Management Systems for Construction (CONS90001)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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This subject introduces three key management systems used in the construction industry, namely Work Health and Safety Management Systems (WHSMS), Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and Quality Management Systems (QMS). It aims to provide relevant practical knowledge and skills to help manage projects to comply with specific safety, environmental and quality standards, codes and regulations. This subject endeavours to develop your knowledge and understanding of the processes and activities involved in preparing a Work Health and Safety (WHS) Plan and Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) in accordance with the relevant Work Health and Safety legislation; a project-specific Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to manage environmental performance and conformity with environmental management policies, practices, and project specific environmental conditions; and a Quality Management Plan (QMP) in accordance with Australian and international standards. Major topics covered include management principles, models, and tools related to these three management systems.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the subject, students should be able to:

  • Identify the main legislation, standards, and elements associated with WHSMS, EMS and QMS;
  • Understand the key processes for implementing WHSMS, EMS and QMS in the construction industry;
  • Develop an effective WHS Plan in accordance with the relevant WHS legislation;
  • Conduct hazard identification, risk assessment and formulate control measures to prevent ill health and injury;
  • Develop a project-specific EMP to manage environmental performance and conformity with environmental management policies, practices, and project specific environmental conditions;
  • Understand best practice QMS implementation at project and corporate level.

Generic skills

  • At the completion of the subject students should have developed the following skills and capabilities: Problem solving skills Analytical skills Communication skills Team work skills

Last updated: 31 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ABPL90313 Management of Construction
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

OR

Admission into one of the following:

  • Admission into or selection of one of the following:
    • 200pt Program course entry point in the MC-CM Master of Construction Management
    Admission into or selection of one of the following:
    • 300pt Program course entry point in the MC-ARCHCM Master of Architecture/Master of Construction Management
    Admission into or selection of one of the following:
    • 300pt Program course entry point in the MC-CMPROP Master of Construction Management/Master of Property
  • 400pt Program Course entry in the MC-ARCHCM ( Master of Architecture / Master of Construction Management ) OR MC-CMPROP (Master of Construction Management / Master of Property ) with Construction background

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 31 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Assignment 1 - Part 1 (as a group of 3): Development of a WHS Plan; demonstrating your knowledge and understanding of the processes and activities involved in preparing a WHS Plan in accordance with the relevant WHS legislation; 1500 words per person

  • 1500 words (each)
Week 430%

Assignment 1 - Part 2 (individual): Development of a detailed risk assessment and SWMS for a given project scenario; demonstrating your knowledge and understanding of the processes and activities involved in preparing a SWMS in accordance with the relevant WHS legislation

  • 1250 words
Week 725%

Assignment 2 (as a group of 3): Development of an EMP that addresses key aspects of a given project's environmental management at pre-construction stage; demonstrating your knowledge and understanding of the processes and activities associated with complying with environmental management policies, practices, and project specific environmental conditions; 1000 words per person

  • 1000 words (each)
Week 1020%

Assignment 3 (individual): Reflective essay on quality management tools and initiatives to improve the quality performance of the Australian construction industry; demonstrating your understanding of best practice QMS implementation according to Australian and International standards

  • 1250 words
Week 1225%

Last updated: 31 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    Principal coordinatorShang Gao
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours1 3 hour lecture per week
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025
    Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025
    Census date 1 September 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail26 September 2025
    Assessment period ends21 November 2025

    Semester 2 contact information

    Subject Coordinator

    Shang Gao 
    shang.gao@unimelb.edu.au

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 31 March 2025

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    Griffith, A. (2011) Integrated Management Systems for Construction: Quality, Environment and Safety. Pearson Prentice Hall: Harlow, England.

  • Available through the Community Access Program

    About the Community Access Program (CAP)

    This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.

    Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 31 March 2025