Master of Construction Management

This subject provides an introduction to the construction of buildings with an emphasis on residential and multi-unit residential low-rise construction. The key functions and performance requirements for the main elements are discussed in relation to material selection, structural design and construction methods. The aim here is to expose students who are coming into the construction program without a cognate degree to appreciate how construction techniques, contemporary practice, building legislation, developments in sustainable design principles, advancements in materials technology are interlinked and all come together to influence the construction of buildings. The subject also includes an introduction to services within a residential context, and discusses various topics related to building pathology and maintenance.

Incidental costs

Students will be required to purchase personal protective equipment (steel-toed boots, hard-hat, hi-vis vest and safety goggles); cost approx. $90 to $120 per person. Students may use equipment from a previous subject if these are in good working condition.

An introduction to the principles and legal concepts that apply to the built environment professions and how this law develops and changes. The subject covers:

• the fundamentals of common law;
• liability in tort law for injury or loss caused to other people or their property;
• legally binding contracts, their terms, obligations and breaches. These concepts extend into construction contracts, standard forms of contract, liabilities, litigation and arbitration;
• concepts of property and ownership in Australia. The legal nature of land, improvements, fixtures and chattels, land registration systems and encumbrances. Co-ownership: subdivision, joint tenancy in common. licenses and leases. occupier's liability;
• planning law;
• environmental law;
• intellectual property covering copyright, patents and consultancy issues.

Commercial construction relates to high, medium or low rise office or apartment buildings, hospitals and institutional buildings, shopping centres and sporting facilities. Each project has characteristic structural forms and resultant methods of construction. Structural design concepts for steel and reinforced concrete are analysed and their influence on construction methods assessed. The topics covered include the interpretation of steel and reinforced concrete drawings and specifications, steel and reinforced concrete framed buildings, industrial ground slabs, basement construction and site retention methods, piling systems and construction methods to suit various geotechnical conditions, composite construction, tilt slab construction methods, precast concrete building systems and hybrid construction systems.

Incidental costs

Students will be required to purchase personal protective equipment (steel-toed boots, hard-hat, hi-vis vest and safety goggles); cost approx. $90 to $120 per person. Students may use equipment from a previous subject if these are in good working condition.

This subject provides a coverage of the different systems significant in the design of buildings, which are described in terms of 3 interlocking systems: human, mechanical and natural systems.

Human Systems
• Concepts of environmental comfort: heat, light and sound
• Occupational Health, Safety and Environment
• Post-Occupancy Evaluation

Mechanical Systems
• energy efficiency, alternative energy sources and energy management
• active solar heating and cooling systems;
• electrical, telecommunications, transportation and building management systems;
• air-conditioning system designs; refrigeration, heating and air handling plants;
• façade design, natural ventilation and mixed mode systems;
• displacement ventilation, evaporative cooling and radiant cooling systems;
• special servicing conditions
• acoustical design and noise control

Natural Systems
• passive design techniques for buildings
• waste and water treatment techniques, WSUD (water sensitive urban design)
• green infrastructure and ecological services
• integrated greenery – green roofs and vertical greenery

Sustainable building standards like Green Star and NABERS will also be introduced and used in the discourse of the lectures.

This subject provides an introduction to the nature and construction industry both locally and internationally. It investigates the roles and responsibilities of a range of industry stakeholders and introduces project procurement systems and contracts. Theories relating to management and project management and how they apply to the construction industry are presented. The subject then focuses on issues affecting the management of construction projects at the site level. An overview of production management and how it relates to the construction industry is provided along with consideration of issues affecting the efficient use of resources such as labour, subcontract labour, materials, plant and equipment. Labour productivity improvement techniques to such as work study and activity sampling are presented. Industrial relations, site safety and quality assurance are introduced along with construction project planning methods. Critical path scheduling is presented and the construction plan for a small scale building is undertaken.

This subject deals with pre-construction cost management process. It aims to give students the knowledge of the processes involved in establishing and maintaining client’s budget at the design stage. It provides students with skills needed to effectively monitor the budget for a simple building project on a regular basis during the design stage by cost planning of evolving design, and preparing cost estimate at detailed design and tender documentation stage. Topics covered include Design Economics; Cost planning and control in building design: cost estimating procedure and simple cost modeling techniques. Quantification, measurement, and documentation including the following aspects: purpose and preparation of Bill of Quantities (BoQ); Processes of preparing BoQ including: taking-off, working-up, abstracting and billing; types of bill formats and their uses; basic principles of measurement and description of works: the use of Australian Standard Method of Measurement (SMM) for construction works in practice, principles of measurement and description of the following: Groundwork, Concrete (including reinforcement and formwork), Masonry, Timber Pitch Roof, and Internal Finishes for simple residential building. Pricing of measured items: building-up of unit rates. Introduction to computerised measurement. Tender process.

This subject is an introduction to engineering materials, statics, mechanics, and structural systems designed for students without a background in engineering, construction or building. It provides a general understanding of engineering materials and discusses how these materials are used in construction. Concepts of mechanic of materials and structural systems will be discussed by drawing on examples in residential and low-rise construction. Various forms of structural systems for timber, reinforced concrete and steel construction will be investigated.

This subject examines the principles and procedures for effective contract management from both clients’ and contractors’ perspectives. Practices and techniques of planning and managing a contract through to a successful conclusion are presented.

Topics include: development of legal framework for project delivery (contract formation – principles and philosophies of contract drafting); contract negotiation techniques and execution; contract performance, monitoring and enforcement; managing project close-out; relationship management during the construction phase; project procurement and allocation of risks; payment systems; contractual responsibilities and liabilities imposed by general conditions of contracts; construction delay claims management; conflict and dispute management.
The subject also examines alliancing and partnering contracts, performance-based contracts as well as contract management in the context of BIM-based projects.
Contract management software applications are used where applicable.

The focus of this subject lies in the integration of services and energy efficient strategies into the fabric of the building and its construction process. After introductory material on environmental quality and energy related issues, the subject provides students with knowledge in the field of electrical, mechanical, air handling, hydraulic and communication services and particularly the construction issues they generate: levels of documentation and decision-making required; connections with process planning; spatial requirements for functioning, installation and access purposes; protection and quality assurance; building tolerances; systems integration; layout strategies; work sequences and temporary works; contract coordination; testing; maintenance; and upgrading-replacement.

This subject builds on knowledge from Measurement of Building Works (ABPL30040) and Cost Management (ABPL90312). It comprises further measurement, quantification for cost planning and documentation of building works and measurement of civil engineering works. Topics include: measurement of building works including substructure (foundation on sloping sites, stepped foundation, column bases and basement construction, non-linear strip foundation, raft foundation); superstructure; reinforced concrete structures including frames, columns, beams and slabs; stair in steel and concrete; doors and windows in timber and steel including ironmongery; glazing; floor, wall and ceiling finishing; painting and decorations; measurement of mechanical and electrical installation for simple buildings; measurement of civil engineering works including roads and simple railway work; piling; simple bridges and culverts. It also addresses unit rate estimating and project pricing in depth. The subject focuses on 2D and 3D electronic measurement and estimating with CostX 6.6 software as well as Building Information Modeling using Autodesk Revit Architecture Software.  It will introduce students to 5D BIM estimating with CostX 6.6 software and project coordination with Solibri software.

This subject introduces three key management systems used in the construction industry, namely Work Health and Safety Management Systems (WHSMS), Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and Quality Management Systems (QMS). It aims to provide relevant practical knowledge and skills to help manage projects to comply with specific safety, environmental and quality standards, codes and regulations. This subject endeavours to develop your knowledge and understanding of the processes and activities involved in preparing a Work Health and Safety (WHS) Plan and Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) in accordance with the relevant Work Health and Safety legislation; a project-specific Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to manage environmental performance and conformity with environmental management policies, practices, and project specific environmental conditions; and a Quality Management Plan (QMP) in accordance with Australian and international standards. Major topics covered include management principles, models, and tools related to these three management systems.

Through an introduction to details of construction scheduling techniques and use of professional scheduling tools, this subject articulates the clear processes of logical development of time program for construction activities in projects. Real-life case projects are used for students to explore the concepts of activity definition, activity sequencing, resource allocation and resource leveling in the time schedule development process. Organised as a working seminar, the subject exposes students to clear visualisation of the construction processes and logical placement of construction activities whilst enabling them to understand underlying constraints in the schedule development context.

The subject examines the features and functions of various construction plant and temporary works employed in Australia and abroad, comparatively discussing their advantages and disadvantages to facilitate selection according to specific construction contexts. The historical development of construction methods and the factors behind their trends and innovation are also discussed.

This subject builds on the general legal principles and methodologies covered in earlier subjects. It is tailored to the need for construction professionals to have an advanced and integrated understanding of the role of law and its application to the industry.

Topics to be covered include: causes of action; contracting methodologies and selection (including traditional and alternative forms of contract); the regulatory framework (including security of payment legislation); legal aspects of time, cost and quality; subcontracting; insurance and performance security; and dispute resolution and avoidance.

This subject was formerly called Project Management Framework.

This subject provides a critical review of the theory of project management in construction by showing and reflecting on how the established set of project management competencies applies to all phases of building projects’ life cycle. Through project simulations and structured discussion, students are made aware of the relationship between quantitative data and qualitative decisions in a framework of relative uncertainty, and how this relationship is likely to change depending on project type, technological context and building coalitions. By covering new developments, trends and technologies in project management, the subject exposes students to possible transformations in the discipline. At the end of the subject, students are required to go through a self-assessment process that helps them identify knowledge gaps and own development paths as well as the importance of peer interaction and reflective learning in team environments.

This subject aims to give students an introduction to construction regulations including:

• relevant State and Commonwealth government legislation and the Building Code of Australia (including performance requirements, Deemed to Satisfy solutions and alternative solutions);
• fire technology including fire science, fire statistics, causes of fire, wildfire, fire prevention, fire containment, automatic fire detection, fire properties of materials, fire resistance levels, human movement and emergency egress, emergency warning systems, emergency lighting and controlling fire spread;
• an overview of the BCA Deemed to Satisfy fire related provisions and associated standards and codes;
• an introduction to fire safety engineering including analysing fire and smoke spread, use of computer tools, preparing alternative solutions, evaluating alternative solutions;
• an introduction to sustainable building practice in the context of the legislation, regulations standards and codes,

This subject investigates technological topics in building materials, components, systems and methods that normally require input from specialist trades and/or the adaptation of common practice to highly-bespoke design proposals. Focus is given to construction technologies where significant design management efforts in large and complex projects are required from the perspective of a head contractor.
The subject content is reviewed each year to reflect emerging practices and challenges that affect the building industry. Topics may include: tall building construction and structural design principles, bespoke facade construction for architectural applications, hybrid construction systems and advanced technologies of manufacturing, fabrication and processes in building materials.

This subject critically reviews established and emerging research areas in the field of construction. This is accompanied by an exposition of the underlying research objectives, the methods in use or required, and the challenges and limitations of the methods.

Designed as an advanced, hands-on introduction to the culture and protocols of disciplinary research in construction, the subject has two aims: 1) To equip students with the skills necessary to conduct rigorous and original research; 2) To provide them with an opportunity to develop a scholarly foundation and a theoretical framework for an investigation of their choice.

The subject concentrates on the preliminary stages of research, from defining a research question through to planning and commencing the research. The product of their work constitutes the basis for original empirical research project conducted in ABPL90359 Research Practicum in Construction and forms an integral part of the final research report of that subject.

Organised as an advanced seminar, this subject examines management issues relating to contemporary businesses within the construction industry. The various models of organisations and corporate strategies to achieve competitive advantage are researched and explored. Management concepts such as financial analysis, competitive strategy, innovation, negotiation, leadership and corporate social responsibility are analysed and discussed in the context of a contemporary construction company. More recent developments such as knowledge management, relationship marketing, operations management, and supply chain management etc. are also examined. Academic research, industry reports and relevant business school case studies are used extensively.

Incidental costs

Students will be required to purchase Harvard Business School cases for approximately $55-60 per person.

This subject was formerly called Facade Design and Performance.

This subject provides the student with knowledge on the technology, manufacturing, erection and performance of buildings’ external boundaries.

By considering facades and roofing systems against the processes involved in their procurement, it gives insights on the complexity of building envelope definition and production in the industry, particularly from a construction perspective.

A short introduction to the history of external cladding is followed by an overview of principal façade and roofing system functions, systems and types.

Material on simulation, testing, mock-ups, trade packaging, purchasing, activities planning, scheduling and erection is provided to help students understand the construction process.

Emphasis is also placed on the technical and organizational differences between new developments and refurbishment work.

Note: This subject includes a pre-teaching period. During the pre-teaching period students are expected to complete the course readings, review the lectures and any other course preparation as outlined on the LMS. The LMS will become available at the commencement of the pre-teaching dates. Pre teaching starts on 11/09/2017

This subject examines the industrial behaviour of a variety of firms active in the construction market through exploring the experiences and reflections of key industry representatives. This will include examination of features related to the feasibility, design, construct, commissioning and operation phases of a construction project.

Organised as a series of structured discussions within a seminar format, the subject will expose students to a variety of industrial pathways, while positioning challenges and achievements of the sample of firms selected within their historical, economic and technological contexts.

Student's work will be to acquire industry information from class and formal research sources then organise, synthesise and determine possible futures of various sectors of the construction industry. This will assist the student in formulating how future trends, constraints and opportunities may impact the industry.

The subject is conceived as a platform to expose final-year students to the structural diversity that exists in the construction industry. Its aim is to examine how different types of firms behave in relation to a particular topic, which changes every year, according to the experiences and structured reflections of key industry representatives invited throughout the semester.

The idea behind this framework is that, by being exposed to and by understanding the cultural, strategic and operational differences that can exist between firms, students will be able to form an independent view of the industry, acquire critical skills that can be applied in the workplace, and become more proactive in relation to future employment strategies or choices.

This subject provides an insight into the issues currently facing the construction industry. It aims to develop an understanding and awareness of the complex nature of construction supply chains and how they may be better managed to improve productivity, value, efficiency and client satisfaction within the construction industry. The network of organisations involved, through upstream and downstream linkages, in the different processes and activities that contribute to the production of construction artifacts is explored. The subject provides an introduction to supply chain management and provides the skills and knowledge needed to map construction supply chains, identify critical nodes and suggest possible solutions for improving existing construction practices. Case studies, site visits and industry guests are used to demonstrate current local and international industry practices and provide examples of the application of supply chain management-related initiatives in real-world projects.

The subject will expose you to the latest international developments in prefabrication and its application within construction. You will develop an appreciation for how prefabrication can be used to minimise or avoid many of the issues currently faced by the construction industry as well as the environmental, financial and social benefits that are possible.

The construction and associated challenges and benefits of prefabrication will be demonstrated through a series of case studies and site visits.

The use of prefabrication in construction will be covered at various scales and levels of complexity, including an in-depth look at a range of componentised, panelised and modular construction systems.

You will also develop professional expertise in the analysis of prefabrication as an alternative approach to procurement within the construction industry.

The subject exposes students to construction procurement in a broad sense, by articulating and examining the legal and functional links between multiple contracting parties in project delivery. Different procurement methods with their associated contract types are introduced, and the theories and principles governing their selection discussed. To this end, decision support system tools that can facilitate the selection process are introduced and practiced with case studies. Ethics in procurement, public procurement concerns and strategies, as well as international differences in the use of procurement methods, are also covered.

This subject sets the context for an understanding of the operations of firms within the construction production process. This includes conducting statistical analysis of the data concerning construction. By analysing construction’s contribution to national income and its linkages to other sectors of the economy it is possible to draw conclusions and gain insights into the operations of firms involved in the production of the built environment.

This subject explores the use of information and communication technologies from design to construction, to the post-delivery life cycle of buildings. The subject follows three overlapping themes: (i) historical overview of informatisation in the building industry, including the opportunities and constraints that follow these developments; (ii) discussion of contemporary issues in the delivery of building projects and potential solutions offered by ICT; and (iii) exposure to selected ICT methodologies and tools such as building information modeling and integrated project delivery solutions. The subject is organised as an advanced seminar supplemented with hands-on workshops in use of specific ICT solutions.

The construction industry is not only one of the largest employment sectors globally but also one of the most dynamic and complex industrial settings. The industry relies heavily on the skill set of a wide range of workers who are employed within diverse industry settings. This subject investigates the effective management of construction’s most important resource – its people. Overall it explores the importance of human resource management (HRM) in order to develop a high level of consistency between organisational and individual needs.

The subject begins by looking at contextual factors which influence the supply of workers and the management of this resource. A history of industrial relations, as it relates to construction, is provided along with an examination of industrial relations on construction projects today. Employment legislation as it applies in the Australian context is also presented. Individual and team based theories and models of organisational behaviour are then examined and human resource management theories and their key functions are presented providing students with current theoretical approaches to people management. Issues specific to the construction industry such as communication and teamwork; conflict management, negotiation and resolution; employee motivation and retention; organisational and project cultures; ethics and ethical behaviour; equal opportunity and diversity; work-life balance; career development and mentoring are also covered. This subject covers briefly some aspects of occupational health and safety (OHS) of workers (for instance psychological risks) but not issues such as legislation, statutory responsibilities of employers or current theories within OHS management.

Note: Students are expected to complete up to 100 pages of course readings and any other course preparation as outlined on the LMS. The LMS will become available earlier than the start date of the subject.

Research skills are paramount in the increasingly specialised world we live in. This subject provides you with an opportunity to conduct research on a topic of your choice, pertaining to construction. You will be focusing on the middle to final stages of research: from research design to interpreting research results and presenting them in writing, graphically and orally. The subject uses seminars with all students to share knowledge and advancement but mostly capitalises on one-on-one mentoring and supervision from dedicated supervisors to progress your research. You will use and build upon knowledge and materials acquired and developed in Research in Construction (ABPL90358) to inform your final research thesis.

Design Management has developed an increasingly important role within the construction industry since the development of new project acquisition methods from the 1990s onwards. These recognise the importance of the integration of the design and construction processes, the emergence of the project management profession as well as the more specialised role of architects and engineers. This industry role, to coordinate a team of people within a defined framework with agreed goals to achieve a desired design outcome, has evolved within various organisational settings such as architectural and engineering practices, project management consultancies and construction contracting companies. The organisation of the design effort to produce a set of deliverables that achieve the functional, financial and time requirements expected by the relevant key stakeholders is at the core of the design manager’s role. This subject will investigate these roles and responsibilities within the different organisational environments and throughout the project’s lifecycle. In addition, the unique stakeholder relationships and expectations of the design manager acting on behalf of the client, consultant or contractor will be explored and a design management plan developed for a contemporary commercial building project.

This subject was formerly called Project Evaluation and Management.

This subject develops fundamental knowledge in the technical modeling and evaluation of projects’ feasibility, procurement strategies and outcomes, both in the public and the private sector. Topics covered include: capital formation; role of interest rates; assessing financial feasibility and the investment decision; project financing and financing instruments; technological strategies; profitability; socio-economic impact of projects; cost-benefit analysis; fitness for purpose; and revision of forecasts and financial decisions during project implementation. Students are required to apply this knowledge to real-life case projects to develop appropriate models for the analysis and evaluation of how the work meets objectives and expectations of the parties involved.

Organised as an advanced seminar, the subject exposes students to the various dimensions of risk management at different levels in a specific internal and external environment. Enabling them to establishing the contexts; identity, analyse and evaluate the risks; and select the best risk treatment options all according to Australian and International Standards.
The content of this subject ranges from studies of theoretical risk analysis techniques through real examples from industry, given emphasis on the various risk management strategies and approaches, decisions and options that leaders and managers in construction industry may assume to risk. At an organisational strategic level, the different perspectives of diverse stakeholders in the property development and construction process are considered (i.e. clients, developers, consultants, designers, contractors, tenants, financiers and authorities).
The subject also examines some of the ways in which stakeholders might assess and allow for risk through contingencies, allowances and margins. The reliance on specialised subcontractors is also studied from a risk management perspective. Case studies centring on risk at site, corporate and industry levels are extensively used in the subject to develop students’ analytical and research capacity in the topic by real scenarios.

Successful project development depends on pro-active cost management from feasibility through to design, tender and construction, to the completion and useful life of the project. This subject examines applications of economics, management, law and statistical techniques to construction cost economics and management.

Topics include: advanced cost modelling techniques with parametric and probabilistic cost estimating methods; cost-in-use studies and life-cost approach to building evaluation (LCC in practice); feasibility studies and financial decision-making; value management; tender analysis; construction claims, conflict and dispute management; professional practice in quantity surveying including professional ethics; the role of quantity surveyors during construction as it affects the valuation of preliminaries, fluctuations, change orders and accounts, provisional sums and prime cost sums, as well as the role of quantity surveyors in risk assessment.

Principles of professional liability in quantity surveying practice as well as the impact of advanced digital technology such as Building Information Modelling on Cost management are also examined.