Advanced Diploma in Construction Management
Physical Planning and Construction - Building Construction
Purpose and Rationale
Qualification Overview
Purpose
The purpose of the qualification is to prepare learners for postgraduate study and industry competencies and skills. The qualification is designed to consolidate and deepen the graduate's expertise in a specialised area of Construction Management and develops research capacity in the methodology and techniques of this discipline while equipping them to undertake more specialised and intensive learning. The qualification is intended to equip learners with the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities and skills required towards becoming a competent practicing Construction Manager. The qualification is also designed to target recently qualified learners who would be interested in academic advancement through postgraduate studies. The qualifying learners will demonstrate the following competencies and skills after completing the qualification:
- Apply the principles and practice of Safety, Health and Environmental Management and Legislation in the built environment field relative to construction applications.
- Evaluate the various roles and functions in the construction project management process.
- Establish and implement appropriate procurement strategies and procedures, including the preparation of necessary documentation, for effective and timeous execution of the project.
- Manage and administer the construction contracts and processes, including the preparation and co-ordination of the necessary documentation to facilitate effective execution of the works.
- Conduct research projects in the construction industry.
Rationale
South Africa is currently experiencing an unprecedented demand for infrastructure and skilled human resources. Part of which is contributed by the skills shortage particularly in the scarce categories like the engineering and related professions. According to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) list of scarce skills, published in Government Gazette Vol: 578, no 36721 on 2 August 2013, there is a skills shortage in the construction management and construction project management occupations. The building-related occupations are included in the list of the DHET's List of Occupations in High Demand, published in Government Gazette no 39604 on 19 January 2016. Therefore, the qualification has been designed to address the skills shortage in the construction sector, contributing ultimately towards the National Development Plan, benefiting not only the learner but society at large.
The qualification meets the specific needs of the sector by meeting and providing for the growing demand for registered Construction Managers. Construction management is planning, coordination and control of a project from inception to completion. It is about developing the urban growth of cities, the expanding need for residential and commercial properties and the renovation of anything in the built environment. This qualification will:
- Prepare learners for professional specialisation in the building and construction environment, i.e specialise in construction management.
- Prepare learners for postgraduate studies by deepening their knowledge base and understanding of construction management and the building environment relating to research.
- Develop abilities to solve advanced theoretical and practice related problems in the construction management environment.
The qualification adopts an advanced management approach to construction, rather than the narrower 'construction management' approach as in the Diploma qualification. It aims to develop the management knowledge, abilities and skills required for effective management and then seeks to apply these to the management of construction. The focus of the qualification is on the management of the productive resources used in construction and the analysis and management of construction as a process within a project environment. The public and private sectors of the construction industry are the main stakeholders of this qualification. These sectors require higher levels of advanced technical and analytical capabilities. This qualification has been carefully designed to develop specialists in the field.
The qualification's endorsement by the South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP), will enable learners to progress from candidacy to full registration as a Professional Construction Manager upon completion of the qualification. Learners would be able to register and practice as Professional Consultant Construction Managers and may find employment within the construction contracting fraternity. Construction Managers are also employed in the mining and Petrochemical sectors.
Outcomes
- Manage the administration of the construction contracts and process, including the preparation and co-ordination of the necessary documentation to facilitate effective execution of the works.
- Manage the process of establishing and implementing procurement strategies and procedures, including the undertaking of financial management of construction projects and advice on payments and certification during construction.
- Use project management as an operational tool to complete a construction project and related infrastructure as per industry norms and standards.
- Manage the human resources of a construction project.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of construction principles and apply these as a member and/ or leader in a project team to manage projects effectively.
- Knowledge of legal and economic issues affecting the industry in South Africa.
- Knowledge of basic property investment decisions.
- Produce and communicate information and demonstrate the ability to develop and communicate ideas and opinions with construction professionals in well-formed arguments using appropriate academic, professional, or occupational discourse.
- Conduct research and write research reports within a related Construction Studies discipline.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Design procedures, methods, and systems for quantifying and costing construction work and elements of structures and buildings.
- Interpret and implement construction project contracts according to legal aspects and legislation, business management principles, professional ethics, and code of conduct using an analytical report.
- Interpret contract documentation to provide a scenario for dispute and conflict resolution.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Measure, price, and analyze development projects.
- Draft cost plans and perform cost control and cost design.
- Assist in formulating procurement strategies.
- Compile tender documents according to industry norms.
- Prepare schedules of quantities for engineering works.
- Advise on payments and certification during construction.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Organize a construction site and manage the development process of buildings and construction projects.
- Manage, coordinate, and supervise the construction processes.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Perform, manage, and administer the basic functions of the profession in the construction industry.
- Establish human resource requirements, site labor requirements, and technology requirements.
- Prepare the Construction Management Organogram and obtain a commitment from appropriate staff as required.
- Draw resource plans and schedules for labor, material, and equipment.
- Manage human resources, recruitment processes, run payroll.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the requirements for effective team management and to communicate effectively on project health and safety aspects with all project team members.
- Work effectively within a team as a team member.
- Analyze construction principles, components, procedures, and methods and assess their suitability for construction investigations.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Analyze legal issues and economic trends to address challenges related to the construction industry.
- Apply contract conditions, legislation, and policies appropriately.
- Manage the preparation and agreement of the Health and Safety Plan with the Client's Health and Safety Consultants and subcontractors.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Forecast outcomes of development projects in respect of costs.
- Predict the life cycle performance of buildings with respect to cost and quality.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
- Apply written communication skills in report writing and correspondence.
- Apply oral communication skills in dealing with inquiries from clients, consultants, and colleagues.
- Apply graphic presentation skills to assist and inform clients, consultants, and colleagues in construction-related matters.
- Apply communicative skills in engaging with stakeholders and in retrieving and disseminating information.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
- Select and apply a range of methods to resolve problems or introduce change within a practice.
- Evaluate and apply knowledge of research theory and techniques to analyze and address problems arising in construction projects.
- Apply knowledge and skills related to the research process.
- Formulate a motivation for the need for a research project.
- Plan a research design.
- Collect data and interpret the research design.
- Produce and submit a research report.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Advanced Diploma
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.