The Industry and Profession in Construction Management from edX

The industry and profession in construction management is big business. The construction industry will continue to play a key role in society.

Opportunities in construction management are endless. The course covers some of the following topics:

Characteristics that define the construction industry.
Four major sectors of construction management projects.
Current trends within the construction industry and role in society.
Skills to lead construction, specifically the Owner, Designer, and Construction Manager, and key stakeholders.

This course concentrates on the people who fill the roles of owner, designer, and construction manager, and must understand the following:

Responsibility and authority of the key construction management participants.
How is the construction industry changing?
Construction companies need leaders.
Continuous quality improvement.
The three forms of business organizations.
Characteristics of an effective construction management leader.
The art and science of organizing and leading a construction management project.
How the life of a facility goes through phases starting out as an idea combined with money and a project is born.
Understand planning, design, and construction tasks and how people are involved in the lifecycle of a building.
Analyze the need for the facility and whether it is economically feasible. This is life-cycle cost analysis.
Differentiate construction workers , their construction trade , and work experience.
What is the employment growth in the construction industry?
Differences in building construction projects and infrastructure projects.
How to use project management techniques in construction management.
Best practices in communication skills and field operations.
Construction methods and materials.
The role of civil engineering and other engineering disciplines.
Improving your construction experience and benefiting from real world lessons learned.

Architects design the project. Construction management professionals build the project at the construction site. All parties need to work in harmony to fulfill the functions that must be performed.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand the roles and responsibilities of being a construction manager
Distinguish the principal characteristics that define the construction management industry.
Differentiate between the major sectors of construction projects.
Current trends within the construction industry.
Differentiate between the roles and responsibilities of key construction participants.

Appraise the basic models for organizing project teams.
Describe the principal tasks in the life cycle of a project.
Various construction jobs and their individual career path
Differences between general contractors and construction managers
Understand the role of civil engineers, other engineers, and the architect in the construction process *

Understand the roles and responsibilities of being a construction manager
Distinguish the principal characteristics that define the construction management industry.
Differentiate between the major sectors of construction projects.
Current trends within the construction industry.
Differentiate between the roles and responsibilities of key construction participants.
Appraise the basic models for organizing project teams.
Describe the principal tasks in the life cycle of a project.
Various construction jobs and their individual career path
Differences between general contractors and construction managers
Understand the role of civil engineers, other engineers, and the architect in the construction process *

Syllabus

● Week 1: Construction industry.

● Week 2: Construction project participants.

● Week 3: Organizing and leading the construction project.

● Week 4: Project chronology and lifecycle.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Introduces budding construction managers to the roles and responsibilities of being a construction manager

Describes basic models for organizing project teams

Describes the principal tasks in the life cycle of a project

Taught by Neil Schulman, recognized for their work in construction management

Examines how the construction industry is changing and how construction companies need leaders

Builds a strong foundation for construction industry careers in a variety of roles, from construction workers to construction managers

Reviews summary

Foundational overview of construction management

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundational overview of the construction industry, especially beneficial for beginners or those transitioning into the field. Students praise the clear explanations of roles, responsibilities, and industry structure, finding the syllabus well-structured. However, some experienced professionals report the content can be too basic, lacking depth in advanced topics. Reviewers also noted concerns about dated video production quality and outdated or broken external resource links. Despite these points, many consider it a valuable starting point for understanding the industry.

Ideal for newcomers or those seeking an initial overview.

"It's a great start for someone new to the field, but I was hoping for more depth..."

"Highly recommend for beginners!"

"For someone new to the industry, this course is a fantastic starting point."

"As a civil engineering student, this course provided crucial context on the business side of construction..."

Offers a strong introductory understanding of the industry.

"The course provides a solid overview of the construction industry. I found the modules on project participants and project lifecycle particularly useful."

"As someone transitioning into construction management, this course was a game-changer. It clearly explained the roles and responsibilities..."

"Excellent introduction to construction management. The syllabus is well-structured and the topics are presented logically."

"For someone new to the industry, this course is a fantastic starting point. It gives you the full picture of how the industry operates..."

Course leans theoretical, less hands-on or case study driven.

"I wished for more real-world case studies or practical exercises."

"I felt the course provided a broad overview but lacked the practical application aspects I was looking for."

"It's good for a general understanding but don't expect to become an expert."

Some videos and external links are outdated or problematic.

"The production quality of some videos felt dated, and I wished for more real-world case studies..."

"My main criticism is that some of the reading materials linked externally were occasionally broken or outdated..."

"The videos are informative but could benefit from an update. I felt the course provided a broad overview..."

"Sometimes the sound quality of the older videos was poor. I also noticed some broken links in the supplementary materials."

May be too basic for experienced professionals.

"Some sections felt a bit superficial for an experienced professional. I was hoping for more depth in specific areas..."

"Frankly, I found this course too basic for my needs... It didn't offer any new insights or advanced techniques."

"The content is foundational. Don't expect to become an expert."

"I have a few years of experience... most of this was information I already knew."

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 The Industry and Profession in Construction Management with these activities:

Complete a course in basic math and physics

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Strengthen your foundation in mathematics and physics, which are essential for construction management.

Browse courses on Mathematics

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Enroll in a course in basic math and physics.
Attend class regularly and participate actively.
Complete all assignments and study for exams.

Follow online tutorials on construction management topics

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Enhance your understanding of construction management concepts through guided instruction.

Browse courses on Construction Management

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Identify online tutorials that cover topics relevant to your learning goals.
Follow the tutorials carefully and take notes.
Practice the concepts you learn in the tutorials.

Solve construction management problems

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Develop problem-solving skills related to construction management.

Browse courses on Mathematics

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Identify the problem and gather relevant information.
Analyze the problem and develop a solution.
Implement the solution and evaluate its effectiveness.

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Organize and review your notes, assignments, and quizzes

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Improve your retention of course materials by organizing and reviewing them regularly.

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Gather all of your notes, assignments, and quizzes.
Organize them in a way that makes sense to you.
Review them regularly, especially before exams.

Read Construction Management by John E. Schaufelberger

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Learn about the different aspects of construction management, including project planning, design, construction, and operation.

View Management of Construction Projects on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly, taking notes as you go.
Create a summary of each chapter.
Identify the key concepts and principles of construction management.

Create a presentation on a topic related to construction management

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Demonstrate your understanding of a topic related to construction management.

Browse courses on Construction Management

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Choose a topic and research it thoroughly.
Develop an outline for your presentation.
Create slides that are clear, concise, and visually appealing.
Practice your presentation and get feedback from others.
Deliver your presentation confidently and effectively.

Develop a construction management plan for a small project

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Apply the principles of construction management to a real-world project.

Browse courses on Project Management

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Identify the project scope and objectives.
Develop a project schedule and budget.
Identify and manage risks.
Monitor and control the project's progress.
Complete the project and evaluate its success.

Contribute to an open source construction management project

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Gain practical experience in construction management by contributing to a real-world project.

Browse courses on Construction Management

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Identify an open source construction management project that interests you.
Join the project team and contribute in a meaningful way.
Document your contributions and share them with the team.

Career center

Learners who complete The Industry and Profession in Construction Management will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Construction Manager

Construction Managers plan, coordinate, and oversee construction projects. They must have a strong understanding of the construction process, as well as the ability to work with a variety of stakeholders. The course The Industry and Profession in Construction Management can help Construction Managers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as project management, leadership, and communication skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and executing projects. They work with a variety of stakeholders to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. The course The Industry and Profession in Construction Management can help Project Managers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as project management, leadership, and communication skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers design, build, and maintain infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and buildings. They must have a strong understanding of engineering principles, as well as the ability to work with a variety of stakeholders. The course The Industry and Profession in Construction Management can help Civil Engineers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as project management, leadership, and communication skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Structural Engineer

Structural Engineers design and analyze the structural elements of buildings and other structures. They must have a strong understanding of engineering principles, as well as the ability to work with a variety of stakeholders. The course The Industry and Profession in Construction Management can help Structural Engineers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as project management, leadership, and communication skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Structural Engineer

Construction Superintendent

Construction Superintendents oversee the day-to-day operations of construction projects. They are responsible for ensuring that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. The course The Industry and Profession in Construction Management can help Construction Superintendents develop the skills they need to be successful, such as project management, leadership, and communication skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Superintendent

Construction Estimator

Construction Estimators prepare cost estimates for construction projects. They must have a strong understanding of construction costs, as well as the ability to work with a variety of stakeholders. The course The Industry and Profession in Construction Management can help Construction Estimators develop the skills they need to be successful, such as project management, leadership, and communication skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Estimator

Construction Inspector

Construction Inspectors ensure that construction projects meet building codes and other safety standards. They must have a strong understanding of construction codes, as well as the ability to work with a variety of stakeholders. The course The Industry and Profession in Construction Management can help Construction Inspectors develop the skills they need to be successful, such as project management, leadership, and communication skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Inspector

Construction Laborer

Construction Laborers perform a variety of tasks on construction projects, such as framing, roofing, and electrical work. They must be able to work as part of a team and have a strong work ethic. The course The Industry and Profession in Construction Management can help Construction Laborers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as project management, leadership, and communication skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Laborer

Carpenter

Carpenters install and repair wooden structures, such as framing, siding, and roofing. They must have a strong understanding of carpentry skills, as well as the ability to work with a variety of stakeholders. The course The Industry and Profession in Construction Management can help Carpenters develop the skills they need to be successful, such as project management, leadership, and communication skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Carpenter

Electrician

Electricians install and repair electrical systems in buildings and other structures. They must have a strong understanding of electrical codes, as well as the ability to work with a variety of stakeholders. The course The Industry and Profession in Construction Management can help Electricians develop the skills they need to be successful, such as project management, leadership, and communication skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrician

Plumber

Plumbers install and repair plumbing systems in buildings and other structures. They must have a strong understanding of plumbing codes, as well as the ability to work with a variety of stakeholders. The course The Industry and Profession in Construction Management can help Plumbers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as project management, leadership, and communication skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Plumber

HVAC Technician

HVAC Technicians install and repair heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in buildings and other structures. They must have a strong understanding of HVAC systems, as well as the ability to work with a variety of stakeholders. The course The Industry and Profession in Construction Management can help HVAC Technicians develop the skills they need to be successful, such as project management, leadership, and communication skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for HVAC Technician

Construction Equipment Operator

Construction Equipment Operators operate heavy machinery on construction projects, such as excavators, bulldozers, and cranes. They must have a strong understanding of heavy machinery, as well as the ability to work with a variety of stakeholders. The course The Industry and Profession in Construction Management can help Construction Equipment Operators develop the skills they need to be successful, such as project management, leadership, and communication skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Equipment Operator

Construction Safety Manager

Construction Safety Managers develop and implement safety plans for construction projects. They must have a strong understanding of safety regulations, as well as the ability to work with a variety of stakeholders. The course The Industry and Profession in Construction Management can help Construction Safety Managers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as project management, leadership, and communication skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Safety Manager

Materials Manager

Materials Managers procure and manage materials for construction projects. They must have a strong understanding of materials management, as well as the ability to work with a variety of stakeholders. The course The Industry and Profession in Construction Management can help Materials Managers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as project management, leadership, and communication skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Materials Manager