16912 Construction Project Management Principles

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 2025 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): (16204 Construction Technology 2 OR 16265 Construction Technology 2)) OR (48340 Construction AND (72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10067 Bachelor of Engineering OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10061 Bachelor of Engineering Diploma Engineering Practice OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09066 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09067 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Diploma Professional Engineering Practice)) OR (16631 Construction and Development Process AND (48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10310 Bachelor of Property Economics OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10320 Bachelor of Property Economics Bachelor of International Studies OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10431 Bachelor of Property Economics Bachelor of Languages and Cultures)
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

The subject introduces students to the fundamental principles of project management, as proposed by the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) and other relevant management theories.

Students completing this course gain an understanding of the underlying theoretical concepts of project management and how they can be used to explain project management in practice.

Specifically, this subject explores key tools and techniques necessary to practice the core project management competencies, such as developing a work breakdown structure, creating a project schedule, and producing a project risk register.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

1.	Demonstrate foundational project management knowledge in project management principles, relevant terminology and tools that will help students conceptualise the management of construction projects.
2.	Demonstrate the ability to apply project management terminology, tools, and techniques in the form of a project management plan.
3.	Demonstrate effective written communication using project management documents and effective oral communication in relevant project management contexts.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

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

• Apply a variety of communication skills and technologies in professional contexts. (C.1)
• Work effectively in project teams in professional contexts. (C.2)
• Apply the body of knowledge underpinning construction project management practice. (P.2)
• Develop strategic advice for clients on the costs and benefits of various courses of action involving construction projects and financing options. (P.5)
• Source evaluate and use information to approach new projects/problems. (R.1)

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: Lecture 3 hours per week

The learning activities in this subject involve dynamic, weekly practice-oriented lectures in which we work through and discuss project management principles. The face-to-face interaction will be supported by practical exercises in which the concepts of foundational project management knowledge are applied to different case studies. Moreover, practice-oriented workshops will be used to deliver specific learning objectives (i.e. develop a network diagram), or to help students prepare for major assessments. Together these activities offer the students to get an opportunity to get regular feedback on how well they understand and are able to apply the content learned in lectures. Although not marked, this is a critical feedback loop for students as well as a learning exercise.

Students will be expected to read the case studies before they come to class and asked to reflect on the class content as it relates to the case study, discuss collaboratively with other class members, and then write down key learning outcomes from the class in a class diary. The aim of this exercise is to help manifest the content of the subject in an applied manner.

Three assessment tasks (a mix of group and individual assignments) will test students’ progress beyond discipline specific knowledge throughout the session in relation to graduate attributes. The lecturer will provide formative and specific feedback throughout the session, based on the subject specific learning objectives.

An aim of this subject is to help you develop academic and professional language and communication skills to succeed at university and in the workplace. During the course of this subject, you will complete a milestone assessment task that will, in addition to assessing your subject-specific learning objectives, assess your English language proficiency.

Students are further supported through the use of UTS Online Learning System (Canavs), which will provide subject materials and supplementary information about the subject.

Content (topics)

• Organisational influences and processes
• Project Integration Management
• Project Scope Management
• Project Time Management
• Project Cost Management
• Project Quality Management
• Project Stakeholder Management
• Project HR & Communications Management
• Project Risk Management
• Project Performance Management

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Construction Project Management Training and Quiz

Intent:	The Construction PM training includes completing three pieces of training/certificates via Procore. This will help you to navigate Procore software and to gain knowledge and skills in construction project planning and scheduling. It also helps you to complete the online quiz and gain further feedback on your progress.
Objective(s):	This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1 and 2 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.): P.2 and P.5
Type:	Quiz/test
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	30%
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Demonstrate knowledge of construction project management principles 80 2 P.2 Ability to reflect on lecture material and evaluate information 20 1 P.5 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Project Management Plan (Group Assessment)

Intent:	Through this assignment, students will demonstrate their ability to apply project management principles, terminology, tools, and techniques using written communication methods that are applied in industry.
Objective(s):	This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 2 and 3 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.): C.2, P.2 and R.1
Type:	Report
Groupwork:	Group, group and individually assessed
Weight:	30%
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Apply communication (i.e. team work) skills to practice in form of a stakeholder management plan 30 3 C.2 Select and apply project management principles 50 2 P.2 Apply critical and reflective thinking in built environment context 20 3 R.1 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Individual Project Management Plan

Intent:	Through this assignment, students will demonstrate their ability to apply project management principles, terminology, tools, and techniques to a different context and display their communication skills to precisely summarise key points, something that you will have to do when briefing your boss.
Objective(s):	This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 2 and 3 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.): C.1, P.2 and P.5
Type:	Report
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	40%
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Ability to communicate effectively using communication technologies 50 3 C.1 Apply and communicate project management principles 40 3 P.2 Ability to source and use relevant information 10 2 P.5 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

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) (7th Edition). (2021). Project Management Institute.

A Guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK guide) (5th ed.). (2013). Project Management Institute, Inc.

Recommended texts

Larson, E.W. , Honig, B., Gray, C.F., Dantin, U. & Baccarini, D. (2014). Project Management: The Managerial Process, McGraw Hill (Australia), Sydney.

McCarthy, J.F. (2011), Construction Project Management - A Managerial Approach, Parero Building Improvement, Westchester, IL.

Walker, A. (2007), Project Management in Construction, 5th. edn, Blackwell Publishing Ltd., Carlton, VIC, Australia.

Other resources

1. Clough, R. H., Sears, G.A., Sears, S. & Keoki, (2008) Construction Project Management, Fifth Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

2. Bennett, F.L. (2003) The Management of Construction - A Project Lifecycle Approach, Butterworth Heinemann
3. Clegg, S., Kornberger, M., & Pitsis, T. (2008) Managing and Organizations: An Introduction to Theory and Practice, SAGE, London
4. Harris, F. & McCaffer, R. (2006), Modern Construction Management, 6th Edition, Wiley-Blackwell
5. Hoyle, D. (2005) ISO 9000 Quality Systems Handbook, Oxford : Butterworth-Heinemann.
6. Johnson, D.W. & Johnson, F.P. (2009), Joining Together - Group Theory and Group Skills, 10th Ed., Pearson Education
7. Nunnally, Stephens W., (2006) Construction Methods and Management 7th Ed
8. Uher, T.E., (1998) Programming and Scheduling Techniques, 2nd Ed., University of New South Wales
9. Uher, T. E. & Loosemore, M. (2004), Essentials of Construction Project Management, UNSW Press
10. Winch, G. M. (2010), Managing Construction Projects, 2nd Ed, Wiley-Blackwell
11. Woodward, J. F. (1997) Construction Project Management: Getting It Right First Time, Thomas Telford Publishing, London.