MEng Civil Engineering

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Project Management (Civil)

Course unit fact file
Unit code ENGM21511
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The course unit addresses issues associated with managing projects in a construction business environment. As well as learning project management techniques and their application, students will gain an appreciation of strategic and organisational issues through a Computer-based assignment. The course unit runs over twelve weeks and students attend structured lectures on specific topics of planning and control, estimating techniques and business management.

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Civil Engineering Practice ENGM12112 Pre-Requisite Compulsory

Aims

1) Introduce students to the context of managing projects within a construction business environment through use of an online Computer-based assignment tool and lectures.
2) Develop an understanding of the bidding process in the construction industry and the cost drivers of projects.
3) Develop an understanding of the application of project planning concepts and techniques.
4) Demonstrate the importance of project monitoring and control and the need to adapt and revise the project plan due to changing circumstances.
5) Explain how engineering relates to other areas of the business including marketing, commercial department, finance, human resources and operations management.

Syllabus

Project Planning and Control
- Introduction to the Project lifecycle
- Business Strategy and Project Selection
- Professional Associations and standards for project management
- Defining the Project Scope
- Investment Appraisal Techniques
- Work Breakdown Structures and the link to project control
- Project planning techniques: Gantt Charts, Critical Path Method, Network analysis
- Resource Scheduling - Resource levelling and smoothing
- The project control process
- Monitoring time performance
- Development of an Earned Value Cost/Schedule system

Projects in a Commercial Environment

Estimating Project Time and Cost
- Factors affecting the quality of estimates
- Estimating Methods
- Accuracy and refining estimates
- Types of cost 

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written exam 80%
Report 20%

Feedback methods

In-class feedback on tests 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
eAssessment 17
Lectures 24
Project supervision 32
Tutorials 17
Independent study hours
Independent study 10

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Callum Kidd Unit coordinator

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