module specification

This module will introduce you to key stages of the design, procurement, and management of construction projects.

You will gain detailed knowledge and understanding of the project lifecycle, the stakeholders involved at each stage, and the outputs generated through collaborative working.

You will consider the internal and external factors which influence a project’s feasibility and scope, including micro and macro-economic factors.  You will examine what is required to put together a robust business case and the influence of project budget and project risks on a client’s requirements.

Project briefs will be studied, including how to capture a client's requirements regarding project outcomes, and communicate key success indicators such as sustainability, costs, timelines, and quality.

Supply chain management is key to successful project design, construction, and handover, and you will explore the different types of procurement routes available to the project team and how the project supply chain contribute to a successful project delivery.

You will expand your knowledge of the industry through exposure to a range of professional roles involved in these stages of a project including consultants and other suppliers of goods and services who are present in a typical construction project cycle.

• Introduction to the project lifecycle and RIBA Plan of Works (LO1,4,5)
• Construction economics (LO2)
• The project team (LO1,4)
• Design options appraisal (LO3,4,5)
• Understanding construction drawings (L3,4,5)
• Project planning & cost appraisal (LO3,4,5)
• Measurement principles and practice (LO3,4, 5)
• Development planning and statutory regulation (LO2,4)
• Introduction to contracts and contract administration (LO2,4)
• Procurement methods (LO2,4)
• Supply chain management (LO2,4)
• Built asset maintenance and management (LO 1,3,4,5)
• Building Information Modelling (BIM) (LO3,4,5)

In your lectures you will be introduced to a range of approaches adopted by industry to successfully deliver projects on time and on budget.

Study will be supported via lectures, seminars, workshops, and guided asynchronous activities. Where appropriate, activities will be captured and made available to allow asynchronous access. The value of this blended approach is that you will be able to continue to explore topics beyond the classroom and interact with your cohort to expand on discussions and debates.

Problem based learning will be used to encourage independent learning through proposing a problem based around an authentic scenario. The problem will be complex with more than one right answer, challenging the students to work individually and in small groups to develop solutions, thereby developing their problem-solving abilities. Staff will act as facilitators throughout the activities.

You will receive summative feedback at regular intervals throughout the module.  Summative means that the feedback will not go towards your final mark for the module, but you will be able to use the feedback to learn, improve your knowledge of key topics and to develop your academic writing skills.

You will be encouraged to undertake your own research to source additional information, including reading journals and publications and attending relevant CPD events. This will help to build your own personal body of knowledge and give you reference points to use in assessments in your academic work and in the future to use in your professional work.

You will reflect on your learning which will contribute towards your online Professional Development Journal (PDJ).

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

1. Explain the stages of the project lifecycle, from strategic definition through to handover and operation, and the role of built environment professionals through these stages.
2. Explain the internal and external factors which influence the scope, procurement and delivery of construction projects.
3. Understand the basic methods of quantification and costing of construction projects.
4. Produce outputs aligned with the project lifecycle stages, as defined by RIBA Plan of Work.
5. Demonstrate sound communication skills (written, graphical and oral) for effective professional practice.

The 2 module assessments test the student’s knowledge and understanding that should have been developed throughout the module. The module assessment reflects the need for students to understand the whole lifecycle of a construction project, including stakeholders, based on the RIBA plan of works. Further information will be issued in the module handbook and coursework briefing documents.

Coursework 1: Group Presentation (5 minutes per person in groups with a minimum of 3 participants) 50%

For this coursework students will be required to prepare a group presentation on a case study which will be detailed in the coursework brief, followed by a Q&A. The presentation will be in response to a project brief set and will cover the RIBA Plan of works stages 0 (Strategic Definition) and 1 (Preparation and Briefing). Assessment choice is provided to the students 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 live Q&A.

Coursework 2: Individual Project (1250 words) 50%

In this coursework students will be required to produce a project which describes, with examples, the types of outputs which can be expected at the RIBA Plan of Work stages 2 (Concept Design) through to stage 7 (Use).

There is no single text currently in publication that provides a comprehensive coverage of all aspects of this module. There are several books, publications and online resources which cover various parts of the module in some detail, and these are included 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. You will be directed to the relevant resources during the course of the module.

Core and recommended resources are listed in the online reading list for the module:

Talis reading list