CONMGNT 1006 - Construction Project Management: fundamentals

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

This course will introduce students to construction project management theory and practice including the fundamentals of time, cost and quality. Students will learn about the stages of the project life cycle and the importance of people in projects. This course will cover the fundamental management techniques to successfully work with clients and project stakeholders. This element of the course is essential for career development with employers actively recruiting for employees with people management skills.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CONMGNT 1006
    Course Construction Project Management: fundamentals
    Coordinating Unit Civil Engineering
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Ruidong Chang

    Primary lecturer and instructor:
    Dr Chris Burton
    email: chris.burton@adelaide.edu.au
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
     
    1 Describe and discuss the theory and application of the time, cost, quality triangle.
    2 Identify and describe key elements of the project management lifecycle and its practical application.
    3 Recognize the importance of people management in construction project management.
    4 Analyse, evaluate and produce project documentation.
    5 Identify and describe key elements of the planning and development framework.
    6 Develop a project management plan articulating how a given project is to be executed, including breaking down the project into manageable tasks.
    7 Identify and plan for project risks using defined risk assessment processes.
    8 Communicate professionally and effectively through written and graphical means.


    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-6

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    6,7

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    8

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    3,6-8

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    3

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    3,8
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    Textbook

    There is no recommended text for this course. Where necessary, students will be directed to extracts from relevant texts through MyUni (e.g. to online sources available through the university library).

    Course materials

    All required material and resources for this course will be made available through MyUni. Learning activities will include a combination of face-to-face activities, online activities and assessment tasks.
    Recommended Resources
    There are a number of resources that are relevant to this course. They will be referenced in the course material on MyUni for further reading and watching.
    Online Learning

    MyUni-Canvas

    MyUni-Canvas will be used for the course as the University's designated Learning Management System platform. Course information, video content, assignments and additional resources will all be available on MyUni.

    Announcements
    The announcement section will be used to notify students of important information, with critical announcements (changes to deadlines etc.). It is assumed and expected that students take note of these announcements and will appropriately configure their MyUni settings so that announcements are monitored (i.e. are set up to email them also).

    Discussion Boards
    The discussion board will be used and forums will be created for assignments. The discussion board will also be used as a consultation channel for contact with teaching staff. Questions for teaching staff of a general nature relating to the course or assignment requirements are to be posted on MyUni. This allows the responses to be viewed by other students with similar questions and ensures that all students are given the same information. Please see the communications channel MyUni page for further guidance on where to post what type of question.


  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course consists of a set of integrated learning activities designed to provide students with the opportunity to achieve the course learning outcomes, in a supportive and relevant context. Activities within this course include online multimedia content, workshops, tutorials, quizzes/assignments, a long term project and an examination. Many of these activities are designed to be participative and directed at problem based learning. This course will set the scene and develop skills necessary for further courses in project management throughout the Bachelor of Construction Management.

    A detailed activity schedule is provided in MyUni (see the course info module) that sets out the specific course activity requirements (i.e. completion of online content, workshop and tutorial activities, assessment items and key deliverables) on a week-by-week basis.


    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Note that University guidelines suggest that the average (full-time) student should spend 48-52 hours per week to achieve a Credit. Consequently, the total workload for this course is 12-13 hours per week (156 hours in total) for an average student to achieve a Credit.

    Activity Contact Hours Private Study Hours Total
    Online modules (incl. videos, readings, engagement) - 30 30
    Quizzes (5%) NA 12 12
    Preliminary Project Ass. (7.5%) 10 8 18
    Essential Skills (5%) 3 11 14
    Project (32.5%) 23 30 53
    Examination (50%) 2-3 26 29
    TOTAL 156
    Learning Activities Summary

    Specific Course Requirements
    The class is structured with online multimedia content instead of formal lectures with material expanded upon and applied in workshop and tutorial sessions. Students are expected to engage with the online material ahead of the relevant activity sessions (see the activity schedule on MyUni) as this is important for participation within the sessions. 
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment for the course is split across four general assessment types:
    • Online quizzes
    • Project based assignments
    • Writing assignments
    • Examination
    A more detailed breakdown of the specific assessment items is provided below in 'Assessment Detail'.
    Assessment Related Requirements
    This course has a hurdle requirement. Meeting the specified hurdle criteria is a requirement for passing the course.
    Assessment Detail
    Assessment Task Weighting (%) Individual/ Group Formative/ Summative
    Due (week)*
    Hurdle criteria Learning outcomes
    Quizzes (~x11) 5 Individual Formative Weeks 1-12 1-7
    Preliminary project documentation assignment 7.5 Individual Formative/Summative Week 3,4 1-2, 4
    Essential skills 5 Individual Summative Week 5 3, 8
    Project documentation pack: Phase 1 7.5 Individual Summative Week 7 5, 8
    Project documentation pack: Phase 2 25 Individual Summative Week 12 1-8
    Examination 50 Individual Summative Exam period Min 40% 1-8
    Total 100
    * The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.
     
    This course has a hurdle requirement. Meeting the specified hurdle criteria is a requirement for passing the course.
    Submission
    Submission Format
    All submissions for the course will be electronic through MyUni.

    Deadlines and penalty for late submissions
    Deadlines are an integral part of a project manager's professional life, and the discipline of getting work finished on time is an essential one to acquire.

    The deadline for all submissions will be provided on MyUni at the start of the course. A penalty of 10% per 24 hours (or part thereof) will apply for late submissions (excluding myuni quizzes which will become unavailable at the deadline). Note that multiple attempts are allowed with the quizzes, but the last submission thay you make will be the one that is counted. If the deadline passes whilst the quiz is being attempted, only that portion of the quiz that was completed will be counted.

    Students eligible for special consideration (e.g. elite athletes, students with access plans) are requested to advise the course coordinator as early as possible where alternate arrangements will be required.

    Extension Requests
    You may be eligible for an extension if your capacity to demonstrate your true level of competence has been or will be significantly impaired as a result of medical, compassionate or extenuating circumstances. As soon as you become aware that you may not be able to complete the assignment on time, contact your course coordinator. It is expected that you do this well before the due date.

    If you need to request an extension for any of the assessment items you will need to provide justification based on grounds of either medical, compassionate or extenuating circumstances and you need to provide documentary evidence (e.g. form signed by Medical Practitioner - the type of evidence required is indicated on the form) to support your case in line with the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy. For guidance on these grounds refer to this page.

    Applications should be supplied on the appropriate, available here, before the assessment deadline. Please email the completed form (i.e. with the required signatures and attached documentation) to your course coordinator for consideration.

    Academic Integrity Policy
    The Academic Integrity Policy applies to all students, and students are advised to be familiar with the policy. Software (e.g. Turnitin) may be used to verify the originality of submissions.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.