Underpinning principles and concepts of construction

1. Identify underpinning principles and concepts of construction
   project management.
2. Analyse and evaluate topical issues in construction project
   management.
3. Undertake some creative analysis and thinking.
   Individual assignment
   ? You are required to identify and critically examine a construction project
   management topical issue.
   ? Provide evidence taken from both classical and contemporary literature
   which you both agree with and contradict your arguments.
   ? Structure of the report:
   ? Title page
   ? Abstract
   ? List of contents
   ? Introduction
   ? Literature review
   ? Methodology
   ? Discussion of findings
   ? Conclusions and recommendations
   ? References
   ? Appendices
   ? Word limit 5000-5500 words
   ? Associated weight for the assignment 50%
   Mapping your assignment
   Mapping your assignment
4. Include background in your introduction-this should be
   aligned to your topical issue you have identified.
5. Develop research questions (2-3)
6. Address the research questions in your literature review
   chapter.
   For instance
7. Which contemporary techniques are the most appropriate for the
   construction sector?
8. Which techniques do construction organisations use to make
   project sustainability decisions and how are they used in the project
   sustainability decision-making process?
   Literature review
   ? What makes writing “academic? is that it:
9. Demonstrates understanding.
10. Is informed by the academic literature and debates in the subject
    matter (the literature will inform your interpretation of the
    concept, your perception, your description, the explanations, as
    well as the broader context.).
11. Has a clear interpretation of the key concepts used.
12. Gives an accurate description of the issue.
13. Investigates the underlying assumptions and the historical
    development of the issue.
14. Explains the issue by tracing the reciprocal relationship between
    the issue and its broader context.
    ? I expect to see an integration of classical and contemporary
    literature.
    Methodology
    ? Description of how you went about to map-out your
    secondary data.
    ? Highlight the process
    Discussion
15. The purpose of the discussion is to interpret and describe the
    significance of your findings in light of what was already known
    about the research problem being investigated and to explain any
    new understanding or insights that emerged as a result of your
    study of the problem.
16. The discussion will always connect to the introduction by way of
    the research questions you posed and the literature you reviewed,
    but the discussion does not simply repeat or rearrange the first
    parts of your paper.
17. The discussion clearly explain how your study advanced the
    reader’s understanding of the research problem from where you left
    them at the end of your review of prior research.
    Critical analysis
    ? “Be more critical! More analysis needed! That’s what my tutors
    say about my essays. I’m not really sure what they mean.”
    ? “I thought I had written a really good assignment this time. I did
    so much reading and preparation for it, but my tutor’s feedback
    is ‘not enough argument.’ I’m not sure what to do now. I mean,
    I’m not an argumentative person – and I don’t really want to be.”
    ? One of the most important skills you will need to learn as a
    student, whatever your discipline is the ability to think critically
    and objectively about an issue and to present a well-constructed
    argument.
    What do I mean by critically examine….?
    ? Give your verdict as to what extent a statement or findings within a
    piece of research are true, or to what extent you agree with them.
    Provide evidence taken from a wide range of sources which both
    agree with and contradict an argument. Come to a final
    conclusion, basing your decision on what you judge to be the most
    important factors and justify how you have made your choice.
18. The first rule: start early
19. The second rule is: Identify the focus of the assignment
20. The third rule is: Identify your own point of view
21. The fourth rule is: Consider how you’ll persuade other people of
    your point of view
22. The fifth rule? Find the proof
23. The sixth rule is: Engage in debate
24. The seventh rule is: Structure your argument
    Any questions?

Sample Solution