77827 - CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITY MANAGEMENT

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will have acquired the principles, methods and tools to manage the following activities: design and realization of construction processes, planning and scheduling, bidding and contractual relationships, estimating and evaluation of project cash flows, critical path method, survey of construction procedures, cost control and effectiveness, supervision of the process.

Course contents

Lesson 1

- Teacher-student presentation

- Introduction to the course, key points, topics covered and aims.

Lesson 2

- Definition and basic concepts of construction management

- Definition and basic concepts of Facility management

Lesson 3

- Introduction and assignment of topics for the final essay, explanation of structure and purpose.

- Introduction and assignment of some articles on the topic of Sustainability, useful for lesson four

Lesson 4

- Focus on the specific topic of Sustainability, definition and basic concepts

- Comments and reasoning on Sustainability articles assigned during the previous lesson

- Presentation of the Arch4Change Project (Erasmus plus project based on Sustainability)

- Introduction and assignment of some articles on the topic of Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and Maintenance, useful for lesson five

Lesson 5

- Focus on the specific topic of LCC and Maintenance, definition and basic concepts

- Comments and reasoning on the articles on LCC and Maintenance assigned during the previous lesson

- Introduction and assignment of some articles on the topic of Time & Costs, useful for lesson 6

Lesson 6

- Focus on the specific topic of Time & Costs, definition and basic concepts

- Comments and reasoning on the Costs articles assigned in the previous lesson

- Presentation of the Cellular Automata model developed to obtain the ranking of the best sequences of work activities to be carried out and the relative best paths when maintaining a complex structure in operation

- Introduction and assignment of some articles on the topic of Durability, useful for Lesson 7

Lesson 7

- Focus on the specific topic of Durability, definition and basic concepts

- Comments and reasoning on the Time articles assigned in the previous lesson

- Introduction and assignment of some articles on the topic of Health & Safety, useful for lesson 8

Lesson 8

- Focus on the specific topic of Health & Safety, definition and basic concepts

- Presentation of the agent-based model developed for the impact of a construction site on the maintenance of a complex structure in operation (e.g. hospital)

- Comments and reasoning on the Health & Safety articles assigned during the previous lesson

Lesson 9

- Discussion and insights useful for the development of the papers

Lesson 10

- Presentation of papers by students

- Discussion, feedback, and evaluation

Readings/Bibliography

• Hendrickson C., Project Management for Construction, Carnegie Mellon University, USA
• Jackson B. J., Construction Management JumpStart (2nd ed.), Wiley Publishing
• ISO 15686-5:2017 - Buildings and constructed assets — Service life planning — Part 5: Life-cycle costing
• EN 13306:2010 - Maintenance — Maintenance terminology
• GUIDE TO LIFE CYCLE COSTING - SCSI - 2nd Edition (April 2022)

During the lectures, additional material will be provided for further study of the topics covered.

Teaching methods

The course content will be entirely covered by lectures.

After the first lessons, which will illustrate the main and base concepts related to construction and facility management and their definitions, every lesson will tackle a specific topic (e.g. maintenance, time & cost). Each lesson will be assigned articles (per group or per student) related to the topic that will be covered during the next lesson, so that students can read and analyse them in advance. This will serve to trigger a constructive debate during the next lesson.

During the second lesson will be assigned an essay (per group or per student), which must be elaborate (mandatory) before the final exam and presented during it.

Assessment methods

Final exam: based on in-class discussions/exercises and the final homework essay (mandatory). The essay must be shown and discussed in the final oral exam, it will contribute to the final evaluation. This is based on an analytical assessment of the "expected learning outcomes" described above.

The oral exam consists of a review and discussion of the written output, in which examiners inform the student on grading criteria, and receive any student appeal supported by appropriate explanations; and a technical conversation. Homework must be completed and passed before the oral exam.

The exam can be considered passed with a minimum of 18 points (on 30 available).
Higher grades will be awarded to students who demonstrate an organic understanding of the subject, high ability for a critical application, and a clear and concise presentation of the contents.
To obtain a passing grade, students must demonstrate at least a knowledge of the subject's key concepts, some ability for a critical application, and a comprehensible use of technical language. A failing grade will be awarded if the student will not reach the results described above.

Students' attitudes and active participation during the debates will be assessed and will contribute to the final evaluation.

Teaching tools

Laptop and projector.

Office hours

See the website of Ugo Maria Coraglia