REMF51-Understanding Construction: Procurement and Project Delivery

Module Provider: Real Estate and Planning
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Email: s.d.green@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module aims to enhance students’ understanding of the processes and issues involved in the procurement and delivery of construction projects.

Aims:

The focus of the module is on the interaction between clients and the construction sector.  ? Coverage will include: procurement as a strategic business process; alternative procurement approaches; the legal and regulatory context; and the relationship of procurement to supply-side project organisation and practice.?Emphasis will be given to the changing social, political and economic influences on construction procurement so that students understand the origins and nature of current practices.? New developments in construction procurement will also be addressed, including sustainable procurement and the extent to which procurement can (and should) be used as a means of industry improvement. The responsibilities of regular clients of construction will be positioned within the context of corporate social responsibility (CSR), not least in terms of health & safety and long-term industry development.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of the module, it is expected that the student should be able to identify, understand and evaluate: 

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  the structural characteristics of the construction sector and how they have developed over time in response to the changing policy context; 

  
  


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  the role and status of construction procurement in supporting business/organisational objectives; 

  
  

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  procurement principles and policies in the public and private sectors, including the allocation of risk and the nature and significance of competitive tendering; 

  
  


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  the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of construction clients, including that which relates to health & safety.

  
  

Additional outcomes:

The student will also be expected to have developed: 

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  An understanding of the legal and regulatory context of construction procurement; 

  
  


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  An awareness of current and likely future trends in construction procurement, including promising innovations with potential for future application; 

  
  


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  An appreciation of the broader strategic role of procurement, including how it may support more sustainable practice and development (including helping to deliver improved social benefit).

  
  

Outline content:

The module is organised into the following four broad areas: 

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  Foundations, key principles and policies, including: 

  
  

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  The tradition of construction tendering and the nature and significance of construction procurement 

  
  

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  Foundations of modern construction procurement, including long-term social, political and economic drivers and attempts at industry reform 

  
  


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  Principles and policies in the public and private sectors, including requirements for accountability, value for money, etc. 

  
  


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  The role of/need for regulation, and the regulatory framework 
  
   

  
  

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  The business/organisational context, including: 

  
  

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  Procurement as a strategic process for achieving business/organisational objectives 

  
  

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  Client-based project management and ‘best value’ procurement options 

  
  


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  Strategic briefing and the articulation of need/objectives, including the identification/management of conflicting project objectives 

  
  

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  Commercial processes of structuring, negotiating and recording price and scope in contractsModels, approaches and practices, including: 

  
  

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  Characteristics of construction projects, the roles of various stakeholders. 

  
  


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  Project organisation and complexity 

  
  

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  Prevailing models of construction project procurement 

  
  


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  The legal and contractual arrangements for construction procurement 

  
  


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  Other matters, including design responsibilities and management 
  
   

  
  

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  New developments, including: 

  
  

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  Recent developments and new/emerging models of construction procurement 

  
  

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  Procurement and sustainability 

  
  


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  Corporate social responsibility (CSR) through procurement 

  
  


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  Construction procurement in the future

  
  

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures and private Study

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Assessment will take the form of a single two-hour examination following the completion of the module.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Not applicable

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A module mark of 50% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment will be by the same method as for the module’s original assessment requirements, subject to variation by the Examination Board where appropriate.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 2 October 2019