CON7053 - Managing Construction Contracts & Procurement Strategies

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1. Advanced Understanding of Construction Contracts:
Develop an advanced understanding of construction contracts, including the distinct types of contracts used in the construction industry, their key provisions, and the legal and commercial implications

2. Proficiency in Contract Administration:
Develop high proficiency in contract administration, including the ability to effectively manage contract documentation, handle variations and claims, and ensure compliance with contractual obligations

3. Procurement Strategies:
Demonstrate sound understanding of the different procurement strategies used in the construction industry, including traditional procurement, design and build, and public-private partnerships

4. Selection of Appropriate Procurement Routes:
Demonstrate high ability to evaluate procurement routes in complex projects and select the most appropriate procurement strategy for a client

5. Risk Management in Construction Contracts:
Develop advanced understanding of the risks associated with construction contracts and procurement strategies, and learn how to identify, assess, and manage associated risks to ensure project success for a client

6. Negotiation and Dispute Resolution:
Develop high analytical skills in negotiation and dispute resolution, including the ability to effectively negotiate contract terms and resolve disputes that may arise during a construction project

7. Ethical and Professional Practice:
Demonstrate sound understanding of the ethical principles and professional responsibilities of a quantity surveyor in decision making and managing construction contracts and procurement strategies to a professional standard.

Content:

This module will explore the principles of contract procurement and contract administration for professionals aiming to work in senior positions.

- The module provide offers advanced knowledge and skills in effectively managing construction contracts and procurement processes.
- It will deepen students' understanding of the legal, contractual, and procurement aspects of construction projects.
- It will prepare students for professional practice in Construction Project Management by equipping them with the necessary expertise to successfully manage contracts, negotiate terms, and implement procurement strategies in construction projects.

Content

Contractual Framework:
- The legal and contractual framework within which construction projects operate
- This includes introducing students to relevant legislation, standard forms of contract, and contract administration procedures
- Understand the rights, obligations, and responsibilities of various parties involved in construction contracts.

Procurement Strategies - understand the various procurement strategies used in the construction industry and the advantages, disadvantages and considerations associated with each procurement method:
- Traditional procurement
- JCT80 Suit of contracts
- ICE management contracts
- Minor Works
- Design and build
- Construction management
- Public-private partnerships (PPP).

Contract Management - analyse the principles and practices of contract management:
- Role of contract administration
- Change management
- Claims and disputes resolution
- Performance monitoring
- Monitoring diligence and progress
- Variations of contract
- Architects' instructions
- Determination of contracts
- Repudiation of contracts
- Novation of Contracts
- Subcontract arrangement
- Breaches of contracts: conditions
- Learn how to effectively manage contracts throughout the project lifecycle.

Negotiation Skills:
- Understand the principles of negotiation skills critical to managing construction contracts and procurement processes
- Learn how to negotiate contract terms, resolve conflicts, and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes
- Explore the various techniques for effective communication, problem-solving, and relationship management
- Partial or phased handover
- Acts of God
- Quality monitoring: Building Safety Act 2023
- CDM 2015/2019 Liabilities under contract.

Risk Management- risk management principles and practices in construction contracts and procurement:
- Identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with contracts and procurement processes
- Advanced knowledge of risk management strategies
- Implementation of risk mitigation measures.

Learning and Teaching Information:

A mixture of formal lectures and problem-based seminars/tutorial support for the assignments. Some learning outside of the classroom is directed learning.

Tutorial sessions will be dedicated to the following areas as these are critical mandatory knowledge areas for Construction Project Management:
- Overview of the various procurement systems and pricing strategy. The broad advantages of differing procurement systems.
- Knowledge of the appropriate tendering procedures and understanding of the builder’s estimating and tendering process. The need for information collection and databases.
- Knowledge of how to build up labour rates, and unit rates. Analytical estimating for construction work.
- Analysing of submitted tenders.
- Completion of Estimators Summary for price adjudication.
- Contract Management, including the following:
a) Analyse the principles and practices of contract management
b) Role of contract administration
c) Change management
d) Claims and disputes resolution
e) Performance monitoring
f) Monitoring diligence and progress
g) Variations of contract
h) Architects' instructions
i) Determination of contracts
j) Repudiation of contracts
k) Novation of Contracts
l) Subcontract arrangement
m) Breaches of contracts: conditions
n) Learn how to effectively manage contracts throughout the project lifecycle.



Lectures - seminars
Hours: 2hrs x 10 weeks = 20hrs
Intended Group Size: 2 X 20 groups

Workshop/tutorials
Hours: 2 hrs x 10 weeks = 20hrs

Guided independent study
Hours: 260



Further details relating to assessment

Please note that, in order to ensure students can satisfy the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) requirements, a pass mark in all assessed components is needed. Further details of assessment are available in the Assessment Handbook for your programme and in Assessment Briefs provided by Module Tutors.

Assessment:

001 Report; 3,000 words; End of Term 2 50%
002 Unseen Exam; 1.5hrs; End of Term 2 50%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 7
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites -
Semester(s) Offered - 7T2

Click here to go back to previous page