NCARC PRACTICE TEST QUESTION: Which Staff Member to assign the project

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Vincent Yan

February 19, 2023 16:10

Exhibit/Chart

Available Staff - Hourly Rate - Utilization Rate

Project Architect A - $150 - 37.5%

Project Architect B - $100 - 25%

Project Manager 0 - $100 - 60%

Draftsmen - $30 - 95%

Question:

Client requests an increase in workstations. Firm expects the change to require 5 weeks at 40 hours per week. Total Amount for change is $20,000.

Which staff member should be assign to this project?

Answer and Explanation:

Project Architect B - ($100 x 200 hrs/week) = $20,000

 

NCARB doesn't provide a really good explanation to this answer given that there are two staff members with the same hourly rate (Project Architect B and Project Manager 0). So if I am deciding between two equal hourly rate staffs, does this question come down to then who has the lowest utilization rate? Is it because I want a staff member with the "free-est" time to do it?

 

 

 

 

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  Michael Ermann February 19, 2023 17:38

  You got it….in these type of questions you want the least expensive staff member with the lowest rank appropriate for the task and the lowest utilization rate (so they can start billing more hours…why give the work to someone who is already busy?) ….many times you also want an employee with experience in project type (multifamily, educational, etc.)… in rare cases you may also need a licensed architect in the state of the project (rather than the state of the firm).
  Good luck
  Michael Ermann, Amber Book creator

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