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Engineering Contracts and Procurement (ENGM90006)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Email: glen.currie@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
AIMS
Students will learn how to structure and work with engineering contracts to deliver and procure engineering outcomes in this subject. Students will develop a working knowledge of contract administration and gain an understanding of commercial aspects of engineering. All engineers interface commercially with engineering contracts throughout their careers, and thus the application of the subject content is broad. Those seeking to work as a contractor and as a contract administrator will find a direct application of this subject’s content. Students will learn how to use procurement and contracts to develop successful engineering projects. This includes administration of the contracts and understanding the business environment where these contracts are agreed. These skills will be useful to students in their future work and apply to a wide range of engineering disciplines.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Management of engineering projects. This includes the role and responsibilities of corporate managers, market analysis, structuring of procurement options, development of contractual terms and conditions and the pricing of work.
Estimating and tendering engineering works via work breakdown structures, work method statements, risk identification and tendering principles. The study material also covers contract administration and project control functions and techniques including time and money negotiations and cash flow management.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject the student is expected to:
- Assess the commercial viability of engineering projects
- Evaluate procurement strategies for a particular project
- Choose appropriate contract documents for the delivery of engineering projects
- Identify and manage risks and opportunities inherent in engineering projects
- Apply the fundamentals of contract law
- Conduct first principles cost estimating and tendering processes from a contractor's perspective
- Evaluate engineering tenders
- Apply contracts in respect to extensions of time, variations and quality
- Choose appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms for engineering contracts
Generic skills
- Ability to communicate effectively with the engineering team and with the community at large
- Ability to manage information and documentation
- Understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities and commitment to them
- Ability to function effectively as an individual and in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, as a team leader or manager, as well as an effective team member
- Capacity for lifelong learning and professional development.
- Understanding the relationships between engineers and their counterparties in engineering contracts.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Knowledge from the following subject will assist with learning in this subject:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
CVEN90045 | Engineering Project Implementation | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
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 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Concurrent examination Task 1 - A limited-time written assignment (1200 words – 48 hours time for the written assignment – 25%). Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1 to 9 are addressed in this examination.
| During the examination period | 25% |
Concurrent examination Task 2 – A 50-minute quiz (15%). The first 50 minutes of the 48 hour exam period is allocated for this quiz. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1 to 9 are addressed in this examination.
| During the examination period | 15% |
Written Assignment- a report of 1500 words (individual work) Addressing ILOs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6.
| Week 10 | 30% |
Participation and performance in a computer simulation exercise of running an engineering business. Addressing ILOs 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
| From Week 5 to Week 10 | 10% |
Six In class quizzes of 10 minutes. Addressing ILO's 1-8.
| From Week 3 to Week 11 | 10% |
Perusall assignments (individual work). Addressing ILO's 1-6.
| From Week 1 to Week 10 | 10% |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Glen Currie Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours (Lectures/Tutorials: 3 hours per week) Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024 Last self-enrol date 2 August 2024 Census date 2 September 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 20 September 2024 Assessment period ends 15 November 2024 Semester 2 contact information
Email: glen.currie@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
200 hours
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 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Subject notes
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
The subject is based principally on presentations by experienced industry and academic professionals who present the theory and practices of engineering procurement and contracts as illustrated by project case studies and example situations from real projects. A computer simulation game is undertaken whereby students compete by bidding for and managing projects as if they are the management team for a major contractor. This game is based on a UK company and provides key learning’s and feedback on the interface between engineering contracting and corporate management. Students also critique a real Australian request for tender via an assignment.
INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES
Extensive course notes are provided on LMS.
Australian Standard General Conditions of Contract provides a base document for the contract administrative section of the course and AS/NZS 4300 (the general conditions of contract for design and contract projects) is appropriate. This standard is available via the library using the database section of the library (search for SAI Global – Australian Standards and then follow prompt to 4300 via the standards search engine).
CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS
Presenters from industry provide insights via the case studies presented. The computer simulation is based on real industry practice and is the same simulation game run internationally for consultants and contractors. The main case study dissected throughout the subject is a real and current project. - Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Engineering Structures Course Master of Energy Systems Course Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering Course Ph.D.- Engineering Course Master of Environmental Engineering Course Master of Philosophy - Engineering Course Master of Engineering Management Specialisation (formal) Biomedical with Business Specialisation (formal) Chemical with Business Specialisation (formal) Electrical with Business Specialisation (formal) Civil Specialisation (formal) Civil with Business Specialisation (formal) Mechanical with Business Specialisation (formal) Software with Business - 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.
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 January 2024