A contractor's proposed schedule of values that provides for inequitably excessive payments at the beginning of the project is typically known as:

• A. Front-end loading
• B. Progressive payout
• C. Back-end loading
• D. Lump-sum payments

Answer: (A)

In a schedule of values, payments should reflect actual progress and costs incurred as the work unfolds. When a proposed schedule front-loads payments, a large portion of the contract amount is paid early, not tied to the level of completed work. This creates a windfall for the contractor at the start and leaves less cash for the remaining work, which can undermine project control and increase risk for the owner if delays or quality issues arise later. The term that describes this inequitable early payout is front-end loading. By contrast, a progressive payout spreads payments with progress, back-end loading concentrates payments later in the project, and lump-sum payments are made as a single amount not aligned to ongoing progress.