CEM690: Advanced Project Management

Module code: CEM690

Module provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment

Credits: 20

Level: 7

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Stuart Green , email: s.d.green@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Shu-Ling Lu, email: s.lu@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students:

Talis reading list:

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The "Advanced Project Management" module aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of advanced project management practices, with a strong focus on the construction industry. It integrates key principles from general project management with specialized insights into construction project delivery, emphasizing the importance of leadership, negotiation, communication, and value creation for diverse stakeholders. Students will explore the causes of project delays, effective workplace communication, negotiation strategies, and the principles of successful project delivery. The module also covers essential elements of design management, ensuring that students grasp how to lead multidisciplinary teams of designers and specialists from project inception through to completion.Ìý

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A critical focus of this module will be the ability to diagnose projects and manage agile and traditional project methodologies, with particular attention to the real-world challenges of delivering projects on time and within budget. Leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making in complex environments are core to the module. Students will also develop advanced behavioral skills to influence stakeholders and guide projects to successful outcomes.Ìý

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students will be able to:Ìý

1. Diagnose key factors leading to project delays and recommend strategies to mitigate these risks.Ìý
2. Apply advanced project management principles to manage construction projects from inception through to site delivery, integrating elements of design management.Ìý
3. Negotiate effectively and demonstrate clear, professional communication within project teams and among stakeholders.Ìý
4. Recommend and apply appropriate tools and techniques for project delivery, including agile methodologies, within the context of construction projects.Ìý
5. Evaluate and improve project performance in terms of time, cost, and quality, while considering value creation for diverse stakeholders.Ìý
6. Critically assess and implement leadership and management strategies necessary for successful project delivery and stakeholder coordination in complex project environments.Ìý
7. Integrate design management and project leadership concepts, ensuring effective collaboration between project managers, designers, and specialists.Ìý

Module content

• Project Delays and Mitigation: Exploring why projects are often late and strategies to address these challenges.Ìý
• Negotiation and Communication: The role of effective workplace communication and negotiation in successful project outcomes.Ìý
• Principles of Project Management: Agile vs. waterfall methodologies; project control with a focus on time, cost, quality, and value creation.Ìý
• Leadership in Construction Projects: The project manager's role in leading diverse teams and driving projects from concept through to delivery.Ìý
• Design Management Integration: Coordinating design and construction elements, focusing on how design influences project delivery.Ìý
• Successful Project Delivery: Tools, techniques, and leadership skills for ensuring that projects are delivered successfully and stakeholders’ needs are met.Ìý
• Case Studies and Practical Applications: Using real-world examples to illustrate challenges and solutions in advanced project management.Ìý
• Sustainability and Innovation in Construction: Visioning and managing sustainable projects that meet both current and future demands.Ìý

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module combines a blend of lectures, seminars, and tutorials to provide students with a comprehensive and engaging learning experience. Lectures will introduce key theoretical concepts and frameworks, offering insights into advanced project management principles, leadership, and negotiation strategies. These will be complemented by seminars, where students will engage in collaborative discussions, case studies, and group activities to deepen their understanding and critically apply the material to real-world scenarios. Tutorials will provide opportunities for more focused, small-group learning, offering personalized feedback and guidance on specific challenges, project tasks, and individual development areas.Ìý

Study hours

At least 36 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.Ìý

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The below information applies to all full time and flexible modular students on taught PGT programmes in SBEÌý

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

There will be a range of formative assessment methods embedded within the module delivery. Principally, the formative assessment feedback will take place during lecture and tutorial interaction.Ìý

Reassessment

Additional costs