CQUniversity Unit Profile
BLCN29004 Construction Procurement and Cost Planning
Construction Procurement and Cost Planning
All details in this unit profile for BLCN29004 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

While construction procurement is essential in planning delivery methods and procurement tasks of a construction project, cost planning is critical to the financial management of the project throughout all phases of the building life cycle. Construction procurement is always associated with cost and cost planning is dependent on construction procurement. In this unit, therefore, you will study cost planning along with the knowledge of construction procurement. You will develop skills to critically examine the complexity of issues associated with strategic procurement and components of sustainable procurement processes. You will also analyse the impact of construction procurement decisions on economic, environmental, social, and cultural outcomes referring to a number of national and international case studies. This will enable you to reflect on the key themes in relation to procurement strategies, i.e. partnering culture as well as management of risks, stakeholder relationships, and supply chains. The knowledge gained here will eventually make you confident in practicing construction procurement within complex construction management environments in the public and private sectors. In the cost planning spectrum, the unit covers broader insights of design economics, cost estimating procedures, cost control mechanisms, and life cycle analysis for construction projects. The application of critical self-reflection skills and research principles and methods relevant to the construction industry will help you to prepare for dynamic construction industry environments and make sound professional decisions.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 9
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisites:BLCN29001 Construction Technology and BLCN29003 Construction Measurement

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 1 - 2023

Brisbane
Perth

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).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Postgraduate 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

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
2. Research Assignment
Weighting: 50%
3. Reflective Practice Assignment
Weighting: 30%

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.

Previous Student Feedback

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 CQU Sute Student Feedback comments

Feedback

The learning approach was experienced as very helpful to the students. The students commented that it made them feel comfortable to share ideas.

Recommendation

This learning and teaching in this unit will continue to actively engage students in the class discussions and support sharing of professional knowledge on Construction Management practice.

Feedback from Industry engagement event organised by unit lecturer

Feedback

Through this class students made contact with industry professionals and prepared for a boardroom presentation.

Recommendation

Continue building students' learning and skills development in connection with industry stakeholders.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Critically examine concepts and principles of construction procurement and cost planning across the building lifecycle
  2. Apply contemporary practice and research knowledge to project-specific contexts, managing project budget and feasibility
  3. Evaluate the impacts of construction procurement decisions on economic, environmental, social, and cultural outcomes
  4. Reflect on the key themes of procurement strategies and cost planning in contemporary management contexts.

This unit enhances your professional construction management knowledge and industry attributes in areas such as elemental cost planning, budget and cost control, procurement methods and contracting as well as sustainable procurement strategies and life cycle assessment.

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Written Assessment - 20%
2 - Research Assignment - 50%
3 - Reflective Practice Assignment - 30%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Supplementary

Building Procurement

Edition: 2nd (2013)
Authors: Morledge, R., Smith, A. J., & Appiah, S. Y.
John Wiley & Sons
Hoboken Hoboken , New Jersey , USA
ISBN: 9780470672433
Binding: eBook
Supplementary

Collaborative Construction Procurement and Improved Value

Edition: latest (2019)
Authors: David Mosey
Wiley Blackwell
Newark Newark , New York , USA
ISBN: 9781119151913
Binding: eBook
Supplementary

The Aqua Group Guide to Procurement, Tendering and Contract Administration

Edition: latest (2016)
Authors: Hackett, Mark & Statham, Gary
John Wiley & Sons
New York New York , New York , USA
ISBN: 9781118346549
Binding: eBook

Additional Textbook Information

Textbooks can be accessed online at the CQUniversity Library website. If you prefer your own copy, you can purchase either paper or eBook versions at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Gesa Ruge Unit Coordinator
g.ruge@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 06 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Introduction to procurement and cost planning

Chapter

Recommended reading textbook Morledge and Smith, Chapter 2 and 3, and other resources provided on the weekly Moodle learning site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 1 Unit introduction, learning and teaching activities and assessment for learning. The lecture and tutorial workshop provide an introduction to the key concepts and principles for this unit.

Week 2 Begin Date: 13 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Procurement and cost planning strategies

Chapter

Recommended reading textbook Morledge and Smith, Chapter 4, 7 and 13, and other resources provided on the weekly Moodle learning site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 learning examines contemporary international case studies to explore the importance of procurement and cost planning strategies.

Introduction to Assessment 1 (20%)  (ULO 1 and 2; GA 1,2,3,5 and 7). This written assignment engages students in learning topics Week 1 to 4 with focus on:  Analysis of procurement strategy and pre-construction cost planning decision making towards tender selection.

Week 3 Begin Date: 20 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Pre-construction procurement and cost planning

Chapter

Recommended reading textbook Morledge and Smith, Chapter 5 and 6, and other resources provided on the weekly Moodle learning site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 lecture and tutorial workshop expand practice knowledge and skills in managing construction procurement at the important project start-up, project team and design development stages.

Week 4 Begin Date: 27 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Construction procurement team and tender processes

Chapter

Recommended reading textbook Morledge and Smith, Chapter 8 and 9 and other resources provided on the weekly Moodle learning site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 expands the insights into construction procurement for project team and tendering, including management of risk, relationships and supply chain issues.

Week 5 Begin Date: 03 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Collaborative construction procurement strategies

Chapter

Recommended reading textbook Mosey, Chapter 1 and 2 as well as other resources provided on the weekly Moodle learning site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 lecture and tutorial introduce collaborative construction procurement strategies and how the underlying values of collaboration can be established and implemented through procurement process activities.

Submission of Assignment 1 is due this week. Introduction to Assessment 2 (50%; ULO 2,3,4 ; GA 1to 7). This major research assignment focuses on the application of procurement and cost management analysis. Research and development of a construction procurement and cost plan with evaluation of project specific issues and recommendations. This includes reflections on ethical, social, economic, environmental considerations.


Assignment 1 Due: Week 5 Friday (7 Apr 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Vacation Week Begin Date: 10 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Lecture and Tutorial Free Week

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 17 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Construction procurement and cost control management

Chapter

Recommended reading textbook Hackett and Stratham, Chapter 12 and 18 and other resources provided on the weekly Moodle learning site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 lecture and tutorial workshop cover procurement management activities for cost control during construction stages. Aspects related to contract, cost-planning, project budget  management and lifecycle costing are explored.

Week 7 Begin Date: 24 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Construction cost and value management

Chapter

Recommended reading textbook Morledge and Smith, Chapter 10 and 11, and other resources provided on the weekly Moodle learning site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 lecture and tutorial workshop investigate construction procurement risk and value management across project stages and for lifecycle costing

Week 8 Begin Date: 01 May 2023

Module/Topic

Sustainable construction procurement practices

Chapter

Recommended reading textbook Hackett and Stratham, Chapter 33 and other resources provided on the weekly Moodle learning site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 lecture and tutorial workshop explore current sustainable procurement practices to enhance triple bottom line outcomes for construction projects.


Week 9 Begin Date: 08 May 2023

Module/Topic

Procurement management of project variations and construction defects

Chapter

Recommended reading textbook Hackett and Stratham, Chapter 31  as well as other resources provided on the weekly Moodle learning site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Lecture and Tutorial workshop focuses on procurement management of project variations and construction defects in complex construction team environments. Assessment 2 is due this week.

Introduction to Reflective Practice Assessment 3 (30%; ULO 1,3,4; GA 1 to 7).

Reflect and apply unit learning including ethical and professional dimensions, construction procurement models and propose cost planning strategies to support project outcomes and with lifecycle considerations.


Assignment 2 Due: Week 9 Friday (12 May 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 10 Begin Date: 15 May 2023

Module/Topic

Procurement Management: professional and ethical responsibilities

Chapter

Recommended reading textbook Morledge and Smith, Chapter 12 and 14, and other resources provided on the weekly Moodle learning site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Lecture and tutorial workshop review and reflect on the important role of the construction procurement professional including ethical responsibilities.  


Week 11 Begin Date: 22 May 2023

Module/Topic

Construction procurement and cost management trends: local and global

Chapter

The relevant documents with additional reading and resources will be available on the weekly Moodle learning site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 learning extends  insights to construction procurement in international contexts, with local and global management considerations.

Week 12 Begin Date: 29 May 2023

Module/Topic

Unit Learning Review 

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Student-led presentation to review and reflect on the learning and skills development in this unit.


Assignment 3 Due: Week 12 Friday (2 June 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 05 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 12 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Assignment 1

Task Description

 Assessment 1 (20%) (ULO 1 and 2; GA 1,2,3,5 and 7).This written assignment engages students in learning topics Week 1 to 4 with a focus on: Analysis of procurement strategy and pre-construction cost planning decision making towards tender selection.


Assessment Due Date

Week 5 Friday (7 Apr 2023) 11:45 pm AEST

Student to submit via Turnitin


Return Date to Students

Week 7 Friday (28 Apr 2023)

Student to access via Turnitin


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

The assignment will be assessed on quality of work submitted, relevance and coherence to the specific question and tasks. This includes clear argumentation and use of quality references (in-text and bibliography). The content prepared is to expand beyond the learning material provided and demonstrates the student's development of the unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes. Students will work with a marking rubric for self-review and receive formative and summative feedback.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Online submission via Moodle unit learning site

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Critically examine concepts and principles of construction procurement and cost planning across the building lifecycle
  • Apply contemporary practice and research knowledge to project-specific contexts, managing project budget and feasibility

2 Research Assignment

Assessment Title
Assignment 2

Task Description

 Assessment 2 (50%; ULO 2,3,4 ; GA 1 to 7). This major research assignment focuses on the application of procurement and cost management analysis. Research and development of a construction procurement and cost plan with evaluation of project specific issues and recommendations. This includes reflections on ethical, social, economic and environmental considerations.


Assessment Due Date

Week 9 Friday (12 May 2023) 11:45 pm AEST

Student to submit via Turnitin


Return Date to Students

Week 11 Friday (26 May 2023)

Student to access via Turnitin


Weighting
50%

Assessment Criteria

The assignment will be assessed on quality of work submitted, relevance and coherence to the specific question and tasks. This includes clear argumentation and use of quality references (in-text and bibliography). The content prepared is to expand beyond the learning material provided and demonstrates the student's development of the unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes. Students will work with a marking rubric for self-review and receive formative and summative feedback.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Online submission via Moodle unit learning site

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply contemporary practice and research knowledge to project-specific contexts, managing project budget and feasibility
  • Evaluate the impacts of construction procurement decisions on economic, environmental, social, and cultural outcomes
  • Reflect on the key themes of procurement strategies and cost planning in contemporary management contexts.

3 Reflective Practice Assignment

Assessment Title
Assignment 3

Task Description

Reflective Practice Assessment 3 (30%; ULO 1,3,4; GA 1 to 7). Reflect and apply unit learning including ethical and professional dimensions, construction procurement models and propose cost planning strategies to support project outcomes and with lifecycle considerations.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (2 June 2023) 11:45 pm AEST

Submit by via Turnitin


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (16 June 2023)

Student to access via Moodle


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

The assignment will be assessed on quality of work submitted, relevance and coherence to the specific question and tasks. This includes clear argumentation and use of quality references (in-text and bibliography). The content prepared is to expand beyond the learning material provided and demonstrates the student's development of the unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes. Students will work with a marking rubric for self-review and receive formative and summative feedback.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Online Submission via Moodle unit learning site

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Critically examine concepts and principles of construction procurement and cost planning across the building lifecycle
  • Evaluate the impacts of construction procurement decisions on economic, environmental, social, and cultural outcomes
  • Reflect on the key themes of procurement strategies and cost planning in contemporary management contexts.

Academic Integrity Statement

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?