Time is money in construction. That's not a cliche; it's the operating reality behind every delay claim, every liquidated damages clause, and every extension-of-time request that crosses an architect's desk.

Article 8 of AIA A201-2017 sets the ground rules for how construction time works under the General Conditions. It defines what a "day" means in the Contract Documents, establishes how the Contract Time gets measured, and lays out the process when delays occur that aren't the contractor's fault.

For the PjM exam, you need to understand three things about Article 8. First, how time is defined and measured (calendar days vs. working days, and why it matters). Second, the categories of delay and which party bears the risk for each type. Third, the procedural steps for requesting and granting extensions of time, including what documentation the contractor must provide and how the architect evaluates those requests.

This topic connects directly to risk allocation in owner-contractor agreements. When a force majeure event hits, or when differing site conditions slow things down, Article 8 is the contractual mechanism that determines whether the contractor gets more time, more money, or both. Getting this wrong can expose the owner to claims or leave the contractor absorbing costs that aren't rightfully theirs.

The architect's role sits right in the middle of these disputes, making this a high-priority area for project management practice.