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: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Stuart Green
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, the construction sector and the broader policy environment. 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. Emphasis will also 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 'modern methods of construction' (MMC) 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. Coverage of CSR will further extend to the emerging lessons from the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

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


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


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


• 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: 

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


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


• 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 ten key topics: 

• Change and continuity in the UK construction sector 


• Echoes from the past, and their implications for industry development 


• Client-based project management 


• Modern methods of construction 


• Introduction to construction procurement


• Tendering in practice 


• Construction sector policy narratives


• Corporate social responsibility in construction 


• Procurement in the fit-out sector: policy and practice 


• Learning from Grenfell 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures and private study.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		20
Wider reading (directed)		20
Exam revision/preparation		20
Advance preparation for classes		10
Reflection		10
Total hours by term	0	100	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	100

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:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy “Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes”, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• 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 five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

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

Assessment requirements for a pass:

The pass mark for this module is 50%

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: 30 March 2023