Module Learning Outcomes (MLOs) for Building Information Modelling Management, Theory and Practice

Deconstruct existing information management practices used by Construction Industry actors and communicate their impact upon the industry business model.

Module Learning Outcomes (MLOs).

1. Deconstruct existing information management practices used by Construction Industry actors and communicate their impact upon the industry business model.

2. Critically appraise the scope and role of Building Information Modelling within the context of the Construction industry.

3. Critique existing Construction Industry research efforts, and approaches to problem-solving on real life BIM-enabled projects, to identify, and learn from areas to improve aspects of project delivery through the application of the management, theory or practice of BIM.

4. Produce and present original work for academic review.

It requires the submission of an individual, written case study report whereby you are to self-select a BIMenabled Project Case Study, for the purposes of analysis and reflection around the management, theory and practice of BIM. The ‘unit of analysis’ in this case study report ultimately, remains construction project delivery, and how it could be improved through the use of BIM.

Analysis: This written submission should fully introduce the ‘case’, provide a project description and position it within an Architectural Engineering and Construction (AEC) context. It should also identify key project challenges, evaluate any BIM-enabled solutions, and articulate any BIM-related ‘lessons learned’ that can inform and be generalized to future practice.

Reflection: Through theoretical, and evidence-based perspectives, reflect also upon the key elements of BIM-enabled project delivery practice that you perceive have been applied on the selected project case. Discuss this by making using of current and salient academic (and relevant professional) literature from the subjects knowledge-base.

Therefore, the project case study acts a ‘contextual vehicle’ you then use to evidence your independent research and learning around Building Information Modelling Management, Theory and Practice. Component 1 is worth 100% of the module. It will be submitted and assessed electronically, and it addresses all Module Learning Outcomes.

Coursework Tasks to be Completed by Students

Select a suitable BIM-enabled case study project that is ripe for analysis. This could be a prominent, widely available BIM-enabled case, where useful materials are readily and publicly available, or one thatthe student is currently, or has previously worked on. Such a project should only be one that you have normal access to information. If such a project is a ‘building’ or ‘live site’, then this should only be one that you have the ‘normal’, and ‘necessary’ permissions to access externally and/or internally (i.e. you are not to engage in any trespass of any building/site that you do not have normal permission to enter). Also notethat you should not 'cold-contact' professionals to attempt to arrange access to any project that you do not have normal access to.

Critically appraise the scope and role of Building Information Modelling within the context of the Construction industry.

If you need a discussion to advise if the proposed BIM-enabled project is suitable for the purposes of case study analysis, then arrange to have this discussion with one of the module tutors by teaching week 6.

In addition to the case study analysis, you should throughout the module, be equipping yourself on other related aspects of contemporary Construction Project Management practice. To do this and develop your topic specific knowledge and understanding, and help you develop your intellectual skills and abilities in this subject, you are to engage with the academic and professional literature around the art, science, and discipline of Construction Project Management.

Therefore, in addition to describing the BIM-enabled case study project itself, your coursework submission is expected primarily draw upon, and refer to, the body of academic work in this area. You should evidence this engagement via appropriate and quality in-text referencing, that is cited correctly throughout. It is also reasonable to expect that some elements in your review will also be informed by discussions held in the module or from any credible BIM-related websites  highlighting current issues and offering additional supporting information.

Again, the work is to be properly structured and supported through ‘academic’ research using appropriateand quality references which are cited correctly throughout. A separate, properly formatted references list must also be provided in the submission at the end of the document.

Expected Size of Submission

§ This written work should be formatted using ‘Arial’ font, of font size ‘11’, with 1.5 line spacing.

§ The upper maximum limit for this work. This word count includes:

§ Any abstract (if provided).

§ The main body of text.

§ In text citations [e.g. (Smith, 2011)].

§ Direct quotations from primary or secondary source material.

§ Title & Contents page.

§ Words within tables, figures, and illustrations.

§ Glossary.

§ Footnotes.

Diagrams, illustrations, photographs etc.and tables are welcome to support the text, but must be fully incorporated into the submission, integrated and following the text that fully explains why they are exhibited. 200 words will be counted for each separate figure/table used.

The work must form a structured and coherent whole. No contents page or superfluous front matter is required. Only a basic front sheet for the submission is to be provided, that identifies the student number (not name), the total number of words used (excluding references section), and the number of figures/tables used.

'Footnotes'/’Endnotes’ will be permitted, as they can offer sufficient value, providing, their use is minimal, sufficiently concise, and appropriate - they offer only 'clarifying' information, or add 'adjacent' value to the sentences already written. In other words, they are not to be used to 'hide' words that would otherwise normally be expected to be contained within the main body of the  text, and their use will be considered in accordance with the University policy regarding word limits.