Module manager: Justin Lunn
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Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
The module examines risk management and procurement issues affecting construction projects
A critical understanding of building procurement and impacts on architectural construction and project management risks is developed.
Case studies and scenarios are used to investigate options for procurement and how risks to clients, end users and the professional team can be managed.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
ARB Outcomes are shown in brackets: (XXX)
Students will show critical understanding of
1. How diverse global, cultural, social, technological, economic factors and building technology influence aspects of architecture and urban design, (CK 1 part), the role of architects in society, the design team and the construction industry (CK2) and the principles required to ensure that buildings are safe to construct, inhabit, use and maintain, refurbish, re-use and deconstruct (CK7)
2. The consequences of design decision making on value to clients and communities over the life-cycle of built projects and the costs to the environment (D7 part), the impact of design solutions that achieve or exceed relevant performance standards and requirements (D8 part) including the implications and benefits of regenerative design solutions and ethical sourcing and supply chains throughout the life cycle of architectural projects that meet or go beyond minimum standards (D9 part), using appropriate digital systems for creating, modelling, processing, presenting, and sharing design, building and project information (D12)
3. Working with clients and other stakeholders to gain a mutual understanding of constraints and opportunities, identify immediate and long-term interests, set project agendas, define desirable and feasible project outcomes, and develop appropriate briefs for projects (RE2), locating and evaluating evidence that may be incomplete or contradictory, critically evaluating the quality of knowledge sources, making judgements and drawing appropriate conclusions that can inform architectural practice (RE5) and how modelling and post occupancy evaluation inform design (RE6)
4. The principles of sustainable, responsible and ethical practice, and recognise how they relate to running an architect’s practice (M1) including financial and resource management and the means of professional remuneration and fee setting (M2), recognising the ethical and legal impact of practice structures, recruitment and employment terms and their impact on work/life balance, health and the wellbeing of colleagues (M3) as part of professional Codes of Conduct (PE1)
5. Manage and structure projects, administer construction contracts and resolve common construction-related challenges. (M4 part)
6. Manage the inter-relationships of individuals, organisations, statutory bodies, and professions involved in procuring and delivering architectural projects, recognising how these are defined through contractual and organisational structures (M5 part), and the responsibilities and duties of care that architects have towards their clients, users, the public and those with whom they work (PE6).
7. Select appropriate procurement routes and means of delivery, recognising their relative risks to contractual parties, their implications for sustainable design outcomes and how these influence the selection and management of construction contracts. M6 part
8. Apply the principles of risk management, liabilities, and insurance to architectural projects. M7 part
9. Understand the importance of adopting a reflective approach to their work by identifying individual learning needs required for further development within the profession, ensuring they are up to date with current standards and best practice (PE8).
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
a. Academic skills in collection, analysis evaluation and synthesis of data sources.
b. Digital skills to assemble, collate and organise information in technical and graphic communication
c. Identification of key issues within a diverse set of contexts and ability to develop themes from these.
d. Team and individual working showing initiative and collaboration
Students will investigate construction industry procurement formats and develop a critical knowledge of processes and impacts associated with different approaches. Historical development of contracting arrangements will be used to inform knowledge and understanding, with current norms as novel or unusual methods showing contemporary practice.
Risk management will look at how risk is defined by different actors and stakeholders in the construction industry, and the ways in which risks can be identified, prioritised and mitigated in a dynamic and unpredictable environment.
Methods of assessment
The assessment details for this module will be provided at the start of the academic year
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 6 | 0.5 | 3 |
| Lecture | 7 | 2 | 14 |
| Seminar | 6 | 2 | 12 |
| Private study hours | 121 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 29 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
There is no reading list for this module
Last updated: 30/04/2025
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