72767 - Managing Engineering and Construction Processes

Academic Year 2018/2019

  • Docente: Riccardo Fini
  • Credits: 6
  • SSD: ING-IND/35
  • Language: English

Learning outcomes

A successful learner from this course will know the principles, methods and tools necessary to manage design and construction processes, elements of planning, estimating, scheduling, bidding and contractual relationships, valuation of project cash flows, critical path method, survey of construction procedures, cost control and effectiveness, field supervision.

Course contents

The course provides a framework for understanding and analysing project management techniques as well as broader managerial issues. Lectures and readings provide an introduction to the following concepts: project initiation, planning and execution in the context of civil and construction engineering. Most of the topics presented during the course will also be analysed using case studies, problems and exercises.

Readings/Bibliography

The following textbook is needed for a clear comprehension of the topics presented during the course: Project Management: A Managerial Approach, 9th Edition International Student Version | ISBN-13: 9781118945834, Meredith, Jack R.; Mantel, Samuel J.; Shafer, Scott M. 2015.

To order the book, students can contact the Pitagora Editrice bookstore - Via Saragozza 112 - 40135 Bologna - tel. 051/6446460, as well as access the HOEPLI website: http://www.hoepli.it/libro/project-management/9781118945834.html

A copy of the book is also available in the ‘Gian Paolo Dore' Library (http://www.biblioteche.unibo.it/ingegneria/), School of Engineering, Via Risorgimento 2, Bologna.

Teaching methods

Class attendance
Students are encouraged to attend all lectures. The course is designed to stimulate class interaction and discussion. Most of the insights will emerge during class hours rather than as a result of a simple reading of the required teaching material. A deep understanding of cases and exercises can only be achieved through the class discussion and interaction between students and the instructor.

Exercises and Class participation
Some sessions are dedicated to case studies and in-class exercises. Students are invited to read carefully the content of each case/exercise in advance. This will help to better understand the concepts presented in class and to raise proper questions to successfully solve the case/exercise. To incentivise the class participation, students might get additional points (from 0 to 3 marks) on top of their final grade (please, refer to the exam section for more detailed information), depending upon their class interaction.

Assessment methods

The final exam will consist of:
-) Two practical exercises and
-) A set of theoretical questions (multiple choices).

-) The practical part is aimed to assess students' ability to put in practice project management techniques;
-) The theoretical part is intended to evaluate the level of understanding and knowledge of the theory.

Exam is scored using the following criteria:
-) Practical exercises: 66% of final grade (20 marks)
-) Theoretical questions: 33% of final grade (10 marks)

In order to pass the exam, students have to score at least 18 marks.

As previously mentioned, the final grade might be increased up to 3 marks, depending on the degree of class participation during the cases' discussion.

The exam will take place according to the timetable of the School and communicated through the platform AlmaEsami (https://almaesami.unibo.it). To sign in, students have to register on the platform.

Teaching tools

During the course some slides will be video projected in the classroom. They will be downloadable from the following website http://campus.cib.unibo.it. The material is password protected.


Some case studies, problems and exercises will also be presented throughout the course. Students will be able to download the texts from the aforementioned website. Solutions will be posted after the class.


The material related to the week classes (two sessions) will be posted on the website in advance.

Office hours

See the website of Riccardo Fini