost overrun occurs when unexpected costs cause a project’s actual cost to go beyond budget.

Cost performance index - A cost performance index measures the cost efficiency of a project by calculating the ratio of earned value to actual cost.

Cost Plus Contract -  A contract where the contractor is paid for all of their allowed expenses as well as an additional profit payment.

Cost plus fixed fee contract (CPFC) - Under a cost-plus fixed fee contract, the seller is reimbursed for costs incurred and paid a predetermined fixed fee.

Cost plus incentive fee contract (CPIF) - Under a cost-plus incentive fee contract, the seller is reimbursed for costs incurred and paid an additional fee if they meet performance criteria specified in the contract.

Cost plus percentage of cost contract (CPPC) - Under a cost-plus percentage of cost contract, the seller is reimbursed for costs incurred and paid an additional amount equal to a percentage of the costs incurred if they meet performance criteria specified in the contract.

Cost reimbursable contract - A cost reimbursable contract is a contract under which a seller is reimbursed for costs incurred and paid an additional sum as per a predetermined agreement as profit.

Cost variance - The Cost variance of a project is its earned value minus its actual cost.

Cost/schedule impact analysis - A cost/schedule impact analysis determines the effects of a particular change on a project’s cost or schedule.

Course – a descriptive term used when explaining the arrangement of Concrete blocks, stones or bricks in a continuous masonry row.

Crashing the Schedule - Is a scheduling compression technique used to increase the rate of speed of each critical path activity to complete a project in a shorter amount of time

Critical path activity - A scheduled activity that is part of a project’s critical path.

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.

Critical success factor - A critical success factor is an aspect of a project that is crucial to the success of the project.

Criticality index - Each project activity is assigned a percentage called a criticality index, which is a measure of how frequently it is a critical activity in project simulations.

Cross-Bracing -  Reinforcements in an X-shape that provides enhanced durability to a structure.

Crown molding -  is a decorative element between ceiling and walls. It is a trim that separates the walls and ceiling and gives a finished look.

CSI - Construction Specifications Institute -  creates construction language standards for building specification.

Cul-de-sac -  is a dead-end street but is known to have a circular turn-around.

Current finish date -  The most up-to-date estimate of when an activity will finish.

Current start date - The most up-to-date estimate of when an activity will start.

Current state - A detailed representation of current business processes that is used as a point of comparison for efforts to analyze and improve processes’ efficiency, effectiveness, and outputs.

D – Project Management Construction Terms

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

Daily Report - report that documents materials installed, crew information, safety incidents and work completed as the document is created by the foreman at the end of each day.

Damp Proofing -  A procedure used to keep the drywall interior dry and to prevent moisture absorption.

Decomposition - The hierarchical breaking down of project deliverables into smaller components that are easier to plan and manage.

Defect -

Defect repair - An action taken to remedy a product that is nonfunctional or does not match expectations or requirements.

Define - The phase in the portfolio life cycle in which projects, programs, and any organizational changes needed to realize strategic objectives are identified and examined.

Deliverable - A final product or product component that must be provided to a client or stakeholder according to contractual stipulations.

Demolition - The act of knocking something down or destroying it.

Demolition Permit - a legal document that provides you with the right to demolish any structure that requires a building permit to construct.

Demountable - Architectural products used to construct enclosed environments, that can be detached.

Demountable Partitions - Wall systems that can be removed and reinstalled into a different configuration based on the current and future needs of your business.

Dependency - A logical relationship between project activities in a network diagram that determines when a dependent activity may begin.

Design-Build - a method of project delivery in which one entity - the design-build team - works under a single contract with the project owner to provide design and construction services.

Diagrid - Structure reinforcement technique using steel beams placed in diagonal grids.

Dimension – refers to the measurement or distance between two points.

Discrete effort - Project work directly associated with components of a work breakdown structure.

Discretionary dependency - The preferred way to sequence activities when there is no logical limitation on how they must be ordered.

Drawdown - A method used to exercise control on the release of project funds.

Dropped ceiling - is a secondary ceiling that is just below the main, structural ceiling. Its main purpose is to hide building infrastructure, like pipes and wires.

Drywall - also known as plasterboard, wallboard, gyp-board, is a panel made from gypsum wrapped in cardboard. It is used to cover the interior walls and ceilings.

Dummy activity - In activity-on-arrow diagrams, where arrows represent activities, dummy activities show logical relationships between activities.

Duration - The amount of time taken to complete an activity or task from start to finish.

Duration compression - Duration compression techniques shorten a project’s duration without reducing its scope.

E – Project Management Construction Terms

Early finish date - The earliest time by which a scheduled project activity can logically finish.

Early start date - The earliest time by which a scheduled project activity can logically start.

Easement -  is an agreement between two parties, where one is granted the right to use someone else’s real estate for a specific purpose.

Effort - The amount of labor needed to complete a task. It is measured in person-hours or similar units.

Elevations - are two dimensional drawings that show the height, length, width and appearance of a building or a structure.

Encasement -  To encase underground pipes in concrete or when encasing hazardous materials that have been installed.

Enclosure - is any part of a structure that physically separates interior from exterior.

End user - The person or persons who will eventually use the product of a project. Products are designed with end users in mind.

Enterprise modeling - Enterprise modeling is the creation of a model to represent an organization’s structure, processes, and resources.

Estimate - The process of calculating all of the required costs for a construction project, including direct costs (e.g. materials and worker wages) and indirect costs (e.g. equipment depreciation and office worker salaries).

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.

Estimation - The use of estimating techniques to reach approximations of unknown values.

Execution phase - The execution phase begins after activity approval and is the phase in which the team executes the project plan.

External dependency - An outside relationship that affects the completion of a project activity.

F,G  – Project Management Construction Terms

Façade -  is the external part of the building, the ‘face’ of the building.

Fallback plan - A predetermined alternative course of action adopted if a risk occurs and  a contingency plan proves unsuccessful in avoiding the risk’s impact.

Falsework -  A temporary structure used to support an arch or bridge during the construction or repair process.

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.  

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.   

Field Measure – On-site measurements taken throughout the project’s life span to verify  the accuracy of the work being completed.

Field Work Order – is a document that lists the assigned tasks to a contractor noting what needs to be completed.

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.

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

Fixed formula method – A method that calculates earned value in a given period of time by splitting a work package budget between the start and completion milestones of a work package.

Fixed price contract (FPC) - A fixed price contract pays an agreed-upon fee and does not incorporate other variables, such as time and cost.

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

Fixed work - A task in which the amount of effort required is fixed.

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

Floor area ratio (FAR) -  is the ratio between a structure’s floor area in relation to the size of the lot/parcel that the structure is located on.

Floorplan - A 2D floor plan is a type of diagram that shows the layout of a property or space from above.

Floor Plan - Drawing of the building’s layout as it provides details of each room space from an above view.

Flowchart - A diagram that lays out the complete sequence of steps in a process or procedure.

Focused improvement - An improvement strategy based on the theory of constraints.

Following Up – the practice of checking

Footing - The footing is the structural part of the foundation. Its purpose is to transfer the load to the larger area on soil.

Forecast - A prediction or estimation of future project status based on available information.

Foreman -  The leading supervisor at the construction site who is in charge of the work crews.

Formal acceptance - The step at which authorized stakeholders sign off on a product, indicating that it meets their expectations.

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

Foundation -  the lowest part of the structure, it is typically underground. It is essential in building a structure since it is the main supporting component.

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

Functional manager - The individual in charge of all activities carried out by a particular functional department within an organization.

Functional organization - An organization which organizes and manages staff members in groups based on specialty areas.

Functional requirements - The working characteristics of a product. These are based on how end users will use the product.

Future state - A detailed representation of the ideal condition of a company’s business processes after improvement.

Gantt chart - A type of bar chart that shows all the tasks constituting a project.

Gate - An end-of-phase checkpoint at which decisions are made regarding whether and how to continue with the project. (See also phase gate)

General Contractor - a person who is in charge of the building process. His responsibility is to oversee the entire construction project.

Girder -  a large iron or steel beam, which supports other smaller beams.

Go/No go - A point in a project at which it is decided whether to continue with the work.

Goal - An objective set by an individual or an organization. It is a desired endpoint reached by setting and working towards targets.

Goal setting - The process of creating specific, measurable, and attainable goals and of setting deadlines for these goals if desired.

Gold plating - The practice of incorporating features and improvements that go beyond a product’s agreed-upon characteristics.

Governance - The structure by which roles and relationships between project team members and an organization’s high-level decision makers are defined.

Green Wall - a vertical structure that is intentionally covered with plants and vegetation. They are also called living walls or vertical gardens.

GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price) -  A contract where the contractor is paid for the actual costs that are incurred in addition to a fixed fee that has a price ceiling cap.

H, I, J, and K - Project Management Construction Terms

Handover - In the project life cycle, a handover is the point at which deliverables are given to users.

Hanger - An unplanned break in a network path, usually caused by oversights regarding activities or dependent relationships between activities.

High-Level requirements - The high-level requirements explain the major requirements and characteristics of the final product, including its purpose as a product and within the company.

Historical information - Data from past projects used in the planning of future projects.

Historic District - is a part of the city where a group of buildings/structures form a historically or architecturally significant area.

HLE – High Level Estimate – An initial rough assessment of a projects cost for budgetary purposes.  

Homeowners Associations (HOA) - Volunteers from within the neighborhood who manage the common areas and community property.

Human Scale - In architecture, the human scale is the proportion between human dimensions and space.

Human resource –

HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Cooling)  - refers to different technologies and systems that are used to regulate and move air from outside to inside, and throughout residential and commercial buildings.

Information distribution - The channels used to provide stakeholders with timely information and updates regarding a project.

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

Inputs - The information required to start the project management process.

Inspection - The process of reviewing and examining the final product to assess compliance to initial requirements and expectations.

Insulation - is a  material that prevents and acts as a barrier for transmission of heat, sound and moisture. It is usually used to keep heat and sound inside of the structure, and to keep the moisture outside of it.

Integration - Bringing together all involved in the delivery of a project so that they work in unison towards a common goal.

Integrated Labor Deliver - A construction model where the project labor is brought in at the design phase as subcontractors perform roughly 80% to 100% of the labor.

Integrated Product Delivery (IPD) -  A construction model where a single multi-party contract is established between the owner, architect and builder.

Invitation for bid - An invitation for expressions of interest that a procuring organization extends. (See also request for proposal)

ISO 10006 - A set of quality-management guidelines for projects. It is a standard created by the International Organization for Standardization.

Issue - Anything that can cause problems for a project. The term typically refers to major problems that cannot be tackled by the project team on their own.

Issue log - Project issues and the persons responsible for resolving them. It may also include issue status, plans for resolution, and resolution deadlines.

Job Costing - Accounting method used to track construction work that is completed and measure whether the amount of activity aligns to the project budget.

Joint -  A construction interface between two separate building elements that do not have a physical connection to each other but may overlap or align to the other element.

Joist - Horizontal structural members used to connect to beams perpendicularly to frame an open area.

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

Key performance indicator (KPI) - A Key performance indicator is a metric for measuring project success. Key performance indicators are established before project execution begins.

Knee wall -  a short vertical wall, usually under 3 feet high. Knee walls are used to support the rafters on your roof.

L – Project Management Construction Terms

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

Landscape –

Landscaping - is planning, laying out and construction of gardens that enhance the appearance and create usable space for outdoor activities around a home.

Late finish date - The latest possible date a scheduled activity can be completed without delaying the rest of the project.

Late start date - The latest possible date a scheduled activity can be started without delaying the rest of the project.

Lean Construction -  A construction methodology where all stakeholders share relationships and goals to manage the project to reduce waste while maximizing the project’s value.

Lease-leaseback -  A project delivery method where a property will lease a site to a contractor who will construct a building to be used by the entity.

Lien -  A property claim made by the contractor against the owner when they are not paid for the completed work.

Lift Slab Construction - is a construction method where the concrete slabs are cast on top of the previous slab. The cured slab is then raised up to its destination by using hydraulic jacks.  

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

Lessons learned - The sum of knowledge gained from project work, which can be used as references and points of interest for future projects.

Level is measurement of straightness, level means that something is perfectly horizontally straight. Level also refers to an instrument that helps you determine if something is horizontally straight.

Level of effort - Work that is not directly associated with components of a work breakdown structure but that can instead be thought of as support work. Examples of

Load-bearing wall -  (also called a bearing-wall) is a type of wall that supports the weight or a portion of the weight of the structure above.

Logic network - A chronologically arranged diagram that shows relationships between project activities.

Logical relationship - A dependency between project activities or between project activities and milestones.

Lot is a specific piece of land, a parcel, of any size, that is owned or is meant to be owned by someone.

Low Bid Procurement -  A construction bidding method where the lowest bid is automatically accepted and awarded the job.

Lump Sum Contract - A contract where a single price is quoted for the entire construction project.

M – Project Management Construction Terms

Management - The act of overseeing planning, personnel, and resources to achieve a goal.

Management process - The act of planning and executing a project or process to meet a defined set of objectives or goals.

Master project - A master project file comprises a number of smaller projects, called subprojects, arranged hierarchically.

Matrix organization - Employees in a matrix organization report to more than one boss, with different lines of reporting representing different organizational projects or functions.

Maturity model - Maturity is the extent to which an organization’s methods, processes, and decisions are standardized and optimized.

Meeting Agenda – A list of topics to discuss during a meeting.

Meeting Minutes – Notes taken during a meeting to record meaningful discussions, decisions, and key takeaways.

Megaproject - A complex, large-scale, and high-investment project. Only hard projects may be termed megaprojects.

Merge point - A point in a network diagram at which multiple predecessor activities culminate in a single successor activity.

Milestone - Milestones indicate specific progress points or events in project timelines. They mark progress needed to complete projects successfully.

Milestone schedule - A milestone schedule details the time relationships associated with project milestones.

Mission statement - A concise enunciation of the goals of an activity or organization

Masonry - is building structures from individual units (brick, concrete blocks, clay, and stone) that are bound together with mortar.

Moling - A pneumatically driven device inserted into the ground to create holes for construction elements such as pipes and heat pump systems.

Mortar - is a building material, which is used for binding building blocks. It is a paste that is made from sand, cement and water.

Monolithic Construction - A construction method that uses precast concrete panels which are bolted together to make concrete structures.

Motivation - A reason or stimulus that makes a person behave in a certain manner.

Murphy’s Law - Murphy’s Law — “What can go wrong will go wrong.” — is cited in project management as a reason to plan adequately for contingencies.

N - Project Management Construction Terms

Negative variance - The amount by which actual project performance is worse than planned project performance.

Negotiation - A discussion to resolve an issue between parties. Negotiations can take place at any point during an activity and may be formal or informal.

Negotiated Procurement - A government procurement method where a contractor is chosen without formal price competition or formal advertising.

Net present value (NPV) - Net present value is a concept that compares the present value of a unit of currency to its inflation-adjusted possible value in the future.

Network Path - In a schedule network diagram, a network path is a logically connected continuous series of activities.

Node - In a network diagram, a node is a point at which dependency lines meet. In activity-on-node diagrams, nodes represent activities.

Nonlinear management (NLM) - Nonlinear management refers broadly to management practices which emphasize flexibility, self-organization, and adaptation to changing circumstances

Non load bearing wall – is a type of wall that does not support any structural weight of the building or structure. It is primarily constructed to separate rooms or areas.

O - Project Management Construction Terms

Objective - A clear, concise statement about what an activity is meant to accomplish.

Operations and maintenance - Operations and maintenance is the stage at which a project or system is handed over to staff who will put it into full operation and carry out routine maintenance.

Opportunity - In project management, an opportunity is a possibility that can contribute to project objectives. Opportunities in project management are classified as a type of risk.

Opportunity cost - The opportunity cost of a particular course of action is the loss of potential gains from all alternative courses of action.

Optimistic duration - An estimate of the shortest length of time needed to complete a specific activity or task.

Organization - A formally structured arrangement of parties that actively pursues a collective purpose.

Output - In project management, it is the product of a process.

Overall change control - The evaluation, coordination, and management of project-related changes.

P – Project Management Construction Terms

Pay Application - A construction document that details how the contractor will be paid.

Paneling  - a decorative covering process where the walls are covered with panels that are usually made of wood.

Parametric estimating - A technique for estimating cost and duration based on using historical data to establish relationships between variables.

Percent complete - The percent complete indicates the amount of work completed on an activity as a percentage of the total amount of work required.

Performance Gap -  A performance gap is an instance where the expected work progress does not match the results that are given.

Performance measurement baseline - A measurement utilizing the schedule, cost, and scope baselines to create a point of comparison by which project performance is assessed.

Performance reporting - Formally informing stakeholders about a project's current performance and future performance forecasts.

Phase - A distinct stage in a project life cycle.

Pillar - vertical structural elements. They are used for support, they carry the weight of roofs or other structures.

Planned value (PV) - The budget assigned to the work it is meant to accomplish. (See also budgeted 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.

Plumb -  is a line, structure, or feature that is perfectly vertical.

Portfolio - A collectively managed set of programs and projects.

Portfolio manager - The individual responsible for balancing and controlling a portfolio in line with concepts of organizational project management.

Positive variance - The amount by which actual project performance is better than planned project performance.

Precast Concrete - Concrete elements created offsite that are transported to the construction site for final assembly.

Precedence- a term which identifies the order in which the various contract documents are prioritized when resolving a conflict or ambiguity within a contract document.

Predecessor activity - In a schedule, a predecessor activity logically comes immediately before another activity, which is dependent on the predecessor.

Preventive action - A step taken to ensure future work does not stray from performance expectations.

Probability and impact matrix - A visual framework for categorizing risks based on their probability of occurrence and impact.

Problem statement - A problem statement concisely states and describes an issue that needs to be solved. It is used to focus and direct problem-solving efforts.

Process - A process is a repeatable sequence of activities with known inputs and outputs. Processes consume energy.

Process architecture - The sum of structures, components, and relationships that constitute a process system, which is a complex system of processes.

Process management - The act of planning, coordinating, and overseeing processes with a view to improving outputs, reducing inputs and energy costs, and maintaining and improving efficiency and efficacy.

Procurement - the process of securing products and services needed to complete a construction project on time and within budget.

Product breakdown structure (PBS) - A product breakdown structure is used in project management to record and communicate all project deliverables in a hierarchical tree structure.

Product description - A product description defines and describes a project product and its purpose. (See also high-level requirements)

Product verification - Product verification involves examining a deliverable to ensure, among other things, that it meets requirements, quality benchmarks, and expectations set by the product description.

Professional development unit (PDU) - A continuing education unit that project management professionals (PMPs) take to maintain certification.

Program - A collectively managed set of projects.

Program charter - An approved document that authorizes the use of resources for a program and connects its management with organizational objectives.

Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) - PERT is a statistical method used to analyze activity and project durations.

Program management - The collective management of programs and their components in line with concepts of organizational project management.

Program manager - A program manager has formal authority to manage a program and is responsible for meeting its objectives as part of organizational project management methods.

Progress analysis - The measurement of progress against performance baselines. Progress analysis collects information about the status of an activity that may prompt corrective action.

Progressive elaboration - The practice of adding and updating details in a project management plan.

Project - A temporary, goal-driven effort to create a unique output.

Project accounting - In project management, project accounting deals with reporting on the financial status of projects.

Project baseline - Comprises the budget and schedule allocations set during the initiation and planning phases of a project.

Project Budget - Is a formally approved itemized list of all the predictable costs and expenses to complete a construction project.

Project Calendar - Indicates a period of time for scheduled project work.

Project charter - A document that details the scope, organization, and objectives of a project.

Project cost management (PCM) - The use of an information system to estimate, measure, and control costs through the project life cycle.

Project definition - A document created by a project manager and approved by a project sponsor that details the scope, organization, and objectives of a project.

Project Manager - The person tasked with initiating, planning, executing, and closing a project, and with managing all aspects of project performance through these phases.

Project management office - An organizational unit that oversees project management-related activities within an organization.

Project management process - A management process that encompasses all phases of a project, from initiation to the meeting of objectives.

Project management professional (PMP) - A Project management professional (PMP) is a person certified by the Project Management Institute upon completion of a course of formal education, an examination, and a certain number of hours managing projects.

Project management simulators - Software training tools that teach project management skills via interactive learning and provide real-time feedback by which project management trainees can practice and reassess their decision making.

Project management software - Project management software is a family of tools typically used in the management of complex projects.

Project management triangle – Also known as the Iron Triangle, is a visual metaphor that demonstrates the relationships between scope, cost, and schedule.

Project network - A visual representation of the activities and dependencies involved in the successful completion of a project.

Project performance indicators - Measures used to assess project performance, usually with reference to project or performance baselines. These typically include cost, schedule, and scope statuses.

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.

Project Planning - Is the longest phase of the project management life cycle that involves determining cost, schedule, and scope baselines and using these to create a detailed roadmap for executing project activities and producing deliverables.

Project Portfolio Management (PPM) - is the strategic approach that lets construction companies analyze and optimize their performance, ROI, resources, and processes.

Project Schedule Network Diagram - A visual representation of how scheduled project activities are ordered and related.

Project Scope - a detailed outline of all aspects of a project, including all related activities, resources, timelines, and deliverables, as well as the project's boundaries.

Project Stakeholder – Any party who is involved and may impact the project’s outcome.

Project Team - Is responsible for leading and collectively managing a project and its related activities through the project’s life cycle.

Project Timeline - Clearly outlines the construction schedule, the project duration, and the time it will take for each stage of a construction project to be completed.

Proof of concept - A concept derived from a pilot project or experiment that examines whether an activity can be completed, or a concept can be realized. It shows the feasibility of an idea.

Proport - The term proport is used to define the sum of unique skills that team members bring to a project.

Public-Private-Partnership - A project delivery method where a government agency and a private sector company collaborate to fund, build and maintain construction projects as the private generates income from the project.

Punch List -  A document listing construction work that does not meet the customer’s specifications. It is made at the end of the project as the contractor needs to complete the job to receive the payment.

Purchase Orders (PO) -  In construction, a purchase order is a document from the buyer that indicates their intent to purchase services and products from the seller, such as a supplier.

 Purlin - A horizontal and longitudinal beam used on the roof structure to support the rafters.

Punch List -  is a document listing everything that has not yet been completed or does not meet the customer’s specifications.

Q – Project Management Construction Terms

Qualitative risk analysis - A project management technique that subjectively analyzes risk probability and impact.

Quality - The measure of a deliverable degree of excellence.

Quality assurance - A set of practices designed to monitor processes and provide confidence that result in deliverables meeting quality expectations

Quality control - The use of standardized practices to ensure that deliverables meet stakeholder expectations.

Quality management plan - A quality management plan identifies stakeholders’ quality expectations and details quality assurance and quality control policies to monitor results and meet these expectations.

Quality planning - Quality planning involves identifying expected quality standards and creating mechanisms to ensure these standards are met. It may also recommend corrective action if quality standards are not being met.

Quality Assurance - is a systemic plan implemented to track and ensure the project is completed up to certain quality standards.

Quality Control - Is a process by which materials and completed work is evaluated to ensure everything is up to an established quality standard.

Quality Management Plan - is a detailed outline of the quality standards of stakeholders, the quality assurance process, and the quality control policies that will be used to complete a project.

Quality Planning - outlines the expected quality standards that will be adhered to during a construction project.

Quantitative risk analysis - The mathematical analysis of risk probability and impact.

R - Project Management Construction Terms

Rafter - is a part of roof construction, it is a structural element usually made of wooden beams that frame out the roof and connect to the exterior walls.

Rebar – are reinforcement bars embedded in poured concrete to strengthen the tensile strength of the structure.

Reengineering - Reengineering involves the extensive redesign or rethinking of core processes to achieve major performance improvements.

Reinforced Concrete -  is a type of concrete in which metal bars, steel or wires are embedded, to strengthen it.

Release - In IT project management, a release is a fully functional software delivered to a customer as agreed, typically after a series of iterations.

Remote team - A remote team’s members work in collaboration, usually electronically, from different geographic locations.

Rendering - is a process in construction where you put a cement mixture on the walls (usually exterior walls) to make them smooth or textured as desired.

Repeatable - The term repeatable is used to describe a sequence of activities that may be easily and efficiently replicated.

Request for proposal - A formal invitation for expressions of interest that is extended by an organization looking to procure goods or services.

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.

Request for tender (RTT) - a formal and structured invitation to suppliers to submit competitive bids to supply raw materials, products, or services.

Requirements - A set of stipulations regarding project deliverables.

Residual risk - Any risks that have not or cannot be addressed by risk mitigation or risk avoidance procedures.

Resource Allocation – An analysis of the most efficient way to assign resources to teams and tasks during a construction project.

Resource Availability – The determination by assessing which resources are available or attainable on time for construction project completion.

Resource Breakdown Structure - is a comprehensive list of all resources that will be needed to complete the construction process.

Resource Calendar - outlines when resources will be available.

Resource Leveling - Occurs when contractors adjust the project schedule to keep certain resource use below a set limit.

Resource loading profiles - Indicate the number and type of personnel required to do project work over periods of time.

Resources - The elements needed for a project to successfully meet its objectives. Examples of resources include equipment, staff, locations, facilities, and money.

Retainage - The sum of money withheld from a contract payment until completion of the contract according to terms.

Return on investment (ROI) - The expected financial gain of a project expressed as a percentage of total project investment.

RFI (Request for Information) - This preliminary document contains general information about the capabilities provided by potential vendors or suppliers.

RFP (Request for Proposal) - A document request to vendors to obtain an overview of their costs and offerings for specific services.

RFQ (Request for Quote) - A document featuring predetermined specifications for the project as it requests the vendor’s costs to fulfill these specifications.

Rim Joist -  In flooring, a rim joist is attached to the end of the main joists to give lateral support.

Risk - The probability of occurrence of a specific event that affects the pursuit of objectives. Risks are not negative by definition.

Risk acceptance - Risk acceptance involves acknowledging a risk and not taking preemptive action against it.

Risk appetite - The amount and type of risk an organization is willing to accept in anticipation of gains.

Risk assessment - An activity that involves identifying possible risks to a project and examining how these risks, if they occur, would affect objectives.

Risk avoidance - Risk avoidance focuses on avoiding threats that can harm an organization, its projects, or assets.

Risk breakdown structure - A hierarchical model of all risks, arranged categorically.

Risk category - A set of risks grouped by cause.

Risk efficiency - A concept based on the idea of maximizing the return-to-risk ratio.

Risk enhancement - Risk enhancement involves increasing the probability of an opportunity, or positive risk, occurring.

Risk exploitation - Risk exploitation focuses on ensuring that an opportunity, or positive risk, occurs.

Risk identification - The process of identifying and examining risks and their effects on project objectives.

Risk management - is a process of identifying all risks that could occur on a project and assessing their potential to cause delays and other problems and provides an overview of how to keep risks from impacting project goals.

Risk mitigation - strategy is designed for every identified risk and outlines a plan for reducing, minimizing, or working around a known risk to avoid negative impacts or the risk becoming actual.

Risk monitoring and control - The risk monitoring and control process uses a risk management plan to identify risks and implement appropriate risk responses.

Risk Owner - is responsible for tracking and managing a particular risk.

Risk Register - A risk register, or risk log, is a tool used to chronicle risky situations and risk responses as they arise.

Risk Response Owner - A risk owner monitors a specific type of risk and implements appropriate risk responses when necessary. (See also risk owner)

Risk response planning - Risk response planning is typically conducted after risk analyses to determine appropriate courses of action for risks is deemed significant.

Risk Sharing - Involves handing ownership of a positive risk to a third party who is typically specialized and better able to realize the opportunity.

Risk threshold - The level at which the likelihood or impact of a risk becomes significant enough that the risk manager deems a risk response necessary.

Risk tolerance - The level of variation in performance measures that an organization is willing to accept. It is not the same as risk appetite, which is the level and type of risk an organization is prepared to accept in anticipation of gains.

Risk transference - Risk transference involves handing ownership of risk to a third party who is typically specialized and better able to address the risk or to withstand its impact.

Risk trigger - An event that causes a risk to occur. A trigger can serve as a warning that a risk has occurred or is about to occur.

Root cause - The primary reason an event occurs.

RTT (Request for Tender) - A formal invitation to vendors to submit their bid to supply products and services to the construction project.

Rubblization – The process of converting old concrete from a project site by crushing and reusing it as a base material.

Run book - A comprehensive catalog of information needed to conduct operations and to respond to any emergency situations that arise during operations.

S - Project Management Construction Terms

Schedule - A comprehensive list of project activities and milestones in logical order, with start and finish dates for each component.

Schedule baseline - The original project schedule — approved by the project team, sponsor, and stakeholders — by which performance is assessed.

Schedule compression technique - A technique that speeds up projects without affecting scope by decreasing the duration of a project’s critical path.

Schedule model - A logically arranged, time-based plan for project activities. It is used to create a project schedule.

Schedule model analysis - Examines the project schedule created from a schedule model.

Schedule network analysis – Analysis using a variety of techniques to identify early and late start and finish dates for project activities and thus to create project schedules.

Schedule of Values: A project’s work item list that corresponds the items to their value as the list represents the entire amount of the work project.

Schedule variance - Schedule variance is the difference between earned value and planned value at a given point in time.

Scope – All that is to be accomplished on a project to be deemed successful.

Scope baseline - The set of requirements, expectations, and work packages approved as project deliverables.

Scope change management - Amendments to the scope as set in the scope baseline and project management plan

Scope creep - Changes to project scope that occur without a formal scope change procedure.

Scope of work (SOW) – A Detailed agreement outlining the work that will be performed for the project.

Shiplap: A type of wooden board used commonly as exterior siding in the construction of residences, barns, sheds, and outbuildings.

Soil Stockpile - A pile of soil created when bulldozers excavate the site as the soil may later be used for grading purposes.

Soul Source Procurement - A procurement method where only one contractor is selected without a competitive process to fulfill all the project’s requirements.

Scrum - An iterative development procedure used to develop projects focused on prioritizing requirements and working towards a clear set of goals over a set time period.

Secondary risk - A risk created by a risk response.

Section Drawing -A drawing that shows the building’s view as if cut on a vertical plane.

Security - Security in project management refers broadly to protecting humans, information, and resources from risk.

Shop Drawings: A contractor’s drawings that details the fabrication of components.

Shoring - A construction method that uses wood or metal props to support the structure while it is worked on.

Site Plan - is a map of a plot, used by architects, urban planners, and engineers, showing them existing and proposed conditions of an area.

Site Plan Symbols – are symbols that display details, elements and symbols like scale, orientation, setbacks, boundaries and many more.

Six Sigma - An approach to process management that focuses on the near total elimination of product or service defects.

Slack time - The length of time an activity's early start can be delayed without affecting project duration.

Slip chart - A slip chart graphically compares predicted activity completion dates with originally planned completion dates.

Slippage - The negative variance between planned and actual activity completion dates.

Specifications - provide details regarding the materials and work quality desired for the building design.

Specifications - Otherwise known as Specs  are construction details about the materials used or the work required to complete each project stage.

Sponsor - Typically members of the senior management that provide high-level direction, approve project funding as well as deviations from cost and budget, and determine project scope.

Sprint - A fixed unit of time during which the project typically passes through a complete development life cycle.

Stakeholder - Any party with an interest in the successful completion of a project.

Stand-Up Meeting – A meeting that occurs each morning with the onsite team to discuss where the project is at this time.

Standards - A collection of standardized rules, guidelines, and characteristics requirements for processes or products that are approved by a recognized body.

Start-To-Finish - In a start-to-finish relationship, a successor activity cannot finish until a predecessor activity has started.

Start-To-Start - In a start-to-start relationship, a successor activity cannot start until a predecessor activity has started.

Statement of work (SoW) - A  comprehensive and detailed list of deliverables expected under a contract, with expected dates for each deliverable.

Steering committee - A committee that provides high-level strategic guidance on a project.

Story point - In sprint-based projects, a story point is a measure of the amount of work required to implement a particular user story.

Subcontract - A legal agreement where parts of the obligations and tasks are done by another party, a subcontractor.

Subcontractor - The specialized vendor in a specific construction or building trade, such as electrical or plumbing.

Subdivision designs -are drawings that show how parcels are divided into developable plots of land.

Submittals - Material data, shop drawings, and product data for architects and engineers so they can verify that the correct products were installed.

Successor activity - In a schedule, a successor activity logically comes after and depends on an activity immediately preceding it.

Summary activity - In a network diagram, a summary activity combines a set of related activities and visually represents them as a single activity.

Sunk cost - A cost that cannot be recovered once spent.

Superintendent – A professional who manages the day-to-day operations of a construction site.   

Superstructure - A structure that is built on top of another structure.

Survey -  A detailed study whose purpose is to determine the location of a building or structure, and to consider the environment and natural elements.

Systems development life cycle (SDLC) - In systems engineering, the process of creating, releasing, and maintaining an information system, which may comprise hardware, software, or both.

Systems engineering - A field of engineering that applies principles of systems thinking to the development of complex systems.

T - Project Management Construction Terms

Takeoff – a list of material required to complete a section or entire construction project.

Target Value Design - This design method involves all key stakeholders — including the owner, subcontractors, designers and contractors — who will design the construction project to meet the owner’s goals and budget.

Task - A unit of work or activity needed for progress towards a specific project goal.

Task analysis - Details the actions or resources required to complete a task.

Tender - A contractor’s or supplier’s submission response about the supplies and services that they can offer to the project when receiving a bid invitation.

Testing - The testing phase involves assessment of the product developed so as to gauge quality and performance and to determine whether requirements have been met.

Theory of constraints – A process limited from optimum performance by its weakest link or links, called constraints.

Three-point estimating - A superset of estimating techniques that use averages (or weighted averages) of most likely, optimistic, and pessimistic costs, and duration estimates to form final estimates.

Tie = Construction elements used to tie to separate materials together inside cavity walls.

Tilt-Up Construction - is a construction method where the concrete walls are cast on the ground and then are lifted into place using a cranes hoist.

Time and Materials (T&M) -  is a method where the contractor is paid strictly for actual costs, including the work hours performed and materials purchased.

Time and material contract - A specific type of contract that pays per unit of time and reimburses materials costs for contracted work.

Time limit - The time limit for a task is the window of time or deadline by which it must be completed.

Time-scaled network diagram - A network diagram is time scaled if the lengths of activities are drawn to scale to indicate their expected durations.

Timeline -A  graphical, sequential representation of project activities.

Tolerance - The acceptable level of variance in project performance. The project sponsor is typically informed if tolerance levels are crossed.

Top-Down estimating - Top-Down estimating uses historical data from similar projects to compute time and cost estimates.

Total cost of ownership (TCO) – An estimate of the sum total of direct and indirect costs incurred in the purchase, operation, and maintenance of an asset throughout its life.

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

Trim - The material used to encase windows, doors, chair rail, casing, crown molding  among other features, on a structure’s interior or exterior finish.

Truss -  is a structural member  web-like structure, usually consisting of triangle elements, used for support.

U, V, W, and X – Project Management Construction Terms

Underpinning - Construction technique to strengthen the foundation of an existing structure with the use of beams, concrete or base pining.

Unit Price Contracts - A contract where the contractor is paid based on the estimated quantity of items for the project and their unit prices.

Zoning - Government regulations that dictate how property areas can be used.

Urbanism -  is a study that explores the interaction between inhabitants of urban areas and architectural elements built there.

Value engineering - To increase the functionality-to-cost ratio of a product by providing improved functionality at lower cost.

Value for money ratio – The ratio expressed as the ratio of financial and other benefits to the resources expended in a project.

Value tree - A hierarchical model of the characteristics of a product or service that determines its value.

Variance analysis - The practice of investigating deviations between planned and actual performance.

Veneer - is a type of construction material, used to cover exterior walls of buildings.

Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) - All of the multi-disciplinary project models which can include the analysis model, visualizations, costs, and engineering modeling.

Virtual team – A group of people from different organizations, locations, or hierarchies working on a common goal.

Void - An area that is fully enclosed or trapped between other services, rooms or walls within a building and occupy floor area.

Voided Biaxial Slab -  Concrete blocks with voids inside that maintain their strength and durability while using less concrete.

Waterfall Method - model is a downward-flowing project management methodology that handles one phase at a time with no overlapping phases.

Waterfall model – A development life cycle model  in which development phases are sequential, non-iterative, and do not overlap.

Weighted milestone method – A method that allows project managers to estimate earned value by splitting work packages into weighted segments.

What-If scenario analysis - A simulation technique that allows project managers to determine and compare specific conditions’ effects on project schedules and objectives.

Wildlife Corridor – also known as a (green corridor) is a connection between two parts of natural habitat that was separated by human activity.

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

Work authorization system - A formal procedure to ensure that project work is performed on time and in logical order.

Work breakdown structure (WBS) - A comprehensive, hierarchical model of the deliverables constituting the scope of a project.

Work breakdown structure dictionary - A document that details, describes, and provides scheduling information for every element of a work breakdown structure.

Work package - The work packages of a project are its lowest-level deliverables.

Work stream - In project management, a work stream is a logically arranged series of activities that must be completed to pursue project objectives.

Workaround - A way to circumvent a problem which does not have a permanent solution or for which no adequate response was planned.

Zoning: Government regulations that dictate how property areas can be used.

Zoning Permit - The first step in the development process that gives the holder permission to construct a new building or make changes to an existing building, even if that change is its use.