Introduction to Construction Management from Udemy

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Welcome to the course!

In this short video, I'll give you a bit of an explanation of my background and why I've created this course.

Construction management is the science of getting things done!

Construction management is the application of specialised project management skills

Construction management is used to achieve the project outcomes

Construction management differs from normal project management in a couple of key ways.

The construction industry is responsible for developing and delivering the broad range of infrastructure projects that allow society to prosper.

Construction projects are notorious for running over budget and behind schedule. In this short video, we'll look at why that's the case.

Great work making it through Section 1 of the course!

Let's briefly recap what we covered in Section 1 of the course

Welcome to Section 2 of the course where we'll look at the different parties involved in the infrastructure market

The infrastructure market is responsible for developing and delivering construction projects.

The client, or project owner, is the party responsible for deciding what to build, financing it, and seeing it become a reality

The contractor, once chosen by the client, will take responsibility for the end-to-end delivery of the project scope.

These companies provide specialist, technical expertise to support both the project owner and contractor.

Trade or sub-contractors are smaller, specialist companies that work for the head contractor to deliver specific scopes of work.

The project owner will choose a project delivery model that best suits their specific project outcomes

Let's test your knowledge of Section 2!

Welcome to Section 3, where we'll look at the lifecycle of a construction project in detail

A construction project is broken down into five key stages; feasibility and early-stage, procurement, design and planning, construction, and close-out.

In this stage, the project owner will make the decision whether or not to pursue a project

Once the project owner has made the decision to proceed with the project, they'll need to find a contractor to deliver it for them.

After the contractor has been selected, where the contractor is responsible for the design, they'll need to complete the detailed design and pre-construction activities before construction can begin.

After the design is IFC and the planning is complete, it's time to begin works.

After major works are completed on-site, the contractor will wrap up the project scope and get it ready to hand over to the owner.

Let's test your understanding of section 3!

Let's start by looking at what contractors do and why they exist. Why use contractors in the first place? What value do they offer their clients?

Contractors survive and make money for a reason. They offer value to their clients and are able to capture some of this value.

Contractors are structured to maximise the chance of winning more work and then successfully delivering projects

Great work making it through Section 4!

Let's test your knowledge of Section 4!

Let's get started on Section 5 where we'll look at the role of the construction manager

Great work making it through section 5 of the course!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides an overview of the construction industry, which is helpful for those exploring career options or seeking to understand the industry landscape

Explores the lifecycle of a construction project, which is valuable for understanding the sequence of activities from inception to completion

Examines the roles of different parties involved in construction projects, which is useful for understanding project dynamics and stakeholder relationships

Includes downloadable resources and templates, which can be applied to real-world scenarios and provide practical tools for immediate use

Differentiates between construction management and project management, which clarifies the specific skills and knowledge required for construction projects

Focuses on the contractor's perspective, including how they make money and their organizational structure, which offers insights into the business side of construction

Reviews summary

Core construction management overview

According to learners, this course provides a solid introduction to the field of construction management, covering key concepts, parties, and the project lifecycle. Many students found it an excellent starting point, especially for those new to the industry or looking to understand fundamental principles. The course is often described as clear and concise, delivering information efficiently. Reviewers frequently highlight the value of the downloadable resources and templates, finding them practical for real-world application. While generally seen as a valuable foundational course, some feedback suggests it may be too basic for experienced professionals seeking in-depth technical knowledge.

Helps understand potential roles and paths.

"Helped me understand the different roles in construction management and potential career paths."

"Gained a good overview of how the industry works and where I might fit in."

"The course provides clarity on the construction manager's role."

Downloadable resources and templates are helpful.

"The downloadable resources and templates are fantastic, very practical."

"Found the templates particularly useful for applying what I learned."

"The resources provided are a great bonus and complement the lessons well."

Content is easy to understand and efficient.

"The explanations are clear and easy to follow."

"The course is well-structured and concise, getting straight to the point."

"I appreciated how clearly the concepts were explained without unnecessary jargon."

Offers a strong foundation for beginners.

"This course provides an excellent introduction to the field of Construction Management."

"Provides a solid foundation for anyone looking to start in construction management..."

"Great starting point for understanding the basics of the industry."

Too basic for those with experience.

"While good for beginners, it lacks the depth needed for more experienced individuals."

"Felt it was a bit too introductory; I was hoping for more advanced concepts."

"If you have some background already, this might feel very basic."

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 Introduction to Construction Management with these activities:

Review Project Management Fundamentals

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Reinforce your understanding of project management principles, as construction management builds upon these concepts.

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Review key project management terms.
Practice applying project management methodologies.

Review 'Construction Management JumpStart'

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Solidify your understanding of construction management fundamentals with a beginner-friendly guide.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Read the book cover to cover.
Focus on chapters related to course topics.

Read 'Construction Project Management: A Practical Guide to Field Construction Management'

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Gain a deeper understanding of field construction management practices and techniques.

View Construction Contracting: A Practical Guide to... on Amazon

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Read assigned chapters before each corresponding course section.
Take notes on key concepts and examples.

Three other activities

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Document a Construction Site Visit

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Observe real-world construction practices and document your findings in a report or presentation.

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Arrange a visit to a local construction site.
Take notes and photos of the construction process.
Write a report summarizing your observations.

Create a Mock Construction Schedule

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Apply scheduling principles learned in the course to a hypothetical construction project.

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Define the scope of a sample construction project.
Break down the project into smaller tasks.
Estimate the duration of each task.
Create a Gantt chart to visualize the schedule.

Develop a Cost Estimate for a Small Project

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Practice cost estimation techniques by creating a detailed estimate for a small construction project.

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Select a small construction project (e.g., a bathroom remodel).
Identify all necessary materials and labor.
Research the cost of each item.
Create a spreadsheet to calculate the total cost.

Career center

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

Construction Manager

Construction managers plan, coordinate, and oversee construction projects from start to finish. This Introduction to Construction Management course provides a broad introduction to the field, covering key concepts, the parties involved, project lifecycles, and the role of the contractor. Learning about the differences between construction management and project management helps clarify the specific skills required for the role. This course directly aligns with the fundamentals of what a construction manager needs to know, offering a solid grasp of the industry's intricacies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Manager

Site Supervisor

Site supervisors oversee daily activities at a construction site, ensuring work is completed safely, on time, and within budget. This Introduction to Construction Management course helps build a foundation of understanding of the different phases of a construction project, which is crucial for effective supervision. The course's emphasis on practical knowledge, developed in consultation with industry experts, ensures that site supervisors learn relevant skills and practices. The resources and templates offered may be useful tools for managing site operations and reporting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Site Supervisor

Construction Superintendent

A construction superintendent oversees daily operations on a construction site, managing schedules, budgets, and ensuring safety. This Introduction to Construction Management course provides insight into the construction industry's basics, which helps build a foundation for understanding the entire construction process, from project initiation to closeout. Learning about project lifecycles, as covered in the course, enables a construction superintendent to better manage timelines and resources. The course offers a broad overview of the field, which may be useful to anyone starting in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Superintendent

Field Engineer

Field engineers provide technical support and oversight at construction sites, ensuring projects adhere to design specifications. The Introduction to Construction Management course's section on project lifecycles, from planning to construction, provides a valuable framework for understanding the overall project flow. The course also covers the various parties involved in a construction project, helping field engineers understand the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders. The practical insights from industry experts may provide someone in this career with a working knowledge of construction dynamics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Field Engineer

Project Engineer

Project engineers support project managers in overseeing construction projects, handling technical aspects, and ensuring projects meet specifications. This Introduction to Construction Management course helps build a foundation of core principles, including the different parties involved in a project and how contractors operate. Understanding the contractor's perspective, as covered in the course, is crucial for a project engineer to effectively collaborate and resolve technical issues. The downloadable resources and templates offered in the course provide practical tools, and may be useful for managing project documentation. A more seasoned professional may find the course less useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Engineer

Scheduler

Schedulers develop and maintain project schedules, ensuring timely completion of construction projects. This Introduction to Construction Management course helps build a foundation of understanding the construction process from start to finish, including project lifecycles and the roles of various stakeholders. The course's emphasis on practical knowledge, developed in consultation with industry experts, ensures that schedulers learn relevant skills and practices. Learning the basics of the field may provide a foundation for performing this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Scheduler

Construction Estimator

Construction estimators prepare cost estimates for construction projects. This Introduction to Construction Management course may be helpful for an estimator to understand the various facets of a construction project and how they impact costs. The course's section on the parties involved in a construction project provides context for understanding the roles of various stakeholders, potentially leading to a more accurate cost assessment. The course's templates and resources could provide an advantage in this role. Understanding project stages may give someone in this career a better idea of cost implications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Estimator

Contracts Administrator

Contracts administrators manage and administer construction contracts, ensuring compliance with terms and conditions. This Introduction to Construction Management course helps build a foundation of understanding the construction process from start to finish, including project lifecycles and the roles of various stakeholders. The practical knowledge ensures that contracts administrators learn relevant skills and practices. The course may be useful for someone in this career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Contracts Administrator

Quantity Surveyor

Quantity surveyors manage and control costs on construction projects. This Introduction to Construction Management course includes valuable background knowledge on project lifecycles, the parties involved, and contractor operations. This information is helpful for understanding how costs are incurred and managed throughout a project. The course, designed with input from industry experts, ensures relevant and practical insights for quantity surveyors.

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Cost Manager

Cost managers oversee financial aspects of construction projects, ensuring projects remain within budget. This Introduction to Construction Management course helps build an understanding the construction process from start to finish, including project lifecycles and the roles of various stakeholders. The practical knowledge in this course may be helpful for cost managers, including the downloadable templates and resources. The course's emphasis on practical knowledge may provide relevant skills and practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cost Manager

Civil Engineer

Civil engineers design, develop, and maintain infrastructure projects. While civil engineering requires its own specialized knowledge, this Introduction to Construction Management course helps build a foundation in understanding the construction process from a management perspective. The course's overview of project lifecycles, from feasibility to close-out, provides context for engineers to better collaborate with construction teams. It also covers the different types of construction projects. The course's practical insights, developed in consultation with industry experts, make it attractive for engineers who wish to work in construction.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Building Inspector

Building inspectors examine structures to ensure compliance with building codes and regulations. While the construction management course does not directly cover building codes, understanding construction processes and project lifecycles, as taught in the course, provides valuable context for inspections. The course's coverage of different types of construction projects broadens the understanding of various construction methods and materials. This introduction aims to provide a foundational understanding for the inspection process.

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Facilities Manager

Facilities managers oversee the operation and maintenance of buildings and infrastructure. While this Introduction to Construction Management course focuses on the construction phase, understanding project lifecycles, as covered in the course, may be valuable for facilities managers involved in renovations or expansions. The course's overview of different types of construction projects provides a broader perspective on building processes. Reviewing the roles of different parties involved in construction projects can provide a solid foundation for anyone who wants to enter this career.

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BIM Manager

A building information modeling manager oversees the implementation and management of BIM on construction projects. While this Introduction to Construction Management course does not directly cover BIM software, understanding construction processes and project lifecycles, as taught in the course, provides valuable context for BIM implementation. The course's overview of different types of construction projects broadens understanding of various construction methods and their corresponding BIM requirements. Someone in this career may find the course useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for BIM Manager

Land Developer

Land developers acquire land and oversee the development of residential, commercial, or industrial projects. This Introduction to Construction Management course helps build a foundation of understanding the construction process from start to finish, including project lifecycles and the roles of various stakeholders. Understanding the feasibility and early stage development is key to the role of the land developer. It is possible that the course, taken by thousands of students with satisfied results, could be helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Land Developer

Introduction to Construction Management

What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Core construction management overview

Activities

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