Reference no: EM131562607

Purpose of this Assignment

On successful completion of this assignment, you will able to:

Purpose of this Assignment on successful completion of this assignment, students will:

1. Understand the principles and application of effective site management.

2. Understand the importance of effective communication in planning and resource management.

3. Be able to apply cost forecasting control and reporting techniques.

4. Be able to create planning and programming charts for construction projects

5. Understand how quality issues and environmental considerations are addressed during the production process.

Part 1

Background Information

You are working with the senior project manager of ABC Construction Company (HK) and you have been instructed by the senior project manager to carry out training for the site supervisory teams to improve the site management of the current construction projects. The improvement drive will focus on both effective site management and communication in the planning and use of resources. As the trainer for the site supervisory teams, you need to prepare the training materials based on the following learning outcomes and deliver these to the project teams.

1 Understand the principles and application of effective site management:

1.1 The production teams will need to know the principles of site management and then how these principles are applied to their management of the projects that they are working upon. Explain to the site supervisory teams, a range of basic principles of site management and how these can be applied to the production phase of a project.

1.2 Good practice on site is essential in demonstrating the correct way to manage projects. This then is impressed on the workforce who learned by example. Using three basic principles identified in 1.1, justify each in turn to the site supervisory teams in how their application can be considered in terms of good site practice.

2 Understand the importance of effective communication in planning and resources management:

2.1 There are several techniques that can be used to communicate project information both onsite and offsite. Compare in detail how the project team members can achieve effective and efficient communications by using a range of communication techniques help to maintain good relationships and management of a building project from starting to completion stages. Supplement your answer with examples from your work or the industry.

2.2 There are several barriers that can exist in effective communication on projects which can cause several issues and problems. By analyzing a typical project evaluate the barriers in communication, with a range of examples, for typical construction projects.

2.3 Planning on projects is essential in meeting the client's deadlines and not occurring any penalty or liquidated damages, which would also affect a contractor's reputation. By using a range of examples explain the importance of having good planning and explain in detail how different planning techniques can help to achieve the purposes of control at different stages of a construction project. This should be in the form of an evaluation for a range of planning techniques outlining their advantages and disadvantages of each of them.

Part 2

Background Information

You are working with the senior project manager of Top Rank Construction Limited and are responsible for providing in-house training to the newly recruited project management and quantity surveying teams. In the training, you aim to enhance their knowledge in cost control, project planning, quality and environmental issues, which will contribute in their future service to the company. This is a main strategic direction that the senior management is taking and is of vital importance in maintaining the profitability of Top Rank Ltd.

3 Be able to apply cost forecasting, control and reporting techniques.

3.1 A number of different forms of costing can be used to control the budgets for a project. These include

- Unit costing

- Marginal costing

- Standard costing

- Absorption costing

By selecting any three from the above list evaluate each form of costing system that could possibly be adopted by the construction firm.

3.2 The senior project manager has asked you to write a report using the site data provided and a set of contractor's annual reports to explain the relationships between cash flow, profit, return cost and value.

3.3 Using the data with appendix A produce and explain in detail the cost and value reconciliation statement for the current position of this project for the two work items which are the costs to date and the foundation pour.

4 Be able to create planning and programming charts for construction projects.

4.1 The senior project manager is concerned that progress on site against the programme is not been measured and monitored and projects are 'slipping' against planned progress. Explain how progress can be measured. Illustrate with an example in your answer on how progress can be measured.

4.2 Several delays have occurred on your current project programme. Explain how remedial actions can be implemented in the case of a delay in the programme in bringing the activity back on target and on time to finish as planned.

4.3 The project manager has asked you to explain in detail how the sub-contractors' input can be incorporated into various stages of a project.

4.4 Produce a programme using two different methods and the data contained in appendix B. One of your methods needs to illustrate the critical path and both methods need to demonstrate key subcontractor trades.

5 Understand how quality issues and environmental considerations are addressed during the production process.

5.1 The manager responsible for quality on your projects is concerned that the finishes are not meeting the client's expectations. Explain how quality is assured on construction sites with reference to case studies or examples.

5.2 By selecting a recent project that you have worked upon or read a case study in Hong Kong, evaluate the use of environmental assessments for such construction projects.

Attachment:- Appendix.pdf