Knowledge & Standards
Applies to: Free · Pro · Enterprise Last updated: 08-Jun-2026
Overview
The AI Copilot includes 8 knowledge tools that provide industry-standard guidance on delay analysis, earned value management, Primavera P6 scheduling options, contract requirements, reporting templates, S-curve data, productivity rates, and scheduling best practices. These tools draw from SCL Protocol, AACE, PMI, DCMA, NEC4, FIDIC, and JCT standards.
Knowledge tools execute instantly and never modify your schedule.
Delay Analysis
get_delay_analysis_guidance
Get delay analysis methodology guidance from the SCL Protocol and AACE RP 29R-03 standards. Returns detailed methodology descriptions, pros and cons, and suitability guidance.
| Parameter | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
method | No | Specific method: TIA, windows, as-planned vs as-built, impacted as-planned, collapsed as-built |
scenario | No | Scenario guidance: concurrent delay, disruption, acceleration, float ownership, TIA |
Covered methodologies:
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Time Impact Analysis (TIA) | Inserts delay events into the schedule to measure impact prospectively |
| Windows Analysis | Divides the project into time windows and analyses delay in each |
| As-Planned vs As-Built | Compares the baseline programme with actual progress |
| Impacted As-Planned | Adds delay events to the as-planned programme |
| Collapsed As-Built | Removes delay events from the as-built schedule to determine entitlement |
Example prompts:
- "Explain the Time Impact Analysis method"
- "How should I handle concurrent delay?"
- "What does the SCL Protocol say about float ownership?"
- "Compare TIA and Windows analysis methods"
Earned Value Management
get_evm_metrics
Calculate Earned Value Management (EVM) and Earned Schedule (ES) metrics from the loaded schedule data. Returns individual metrics or a full dashboard with RAG status interpretation.
| Parameter | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
metric | No | Specific metric to calculate (omit for full dashboard) |
Available metrics:
| Category | Metrics |
|---|---|
| Core | BAC, PV (BCWS), EV (BCWP), AC (ACWP) |
| Variance | SV, CV |
| Performance | SPI, CPI |
| Forecasting | EAC, ETC, VAC, TCPI |
| Earned Schedule | ES, SV(t), SPI(t) |
RAG thresholds:
| Status | Range | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Green | ≥ 0.95 | On track |
| Amber | 0.80 – 0.95 | Needs attention |
| Red | < 0.80 | Critical |
Example prompts:
- "What's the current SPI and CPI?"
- "Show me the full EVM dashboard"
- "Calculate the estimate at completion"
- "What's the schedule performance index?"
Primavera P6 Guidance
get_p6_scheduling_guidance
Get guidance on Primavera P6 scheduling options, types, and configuration. Covers scheduling modes, calendar behaviour, activity types, and more.
| Parameter | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
topic | No | retained_logic, progress_override, actual_dates, multiple_float_path, calendar_behaviour, out_of_sequence, activity_types, duration_types, pct_complete_types, constraint_types, resource_levelling |
Topics covered:
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Retained Logic | How P6 handles out-of-sequence progress with retained logic scheduling |
| Progress Override | Alternative scheduling mode that ignores incomplete logic |
| Actual Dates | How actual dates interact with the CPM calculation |
| Multiple Float Path | How the multiple float path algorithm identifies sub-critical paths |
| Calendar Behaviour | Calendar type interactions and how P6 resolves cross-calendar relationships |
| Out of Sequence | Detection and resolution of out-of-sequence progress |
| Activity Types | Task Dependent, Resource Dependent, LOE, WBS Summary, Milestones |
| Duration Types | Fixed Duration, Fixed Units, Fixed Quantity |
| Percent Complete Types | Duration %, Physical %, Units % |
| Constraint Types | MSO, MFO, SNET, SNLT, FNET, FNLT, ALAP, mandatory constraints |
| Resource Levelling | P6 resource levelling algorithms and priority settings |
Example prompts:
- "Explain Retained Logic vs Progress Override"
- "How does Multiple Float Path work in P6?"
- "What are the different activity types in P6?"
- "Explain the difference between fixed duration and fixed units"
Contract Requirements
get_contract_schedule_requirements
Get contract-specific schedule requirements for NEC4, FIDIC, or JCT contracts. Also covers Extension of Time (EOT) applications, variation scheduling, and liquidated damages.
| Parameter | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
contractType | No | NEC4, FIDIC, or JCT |
book | No | FIDIC book colour: red, yellow, or silver |
topic | No | EOT, variations, or liquidated_damages |
Contract coverage:
| Contract | Key Clauses |
|---|---|
| NEC4 | Cl. 31–36 (programme), early warnings, acceleration quotation |
| FIDIC Red | Cl. 8 (commencement/completion), Cl. 20 (claims), variations |
| FIDIC Yellow | Design-build specific requirements |
| FIDIC Silver | EPC/Turnkey requirements |
| JCT | Cl. 2 (dates), Cl. 25 (extensions), relevant events |
Example prompts:
- "What are the NEC4 programme submission requirements?"
- "Explain FIDIC Red Book clause 8 requirements"
- "How do I prepare an EOT application?"
- "What are the JCT rules for liquidated damages?"
Reporting Templates
get_reporting_template
Get template structures for various construction schedule report types. Returns section headings, expected content, and formatting guidance.
| Parameter | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
reportType | No | monthly, narrative, lookahead, delay_notice, dashboard, or s_curve |
Report types:
| Template | Typical Use |
|---|---|
| Monthly Progress | Monthly update report for the client or PMO |
| Programme Narrative | Comprehensive programme assessment document |
| Look-Ahead | 2-week, 4-week, or 13-week rolling look-ahead |
| Delay Notice | Formal notification of a delay event |
| Dashboard KPIs | Key performance indicator summary for management |
| S-Curve Interpretation | Guidance on reading and presenting S-curve data |
Example prompts:
- "What should a monthly progress report contain?"
- "Give me a template for a delay notice"
- "What KPIs should be on a schedule dashboard?"
- "How do I structure a 4-week look-ahead?"
S-Curve Data
get_s_curve_data
Calculate early and late S-curve data points from the loaded schedule. Returns planned-early, planned-late, and actual progress curves as percentage vs time. Use for programme narrative reports and progress visualisation.
| Parameter | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
granularity | No | monthly or weekly |
metric | No | activities, cost, or duration |
Example prompts:
- "Calculate the monthly S-curve data"
- "Show me the cost S-curve"
- "Generate weekly S-curve data points"
Productivity Rates
get_productivity_rates
Get construction industry productivity rates by trade category. Returns low, typical, and high rates per crew per day.
| Parameter | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
category | No | earthworks, concrete, structural_steel, masonry, mep, finishes, or road_works |
Example prompts:
- "What's the standard productivity rate for concrete works?"
- "Show me MEP installation rates"
- "What are typical earthworks production rates?"
Best Practices
get_schedule_best_practices
Get scheduling best practices and industry standards guidance from PMI, DCMA, and AACE. Covers activity duration, naming, logic density, milestones, relationships, WBS structure, and more.
| Parameter | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
topic | No | activityDuration, activityNaming, logicDensity, milestones, criticalPath, statusFrequency, relationships, or wbs |
Topics covered:
| Topic | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Activity Duration | DCMA 14-point assessment thresholds, recommended max durations |
| Activity Naming | Verb-noun convention, uniqueness, abbreviation standards |
| Logic Density | Relationship-to-activity ratio targets (1.5–2.5) |
| Milestones | Placement, naming, constraint usage, milestone checklists |
| Critical Path | CPLI thresholds, longest path analysis, near-critical monitoring |
| Status Frequency | Update cycle recommendations (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) |
| Relationships | FS preference, lag/lead guidelines, avoiding SF relationships |
| WBS | Depth guidelines, 100% rule, deliverable orientation |
Example prompts:
- "What are best practices for activity naming?"
- "What's the recommended logic density ratio?"
- "How often should the schedule be updated?"
- "What are the DCMA guidelines for activity duration?"
Dynamic Knowledge Injection
The Copilot's system prompt includes a dynamic knowledge engine that automatically injects detailed domain context when relevant. When you ask about delay analysis, EVM, P6 options, or contract scheduling, the AI loads the full domain prompt for that topic, giving it deeper knowledge than a typical response.
The following domain modules are available:
| Domain | Triggered By |
|---|---|
| Delay Analysis | Questions about delay, TIA, windows analysis, float ownership |
| Earned Value | Questions about EVM, SPI, CPI, earned schedule |
| P6 Knowledge | Questions about retained logic, progress override, scheduling options |
| Contract Scheduling | Questions about NEC4, FIDIC, JCT, EOT |
| Reporting Standards | Questions about reports, narratives, dashboards |
| Advanced Scheduling | Complex scheduling topics, resource levelling, MFP |
| Quality Metrics | Schedule quality, DCMA 14-point, CPLI, BEI |
| Regional Standards | Region-specific construction standards and practices |
Tips & Best Practices
- Ask without parameters — the tools return comprehensive guidance when you omit the topic parameter. Use specific parameters to focus on one area.
- Combine with schedule data — "What's the SPI, and is it within DCMA thresholds?" uses both the EVM tool and standards knowledge.
- Reference specific contracts — "NEC4 programme requirements" gives much better results than "contract requirements".
- Use for quality interpretation — after running quality checks, ask "How do I fix SF relationships?" to get standards-based guidance.
- Prepare for submissions — use reporting templates to structure your monthly progress or delay notice documents.