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Engineering Project Control

Unit code: HES6690D

Credit points12.5 Credit Points
Duration

1 Semester
Contact hoursEquivalent to 36 hrs contact time or 150 hrs total study time
CampusOff-Campus
Prerequisites

PG: Nil
UG: 250 CP
Corequisites
 
Nil

Aims and objectives

The aim of this unit is to introduce the techniques for establishing and maintaining control of a project.
On completion of this unit the participant should:
  • Understand the particular phases that constitute an engineering project and how each of these phases can be controlled with respect to time (schedule), cost, quality and safety 
  • Understand the various forms of contract and advantages/disadvantages of the various mechanisms of delivery of projects 
  • Understand project administration requirements for prime contractors and sub-contractors – project meetings, progress payments, project cost forecasting, contract variations, extensions of time. 
  • Appreciate the nature of the construction industry 
  • Understand the phases of a construction project 
  • Understand the means of controlling project costs 
  • Possess specific knowledge of a range of planning and scheduling techniques
  • Appreciate the role of occupational health and safety in project management

Teaching methods

Distance Education via Blackboard and email

Assessment

1 Major Individual Assignment (worth 100%) which includes 1 mid-term assignment assessment

Generic skills outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will have:
  • ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals
  • ability to communicate effectively, not only with engineers but also with the community at large
  • in-depth technical competence in at least one engineering discipline
  • ability to understand problem identification, formulation and solution
  • ability to utilise a systems approach to design and operational performance
  • ability to function effectively as an individual in a project team, have the capacity to be a leader or manager as well as an effective team member
  • understanding of the social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities of the professional engineer, and the need for sustainable development
  • understanding of the principles of sustainable design and development
  • understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities and have a commitment to uphold these responsibilities
  • expectation of the need to undertake lifelong learning, and capacity to do so

Content

Topics include:
  • The Nature of the Construction Industry 
  • Project Phases: Identification, Planning, Feasibility Phase; Preliminary Engineering and Detailed Design Phase Contracts and Procurement Phase; Construction and Commissioning Phase 
  • Control of Project Costs 
  • Project Programming and Scheduling 
  • Project Quality Control 
  • Project Occupational Health and Safety.

Reading materials

Relevant reading materials will be available on the Blackboard website for this unit.Additional references are:
Goldfayl, G, Construction Contract Administration, 2nd edn, UNSW Press, 2004.
Uher, TE, Programming and Scheduling techniques, UNSW Press 2003.
 
There are many government references for this unit, which can be obtained from the Internet.