Procurement Methods

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-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%), demonstrating active involvement in a range of class activities and peer discussions.
• Two assignments equivalent to a total of 3000 words (60%). Assignment 1 due in week 5 equivalent to 1000 words (20%) and Assignment 2 due in week 11 equivalent to 2000 words (40%). The assignment 1 is individual and assignment 2 is a group assignment, with writing report and class presentation. The writing report of assignment 2 is equivalent to 1500 per group member and the class presentation is equivalent to 500 words per group member (report 30% + presentation 10%). The aim of the assignments is to facilitate the reflections in the decision process for selecting the best procurement methods, articulation of common and innovative procurement strategies and critical analysis of the key factors (Product, Programme, Price).
• Two hour examination equivalent to 2000 words during the examination period (30%) demonstrating a critical analysis of the theories, principles and tools applied across a variety of construction procurement methods.

Hurdle requirement: A minimum mark of 40% has to be achieved in the examination in order to pass the subject.

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.