ENCM620-25S1 (C) Semester One 2025

Construction Procurement and Contract Administration

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 17 February 2025
End Date: Sunday, 22 June 2025
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 2 March 2025
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 11 May 2025

Description

Construction procurement processes, contract fundamentals and responsibilities, contract administration, integrated project delivery, analysis of trends in procurement and contract administration.

Most construction professionals recognise the issue of poor performance within the construction industry, where too many projects fail or suffer significant financial loss. These problems often begin early in the project lifecycle, particularly with the procurement of services.

This course aims to provide advanced knowledge and understanding of construction procurement systems and how they shape contract administration within construction organisations. The course enables students to evaluate procurement methods critically, understand the implications of project delivery models, and apply legal and administrative principles to manage complex construction projects.

Students will integrate theoretical knowledge with real-world case studies to enhance their professional judgement, problem-solving capabilities, and communication skills. Key concepts are contextualised within the New Zealand construction environment, including contract forms such as NZS3910 and contemporary Māori organisational engagement.

The course aligns with NZQA graduate profile outcomes by supporting students to:
• Demonstrate mastery of a body of knowledge in construction procurement and contract administration.
• Critically evaluate and apply advanced knowledge to solve complex procurement and contractual problems.
• Conduct independent research or inquiry into a significant issue in construction procurement.
• Demonstrate bicultural competence and confidence through engagement with tikanga Māori and Māori organisational structures in the built environment.

Learning Outcomes

  • Critically evaluate various construction procurement methods and project delivery systems, including their legal and commercial implications.

  • Apply advanced knowledge of construction contract administration to real-world scenarios, particularly using NZS3910.

  • Interpret and apply key legislation, regulations, and standards relevant to New Zealand’s construction sector, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.

  • Engage with Māori organisational structures and integrate tikanga and kawa principles into procurement processes in a culturally competent manner.

  • Conduct independent research on a contemporary construction procurement or contract administration issue, and communicate findings in a professional written report.

  • Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams to analyse and present procurement solutions to complex problems.

  • Reflect on ethical, legal, and professional responsibilities in the context of construction management and contract delivery.

Prerequisites

Subject to approval of Programme Director

Timetable 2025

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Intensive Block Course A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 09:00 - 12:00 Undercroft 101
3 Mar - 9 Mar
Intensive Block Course B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 09:00 - 13:00 John Britten 102 Conference foyer
3 Mar - 9 Mar
Intensive Block Course C
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 09:00 - 17:00 Wheki 451
31 Mar - 6 Apr
Intensive Block Course D
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Friday 09:00 - 17:00 John Britten 102 Conference foyer
31 Mar - 6 Apr

Timetable Note

Teaching is delivered in intensive blocks comprising several hours of lectures each day. Each session will involve computer-based presentations, interactive components, and worked examples.

Depending on the assigned lecture venue, recordings will be made available via the University’s Learn platform. Depending on the allocated room, the lectures will be recorded by the University lecture recording service and made available through the Learn website.

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

Eric Scheepbouwer

Assessment

• Participation and Professionalism (10%)
– Active engagement in class activities and group discussions. Emphasis is placed on participation rather than the accuracy of responses.

• Group Assignments (20%)
– Collaborative problem-solving task designed to leverage diverse backgrounds and experiences.

• Minor Individual Assignments (20%)
– Literature-based investigations of relevant topics.

• Major Research Project (50%)
– A 4,000-word individual research report. This assignment requires original analysis and aims to make a meaningful contribution to the existing literature.

Textbooks / Resources

All notes and presentation material will be uploaded on the Learn website.
No specific textbooks are required for this course. This is a course in construction procurement; most books you can find online or in the library can be read to support your learning, but when in doubt, ask.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,268.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

Minimum enrolments

This course will not be offered if fewer than 5 people apply to enrol.

For further information see Civil and Natural Resources Engineering .

All ENCM620 Occurrences

  • ENCM620-25S1 (C) Semester One 2025