Procurement Methods

This subject is not offered in 2013.

120 hours

Admission to MC-CONMG2Y Master of Construction Management (200 points), MC-CONMG3Y Master of Construction Management (300 points) or approval from the subject coordinator.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

The subject exposes students to construction procurement in a broad sense, by articulating and examining the legal and functional links between multiple contracting parties in project delivery. Different procurement methods with their associated contract types are introduced, and the theories and principles governing their selection discussed. To this end, decision support system tools that can facilitate the selection process are introduced and practiced with case studies. Ethics in procurement, public procurement concerns and strategies, as well as international differences in the use of procurement methods, are also covered.

• To build an appreciation of the key issues in construction procurement;
• To provide a clear understanding of the structure, process and characteristics of different construction procurement methods;
• To provide the theories, principle and tools required in selecting the right procurement method (client’s perspective);
• To provide the theories, principles and tools in making go/no-go decision and addressing various requests regarding different construction procurement methods (contractor’s perspective).

• Class participation (10%).
• Assignment 1 equivalent to no more than 2,000 words (30%) due in week 6.
• Assignment 2 equivalent to no more than 3,000 words (60%) due at the end of the semester.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

At the completion of the subject students should have developed the following skills and capabilities:

• Ability to appreciate the importance and key issues of construction procurement;
• Ability to understand the complexity of construction procurement;
• Ability to appreciate the trends in the application of various construction procurement methods; and
• Ability to understand the varying perspectives of contracting parties in project delivery.