You have been working for a small family-owned construction firm. Much of the work of this firm has been in private residential work, but under new management there is a desire to begin to undertake larger scale non-domestic work. In order for this change to be managed effectively, the company will need to change its structure. The management team recognises that such changes will have an impact on many aspects of the company, and the
You are to submit an A4 word-processed document. The choice of font face, font size and line spacing are left to your discretion. However, as a professional report, clarity and readability are critically important. You are encouraged to use diagrams and graphics to help to explain the topics. Any material (images, drawings, diagrams, text) that is derived from other sources must be suitably referenced using a standard form of citation.
The submission is a Report (1500-2000 words). While you will not be penalised for exceeding this word count, keep in mind that being clear and succinct are key features of professional documents.
Note: All information sources and resources, including websites used to complete this assignment must be stated and correctly referenced in the document and/or presentation. No credit will be given for wholesale copying from information sources and checks for plagiarism may be made on your submitted work.
Unit Learning Outcomes
LO1 Describe the construction industry with reference to company structures and other activities
LO2 Explain different types of construction companies in the market and their relationships within the tendering process.
LO3 Discuss the key stages in a construction project, and how Building Information Modelling informs the different stages
LO4 Analyse how the construction industry has developed suitable collaboration strategies in support of greater recognition of health & safety
Assignment Brief and Guidance
You have been working for a small family-owned construction firm. Much of the work of this firm has been in private residential work, but under new management there is a desire to begin to undertake larger scale non-domestic work. In order for this change to be managed effectively, the company will need to change its structure. The management team recognises that such changes will have an impact on many aspects of the company, and the
4
processes they use.
The management team has asked you to prepare a report to assist them in considering the changes that may be needed and the relationships that will need to be formed, if they are to succeed in transforming the business.
It is suggested that your report consider:
● The Construction industry, with a focus on how the industry has developed and the forms of professionalism within the sector. Further, consideration and demonstration of the links that exist between different parts of a construction organization. This will lead to an analysis of how the industry had developed; based on company structures, employees and types of work; including an identification of various forms of work that contractors tender. Based on this, you should critically evaluate how construction firms have developed a relation between their structure and the company ethos.
● Construction Companies – by identifying different types of company in the construction sector you will be able to explain the relationship between different types or organization and analyze these relationships through contracts and tendering. Further, a comparison of the factors that influence contract relationships will allow you to show how this effects those involved in tendering for projects.
● Project Stages – with the firm moving to more complex projects, there is a need to have examples that identify the processes and sequences using in modern construction and how this relates to sustainability. This will also allow you to explain the contract planning techniques used for different scales of project. BIM is becoming a critical feature in larger projects, so you are asked to identify how BIM will impact on operations and company organization, as well as; more broadly, analyze how BIM has impacted on the development of innovation in design and contracts for different types of project. Combined, these factors will allow you provide a detailed analysis of how the industry has evolved innovative approaches to construction and contracts.
● Collaboration – the firm recognizes that larger projects will require a greater level of collaboration, so you are asked to explain how this has driven health & safety to become an integrated aspect of the construction process and describe the legislation that benchmarks health and safety in the sector and demonstrate how the industry has benefitted from this legislation. Further, you should consider the relationship between collaboration and health and safety by discussing the role that collaboration and communication play in promoting safe working practices. Finally, evaluating the impact of health & safety legislation will allow you to explain how this has, through different drivers, created advantages and challenges for the industry.
5
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
Pass Merit Distinction
LO1 Describe the construction industry with reference to company structures D1 Critically evaluate how
and other activities construction companies have
developed their structure and
business ethos.
P1 Explain how the construction M1 Analyse how the construction
industry has developed and industry has developed overall in
encompassed professionalism within terms of company structures, it’s
its structures. employees and contracted work.
P2 Demonstrate the scope and
linkage between all parties within a
construction organisation.
P3 Identify the type of contractual
work tendered by
contractors
LO2 Explain different types of construction companies in the market and
their relationships within the tendering process.
P4 Identify the different types of M2 Analyse the Analyse D2 Compare the factors that
construction companies in the the relationships between influence contract relationships
market. construction companies between different organisations
through contracts and involved in tendering.
P5 Explain the relationship between tendering.
different construction organisations.
LO3 Discuss the key stages in a construction project, and how Building D3 Provide a detailed analysis of
Information Modelling informs the different how the construction industry has
stages evolved in terms of innovative
construction
methods and contracts
P6 Identify, with examples, M3 Analyse how construction has
modern construction processes and developed in terms of
sequences innovation, designs, and
used within today’s industry, within contracts for micro
highlighting the way they and macro projects, and the
respond to sustainability interrelationship with BIM.
needs.
P7 Explain contract planning
techniques used within micro
and macro projects.
P8 Identify where BIM
impacts upon operations and
construction companies.
LO4 Analyse how the construction D4 Evaluate the impact
industry has developed suitable of health & safety
collaboration strategies in support of legislation, how it has
greater evolved the drivers for
recognition of health & safety it, and its advantages
or weaknesses within
construction.
6