Construction Project Management from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Welcome to Construction Project Initiation and Planning. Meet your Instructor, Dr. Ibrahim Odeh, and learn what will be covered in the Construction Management Specialization and, more specifically, in this course, Construction Project Initiation and Planning, the first of the specialization series.

Construction Industry Overview

Gregory Sauter, President of Crossroads Advisory and Founder of Smart City Works Infrastructure Actuator, introduces the Engineering and Construction Industry. Christopher Toomey, Senior Vice President of AECOM Global Programs, compares Program Management (PgM), Project Management (PM), and Construction Management (CM). The module ends with Professor Odeh distinguishing between construction and manufacturing processes.

Project Delivery

Professor Odeh introduces the fundamentals of the Project Development Cycle. Phillip White, a lawyer with the international firm Dentons, provides insight into Contract Types. William J. McConnell, CEO of the Vertex Companies, reviews the basics of surety bonding and Tim McManus, Vice President of Capital Projects and Infrastructure Projects at McKinsey and Company, discusses Project Delivery Methods and Surety Bonds.

Lean Project Delivery

Architect Sam Spada, discusses the Lean Project Delivery method and Lean Design Behaviors. Lean project delivery is a project management process that strips away unnecessary effort, time and cost in the planning, design and construction of capital projects to deliver what the Owner values.

Sustainability in the Construction Industry

Ryan Prime, Sustainability Director for Skanska USA, discusses Sustainable Development; development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Ryan will also review sustainability rating systems focusing specifically on the Envision Rating System.

Environment, Health and Safety of Construction Processes

Paul Haining, Chief Environmental Officer for Skanska USA, stresses the importance of Environmental, Health and Safety in Construction Processes.

Building Information Modeling and Technology Trends in Construction

Dareen Salama of the STV Group introduces Building Information Management (BIM) and illustrates the uses of BIM during the Lifecycle of the Project.

International View of Construction Projects

Bob Preto, Chairman and CEO of Strategic Program Management LLC, discusses international development and construction projects. The major challenge of international projects is risk; understanding risk, allocating risk and managing risk. In this module, you will learn to identify the types of risks found in international construction projects and learn a framework to use to understand risk.

Role of a Construction Manager

Gus Maimis, Senior Vice President STV Construction, discusses the critical characteristics of a project manager and the most important aspects of being an effective project manager. You will learn how to build a project organizational chart and the understand the most common roles in a construction project. Gus provides insight into various methods of contracting a project manager may encounter when managing a project. The module ends with a review of the potential risks, from the project manager perspective, associated with a project.

Introduction to Project Planning

Professor Odeh discusses the importance of project planning and scheduling. Planning provides a way to develop a framework for project execution, monitoring, and control. You will learn about and develop a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for a project. This module also covers standards and project coding in construction projects. You will learn how to define construction plans and build your activity list within a standard coding system. Project coding systems provide the framework for project planning and control as a means of communication.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores technological advances, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), which are highly relevant in industry

Taught by Columbia University professor Ibrahim Odeh, who is recognized for their work in project management

Develops knowledge of construction management within the dynamic construction industry

Strengthens an existing foundation for intermediate learners

Builds a strong foundation for beginners

May require learners to come in with some background knowledge first

Reviews summary

Advanced construction leadership

learners say this course is largely positive, providing a comprehensive overview of construction project management across the entire project from conception to delivery. The course is especially great for beginners or those looking to learn the basics with many saying it provided a solid foundation in construction project management. Teachers are described as experts in the field and knowledgeable on their topics. Topics covered include scheduling, estimating, project logic, and risk management. Completion of the course prepares students for a career as a Construction Project Manager or as a part of a team.

This course is highly educational and recommended for anyone looking to enter the field of construction project management or for professionals looking to sharpen their knowledge and skill set.

"I learnt a lot of skills that relate to construction management and thus it will help me apply these skills to my day to day practice as a construction manager."

"This course has given me significant insights into technologies and methodologies used in construction industry."

If you're interested in construction project management and a beginner in the construction field, this course is for you.

"I real appreciate to be among of the students completing this course. I believe will be fertile in my career growth."

"This course definitely helpful for practicing Engineers in middle management level."

"This course helped me a lot to understand the construction industry and challenges, opportunities involved in it."

This course given me a new direction to my career, the various specialized instructors of CPM course depending on the course topic is the key factor that's make the whole learning methodology unique and interesting.

"The content of the course is very complete, well delivered by qualified instructors and it could be easily understood."

"It is a very beneficial course, which gives a great foundation to the construction management field."

This course is quite beneficial to anyone looking to get into construction, project or program management and those already working in any of these areas and looking to sharpen their knowledge and skill set.

"I am Architect, one day I have planned to work as a project manager, then I saw this course which is a significant step toward may goal."

"After completing this course I am ready to start my career as construction project manager."

The lectures from Columbia University were top-notch (as expected). The faculty was great and kept me motivated.

"I have no regret applying for this course via the coursera scholarship, I got the scholarship and the construction project management was a major eye opener in the construction industry."

"The course was excellently delivered, shedding light on misconceptions I held while also solidifying new concepts and providing a detailed breakdown of industry terminology."

"The Construction Project Management course on Coursera exceeded my expectations in providing a comprehensive and insightful learning experience."

"I acquired a lot of information and skills that I needed."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Construction Project Management with these activities:

Review schedule and cost estimation basics

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Reviewing some core concepts in cost estimating can help you understand the material covered in this course

Browse courses on Construction Planning

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Review critical path method network analysis
Review unit cost estimates and materials take-off

Review construction management concepts

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Review basic construction management concepts to refresh your knowledge and ensure you have a strong foundation for the course.

Browse courses on Construction Management

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Review notes and materials from previous courses or industry experience
Skim through the course syllabus and introductory materials
Attend any optional pre-course webinars or workshops

BIM for Beginners

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Gain familiarity with the basics of BIM through guided video tutorials.

Browse courses on BIM

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Introduce BIM concepts
Navigate a BIM software
Create basic models
Collaborate on a BIM project

Show all three activities

Career center

Learners who complete Construction Project Management will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Construction Manager

A Construction Manager is responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of construction projects. This course is an excellent foundation for anyone looking to become a Construction Manager, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the construction industry, including project management, contract types, and delivery methods. Additionally, the course covers important topics such as safety, sustainability, and technology trends in construction, all of which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Manager

Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, and executing projects. This course is a great option for those interested in becoming a Project Manager, as it provides a strong foundation in project management principles and practices. The course also covers topics such as risk management, stakeholder management, and communication, all of which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Estimator

An Estimator is responsible for estimating the cost of construction projects. This course can be helpful for those interested in becoming an Estimator, as it provides an overview of the construction industry, project management, and cost estimating. The course also covers topics such as risk analysis and value engineering, which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Estimator

Scheduler

A Scheduler is responsible for planning and scheduling construction projects. This course can be helpful for those interested in becoming a Scheduler, as it provides a strong foundation in project management and scheduling. The course also covers topics such as resource allocation, critical path analysis, and earned value management, all of which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Scheduler

BIM Manager

A BIM Manager is responsible for managing building information models (BIM). This course can be helpful for those interested in becoming a BIM Manager, as it provides an overview of BIM and its applications in the construction industry. The course also covers topics such as BIM coordination, data management, and clash detection, all of which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for BIM Manager

Construction Engineer

A Construction Engineer is responsible for the design and construction of buildings and other structures. This course can be helpful for those interested in becoming a Construction Engineer, as it provides an overview of the construction industry, project management, and structural engineering. The course also covers topics such as building codes, materials science, and geotechnical engineering, all of which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Engineer

Safety Manager

A Safety Manager is responsible for developing and implementing safety programs for construction projects. This course can be helpful for those interested in becoming a Safety Manager, as it provides an overview of safety in the construction industry. The course also covers topics such as risk assessment, hazard identification, and accident prevention, all of which are essential for success in this role.

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Sustainability Manager

A Sustainability Manager is responsible for developing and implementing sustainability programs for construction projects. This course can be helpful for those interested in becoming a Sustainability Manager, as it provides an overview of sustainability in the construction industry. The course also covers topics such as green building design, LEED certification, and energy efficiency, all of which are essential for success in this role.

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Engineer

An Engineer is responsible for the design and construction of buildings, bridges, roads, and other structures. While this course does not provide a comprehensive education in engineering, it can be helpful for those interested in becoming an Engineer, as it provides an overview of the construction industry and the engineering process. The course also covers topics such as building codes, materials science, and structural engineering, all of which are essential for success in this role.

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Quantity Surveyor

A Quantity Surveyor is responsible for estimating and managing the cost of construction projects. This course can be helpful for those interested in becoming a Quantity Surveyor, as it provides an overview of the construction industry, project management, and cost estimating. The course also covers topics such as risk analysis and value engineering, all of which are essential for success in this role.

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Architect

An Architect is responsible for the design of buildings and other structures. While this course does not provide a comprehensive education in architecture, it can be helpful for those interested in becoming an Architect, as it provides an overview of the construction industry and the design process. The course also covers topics such as building codes, materials science, and structural engineering, all of which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architect

Property Manager

A Property Manager is responsible for the management of residential and commercial properties. This course can be helpful for those interested in becoming a Property Manager, as it provides an overview of the construction industry, project management, and property management. The course also covers topics such as tenant relations, lease administration, and financial management, all of which are essential for success in this role.

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Real Estate Developer

A Real Estate Developer is responsible for the development of land and buildings. This course can be helpful for those interested in becoming a Real Estate Developer, as it provides an overview of the construction industry, project management, and real estate finance. The course also covers topics such as land use planning, zoning, and environmental regulations, all of which are essential for success in this role.

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Construction Consultant

A Construction Consultant provides advice and guidance to clients on construction projects. This course can be helpful for those interested in becoming a Construction Consultant, as it provides an overview of the construction industry, project management, and construction law. The course also covers topics such as risk management, dispute resolution, and quality control, all of which are essential for success in this role.

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Facilities Manager

A Facilities Manager is responsible for the operation and maintenance of buildings and other facilities. This course can be helpful for those interested in becoming a Facilities Manager, as it provides an overview of the construction industry, project management, and facilities management. The course also covers topics such as building systems, energy management, and preventive maintenance, all of which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Facilities Manager