Pearson Higher National Certificate in Construction & the Built Environment (Surveying) (RQF) Assignment Brief Student Name/ID Number

Pearson Higher National Certificate in Construction & the Built Environment (Surveying) (RQF) Assignment Brief
Student Name/ID Number
Unit Number and Title Unit 1 Individual Project
Academic Year 2022-23
Unit
Assignment Title The Net Zero Future for the Construction Industry
Issue Date
Submission Date 31 March 2024
Formative Assessment Date
Formative Feedback Date
IV Name & Date Mr Raymond Au
Submission Format
The submission comprises two related items:

1. A 10-minute verbal presentation, including slides (using PowerPoint or similar presentation software) and 5 minutes of questions and answers to follow.
2. The submission is in the form of an individual written research report. This should be written in a concise and formal style. The selection of font face, font size and line spacing are left to your discretion, but the report must be legible and clear. You are required to make use of headings, paragraphs and subsections as appropriate. Any material that is derived from other sources must be suitably referenced using a standard form of citation and referencing system. The recommended word limit is 4,000-4,500 words. While you will not be penalized for exceeding the total word limit, you must keep in mind that being clear and concise are key features of professional documents. You have only one opportunity for reassessment of the unit will be permitted. You undertake a reassessment will have capped at a Pass grade for that unit.
   Unit Learning Outcomes
   LO1 Formulate a project that will provide a solution to an identified problem
   LO2 Manage a project within agreed timescales and specification, documenting the process throughout
   LO3 Evaluate potential project management solutions
   LO4 Produce a project report and deliver a presentation of the final project outcomes

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
Pass Merit Distinction
LO1 Formulate a project that will provide a solution to an identified problem
LO1 and LO2
D1 Evaluate the relationship between project identification, feasibility and project planning, with consideration of the impact of project scope on time and resources

P1 Select an appropriate construction-based project, giving reasons for your choice
P2 Identify the main components of a project specification
M1 Explain why the project specification is of fundamental importance to a successful project outcome
LO2 Manage a project within agreed timescales and specification, documenting the process throughout
P3 Identify potential resources, costs and timescales
P4 Describe a range of appropriate techniques for generating realistic potential solutions M2 Prepare and update a project management plan, using standard systems of time and resource tracking
LO3 Evaluate potential project management solutions LO3 and LO4
D2 Appraise your own performance in managing the project; draw conclusions and make recommendations that would further improve your performance in the future
P5 Explore project management strategies to determine suitability for a given project
P6 Justify the selection of your preferred solution, making reference to your initial project specification M3 Compare the outcomes of your initial planned resources, timescales and costs against actual outcomes
LO4 Produce a project report and deliver a presentation of the final project outcomes

P7 Produce a written report
identifying each stage of the project P8 Utilise appropriate forms of referencing and citation in the preparation of a written report P9 Prepare a presentation of your final project outcomes, utilising industry standard software M4 Present your final project outcomes and recommendations to a selected audience
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Theme: The Net Zero Future for the Construction Industry
Topic: Achieving net zero in construction operations

You have recently gained employment, as an Assistant Project Manager, for a large general contracting firm. The firm specialises in community/government projects. As part of the company’s drive to provide better services to clients, they are seeking to improve the way that they are able to support greater sustainability in the projects that they undertake. While they have identified a range of different ways to addressing the net zero future for the construction industry, they are of the opinion that they may achieve the greatest impact in ‘achieving net zero in construction operations’.
You have been tasked with undertaking a project to review a recently completed community centre project (drawings and photos of the project are included here), and develop an alternative solution that will be enhanced in achieving net zero in construction operations. In addition, you will be considering the overall project process and advising on project management solutions.

You are asked to prepare a report and a presentation. Your report should:
• Clearly set out the aims of your project, giving reasons for the project. You will identify the main components of your project and define these in a clear project specification. In addition, you will need to explain why the clear specification of the project is key to approaching a successful outcome.
• In reviewing the recently completed community centre project, and evaluating the materials used, you are asked to identify the potential resource, costs, and timescale impact of changes in the supply chain. As changes to the supply chain may impact on the project process, you are asked to describe techniques for generating potential solutions to the overall project management. As you progress, you will maintain a project management plan and consider the time and resource tracking necessary.
• As part of the project process, you asked to evaluate the relationships that may arise between project feasibility, planning on time, and resources.
• Project management, and management of the supply chain, are critical to project success. You are asked to explore different project management strategies that may be suitable for your revised community centre proposal, and justify your selection of a preferred project management solution; comparing the outcomes that may result and their impact on resources, time and costs.
• As your report may be shared with clients, it is critical that appropriate forms of referencing and citation are used throughout. In your presentation, to the company board of directors, you are asked to present your final project outcomes using industry-standard software.

• As you are new to the company, the board will use your presentation as a staff development opportunity for you, so you asked to appraise your own performance in managing this project and make recommendations as to how you might improve for the future.’

Evidence is not limited but could take the form of:

A Technical Report (This will be based on your logbook, interim reviews, and research)

1. Introduction
   The introduction shall include the type of construction project and explain the reasons for your choice of project in relation to your company. With the type of construction project selected you shall characterize the project (e.g. energy saving orientated, construction time orientated).
2. Literature review
   Basic of the characteristic of the project, you shall conduct a literature review for primary and secondary research sources data information in connection with your study.
3. Methodology
   In this part, you shall select the approach in data collection. Your methods could be included calculation, comparison, interviews, questionnaire survey, case study, etc.) You shall give the reasons for your selection.
4. Analysis
   With respect to your study methodology, you are required to carry out analysis for any findings.
5. Conclusion
   Provide recommendations and solutions based on your findings.
6. Reference
   Use a proper form of referencing and citation system.

In addition, students are needed to complete and submit the following supporting documents.

The Project Management Plan
This is to define how the project is to be planned, executed, and monitored. The project Management
Plan should give details of the actions required for the integration and coordination of various planning activities to carry out the project. You shall produce a Gantt Chart or PERT Chart with indication of critical path.

Project Logbook
Designed to provide evidence of the project development process and ongoing reflection.
Direction of the project. Problems encountered; steps taken to address them.
Staged assessment will form formative assessment: The interim assessment could be a presentation, tutorial or simply a meeting to discuss progress.

Performance Review
Reflection and evaluation of the project management process and individual performance.

Present your final project. (10-minute Ppt presentation) This should include:

A project management plan – a document or series of documents that outline how the project is delivered. The document could include charts, plans, illustrations and will be word processed and make reference to appropriate legislation.

The 10-minute Power Point presentation should have at least 20 slides which could include the use of multi-media, graphics, the inclusion of a physical model, or visual aid, or interactive with an opportunity to respond to questions from the audience, etc.

Appendix 1

Drawings and photos of the recently completed community centre project