Construction project management glossary
Definitions of common construction project management terms and how SubmittalLink uses them.
Approved as Noted
Section titled “Approved as Noted”A submittal review response meaning the item is accepted, as long as the reviewer’s comments are followed. Also called “Approved with Comments” or “Furnish as Corrected.” Work can proceed with the noted changes.
Ball in court
Section titled “Ball in court”The person or people responsible for the next action on an item. In SubmittalLink, ball in court updates automatically as reviewers respond, and the Home dashboard lists everything in your court. See Review workflow and ball in court.
Change order
Section titled “Change order”A written amendment to a construction contract that changes its scope, price, or time. See Change orders.
Contract with Owner
Section titled “Contract with Owner”The prime contract between the general contractor and the project owner. SubmittalLink allows one per project. See Contracts.
Coversheet
Section titled “Coversheet”A cover page on a submittal package that summarizes the submittal for reviewers. SubmittalLink can generate one automatically. See Coversheets.
Critical path
Section titled “Critical path”The longest chain of dependent schedule activities. A delay to any of them delays project completion. See Schedule.
Daily report
Section titled “Daily report”A daily record of site activity: crew, visitors, deliveries, meetings, weather, and notes. Also called a daily log. See Daily reports.
Distribution list (Cc)
Section titled “Distribution list (Cc)”People copied on a submittal, RFI, or task to stay informed, without being responsible for a response.
Field user
Section titled “Field user”A SubmittalLink role for superintendents and field staff. Field users can create RFIs, tasks, daily reports, and punch lists. See Roles and permissions.
Lead time
Section titled “Lead time”The time between ordering a material and its delivery to site. Long-lead items, like switchgear, elevators, and curtain wall, must be submitted and approved early. See Material release tracking.
Material release
Section titled “Material release”Authorization to order or fabricate an approved material. SubmittalLink records the Released On date and estimates delivery.
Punch list
Section titled “Punch list”A list of incomplete or deficient work items to fix before project closeout. See Punch lists.
Purchase order
Section titled “Purchase order”A contract to buy materials or equipment from a supplier. See Contracts.
Received From
Section titled “Received From”The subcontractor or supplier who provided a submittal to the general contractor.
Review step
Section titled “Review step”One stage in a submittal or sequential RFI review. Steps run in order, for example engineer, then architect, then owner.
Revise and Resubmit
Section titled “Revise and Resubmit”A submittal review response meaning the submittal isn’t accepted as submitted. The contractor must correct it and send a new revision. Often abbreviated R&R.
Revision
Section titled “Revision”A resubmission of a submittal after review, numbered 0, 1, 2, and so on. See Submittal revisions.
RFI (request for information)
Section titled “RFI (request for information)”A formal question from the contractor to the design team or owner asking to clarify the drawings, specifications, or contract. See RFIs and RFI meaning in construction.
RFI manager
Section titled “RFI manager”The person responsible for an RFI in SubmittalLink. They get reminders, receive ball in court after review, and can delete the RFI.
Shop drawings
Section titled “Shop drawings”Detailed drawings prepared by a subcontractor, fabricator, or supplier that show how components will be made and installed. They’re submitted for review as submittals.
Spec section
Section titled “Spec section”A numbered section of the project specifications, usually following CSI MasterFormat, for example 09 29 00 Gypsum Board. See Spec sections.
Subcontract
Section titled “Subcontract”A contract between the general contractor and a trade subcontractor. See Contracts.
Submittal
Section titled “Submittal”A package of product data, shop drawings, samples, or other information that a contractor sends to the design team for approval before buying or installing materials. See Submittals and What is a construction submittal?.
Submittal log
Section titled “Submittal log”A list of every submittal on a project, with its number, spec section, status, dates, and ball in court. Also called a submittal register. In SubmittalLink, the Submittals list is your submittal log.
Submittal manager
Section titled “Submittal manager”The person responsible for a submittal in SubmittalLink. Ball in court returns to them after all review steps are complete.
Time extension
Section titled “Time extension”A change order that adds days to the contract duration, sometimes at no cost. See Time extensions.
Transmittal
Section titled “Transmittal”A cover document that lists what’s being sent, to whom, and why. A submittal coversheet often serves this purpose.