| Category |
Assignment |
Subject |
Management |
| University |
University of Westminster |
Module Title |
7CNMN001W Design and Construction: Principles, Application and Management |
| Assessment Title |
Individual Report |
| Semester |
2 |
| Academic year |
2024-2025 |
The Assessment
Assessment rationale
The Individual Report (2,000 words) allows students to evaluate the design and construction processes critically, consider the roles and responsibilities within the project teams, and critically analyse complex design and construction management problems. The report provides the medium and evidence to demonstrate strategic thinking and critical analysis skills. The assessment will address Learning Outcomes LO3 and LO4.
It would also require students to reflect on their learning process and the strategic knowledge they have gained to respond to the coursework, enabling them to mature and develop their practice. The assessment will be inclusive and accessible to enable students with different backgrounds and experiences to participate on level terms.
TASK
The coursework requires you to produce a written report (Maximum 2000 words, ±10%) covering both Part A and Part B of the assignment. It has a weighting of 50% towards your final module mark. The limit excludes any text on the cover page, table of contents, tables, diagrams, pictures, sketches and the titles/sources, the list of references, bibliography and the appendices. The word count must be stated on the cover page. The coursework provides an Option to utilize ChatGPT (NOT compulsory). The responses generated by ChatGPT are to be critically evaluated. The report should be written in your own words (NOT a copy-paste from ChatGPT), produced through your research and supported by appropriate citations.
PART A
The client, an experienced hospital construction contractor, is transitioning into a "Design and Build Company," focusing on innovative hospital designs in response to specific requirements of the clinical briefs and the construction process. As such, the client has decided to form an in-house integrated design team. The client has limited experience of modern design management and has instructed you to produce a critical report advising on:
Integrated Design Team's Capabilities and Skills. Critically evaluate the comprehensiveness and relevance of the list.
Methodologies for Effective Management, Planning, Monitoring, and Control: Evaluate methodologies for effective management of design and construction activities. Including but not limited to Critical Path Method, ADePT Methodology for planning and design, Earned Value Management, Value Engineering, Life Cycle Cost Analysis/Assessment (LCCA/LCA), etc. Critically assess the benefits and limitations.
Incorporating BIM Principles: How BIM principles can be incorporated and would provide support into design and construction management of such complex projects.
Provide a curated list of available software and technologies that can facilitate the above. Critically assess their capabilities and limitations.
PART B
The client has asked you, as the proprietor of a Design and Build Company, to design and build a three-storey, five-bedroom residential building. The client wishes to satisfy themselves of your managerial ability and wishes for you to demonstrate how well you can plan the actual carrying out of the work and has asked you to identify significant activities in the pre-construction and construction phases and your programme of works to deliver this project. Part B should include:
- Organizational Chart for design and build of this project, Work Breakdown Structure, Responsibility Assignment Matrix
- Programme of Work (Microsoft Project):
- Develop a detailed program of work using Microsoft Project, including a Bar Chart showing Critical Path, Start and End Dates, Milestone dates, and appropriate resource allocation.
- Project Risks and Mitigation Strategies:
- Identification of project risks related to the critical path, along with well-thought-out strategies to eliminate, mitigate, or manage these risks – Explain how you will monitor/control the proposed plan of work to minimize the delay
Briefly:
1. Program Parameters for 50 Similar Projects Across the UK:
Describe how program parameters might change if 50 similar projects were to be undertaken at different locations within the UK.
2. Program Parameters for 50 Similar Projects in London:
Describe how program parameters might change if 50 similar projects were to be undertaken in one site (one location) in London.
