Management of Construction

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

Admission into one of the following courses:

MC-CM Master of Construction Management
MC-CONMG3Y Master of Construction Management (300 points)

PLUS

The following subject:

ABPL90292 Construction of Building can be taken concurrently.

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

This subject provides an introduction to the nature and construction industry both locally and internationally. It investigates the roles and responsibilities of a range of industry stakeholders and introduces project procurement systems and contracts. Theories relating to management and project management and how they apply to the construction industry are presented. The subject then focuses on issues affecting the management of construction projects at the site level. An overview of production management and how it relates to the construction industry is provided along with consideration of issues affecting the efficient use of resources such as labour, subcontract labour, materials, plant and equipment. Labour productivity improvement techniques to such as work study and activity sampling are presented. Industrial relations, site safety and quality assurance are introduced along with construction project planning methods. Critical path scheduling is presented and the construction plan for a small scale building is undertaken.

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• understand the role of the construction industry in the economy;
• appreciate the role of various design and construction professionals;
• understand the basic theories of management and project management;
• identify factors affecting the selection of the project procurement systems;
• demonstrate a general knowledge of site management procedures for the efficient and effective use of resources on a construction site;
• appreciate factors affecting site productivity including the factors of industrial relations and safety at the site level;
• show a sound knowledge of critical path scheduling and apply this knowledge to a given situation.

• Assignment equivalent to 500 words (10%) due in week 4, focussing on numerical techniques related to construction productivity.
• Essay and class presentation equivalent to 2000 words (40%) focussing on issues facing construction management in the future. Essay due in week 7 and presentations (in pairs) held in weeks 8 to 12.
• Assignment equivalent to 500 words (10%) due in week 11, critiquing a project plan for a small scale building.
• Two hour examination equivalent to 2000 words during the examination period (40%) focussing on a wide range of management issues covered during the semester relating the procurement and delivery of projects for the construction industry. A minimum mark of 40% has to be achieved in the examination in order to pass this subject.

Annual Reader

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Problem-solving skills
• Team work skills
• Analytical skills
• Communication skills

Safety boots, high visibility vests and a hard hat are required for construction site visits in this subject (to be provided by the student).