Process Management in Construction Research Oriented Report Assessment Brief | USM

Assessment task details and instructions

Skyscrapers and innovative buildings are generally considered a symbol of modernity, technological progress, and economic power. Working individually, you are required to select and investigate an ‘iconic’ skyscraper/ innovative building construction project completed in the last 3 years. The building can be located anywhere in the world. Considering your selected iconic building, you should write a 3000-word research-oriented report covering the following three tasks: 

TASKS

Task 1.    Briefly Introduce your selected project The building should be named, and a brief background should be provided to describe the chosen building and to justify its iconic/innovative nature. The location of the building, the start and completion dates, and other key project information should be clearly summarised in a table or figure.

Task 2.    Assuming that your selected building project was carried out by following the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Code of Practice for Project Management fifth or sixth edition, investigate and use CIOB Code of Practice for Project Management framework to describe and map the main processes in the pre-construction phase (i.e., all the key processes preceding the construction phase) of the building project selected in Task 1. The main processes in the pre-construction phase should be discussed and mapped/modelled in your report by creating three IDEF0 diagrams and one UML Activity diagram, as described hereafter. 

The IDEF0 diagrams should consist of a single IDEFO Context diagram (i.e., Level 0 diagram), a single IDEFO Level 1 diagram, and one IDEFO Level 2 diagram of any of the subprocesses included in your IDEF0 Level 1 diagram. You should then select a subprocesses from your Level 2 IDEF0 diagram and graphically describe the flow of activities within this subprocess by using one UML Activity diagram.

Note that further clarifications and examples on the use of the above diagrams will be provided during the lectures and Assessment Consultation session. Attendance is therefore essential to correctly complete the assignment. The CIOB Code of Practice for Project Management framework must be used to identify, name, and map the main processes/subprocesses/activities and other relevant information that you will include in your own diagrams and in the discussion. The edition of the selected framework should be clearly specified in the report.

Each of the above diagrams should be discussed in the report by clearly describing the processes/subprocesses depicted in each diagram, in the context of the selected project life cycle framework (i.e., CIOB Code of Practice for Project Management 5th edition or CIOB Code of Practice for Project Management 6th edition). The description of the illustrated processes and subprocesses is expected to be effectively supported by references to the selected project life cycle framework and to other relevant literature.  You should also make appropriate informed assumptions as necessary and state them accordingly. 

Task 3.    Process improvement methodologies such as such as Lean, Six Sigma, Total Quality Management, and Integrated Project Delivery enhance the efficiency in organisations. Building upon the project you selected in Task 1, critically discuss how the possible application of one or two process improvement methodologies helps in enhancing project performance such as minimization of waste and enhancement of quality across the project lifecycle. 

Also note the following: 
(i)    The report should focus on analysing theory and relevant publications. It should include a combination of synthesis of knowledge gained from relevant sources, your own diagrams in task 2 (not copied from other sources) and your own discussion based on facts and theory. 
(ii)    This is a research-oriented report. Discussion should be supported by relevant references. The main emphasis in referencing should be on publicly available and good quality secondary sources such as official reports, journal/conference articles, and books. Students can also cite relevant websites. Note that citing inaccurate sources or sources not discussed in your report is likely to indicate poor academic practice/academic misconduct.
(iii)    Students are required to acknowledge all sources from which they obtain information, by including in-text citations and references in the APA 7th (Harvard) Style of referencing (see guidance on blackboard).  

FORMAT

Students should submit an individual 3000-word Microsoft Word report. All submissions should have a cover/title page and should be clearly structured by using relevant numbered chapters and sections. 

The cover/title page should include the following information: your programme (PMC/QS/ QSME), your study mode (FT/PT) the module name, the date, your roll/ID number, and the total number of words included in the main body of the report (i.e., word count). A table of contents and a reference list should also be included in the report.

Report basic structure example: 

-    Report cover/title page with all requested information
-    Table of contents
-    Chapter 1 Introduction
-    Chapter 2 Project Background: brief background to describe the chosen project and justification of its iconic/innovative nature
-    Chapter 3 Process Analysis: description of the requested main processes in the pre-construction phase: including the requested IDEF0 and UML Activity diagrams, and relevant descriptions of the processes/activities included in the diagrams
-    Chapter 4 Critical discussion of the requested improvement methodologies
-    Chapter 5 Conclusion
-    Reference List (APA 7th Harvard Style) 
-    Appendices (optional if you do not used generative AI software)

Informative numbered headings/subheadings should be used to clearly present your material.

Assessed intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this assessment, you will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

-    ILO 1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of process thinking/ process modelling and analysis in the construction sector
-    ILO 2: Develop process maps to effectively analyse and describe construction projects.
-    ILO 3: Critically analyse construction processes in projects

Practical, Professional or Subject Specific Skills

-    ILO 5: Use alternative modelling/planning tools and techniques.
-    ILO 6: Analyse and model construction processes.