Construction project management theory and practice
Covers skills and techniques for managing overseas construction projects as well as practical management skills for domestic construction projects in an international environment.
International construction management
Contrasts the different types of management skills required for domestic and international construction projects, examining topics such as ODA, the international construction industry, WTO compliance, market openness, project organization theory, and contract theory.
International construction contracts management
Based on the course created by Nippon Koei and Japanese universities for the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, covering topics such as ODA procurement guidelines, provisions of FIDIC international construction contracts, tendering and evaluation processes and dispute resolution.
Construction project management systems
Covers scheduling, cost management, productivity management using PM software such as MS Project with PMBOK.
(Note: includes seminar component)
Infrastructure information management
Examines the fundamentals of BIM (Building Information Modelling) and evaluating the life cycle cost of infrastructure at the planning stage. Includes real-world exercises using BIM process planning systems.
IT project management
Covers the theory and practical skills for planning, design, deployment and ongoing operation of IT systems. Includes a real-world component that involves designing an IT project in a infrastructure related industry, then presenting the project management component for debate and discussion.
Risk management
Examines disaster risk evaluation and mitigation strategies for urban infrastructure with a particular focus on earthquakes and civil disturbance, and uses both theoretical study and real-life examples to investigate real-world challenges and their solutions. Topics include probability theory and analysis of uncertainties associated with disasters; risk evaluation for urban infrastructure; and disaster mitigation investment in the context of finance theory.
Advanced mathematical statistics
Considers the modern challenge of identifying important or necessary data from the vast array of available sources. Mathematical statistics techniques are a useful tool for manipulation and interpretation of data, and an understanding of the theoretical basis for these techniques is necessary in order to extract maximum benefit from the results. This subject covers both theory and application of mathematical statistics, with a particular focus on multiple regression analysis.
(Note: Students are assumed to have a basic understanding of mathematical statistics already.)
Infrastructure and economic analysis
Examines the concept of infrastructure as a public good and the economic role of infrastructure in the context of the national economy, based on a study of the economic benefits of roads. Also covers economic analysis techniques for measuring and evaluating costs and benefits, and examines a number of real-life examples of infrastructure around the world.
PPP and PFI schemes
An introduction to the basic principles of private-public sector partnership schemes for public works projects, such as PFI (Private Finance Initiative) and PPP (Public Private Partnerships) and how they are set up. A selection of real-world examples is used as the basis for exploring the theoretical background of the PFI/PPP model as well as basic concepts around structuring, technical analysis, financial analysis and funding.
(Note: Should be taken in combination with Subject 09 Social in frastructure and economic analysis)
International engineering and management of consultanting engineers
Considers the contribution of international construction consultants to international projects by examining a selection of real-world international construction projects, looking in particular at management and execution inputs and methodologies. Understanding the differences between Japan and other countries with respect to contractual arrangements, quality control and process management is an important aspect of social infrastructure management. This subject uses practical exercises to examine the theory and application of infrastructure management.