Project Planning Studio

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

120 hours

It might be possible to be exempted from a subject below if it is deemed you have taken another of a sufficiently equivalent nature. You should see a student advisor under such circumstances.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This capstone subject brings together and builds on an understanding of construction technologies and introduces project management concepts. Using an integrated project involving a series of studio-based exercises, students will translate a design proposal into operational construction and project management plans. A project based learning environment will be formulated for students to experience construction and project management decision making from concept through to completion. Details of project environment, construction systems, resource constraints, production processes, and management tools and methods will be explored and effective and efficient project plans will be developed.

Students will form teams and work on assigned projects appropriately selected from the industry. Different roles in the project will be played by the teams. For example, the tenderers are to prepare a project development proposal based on the requirements of the client and then develop operational plans to implement the project. To accomplish this, the tenderers need to plan the construction project based on the development proposal, clients’ requirements and resources available. They are to estimate and evaluate activity durations, simulate and adjust construction sequences and balance resources involved. In developing the construction plan, alternative construction systems and methods will be examined and compared. Essential elements of the plan include construction equipment, temporary works and site layout. Site safety is an integral part of the plan.

The planning processes will be assisted by introducing commercial computer applications.

Students will be expected to work in groups and assignments are to be developed based on real case studies. The overall aim is to develop a complete project management plan for a given project considering all the fundamental aspects of project planning and development. Emphasis will be on the principles of scope identification, work breakdown, time estimation and scheduling, cost breakdown, quality assurance and quality control systems, risk management plan, procurement and contract administration including various managerial controlling and monitoring techniques.

On completion of the subject students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of:

• market analysis for selecting project development proposals Stakeholders and their requirements;
• procurement processes and underlying considerations;
• method statements and planning for construction;
• alternative construction techniques;
• cost estimating and planning;
• site team management and communication requirements;
• project management functions such as scope, cost, time, quality, risk, procurement and integration management;
• systematic approaches to develop project develop proposal in a competitive market environment.

• One major group assignment equivalent to 3000 words (60%) (assessed over a number of staged submissions).
• One two-hour closed book examination equivalent to 2000 words (40%).

A minimum mark of 50% must be achieved in the examination in order to pass the subject.

Subject Reader

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• An appreciation of the roles of client/engineer/architect/project manager.
• A commitment to and fundamental appreciation of, the concept of successful teamwork.
• An ability to communicate effectively, clearly and concisely ideas, concepts and solutions within the project team and between the project team and stakeholders.
• An ability to apply fundamentals along with the basics of science and mathematics to problem solving in specific scenarios.