Project Management

Code:

EC0035

Acronym:

GPRO

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Building Construction

Instance: 2017/2018 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	http://www.fe.up.pt/~construc/gp/
Responsible unit:	Building Division
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Civil Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIEC	137	Syllabus since 2006/2007	4	-	3	45	78

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Justification: 
The construction activity is important but manifestations of poor quality, causing discontent among users, are often. Many of these problems are caused not only by technical weaknesses, but also by a very inadequate coordination and management of  processes and interactions between interveners.
The discipline of Project Management introduces these themes in the MIEC courses. To that end the construction activity and their processes are given in detail before the execution phases. The training in Project Management for Construction and its contribution to the effectiveness of the results is emphasized, presenting the main tools of this discipline.

Objectives:
In an advanced stage of the formation of civil engineering students, the objectives of this discipline are:
- To present the construction activity and tendency in a medium and long term
- To present the main construction processes throughout its lifecycle;
- To present the objectives of project management and its main tools in the perspective of the construction industry;
- To develop a professional view of the construction activity and the role of the different interveners;
- To explore and develop methodologies for group work in a professional context;
- To know information and qualification systems for the construction.

Learning outcomes and competences

For the building activity, with greater emphasis on steps before the execution of construction works:
- to develop students’ skills on problem formulation, system understanding, critical thinking, professional attitudes, external context and understanding of processes of construction. 

Knowledge:
- make contact with construction activity, realizing the various scenarios in which it may develop;

Understanding:
- emphasis on the running of construction
- to get in touch with the construction activity, and understanding its different frameworks;
- to understand the different stages of a construction process- promotion, studies and projects, materials, construction, usage and maintenance;
- to understand the importance of the three main restrictions of a construction: to respect the function, deadline and costs;
- to understand that all the construction must follow regulations and norms;
- to understand the importance of project management in a construction, by presenting the most common tools and objectives (planning and time control, resources and costs, cost estimate, project assessment, proposal analysis);
- to understand that methodologies and uniform working procedures and organization of the different participants in the construction need to be implemented, in order to facilitate the exchange of information and to have an explicit technical interpretation of it;
- to underline the importance of the quality and the sustainability of the whole process of construction and the improvements that should be taken;
- to understand the role of civil engineers in a construction site and the key aspect of career management. 

Application:
- use of project management tools, including computer applications;

Analysis:
- experimentation and simulation for trying to identify alternative design solutions and test their viability;
- interpretation of results of the simulations performed, comparing functions, costs and term of alternative solutions;

Summary:
- develop the ability to formulate problems;
- integration of knowledge.

Evaluation:
- develop a critical appreciation about the construction activity

Learning Outcomes
Ethics; Experimentation and simulation; Interpretation of results; Written communication; Problem formulation; Project management; Time management; Integration of knowledge.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

PREVIOUS SKILLS:

Students should have knowledge in the field of operational research (tools to support planning) and construction technologies.

Program

The themes to be learned are organized into five main chapters and are lectured in classes with a  theoretical and practical approach:

Chapter I – Introduction
- I.1 -Presentation aims and contents;
- I.2 - Construction activity, characterization and evolutions
- I.3 - Civil Engineers activity - regulations and professional acts 

Chapter II – Construction life cycle
- II.1 -Life cycle, actors and responsibilities(T+TP)
- II.2 - Construction legal and standards fits (T)
- II.3 - Reference to the legislation and normalization of construction(T+TP)
- II.4 - The Process of Design (T+TP)
- II.5 - Organization of documents and information systems in construction (TP)

Chapter III - Project Management Construction and Main Tools
- III.1-Objectives of project management and main tools  (T);
- III.2-Planning and control (WT);
- III.3 - Evaluation of quantities, cost estimation and indicators (TP);
- III.4 - Negotiation and Contracting, Analysis of proposals (TP + T);
- III.5 - Leadership and Risks (T).

Chapter IV - New approaches in the management of Construction Projects
- IV.1 - Quality assurance applied to construction (T);
- IV.2 - Sustainability applied to construction (T);
- IV.3 - Life Cycle Analyses (T).
-IV.4 - EVA (T+TP)



Whenever applicable, the subjects lectured are linked to the construction reality, particularly in the technological point of view.

In each chapter will be given clues to develop further aspects.

Software – Microsoft Project , Pronic

Scientific Content - 50%
Technological Content - 50%

DEMONSTRATION OF THE SYLLABUS COHERENCE WITH THE CURRICULAR UNIT'S OBJECTIVES:
The construction industry is characterized by frequent occurrence of manifestations of poor quality, including defects and malfunctions in several aspects, maladjustments in face of the users demands, large deviations of costs and deadlines, etc. These problems result in users dissatisfaction with the buildings and their agents. The curricular unit of Project Management aims to present and fit construction activity and its processes, particularly those that take place before the execution phase. The aim is also to present a set of management tools for construction projects.

Mandatory literature

António Miguel; Gestão Moderna de Projetos - 7ª ediçao, FCA, 2013. ISBN: 978-972-722-766-2
David Williams; - Preparing for Project Management , ASCE Press, 1996
Hipólito Sousa; Apontamentos da Disciplina, 2003
Pereira Telmo Dias; Gestão de projeto e contratação de empreitadas de obras. ISBN: 978-989-26-0815-0
Fonseca Manuel; Curso sobre regras de medição na construção, LNEC, 1997
Project Management Institute.; A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK guide). ISBN: 978-1-933890-51-7

Complementary Bibliography

Cabrita A.; Regras para Elaboração de Projectos. , LNEC, 1974
Ritz George; Total Construction Project Management, McGraw Hill
Arménio Rego e Jorge Braga; Ética para Engenheiros, LIDEL, 2005. ISBN: 972-757-341-X
Graham M. Winch; Managing Construction Projects, Wiley- Blackwell, 2010. ISBN: ISBN 978-1-4051-8457-1

Comments from the literature

Needed books:
- PMBOK Guide
- Preparing for Project management

Teaching methods and learning activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The classes of this discipline will be based on the presentation of concepts by giving examples that are linked to the construction activity. Whenever possible, these concepts will be related the concepts of other disciplines, in order to develop the knowledge about the construction technologies.
Theoretical classes will be based on demonstrations, but with formulation of case studies.
Theoretical-practical classes will be supported by 5 themes. In each is proposed, from the contents made available, the development of a work or exercise that will be subjected to an expedited evaluation.

DEMONSTRATION OF THE COHERENCE BETWEEN THE TEACHING METHODOLOGIES AND THE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The teaching methodologies develop the ability to use project management tools, including software applications, experimentation and simulation, seeking to identify alternative design solutions and test their viability, and the interpretation of results from simulations by comparing functions, costs and deadlines of alternative solutions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Software

Microsoft Project

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	15,00
Teste	85,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

Achieving final classification requires compliance with attendance at the course unit, according to the MIEC assessment rules. It is considered that students meet the attendance requirements if, having been regularly enrolled, the number of absences of 25% for each of the classes’ types is not exceeded.

Calculation formula of final grade

The evaluation, in addition to the final exam, is made through 3 components:

- 1 Mandatory work to develop throughout the semester, with  delivery phases, on dates to be announced - CAD1 (15%);

- 1 mandatory evaluation, to be held in the middle of the semester  - CAD2  (25% )

The final exam will cover all maters - EF 60% 

NF : 

NF = 0.15CAD1 + 0.25CAD2 +0.60EF ; 


Approval conditions: NF >9.5/20 

Examinations or Special Assignments

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

These students will have to choose between the general evaluation under the above conditions, in witch they may exceed the number of absences, or make a final exam EF for 20 values.

Classification improvement

The CAD 1, corresponding to the delivery of the work developed in classes, cannot be improved. The CAD2  may be considered instead due failure (absence or misclassification), in conditions to be defined. The improvement of the final classification will be performed globally through a single exam, being worth 85%.

Observations

Working time estimated out of class: 2 hours