SRM776 Introduction to Construction Management

Question:

Learning Outcomes For Assignment 1

Once you have completed this assignment you will be able to:

• Demonstrate academic skills, including written, oral and visual communications, which reflect industry expectations

Task

Many construction projects are completed over budget, over time and the user often perceives them to be of poor quality.

For this individual assignment, each student must undertake some research and produce an individual essay that addresses the following question:

What are the key reasons for delays in construction projects?

You must include an annotated bibliography of at least five journal (5) articles.

Purpose

Working in the construction industry requires strong oral and written communication skills. These skills are also essential for success in your studies.

In the first instance, completion of this task will teach you some basic research skills as well as some critical thinking skills. These skills will be needed in all units in the postgraduate construction management program. As well, the theoretical knowledge gained in this assignment will be used to develop Assignment 4. It is important to analyse the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of current knowledge to assist you in forming your own opinions.

More importantly, you will learn about one of the key problems – construction delays - you may face as you forge a career in the construction industry.

Learning Outcomes For Assignment 2

Once you have completed this assignment you will be able to:

Analyse the construction industry including stakeholders, industry sectors and projects

Evaluate industry performance standards and develop a career plan to meet those standards

Task

Each student must research current employment opportunities in the construction industry in Australia and globally. You must write a 1000 word report that summarises your findings and outlines growth positions, sectors and countries.

You will have already prepared a baseline resume as part of the zero credit point unit STP710 Career Tools for Employability. You must now select a vacancy from a list provided on the DeakinSync Unit Site and analyse how your skills and experience match that vacancy. You should then tailor your baseline resume to match that vacancy and write a cover letter to accompany your application.

Finally, you should prepare a single page career development plan that outlines your career path for the five years immediately following your graduation.

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is for you to gain more knowledge about employment opportunities in the construction industry generally and, more specifically, in Australia. Completing this assignment will also provide you with improved understanding of your own skills. You will also be better equipped to start a search for part-time employment in the industry.

Learning Outcomes For Assignment 3

Once you have completed this assignment you will be able to:

Analyse the construction industry including stakeholders, industry sectors and projects

Demonstrate lifelong learning principles that provide for an ethical, motivated and collaborative career in the construction industry

Task

For this assignment, students are required to work in a group of four (4) students. Guidance will be provided in seminars on forming groups.

Each group is to select a topic from a list on the DeakinSync Unit Site and prepare a report that provides the following information:

Background to the topic

Analysis of problem, benefits or challenges

Discussion on opinions provided by range of stakeholders Possible recommendation for improvements or reforms

Purpose

The purpose of this assessment is to develop research skills, critical thinking skills, communication skills and the ability to collaborate in a team while also gaining insight into the industry. You should be able to use the feedback from Assignment 1 to improve your research and communication skills.

What you will discover from completing this task is that group work provides an opportunity to learn more broadly but that there are challenges in group relationships. You will also have an opportunity to practice your public speaking skills in a non-threatening environment.

Learning Outcomes For Assignment 4

Once you have completed this assignment you will be able to:

• Analyse the construction industry including stakeholders, industry sectors and projects
• Demonstrate academic skills, including written, oral and visual communications, which reflect industry expectations
• Demonstrate ethical practices and motivation to analyse and report on the given current issue

Task

In Assignment 1 each student completed a 2000 word essay on the topic: What are the key reasons for delays in construction projects?

Students must now extend their research and consider a comparison between reasons for delays in different countries.

They must also include a reflection of their learning in this unit.

Purpose

The purpose of this assessment is to expand on your research skills, critical thinking skills and communication skills, while also gaining insight into how the industry varies in different countries.

You will also gain insight into how you have learned and what you have learned during this unit.