Providing basic understanding of concepts of construction management and alternate methods for contracting project management, such as traditional design-bid-build and design build methodologies. Includes discussions of field operations, contract administration, outlining process of project management from beginning of procurement of project through submittals, contract processes, closeout procedures, and final completion documentation.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students: Graduate students will be required to complete an additional case study research project with full reports and presentations. The final group project will be presented in-class at the end of the semester. The course utilizes active learning and participation with lectures, case study discussions, and construction jobsite visits. Each student is expected to participate in these activities.
Athena Title
Intro Construc Project Managmt
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
A student successfully completing this course will be able to describe of the issues and practices used in project management.
A student successfully completing this course will be able to assess the various methodologies used to contract for project management.
A student successfully completing this course will be able to explain all aspects of the construction administration processes.
A student successfully completing this course will be able to evaluate whether field operations or project management is an individual’s preferred career pathway.
Topical Outline
Required Textbook: Larson, E. & Gray, C. (2021). Project Management: The Managerial Process (8th Ed.). McGraw-Hill: New York, NY: ISBN-13: 9781260238860.
Optional Text/Materials: This course will utilize three textbooks/books:
1. Project Management for Construction: Fundamental Concepts for Owners, Engineers, Architects and Builders, by Chris Hendrickson (Author), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA l52l3 Copyright C. Hendrickson 1998 (First Edition originally printed by Prentice Hall, ISBN 0-13-731266-0, 1989 with co-author Tung Au. Second Edition prepared for world-wide-web publication in 2000. Version 2.2 prepared Summer, 2008). [This textbook is available free at: http://pmbook.ce.cmu.edu/ ].
2. Construction Management, 4th or 5th Edition, by Daniel W. Halpin (Author), Bolivar A. Senior (Author). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; 4th edition (November 8, 2010) ISBN-10: 0470447230, 5th edition (August 2017) ISBN: 978-1-119-36502-0 (for e-Text). [This book may also be available as an eTextbook from Amazon Digital Services, Inc. (Amazon.com)].
3. Who Done It?: 101 Case Studies in Construction Management [Paperback], by Len Holm (Author). CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1st edition (July 15, 2015), ISBN-10: 1515065529, pp. 134. (This book is available from Amazon Digital Publishing).
Introduction to Project Management Concepts and Context and the Project Lifecyle
Contracting Methods, Bidding and Selection Processes, Pre-construction Efforts, Self-performance versus Subcontracting
Construction Documents, CSI Specifications, Scope Planning and Work Breakdown Structures, Budgeting
Planning and Scheduling, Logistics
Communication, Interview Preparation
Project Management, Field Management, Team Roles and Responsibilities, Quality Control
Risk Assessment and Management, Bonding and Insurance
Sustainability. NPDES, Equipment
Construction Technologies, and Software
Changes, Claims, Disputes
OPR and Commissioning
Closeout Processes
Presentation of Group Term Projects
Grade components will be weighted as follows in the computation of the final course grade:
Class Participation 10%
Exercises and Discussion Boards (5) 25%
Group Term Project 40%
Exam 1 10%
Exam 2 15%
Discussions: Participation in discussion boards is required. You are required to comment on the initial discussion question that is found on the class discussion board and then respond to a minimum of three separate discussions from classmates. Your comments and responses must contribute to the quality and advancement of the discussion. Support your discussion with a reference, link, or citation when appropriate.
Course Project: The final group project will be presented in-class at the end of the semester. It is the intent to provide the same grade to each student in the group; however, each student will be given the opportunity for peer assessments, and this may have an impact on an individual student’s grade if warranted. It is the responsibility of the groups to manage their own interactions and individual participation.
Class Participation and Attendance: The course utilizes active learning and participation with lectures, case study discussions, and construction jobsite visits. Each student is expected to participate in these activities. It is important for each student to be prepared for class each day. Regular attendance is expected. Each student is responsible for all materials and instructions given during the class periods.
Assignments: all assignments will be submitted electronically. The system identifies items submitted late and any late assignments are subject to grade reductions.
