Individual Project

The ability to define, plan and undertake a project is a critical set of skills needed in various roles within the construction industry. Identifying appropriate information and analysing this, to formulate clear results or recommendations, is required to underpin many of the processes that inform construction projects.

The aim of this unit is to support students in using and applying the knowledge and skills they have developed through other areas of their studies to complete and present an individual project. In addition, this unit will provide students with key study skills that will support them in further study.

Students will be able to identify, define, plan, develop and execute a successful project by working through a clear process. They will develop a project brief; outlining a problem that requires a solution, as well as a project specification, the specific requirements of which the final outcome must meet. They will research the problem, undertaking a feasibility study, and consider a range of potential solutions using critical analysis and evaluation techniques to test, select and contextualise their preferred solution. Students will provide a work and time management plan, keeping a diary of all activities, reflecting on their process and their learning throughout the project.

Learning Outcome 1: Formulate a project that will provide a solution to an identified problem

Learning Outcome 2: Manage a project within agreed timescales and specification; documenting the process throughout

Learning Outcome 3: Evaluate potential project management solutions

Learning Outcome 4: Produce a project report and deliver a presentation of the final project outcomes.

LO1 Formulate a project that will provide a solution to an identified problem

Project identification Research methods Feasibility studies Brief and specification
LO2 Manage a project within agreed timescales and specification, documenting the process throughout

Resources and resource planning Costs and cost planning
Work plan:
Gantt charts
Project Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) charts Critical Path Method (CPM).
Project tracking:
Progress tracking Milestones.

LO3 Evaluate potential project management solutions

PERT analysis CPM analysis
LO4 Produce a project report and deliver a presentation of the final project outcomes

Report formats Presentation techniques.