Course Syllabus

CMGT 422

Advanced Project Controls

Department of Construction Management

Haile/US Bank College of Business

Northern Kentucky University

FALL 2014

Instructor: Ihab M. H. Saad, Ph. D., PMP, PE

Office: 391 Business Academic Center

Phone: 859-572-6355

Email:

Office Hours: Monday, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Thursday, 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Other times by appointment

Class Time: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Room: 243 Business Academic Center

COURSE MISSION:

This course exposes the students to computer applications in project estimating, costing, scheduling, communications, and control through a comprehensive project using the state-of-the-art software.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course provides computer applications in estimate and schedule development and control, together with integrated change management as related to the project triple constraint; time, cost, and scope. The course is delivered through a project-based approach focusing on building the electronic schedule and estimate, base-lining, updating, revising, and modifying the schedule, as well as the integration of other project documents (Drawings, contracts, change orders, correspondence, etc.) through an electronic documentation system.

Required text: NA. Course material will be posted online for student review/download.

Prerequisites: CMGT 320, CMGT 324, CMGT 329

Co-requisites: CMGT 415, CMGT 420.

BE AWARE THAT STUDENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED PREREQUISITES WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE COURSE AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE DROP/ADD PERIOD.

Course Objectives: To acquaint students with an understanding of:

1.  Computerized scheduling platforms and software

2.  The WBS and the activity coding structure

3.  Schedule models and activity attributes and dictionary

4.  Risk analysis and impact assessment

5.  Multiple calendars and work periods

6.  Scheduling under uncertainty and performing sensitivity analysis

7.  Project costing and pricing databases

8.  Bidding strategies

9.  Project contract documentation and tracking

10. Electronic communication with project stakeholders

Course Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1.  Develop computerized schedule models

2.  Develop a scheme for project coding and filtering

3.  Develop a computerized project estimate including unit and total prices

4.  Develop a project cash flow projection highlighting the financial gap and the area and cost of finance

5.  Establish a project baseline for comparison purposes

6.  Perform schedule updates and revisions based on actual progress

7.  Analyze delays and develop time extension claims reports

8.  Communicate project risks

9.  Communicate and maintain project documents (drawings, specifications, contract, correspondence, RFI’s, Submittals, photos, change orders, etc.)

10. Perform trend analysis and interpret earned value reports

11. Track the impact of scope changes on project time and cost

Assessment of Learning: Progressively developed class assignments leading to a complete project, quizzes, exams, and other miscellaneous assignments will need to be completed throughout the semester. Quizzes and exams will be based on changing the basic project assumptions and premises through different scenarios.

Procedures: Reference to instructor-provided presentations, class discussions, and Tegrity lectures will be the main delivery vehicle. Students will be responsible for all the material presented in class and on the class website. Withdrawal from class will be determined by the University dates. All class deliverables will be produced and submitted in a professional manner, following the instructor-provided guidelines.

Required Portfolio Submittal: The electronic portfolio is a requirement for all Construction Management courses. Each student is required to complete and submit an electronic portfolio for each construction class. The portfolio is developed through the data linked to the appropriate locations in the Departmental supplied Power Point Presentation template. The proper completion of the portfolio is to be verified by the instructor of each course or an incomplete will be assigned for that course. Removal of the incomplete is necessary before you begin a subsequent course if the course is a prerequisite. The portfolio is to be maintained by the student throughout their academic career in the Construction management program and presented as a requirement for graduation.

Grading: Grades will be determined based on the following breakdown:

Assignments 10%

Interim Exam 20%

Final Exam 25%

Project 40%

Blogs and Portfolio 5%

Course Evaluation: The criterion for measuring the attainment level of course objectives is total performance. Final letter grade will be based on meeting the criteria listed below:

100% to 90% = A (Outstanding achievement)

89% to 80% = B (Above average achievement)

79% to 75% = C (Average achievement)

74% to 70% = D (Below average achievement)

69% to 0% = F (Failure)

Attendance Policy: This course will be offered in a face-to-face format, necessitating student attendance. Lectures will be posted online in addition to tegrity video lectures. Posting the weekly blogs is MANDATORY for success in the course and will be part of the participation points awarded by the instructor. All students must attend the MANDATORY MIDTERM and FINAL EXAMS as scheduled on the official NKU calendar

University Policies:

1.  Student Honor Code: The work you will do in this class is subject to the Student Honor Code. The Honor Code is a commitment to the highest degree of ethical integrity in academic conduct, a commitment that, individually and collectively, the students of Northern Kentucky University will not lie, cheat, or plagiarize to gain an academic advantage over fellow students or avoid academic requirements. A copy of the code can be found at http://www.nku.edu/~deanstudents/.

2.  Disabling Conditions: Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments, auxiliary aids or services) for this course must register with the Disability Services Office. Please contact the Disability Service Office immediately in the University Center, Suite 320 or call 859-572-6373 for more information. Verification of your disability is required in the Disability Service Office for you to receive reasonable academic accommodations. Visit the Disability Service Office website at www.nku.edu/~disability.

3.  Turnitin.com: The University maintains a site license for Turnitin.com, a worldwide plagiarism prevention system. In this course, you may be required to electronically submit written assignments to Turnitin.com. Once your written assignment is submitted and analyzed, you can view or print a report that highlights any passages that could potentially be considered plagiarized material. In other words, Turnitin.com can be used as a tool to help you prevent accusations that you plagiarized material. Turnitin is integrated into Blackboard and you may find more information about the use of Turitin.com within Blackboard.

Class Content:

Module 1– Introduction & Course Objectives

Module 2- The WBS and required schedule details

Module 3 – The milestone schedule and the rolling wave planning

Module 4 – Activity attributes and WBS dictionary

Module 5- On-screen take-off and project costing

Module 6 – Resource and cost-loading

Module 7 –Building the baseline (time and cost)

Module 8 – Updating the schedule

Module 9 – Maintaining and reporting project status and Earned Value reporting and interpretations

Module 10 – Delays and claims

Module 11 – Electronic Project Communications and documentation

Submittals: All submittals for project or homework must follow the guidelines provided in the specifications for that submittal. Late submittals will not be accepted. All submittals are due on the dates shown in the class schedule and posted on the website. Generally, each submittal builds on the previous submittals. Thus, each student should be aware that all submittals are vital to success in the course.

Instructor’s Teaching Philosophy: If an educator is successful, a student has learned “how to learn”. This is crucial to ensuring continual development throughout an individual’s professional and personal life. Learning is not bounded by walls of a classroom, nor is it a one-way exchange from educator to student. I strive to create an environment conducive to fostering learning both for my students and myself.

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