MEng Civil Engineering (Enterprise)

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.

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.

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 

In-class feedback on tests