module specification

The module aims to provide students with a critical awareness of the processes behind successful procurement and contract management of a construction project. It aims to develop their knowledge and understanding of the legal and contractual context within which construction projects operate and the project contexts that influence the procurement strategy. The module will explain the fundamental concepts of procurement and contracting as well as examining the project procurement management knowledge area processes: plan procurements, conduct procurements, administer procurements, and close procurements. It also covers project outsourcing techniques and tools including soliciting, selecting, and managing subcontractors. It will examine the construction project procurement cycle and the statutory and legal frameworks that need to be accounted for. Particular attention will be given towards sustainable procurement and the influence of an organisation’s Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) Strategy on project finance and procurement. 

The knowledge gained will enable the student to propose project contract and procurement strategies for planning, decision making, and control.

By the end of the module, students should be able to critically evaluate the following:
• the principles of Contract Law
• the roles and responsibilities of the contract parties
• contract selection and procurement routes
• procurement strategies available for different project types
• the impact of governance on a project procurement strategy for public and private projects
• how a procurement method contributes to an organisation and/or projects ESG goals
• the use of digital tools to aid procurement
• standard form of contracts and their procurement terms
• techniques to manage disputes towards resolution

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The module syllabus is informed by contemporary research and practice in the management of risk and change. Topics will include:

• Procurement approaches as proposed by relevant professional body bodies of knowledge (LO1,2).
• Contracts, tort, and the English legal system (LO4, 5).
• Governance - approaches to the procurement of public and private projects (LO 1,2,4).
• Procurement strategies in practice (LO1,2,3).
• ESG goals and their influence on sustainable procurement (LO3).
• Procurement in a digital age (LO3)
• Procurement of major projects, and case study examples (LO2,3,4)
• The legal landscape of the Construction and Real Estate industries (LO5)
• Construction standard forms of contract and their approaches to procurement (LO4,5)
• Dispute-resolution techniques available to the construction project team (LO5)

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 have the opportunity to engage in seminar activities, where the use of global case studies stimulates discussion and helps develop a deep understanding of project procurement in context and within the framework of existing project management bodies of knowledge and codes of practice.

Workshops will facilitate group study of authentic case studies, presenting project scenarios and challenging students to consider the advantages and risks associated with different procurement strategies. These case studies will cover diverse project types, and seminars and workshops will explore how various factors, such as social and economic influences, shape project procurement practices around the world.

A blended and technology-enhanced learning approach will be employed for module delivery. Formal lectures will introduce and develop themes relating to the core subject. The module will be broken down into key elements with discrete tasks, which will be performed through group and independent study to develop critical thinking skills in analysis, evaluation, and synthesis. Student outputs will be reviewed throughout the module, with formative feedback provided to ensure clarity and comprehension.

Study will be supported through online lectures, tutorials, and seminars, which will be recorded and made available for asynchronous access. Classroom learning will be supported by the University’s VLE, employing a blended-learning approach to share class materials, recommended readings, and case studies. Group tutorials will also be offered to assist students in preparing for their assessments, providing opportunities for forward feedback.

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

1. distinguish between procurement methods with consideration of client requirements and the project governance when selecting an appropriate approach to procuring a construction project.
2. demonstrate a systematic understanding of the key stages and processes in procuring services and works for various types of construction projects or programmes.
3. propose project supply chain strategies, supported by cogent arguments considering a client organisation’s requirements, ESG goals, the project approach to risk, and other influencing factors.
4. examine and appraise the legal context of Construction and Real Estate.
5. appraise, select, and manage construction contracts, and the application of dispute resolution techniques, within a complex Built-Environment context.

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

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 the Online library reading list.