
- UCAS course code
- K401
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Strategic Asset Management
Unit code | PLAN41051 |
---|---|
Credit rating | 15 |
Unit level | Level 4 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
Offered by | School of Environment, Education and Development |
Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
This unit will introduce students to the role of the asset manager, primarily from the perspective of commercial property investment. It will cover both the strategic aims and the tactical approaches that are used in the pro-active asset management of a real estate portfolio.
An important part of this course unit is the use of a ‘virtual portfolio’ comprising a variety of properties, with individual risk profiles, for which management information, typical of that found in UK practice, will be provided. Principles and techniques of asset management are considered in the lectures and then discussed in the context of these buildings. The workshops comprise a series of structured problem-scenarios, which you will work together in groups to resolve. The final workshop will involve valuing the portfolio to quantify the success of your asset management decisions. Part of your assessment comprises an individual critical reflection on the learning outcomes from this series of workshops.
Topics to be covered include: adding value – is this enough?; performance metrics and risk management; sustainability and responsible property investment; tenant-mix, place-making and the ‘experience’ economy; financial and lease management including the use of ‘green leases’; the user perspective – the landlord and tenant relationship; workplace design for flexibility, well-being and performance.
Aims
- to introduce the principles of strategic asset management and encourage informed debate over different strategies and styles of management
- to explore the tactics used to pro-actively manage real estate assets
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to encourage an inquisitive, critical and forward-looking approach to problem-solving and develop students’ ability to anticipate consequential effects of their decisions in asset management
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course unit, you should be able to:
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the role of the real estate asset manager and alternative management strategies
- Demonstrate sound knowledge of issues that “add value” to a property held for real estate investment purposes such as lease terms and covenant strength
- Demonstrate understanding of the implications of asset management decisions on real estate asset value
Syllabus
Week 1- Strategic principles of investment property asset management
Week 2 - Information and financial management Heads of terms for letting
Week 3 - Obsolescence and strategic building management Service charge management
Week 4 - Individual tenant management. Managing the ‘customer’ relationship
Week 5 - The ethical dimension of asset management
Week 6 - Creating an ‘experience’ Shopping centre management
Week 7 - Placemaking
Week 8 - The changing nature of the workplace: design, performance and well-being
Week 9 - Performance measurement Valuing the portfolio
Week 10- Responsible property investment and management Sustainable buildings
Week 11 - Review: is ‘adding value’ to a property portfolio enough?
Teaching and learning methods
A series of eleven online lectures & complementary activities are used to introduce topics in a structured manner supplemented by workshops, discussion groups and assignment clinics. How will this work?
- The lecture content will be made available online for you to listen to and work through at your own pace. This will be released on a weekly basis and then remain available for the remainder of the course unit.
- There are weekly discussion groups, using the online discussion board, which you can contribute to at any time during the timetabled week AND the following week.
- Each week, during the timetabled sessions, there will be an opportunity for a ‘live’ online seminar or discussion with the course tutor, using Blackboard Collaborate.
- There will also be opportunities to meet the course tutor on campus for face-to-face seminars, as an alternative to the online ’live’ session. These may be duplicated over two consecutive weeks, depending on numbers. These will be subject to the current advice on Covid-19.
The workshops are a key element of this unit and allow you to work through a problem in your groups with guidance available from the tutor. Each week, a problem will be set which relates to the theme and it will normally be discussed in the timetabled workshop in the following week. The problems relate to a range of typical issues in practice and are designed so that, each week, the group makes a decision which will feed into the starting point for the following week. By the end of the course, each group will probably have made a different combination of decisions: this means that the asset value will be different. Which group will prove to be the most successful asset manager?
Knowledge and understanding
Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the role of the real estate asset manager and alternative management strategies.
Demonstrate sound understanding of the implications of asset management decisions on real estate asset value
Intellectual skills
Critically evaluate information, make considered judgements and produce innovative and credible solutions to a problem
Demonstrate a reflective approach to problem-solving.
Practical skills
Demonstrate numeracy skills through appreciation of issues around selection, accuracy, uncertainty and approximation with numbers
Transferable skills and personal qualities
This course unit will enable to you:
- Critically evaluate information, make considered judgements and produce innovative and credible solutions to a problem
- Demonstrate a reflective approach to problem-solving.
- Demonstrate numeracy skills through appreciation of issues around selection, accuracy, uncertainty and approximation with numbers
- Recognise the importance of attention to detail
- Demonstrate ability to communicate ideas and arguments concisely, using appropriate language for the target audience
- Demonstrate commercial awareness through consideration of a broad range of issues and the implications on value.
Assessment methods
Method | Weight |
---|---|
Written assignment (inc essay) | 100% |
There are two pieces of individual assessment for this course unit:
500 word briefing note 15% TBC
3,000 word critical reflection 85% TBC
These are to be submitted through Turnitin on Blackboard by the above deadlines.
Feedback methods
As you progress through the course unit, formative feedback will be given through Q&A live discussion, discussion boards and interactive activities within online lectures, workshops and seminars. Verbal feedback is available on coursework discussed during online drop-in sessions. Substantive written feedback on your assignments will be provided through Blackboard
We will be running drop-in consultations in support of all assignments, as shown in the timetable above. Tutors are also available to discuss specific issues in relation to the course at the weekly ‘live’ sessions or by e-mail appointment.
Online study support
My Learning Essentials provides an excellent range of online resources for your learning and assignments and includes advice on avoiding plagiarism. Do use:
http://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/get-started/mle/
A detailed guide to Harvard referencing is available at:
http://subjects.library.manchester.ac.uk/referencing/referencing-harvard
Recommended reading
There is no textbook which matches the course content but these two give a good overview of the issues involved with the practical aspects of managing real estate assets in the UK:
Banfield, A. (2005) Stapleton’s real estate management practice 4th edn. London: EG Books
Scarrett, D. and Wilcox, J. (2018) Property Asset Management 4th edn. Abingdon: Routledge
Note that the 3rd edition of Scarrett (2011) is available as an e-book through UoM library.
Scarrett, D (2011) Property asset management 3rd edn. Abingdon: Routledge
Specific readings or other material that will support you on this course will be provided at relevant times. The books below indicate further reading on specific topics that are relevant to the course:
Baum (2015) Real Estate Investment: a strategic approach 3rd edn. London: Routledge
Dent, P., Patrick, M. and Xu, Y. (2012) Property Markets and Sustainable Behaviour . Abingdon: Routledge
Edington, G. (1997) Property management: a customer focused approach. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
A key part of study at postgraduate level is the continued development of individual learning skills. Whilst the lectures contain a significant formal teaching component and will introduce core topics, a strong emphasis is placed on self-directed learning. Wider reading around these areas is essential in helping you understand the topics, in preparation for seminars and workshops and in drafting coursework. Details of student learning hours are: Lectures & online activities 22 Workshops/ Seminars 14 Directed Reading/online exercises 40 Private Study 70 Assignment clinics 4Study hours
Scheduled activity hours
Lectures
22
Seminars
14
Work based learning
40
Independent study hours
Independent study
74
Teaching staff
Staff member
Role
Selma Carson
Unit coordinator
Additional notes