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Unit outline_

CIVL3805: Project Scope, Time and Cost Management

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

The general aim of this unit of study is to offer the student the opportunity to develop an understanding of the scope, time and cost management in project environments. Students will engage with some of the key concepts and various activities which underpin project scope, time and cost management. At the end of this unit, students will be able to: develop Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), develop network diagrams, and undertake Critical Path Analysis (CPA) and Earned Value Analysis (EVA) using the given project information; explain in depth why scope, time and cost management are important to project management; analyse a project situation that involves scope, time and cost management issues; and explain how the components of scope, time and cost management interrelate in project environments. The syllabus comprises the project planning cycle, working with the project sponsor, scope initiation and definition, project scope definition tools, WBS, network scheduling techniques, CPA, Just-in-Time philosophy, estimating and budgeting, cash flow management, EVA and application of project management software.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Civil Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ENGG1865 OR QBUS2350
Assumed knowledge
? 

CIVL2810 or CIVL1810

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Faham Tahmasebinia, faham.tahmasebinia@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home short release) Type D final exam Final Exam
The final exam should be type D.
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Online task Weekly Quiz
Weekly Quiz
3% Week 03 N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Weekly Quiz
Weekly Quiz
3% Week 04 N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Weekly Quiz
Weekly Quiz
3% Week 05 N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Weekly Quiz
Weekly Quiz
3% Week 06 N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Weekly Quiz
Weekly Quiz
3% Week 07 N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Weekly Quiz
Weekly Quiz
3% Week 08 N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Weekly Quiz
Weekly Quiz
3% Week 09 N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Weekly Quiz
Weekly Quiz
3% Week 10 N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Weekly Quiz
Weekly Quiz
3% Week 11 N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Weekly Quiz
Weekly Quiz
3% Week 12 N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Final Assignment
Final Assignment
30% Week 13 N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Type D final exam = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

There will be 10 online quizzes and a final main comprehensive assignment submission  

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

1-2 working days late: 10% of the actual marks available for the assessment item will be deducted. 3-5 working days late: 20% of the actual marks available for the assessment item will be deducted. More than 5 working days: it will not be acceptable.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Course introduction; 2. Introduction to project managment; 3. Project management trade-offs Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Construction Project Management Practice Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 03 Construction Scope Management Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 04 Construction Schedule Management Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 05 Construction Cost Management Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Construction Quality Management, Microsoft Project demonstration Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 06 1. Critical path analysis (CPA); 2. Resources scheduling; Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 07 Construction Resource Management Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 08 Construction Risk Management Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 09 Construction Procurement Management Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 10 Construction Stakeholders & Communication Management Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Construction Project Integration Management and Change Control Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Discussion about the final project Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 13 Final Review Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Students are encouraged to take part to the weekly tutorial sessions. It would be a greate opportunity to discuss and present their progress regarding to the final progress. 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. undertake WBS exercises, CPA and EVA using the given project information
  • LO2. analyse a project situation that involves scope, time and cost management issues
  • LO3. explain how the components of scope, time and cost management interrelate.
  • LO4. Apply the theory and professional practice of construction project management in real-life construction projects
  • LO5. Consolidate the theory and professional practice of construction project management acquired over their Bachelor of Construction Management & Property.
  • LO6. Develop a holistic Construction Project Management Plan (CPMP).
  • LO7. Demonstrate their ability to constructively work as part of a construction project management team and improve their interpersonal skills

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Students will be given updated information during the first lecture.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.