CEM102: Business of Construction

Module code: CEM102

Module provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment

Credits: 40

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Martin Green, email: m.s.green@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 11 November 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The aim is to explore the changing nature of knowledge and practice in the management of construction firms and projects. These changes bring new opportunities and new challenges for construction managers. The core contents of this module draw on the ideas of business models and the development of value propositions in conjunction with construction robotics. In addition, we seek to apply the lessons from the core modules to a case study project and also to empower students to have ownership of their own professional development through reflective writing. This involves reflections on translating theory into practice and provides an opportunity for students to understand their own learning. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Evaluate different strategies to the management of construction firms using different theoretical stands on business models. 
2. Analysing business models in construction firms and proposing strategies and tactics for responding to demand from their clients. 
3. Synthesise knowledge, tools and techniques from the core modules of the programme into a coherent framework for managing construction projects. 
4. Develop portfolio of work in a construction organisation, and explain how construction firms manage site production to achieve an optimum level of profitability. 
5. Analysing the effects of construction robotics in the development of construction firms’ business models and their value propositions. Critique current construction management practice and explore the use of reflection in professional development. 
6. Critically engage theory of reflection with their own practice  
7. Develop reflective portfolios that enable them enhance their competencies when taking any job roles but particularly in their professional development  

Module content

The content involves:

• Exploring business model perspectives and their application for construction firms.
• Construction Robotics: Benefits and Challenges for construction firms and their clients  
• Integrating activities designed to draw together the core modules in a way that is both applied and reflective. This involves continuous study and discussion in seminars encompassing the content of the Construction Management programme and its application. 
• Summary of bonds, warranties and financial protection. Preserving margins. Brief coverage of integrated non-standard procurement approaches such as programme management, delivery partner(s), joint ventures. 
• Techniques used to reflect on a firm’s strategies and actions as well as decisions and behaviours at the individual level  
• Integrating activities designed to draw together the learning during the first semester in a reflective way. This involves continuous study and discussion in seminars encompassing the content of the Construction Management programme and its application. 
• Competencies required by Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)  

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will be delivered through lectures, tutorials, case studies, reflective learning, guided reading and site visits.

Study hours

At least 30 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The below information applies toall full time and flexible modularstudents on taught PGT programmes in SBE

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

During the teaching week and throughout the first semester, the students will have several tutorials and one-to-one meetings to receive formative feedback on their case study and reflective portfolio.

Reassessment

Additional costs