What is the purpose of submittal approval times in project scheduling?

• A. To prevent schedule delays by ensuring timely review and acceptance of submittals.
• B. To increase the number of submittals submitted.
• C. To extend the decision-making process.
• D. To delay procurement steps.

Answer: (D)

Submittal approval times are built into the project schedule to keep the work moving by ensuring submittals—such as shop drawings, product data, and samples—are reviewed and approved within a defined window. This steady review rhythm lets procurement, fabrication, and installation occur on their planned dates, so nothing in the construction sequence has to wait unnecessarily. When reviews take too long, materials can’t be ordered, components can’t be fabricated, and on-site work can be delayed, which risks pushing the whole project off the planned timeline. By setting and following these review deadlines, the team can spot and resolve issues early and maintain the schedule.

The other ideas—increasing the number of submittals, extending the decision process, or purposefully delaying procurement—don’t serve schedule control. The goal is timely approvals to prevent delays, not to create them.