University of Technology Sydney

16105 Cost Management 1: Measurement

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: School of the Built Environment
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 16109 Construction Technology 1
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject examines the principles, procedures and practical application of construction quantities measurement. It commences with an overview of the importance of and the use and application of construction quantities. Students carry out a series of detailed exercises in construction quantities calculation, measurement and description utilising electronic CAD/BIM technology. The Australian Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works is used as the main measurement standard but students explore the differences in approaches to measurement for builders quantities, estimates, cost planning and other forms of quantities.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the PMBOK Competency Unit for Project Cost Management through applications in tutorials
2. Calculate lengths, areas, volumes and weights of simple and complex object and building elements
3. Interpret drawings and extract quantities from them
4. Measure quantities and present them in an appropriate format
5. Prepare bills of quantities
6. Apply the Australian Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works in the preparation of bills of quantities
7. Measure finishes, groundworks, concrete, masonry, roofing and carpentry trades
8. Apply electronic CAD/BIM technology in measuring quantities.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

  • Identify ethical issues and apply informed ethical judgements in professional Contexts. (A.1)
  • Apply a variety of communication skills and technologies in professional contexts. (C.1)
  • Work effectively in project teams in professional contexts. (C.2)
  • Ability to provide and utilise innovative and creative solutions to industry/project issues and problems. (I.1)
  • Apply the body of knowledge underpinning construction project management practice. (P.2)
  • Effectively manage the interface between design and construction processes for projects. (P.3)
  • Develop strategic advice for clients on the costs and benefits of various courses of action involving construction projects and financing options. (P.5)
  • Critically analyse, structure and report the results of a research project. (R.2)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:

C = communication and groupwork

A = attitudes and values

P = practical and professional

R = research and critique

I = innovation and creativity.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).

Teaching and learning strategies

Weekly on campus : 2 hr lectures, plus 2 hr tutorials/studio/workshop. The learning activities in this subject involve a variety of face-to-face lectures, tutorials sessions, assignments, take home exercises (individual), and a real life case study on the measurement process with a professional company in the construction industry. The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.

A weekly tutorial approach is used to give immediate feedback to students and to provide professional comments and advices. A two-hour measurement tutorial/studio (7-9pm) will take place each week on campus. The measurement tutorial/studio uses practice-based learning approach to give students an opportunity to work in a group on construction projects using both 2D and BIM models to harness the understanding of digital technologies and techniques of measurement. This will be complemented by independent student reading. Students are further supported through the use of UTS Canvas offering subject material and information moderation with the subject coordinator.

Content (topics)

The content of this subject covers the following topics:

  • PMBOK Competency Units/Knowledge Areas in Project Cost Management
  • An introduction to drawing interpretation and building measurement.
  • Understanding the principles and use of bills of quantities in the construction industry.
  • Understanding the principles and use of Australian Standard Methods of Measurement Building Works (ASMM) in measuring quantities.
  • The measurement and calculation of simple quantities in accordance with the ASMM.
  • Understanding in the use of measurement papers, set-out and notation, description of BQ items and side calculations.
  • Measurement of building works includes finishes, groundworks, masonry, concrete, roofing and carpentry.
  • Use of electronic CAD/BIM technology in measuring quantities.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Group assignment - Professional engagement with learning

Intent:

Team of students investigate digital technologies, issues and career associated with cost management in the construction industry.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 5, 6 and 8

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

A.1, C.1, C.2, I.1, P.2 and R.2

Type: Project
Groupwork: Group, group assessed
Weight: 30%
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Understand the concept 20 1 A.1
Understand the measurement process 15 5 C.1
Understand the measurement standard 15 6 C.2
Understand the use of technology in measurement practices 15 8 P.2
Understand the use of technology 15 8 I.1
Under the construction measurement practices 20 1 R.2
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Take Home Exercises (individual)

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

A.1, C.1, P.2, P.3 and P.5

Type: Exercises
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 40%
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Understand the measurement theories and processes 30 2 A.1
Understand the drawings 15 3 P.2
Understand the measurement theories and processes 15 4 P.3
Understand the preparation of BOQs 15 5 P.5
Understand the measurement rules and requirements 10 6 P.2
Understand the use of state-of-the-art software to measure building trades 15 8 C.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Online quizzes

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

A.1, C.1, P.2, P.3 and P.5

Type: Quiz/test
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 30%
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Understand the measurement theories and processes 15 2 A.1
Understand the drawings 15 3 P.2
Understand the measurement theories and processes 15 4 P.3
Understand the preparation of BOQs 15 5 P.5
Understand the measurement rules and requirements 10 6 P.2
Understand the measurement of different building trades 15 7 P.2
Understand the use of state-of-the-art software to measure building trades 15 8 C.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.

Required texts

1. Australia Institute of Quantity Surveyors (2016), Australian Standard Method of Measurement, 6th Edition, Canberra.
2. Marsden, P. (1998), Basic Building Measurement, 2nd Edition, NSW University Press, Sydney.
3. PMI (2008), A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®Guide), 4th Edition, Project Management Institute, Newtown Square, PA.

4. Best, R., Smith, P. & Doherty, J. (2014), Detailed building measurement Volume 1 & 2, AIQS, Sydney, Australia.

References

1. Ashworth, A. and Hogg, K. Willis (2002), Practice & Procedure for the Quantity Surveyor, 11th Edition, Blackwell Science.

2. Picken, D. (1999), Building Measurement: Worked Examples, Deakin Press, Deakin.

3. Hardin, B. (2009), BIM and Construction Management : Proven tools, methods and workflows, Indianapolis, Ind., Wiley Pub.