CE5026 Design Economics and Cost Planning CW1 Assignment Brief- 2024/25

CE5026 Learning Outcomes

The following module learning outcomes are tested in this assessment:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the theories and principles of design economics and the factors that affect the cost of buildings over their whole life.
• Debate the relationship between sustainable building design. construction methods, and cost of buildings. 
• Demonstrate deep and analytical knowledge of the rules, principles and application of estimating, cost planning, benchmarking and cost reporting techniques and apply the above techniques in producing early cost estimates of building projects based on limited information.
• Apply estimating, bench marking, and cost reporting techniques in producing cost plans during the detailed stages of building projects using standard IT packages.

Assessment task and specific terms of CE5026 

This Situational Analysis Group Report assignment is part of an "in-tray" exercise that will continue through the Individual Practical Report (CW2) and to the end of the module in the Client Report (CW3).

Your client has two alternative proposals for developing a greenfield site to provide 5,000 square metres of a prototype technical college in either a 5-storey rectangular building or a 3-storey irregular shaped building. Outline sketches of both options and the relevant cost information are provided in the Drawings and Information folder accompanying this assessment brief.

Specification: Both alternative proposals have identical specifications

Your client requires your economic evaluation of both design proposals and an Order of Cost Estimate (OCE) for one of the options. Note that the cost of land is not a factor for the client in this appraisal. In your teams (groups), your task is to produce a client report in two parts: 

Part 1 should detail an element-by-element comparison of the cost implications of the two design options. Actual costs are not required for the economic evaluation. Only cost influences need to be discussed in this part. Your evaluation is expected to be critical and therefore should include a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of each option in relation to cost. You should also include recommendations for each option that would improve their value for money.

Part 2 should provide an OCE for one of the options only using the available information. The selected option is to be built in Kingston upon Thames and June 2025 is the expected tender date. Construction is expected to commence in September 2025 and completion is projected for March 2027. 

Assessment Criteria of CE5026 

Assessment of your submission will be based on the following weighted assessment criteria as given below which relate to the specified module learning outcomes. Assessment criteria are reproduced in Canvas in a rubric. Specific Criteria (marking scheme) Marks available 

Part 1: Economic evaluation of alternative designs: element by element comparison of the cost implications of identified design variables on the two design options. Critical discussion of cost strengths and weaknesses of each option and recommendations for improving value for money.

Part 2: Basis & Reliability of estimates: a discussion of the basis of the estimate and the justification for any assumptions made. Quality assurance statement and limitations of estimate.