University of Technology Sydney

16913 Time Management

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): 16912 Construction Project Management Principles
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject examines time management on construction projects. The subject covers the key principles and techniques of time management including the development of work breakdown structures (WBS), detailed resourcing, activity scheduling, critical path programming and earned value management. The subject also covers the use of BIM (Building Information Modeling) and 4D simulation.

Students demonstrate their ability to solve real-word planning and scheduling problems by undertaking individual work that develops a project schedule and ties the schedule into a working 4D simulation. Knowledge of techniques and best practices are shown by addressing the requirements of the building project, creating a work breakdown structure, allocating resources, examining productivity, scheduling work packages, and using digital technologies to present a schedule to a project sponsor.

Schedules are the basis of project planning, execution and control. A competent project manager is expected to have a strong command of scheduling. This command is achieved via learning the theories and practising manual and digital techniques.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

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

1. Understand the managerial attitudes required when scheduling construction projects
2. Discuss and explain the project schedule using manual and digital methods.
3. Demonstrate creativity in sequencing a construction project based on the clients' requirement. Demonstrate how the project sequence improve the delivery of the project for the construction client.
4. Apply the body of knowledge underpinning construction project management practice (relating to time management)
5. Demonstrate digital technology literacy and competency (relating to time management)
6. Engage critical and independent thinking in the interpretation of theory and its practical application

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

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

  • Critically analyse and reflect on communication and engagement practices to inform professional capabilities to work effectively for and with Indigenous Australians across construction contexts. (A.3)
  • Apply a variety of communication skills and technologies in professional contexts. (C.1)
  • Adaptability to changing processes, developments, methodologies and technologies in built environment contexts. (I.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

The subject is structured around a mixed mode of delivery including weekly lectures/tutorials and computer lab-based training. The learning activities in this subject involve a variety of face-to-face lectures, tutorial exercises, individual projects, and tool-based teaching strategies. The lectures involve face-to-face content delivery employing the use of time planning software applications, media and electronic resources to enhance the delivery of the subject. Industry lecturers will be utilised as required to demonstrate current practical applications of subject content. The in-class turorials will incorporate group activities as project scheduling is a group activity in industry.

To link theory and practice, the subject enables students to gain skills required for both manual and computerized modes of time management. Therefore, students are initially provided with an understanding of time management theories, principles, and techniques through a series of lectures and tutorials in which hypothetical and real-world examples of scheduling are practiced. Then they are equipped with hands-on experience in using software applications for time planning and control of case study projects. The computer lab-training ensure the students are familiar with current industry software. The training is conducted in a group session but indivually assessed to assure the student has learn the software.

Students will be required to log into UTS online during the orientation week in order to familiarize themselves with the subject outline. Students are further supported through the use of UTS Online offering subject material, information and communication with the subject coordinator. The students will undertake a combination of in-class collaborative learning activities and individual problem solving tasks outside of class time. Details for these will be posted under the announcements for this subject in UTS Online at the commencement of orientation week. Collaboration in during the class tutorials and in-class tutorials are part of the overal teaching and learning strategy.

Content (topics)

The content of this subject covers the following topics:

  • PMBOK Competency/Knowledge Areas in Time Management
  • Construction programming and planning techniques
  • Work breakdown structures (WBS) and detailed resource and activity scheduling
  • Basic understanding of time scheduling software application
  • Contemporary issues and leading edge practices

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Construction Planning and Scheduling Assignment

Intent:

This assessment will provide students with the opportunity to collaborate on planning and scheduling of a case project. It involves gathering and organising information and any related project documents, processing those information and documents, doing manual time-related estimates, identifying construction sequences and make the necessary information good and ready to be fed into digital technologies (i.e. MS Project). It then involves using digital technologies to create a construction schedule for the case project. During this assignment, students are expected to demonstrate collaborative team planning processes and problem-solving skills that are used as the current standard practices in the industry in order to create a good construction program. Teams will need to work in and outside of class time to complete this assignment . Further information related to the intended learning outcomes of this assessment will be provided in the assignment brief that will be available on UTS CANVAS and handed out in class.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

2, 3, 4 and 5

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

Type: Case study
Groupwork: Group, group assessed
Weight: 30%
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Developing a project schedule based on project requirements (documentation) 30 3 R.1
Create a digital project schedule based on a written project plan 30 5 I.2
Justification of the project schedule 20 4 P.2
Quality of project report 20 2 C.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Time Management, Scheduling and 4D Simulation Exercises

Intent:

This assessment will provide students with the opportunity to enhance their understanding of construction programming through manual and software-based scheduling. In the both manual and software-based practices, students are to apply principles of time management to solve time-related and scheduling problems. This will consist of weekly activities that students will undertake in and outside of class time. Some of these activities will involve using tools, such as MS Projects and/or Navisworks to create computerised project programs and a 4D simulation for better communication of project plans and construction sequence with project stakeholders. Further information related to the intended learning outcomes of this assessment will be provided in the assignment brief that will be available on UTS CANVAS and handed out in class.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

3 and 5

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.):

I.2 and P.5

Type: Exercises
Groupwork: Group, group and individually assessed
Weight: 30%
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Apply knowledge of planning and scheduling to practical examples 50 5 P.5
Demonstrate literacy and proficiency related to digital scheduling 30 3 I.2
Simulate project building program in a 4D environment 20 3 I.2
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Formal Examination

Intent:

The students will be assessed on the interpretation of the scenarios presented in the exam. They will demonstate how they use the various project time management techniques to communicate their understanding of the topics being assessed.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2, 4, 5 and 6

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

Type: Examination
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 40%
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Explain project scheduling theories 30 4 P.2
Application of problem solving techniques and skills to theoretical and practical scheduling scenarios 30 6 P.2
Communicate ideas related to project scheduling 20 2 C.1
Explain scheduling decisions based on managerial choices 15 1 A.3
Explain the use of digital technologies in projecting 5 5 P.5
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

Students must achieve a minimum aggregate mark of 50% to pass this subject.

Construction Project Management students are required to attend 80% of all classes for all enrolled subjects. Due to the nature of this subject, achievement of the subject’s aims is difficult if all workshops are not attended.Pursuant to UTS rule 3.8.2 students who do not satisfy attendance requirements may be refused permission by the Responsible Academic Officer to be considered for assessment for this subject.

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. Uher, Thomas (2003), Programming and Scheduling Techniques, UNSW Press. (available at the UTS Co-Op Bookshop)

2. UTS (2014), “Guide to Assignment Writing”, Faculty of Business, UTS (available at: http://www.uts.edu.au/sites/default/files/business-writing-guide-2014.pdf )

* Other study materials including lecture slides will be available via UTSOnline.

Recommended texts

1. Mubarak, S. (2010), Construction Project Scheduling and Control- 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons.

2. Walker, D. (2007), Project Management in Construction, 5th Ed., Wiley-Blackwell.

3. PMI (2013), A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), 5th Ed, Project Management Institute, Newtown Square, PA.

4. Harris, P. E. (2016), Planning and Control Using Microsoft Project 2013 and 2016, Eastwood Harris Pty Ltd, VIC, Australia