Overview
This unit leads you to learn major areas of planning of a construction project including construction planning and scheduling; the role of the construction planning consultant; developing an initial job using labour, materials, plant and time units from design documentation; estimates and/or Bills of Quantities; using construction planning methodologies and tools such as bar charts, critical path methods, line of balance, cash flow projections; least cost optimization; flagging approval and detailed schedules of sub-contract activities. The choice of software for scheduling and network analysis will be examined as a further added learning experience.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisites: BLAR11049: Built Environment Communications and Skills or COMM11003: Professional and Technical Communication or ENEG11005: Fundamentals of Professional Engineering
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student Feedback- class conversation
CL72 students identify that the unit learning helps to apply construction planning concepts and methods in engineering context.
Same teaching method will be adopted for next and future deliveries.
Feedback from Student Email Feedback
Students found that the discussion of scheduling methods is very interesting. They have not been aware of the background of other methods than MS Project.
Same teaching method will be adopted for next and future deliveries.
Feedback from Student Email Feedback
Some students did not have the access to MS Project on their own.
Recommend students to use the free trial or get the remote desktop app that wirelessly connects to the University computers which has MS Projects. Further support can be sought from TASAC emailing to tasac@cqu.edu.au or calling at 0749309009.
Feedback from Lecturer and other Built Environment Staff regular meeting discussion
Check opportunities of creating dual degrees within the college or school to improve the enrolment numbers.
Head of Course and Built Environment Team is exploring the opportunities liaising with other parties. Necessary actions will be taken upon the feasibility of the collaborations.
- Outline the role of the construction planning consultant
- Develop an initial job using labour, materials, plant and time units based on design documentation, estimates and/or Bills of Quantities
- Explain construction planning methodologies and tools
- Prepare detailed schedules of sub-contract activities and perform cash flow projection using scheduling and network analysis computer software.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | ||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 35% | ||||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 10% | ||||
| 4 - Written Assessment - 35% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
Modern Construction Management
Edition: 8th (2021)
Authors: Frank Harris, Ronald McCaffer, Andrew Baldwin, Francis Edum-Fotwe
John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Hoboken Hoboken , NJ , USA
ISBN: 9781119488347
Binding: Paperback
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- MS Office or equivalent software
- Webcam
- MS Teams
- Microphone and camera for use with Zoom for Online/Livestream students
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
p.kalutara@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to construction planning and history of Project Management
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Preliminary project appreciation
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Critical Path Method (CPM)
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Bar (Gantt) charts
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Project evaluation - PERT and project crashing
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
No class- term break.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Repetitive works, flow and linear methods
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Planning repetitive works and Line of Balance (LoB)
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Planning philosophies, methodologies and tools
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Planning techniques in decision making
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Cash flow monitoring and working capital
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Construction contracts and development procedures
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Revision
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Review period- no classes.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Relax - there is no examination.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
Assessment 1 will require you to research and answer a number of questions that explore general project planning and network analysis.
As with all assessments, formatting and presentation is important to design your answer with clarity. Technical accuracy and references to support ideas/facts will be paramount in demonstrating your answer in valid and reliable manner.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI PLANNING
You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Your assignment should be produced in electronic format either as a:
- single word-processed document, or
- single pdf format document
Before or on the nominated due date, upload your work following the on-screen instructions.
Your submission will be processed through the similarity detection software, Turnitin. You may amend your work based on the detection report (Turnitin score).
You must ensure that the submission is your own and that any cited work has been correctly referenced as per Harvard referencing style as advised by CQU Harvard referencing guide.
Further information regarding the assessment will be available on the unit Moodle site.
Week 5 Monday (11 Aug 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Please submit via the assessment portal on the Moodle home page .
Week 6 Monday (25 Aug 2025)
Review of the assessment will be returned within two weeks of the submission due date.
The assessment will be assessed on the following basis:
- Clarity of expression and comprehensive coverage of issues
- Use of quality supporting documentation as appropriate
- Use of original thought and content
- Overall presentation and ability to communicate using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation and the use of appropriate diagrams and other visual communication.
- Demonstration of core knowledge and demonstration of appropriate application of knowledge.
- Outline the role of the construction planning consultant
- Develop an initial job using labour, materials, plant and time units based on design documentation, estimates and/or Bills of Quantities
2 Written Assessment
Assessment 2 will require you to research and answer a number of questions that explore Program Evaluation and Review Techniques (PERT) analysis, critical path method, and Line of Balance (LoB) method.
As with all assessments, formatting and presentation is important to design your answer with clarity. Technical accuracy and references to support ideas/facts will be paramount in demonstrating your answer in valid and reliable manner.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI PLANNING
You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Your assignment should be produced in electronic format either as a:
- single word-processed document, or
- single pdf format document
Before or on the nominated due date, upload your work following the on-screen instructions.
Your submission will be processed through the similarity detection software, Turnitin. You may amend your work based on the detection report (Turnitin score).
You must ensure that the submission is your own and that any cited work has been correctly referenced as per Harvard referencing style as advised by CQU Harvard referencing guide.
Further information regarding the assessment will be available on the unit Moodle site.
Week 9 Monday (15 Sept 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Please submit via the assessment portal on the Moodle home page.
Week 11 Monday (29 Sept 2025)
Review of the assessment will be returned within two weeks of the submission due date.
The assessment will be assessed on the following basis:
- Clarity of expression and comprehensive coverage of issues
- Use of quality supporting documentation as appropriate
- Use of original thought and content
- Overall presentation and ability to communicate using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation and the use of appropriate diagrams and other visual communication
- Demonstration of core knowledge and demonstration of appropriate application of knowledge.
- Develop an initial job using labour, materials, plant and time units based on design documentation, estimates and/or Bills of Quantities
- Explain construction planning methodologies and tools
3 Online Quiz(zes)
Assessment 3 is a quiz which will require you to answer 20 multiple choice questions based on the study content presented during the term.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - NO AI
You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Further information regarding the assessment will be available on the unit Moodle site.
1
Other
Week 12 Friday (10 Oct 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Please refer to the instructions on Moodle page.
Review/Exam Week Monday (13 Oct 2025)
Results of the quiz will be returned within 24 hours of due date or submission date (whichever is the latest).
The quiz will be assessed based on the understanding of core knowledge and application areas of project planning/ management.
- Outline the role of the construction planning consultant
- Develop an initial job using labour, materials, plant and time units based on design documentation, estimates and/or Bills of Quantities
- Explain construction planning methodologies and tools
- Prepare detailed schedules of sub-contract activities and perform cash flow projection using scheduling and network analysis computer software.
4 Written Assessment
Assessment 4 will require you to research and answer a number of questions that explore key project planning methods, monitoring financial resources and the use of budget to control a project, and check the feasibility.
As with all assessments, formatting and presentation is important to design your answer with clarity. Technical accuracy and references to support ideas/facts will be paramount in demonstrating your answer in valid and reliable manner.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI PLANNING
You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Your assignment should be produced in electronic format either as a:
- single word-processed document, or
- single pdf format document
Before or on the nominated due date, upload your work following the on-screen instructions.
Your submission will be processed through the similarity detection software, Turnitin. You may amend your work based on the detection report (Turnitin score).
You must ensure that the submission is your own and that any cited work has been correctly referenced as per Harvard referencing style as advised by CQU Harvard referencing guide.
Further information regarding the assessment will be available on the unit Moodle site.
Review/Exam Week Monday (13 Oct 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Please submit via the assessment portal on the Moodle home page.
Exam Week Friday (24 Oct 2025)
Within two weeks of submission due date but before the certification of grades.
The assessment will be assessed on the following basis:
- Clarity of expression and comprehensive coverage of issues
- Use of quality supporting documentation as appropriate
- Use of original thought and content
- Overall presentation and ability to communicate using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation and the use of appropriate diagrams and other visual communication
- Demonstration of core knowledge and demonstration of appropriate application of knowledge.
- Explain construction planning methodologies and tools
- Prepare detailed schedules of sub-contract activities and perform cash flow projection using scheduling and network analysis computer software.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
