Project Management

The Project Management module is module introduced in semester 6 which introduces students to the job scope and concept towards the Construction Project Management profession. It gives option for us to venture towards a separate set of skills, towards a different postgraduate course or wholly towards a different career that we might find an interest on. This module is highly likely for us to work closely with Project Managers, hence it is useful to equip ourselves to the scope and duties of Project Managers. The module consists of an individual report assignment, a group report project and a final exam.

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The module is organised by closely following the 10 knowledge areas of Project Management highlighted by the Pm Book guide; in Project Cost, Time, Quality, Risk, Procurement Management, as well as Project Termination. 

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The group assignment for this module requires a group of 6-8 people to propose on a development to a chosen site. As provided in the assignment brief, the report includes the Project Background, Proposed Design, Project Time Management, Project Cost Estimation, Project Quality Management, Project Risk Management, Project Procurement Management, Project Environment Protection Management and Project Summary. Along the semester, the module also introduces students on the Microsoft Project software, a software widely used by Project Managers. 

Additionally, Mr. Leong Boon Tik is the lecturer for this module and the assignment structure is good coverage of what has been taught throughout the semester. It allows students to familiarise better and have a better understanding. Personally, I find the module interesting due the critical way of thinking and the Microsoft Project software very useful. 

Construction Law

Construction Law module introduces to students to different disputes or situations that could possibly happen in the construction industry whereby as Quantity Surveyors, we are to prepare & equip ourselves with necessary knowledge throughout the wide range of dispute resolution techniques. We learnt about the basics of formation of contract, as well as other essentials in construction contracts such as collateral warranties, remedies for breaches, payment clauses, and loss and expense claims etc.The module teaches students the different forms of contract on Formation of Contract, Payment, Contractual Claims, Dispute resolutions, Remedies for Breach of Contract, FIDIC & CIPAA. 

The Group assignment requires students in groups of 5 to propose a FIDIC Form of Contract along with providing professional advice regarding possible contract issues such as payment, work programme or dispute resolution methods. The group is propose the FIDIC Form role-playing as professionals to a Taylor's University Vice-Chancellor proposing for a development of a Student Accommodation and Outreach Centre project. The report allows for a more critical analysis of the FIDIC Forms through comparisons with the PAM Form of Contract 2006.

I found this module very interesting and practical, and I have gained substantial knowledge in construction contract law. I would like to thank our lecturer Mr Wong Chong Wei for his dedication in teaching us.I feel has displayed a very knowledgable persona to us students throughout the semester. Hence, the module has gone through smoothly and fairly well, also with thanks to an experienced Mr Wong in assisting us throughout the semester.

Development Economics

Development Economics is a module that gave approach towards calculating project feasibility, profitability, value, cost controlling, cost planning, etc. It focus more on the different aspects and factors that affects Development costing & finance. It provide  necessary knowledge within this field to provide better advise to clients and allow us to have a set of skills to do so through calculations, appraisals and costing of Gross Development Value. This module consists of a mid-term test, group assignment and a final exam.

​Ms. Tay Shir Men and Puan Nurul are the lecturers for this module. They have allowed me to go through the Development Economics module with familiarity and a better understanding.  I would like to thanks them for their dedication in lecturing and guiding us in this module.

Value Management

Value Management module is a module introduced in semester 6 which introduces students the concept in the construction industry that aims to improve value without drawbacks in cost or quality through the removal of unnecessary costs and replacement of functional components that leads to improvements.We also learnt about the types of unnecessary costs and way to eliminate them. Some techniques in value management include FAST diagram (Function Analysis System Technique) used to identify the purpose of an action taken in VM. Another method is priority setting matrix, which is used to identify the most suitable choice based on an identified set of requirements. TThis modules include a mid-term test, a group report & presentation and a final exam.

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The group assignment required 6-7 people to conduct a Value Management study as a team to a project to prepare a Case Study Report. The Group assignment is good coverage of what has been taught throughout the semester. Group members have good relationship between each other and it has allowed me to complete it with a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction.

All in all, I have learnt much from this module regarding value management. I feel that this module is well organised in a way that allows better understanding to a fairly new concept to students or at least myself. I would like to thanks Sr Loo Seong King for his dedication in lecturing us for this module. I feel that the knowledge concept that I would fully support as a Quantity Surveyor to achieve maximum value allowing for efficient construction costs.

Dissertation

In my dissertation progress, I have carried out quantitative research to obtain the necessary primary data for my thesis. Then, I analysed the data to obtain the results that are compared with my literature review. Finally, I obtained the conclusion to my study which is as such:

"Commercial green buildings are needed as the climate change and global warming in this few years. This study shows the level of awareness and implementation is very high but there seems still have some challenges that need to be solved. The financial challenges are the most important barrier that faced by the parties involved in the construction industry. They are complained about the capital fund and initial costs of the commercial green buildings that will get potential loss of money from their companies. The high ranked encouragement way to promote green buildings is government support and incentives. Thus, the government playing an essential role to try work on the challenges of implementing commercial green buildings. Malaysian government has the responsibility to take action to improve the situation of green development in our country."

I would like to thank our module lecturer, Miss Aishah, Miss Habizah and my supervisor, Miss Renee for their quality advice and guidance given to me throughout the 9 months of research. It was certainly a challenging but rewarding experience.