module specification

The module aims to develop students' knowledge of leading contemporary project management concepts and practices and how these contribute to the successful delivery of construction projects, including the management of risk and construction logistics. It will take a detailed look at construction, commissioning and handover stages of a project and aspects of stakeholder management within the same. It will consider the role of construction project management in the global move towards a sustainable and low/zero carbon built environment.

The syllabus is guided by professional body project management bodies of knowledge and codes of practice (such as the APM and CIOB).  The module explains the operational phases of project management including pre-construction, construction, and handover.

By the end of the module students should be able to critically evaluate the following:

• the challenges in leading a complex project
• effective methods to manage the operational project stage
• the competencies required of their project team
• project value
• project constraints
• the link between project change and risk
• the practical contributions a project and project manager can make towards a sustainable low/zero carbon built environment

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The syllabus is informed by the project management bodies of knowledge such as those defined by professional bodies such as the Association for Project Management (APM) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).  Topics will include:

• The effective project team (LO 1,5)
• The project lifecycle (LO 2,3)
• Project delivery and construction phase (LO 4)
• Planning and managing resource deployment (LO 4)
• Managing change (LO 4)
• Progress monitoring and reporting (LO 4,5)
• Project soft landings and handover (LO 1,4)
• The project management professional bodies and their bodies of knowledge (LO 4,5)
• Earned value management (LO 4)

Student’s teaching and learning will consist of weekly classes comprising a combination of lectures, seminars, discursive sessions, and workshops totalling 36 hours of contact time. Students will be given the opportunity to engage in seminar activities in which the use of case studies from around the world stimulates discussion and helps them to develop a deep understanding of project management practice in context and within the framework of the existing project management bodies of knowledge and codes of practice.

Workshops will facilitate group study of authentic case studies from around the world, presenting typical project management challenges which will require the students to propose and test solutions to them and then evaluate the outcomes.

A blended/ technology enhanced learning approach will be employed in the delivery of this module. Formal lectures will introduce and develop themes that relate to the core subject. The delivery of the module will be broken down into key elements that have discrete tasks. Tasks will be performed through group and independent study, to develop critical thinking skills of analysis, evaluation, and synthesis. Throughout the module student output’s will be reviewed, and formative feedback will be given to ensure clarity and comprehension.

Study will be supported via online lectures, tutorials and seminars that will be captured and made available to allow asynchronous access.

The learning and teaching in classes will be supported by the University’s VLE and a blended learning approach, sharing class materials, recommended reading, and case studies. Group tutorials will also be offered to support students in the preparation of their assessments, with opportunities for students to receive forward feedback.

On completion of the module the learner, operating independently and applying their knowledge and skills, should be able to:

1. Evaluate the processes, activities, and roles in construction projects.
2. Identify and differentiate between competing internal and external constraints and formulate a project delivery plan including responding to unfamiliar contexts.
3. Identify and appraise the challenges of leading a complex construction project.
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of project management methods in their practical application including the management of change.
5. Propose practical contributions the construction project manager can make towards a sustainable low/zero carbon built environment.

The module assessments will embrace enquiry-based learning, through scenarios that require interrogation of the subject to produce innovative and novel solutions. The assessment will test your knowledge and understanding against the module learning outcomes.  You will be required to demonstrate independent and autonomous learning, critical and analytical thinking skills and promote knowledge and understanding of the subject within the constraints of the industrial/commercial, geographical and cultural context you and your project are placed in. Further details will be released during the module. 

Coursework 1: Individual Presentation. (10 minutes plus Q&A)

The Presentation will be designed to assess knowledge and understanding of the key processes, activities, and roles in construction projects.  Assessment choice is provided to the student who can agree with the module team the format of the presentation which, for example, could be live in person, a recorded talking head video, or a recorded PowerPoint presentation with commentary. If recorded, then there will still be a scheduled opportunity for Q&A.

Coursework 2: Individual Project. (3000 words)

The project will require students to interpret a project and produce a project delivery plan to demonstrate an awareness of the stages of the project lifecycle and the processes which a project manager must follow during each of the stages, from pre-construction through the construction phase and onto handover and operation of the built environment asset.

The assessment will be inclusive and accessible to enable students with different backgrounds and experiences to participate on level terms. Assessment choice will be available through allowing students to choose where in the world they locate their projects which will allow them to discuss different perspectives within and outside the UK.  This will aid students in critical thinking and awareness of how different perspectives on issues relating to diversity in ethnicity, culture and nationality can impact the project manager and the management of projects.

There is no single text currently in publication that provides a comprehensive coverage of all aspects of this module. There are several books which cover various parts of the module in some detail, and these are identified in the core reading section.

There is excellent coverage of the subject available via the Construction Information Service (CIS).   CIS is accessed via Construction Information Service  and provides a huge range of information relevant to this module. Useful books and articles for this course are listed below:

Link to library reading list