Building Project Manager Course

Lesson 1 • Key Documents and Terminology

Introduces contracts, drawings, specifications, and RFIs as foundational documents. Builds the vocabulary needed for all technical chapters ahead.

Lesson 2 • The Construction Project Lifecycle

Covers initiation through closeout phases and their interdependencies. Provides the structural framework for all subsequent course content.

Lesson 3 • Project Delivery Methods Overview

Compares design-bid-build, design-build, and construction management delivery models. Enables PMs to match delivery method to project context.

Lesson 1 • Scope Change Control Process

Establishes a structured process for evaluating and approving scope changes. Connects scope control to cost and schedule impact analysis.

Lesson 2 • Defining Project Scope in Construction

Translates owner requirements into a formal scope statement. Establishes the boundary between in-scope and out-of-scope work.

Lesson 3 • Building the Work Breakdown Structure

Decomposes scope into manageable work packages using WBS principles. Directly supports scheduling and cost estimating in later chapters.

Lesson 1 • Critical Path Method in Practice

Calculates early/late dates, float, and the critical path for a building project. Enables PMs to identify schedule-driving activities and prioritise resources.

Lesson 2 • Schedule Compression and Recovery

Applies crashing and fast-tracking to recover lost schedule time. Teaches cost-schedule trade-off analysis essential for project control.

Lesson 3 • Schedule Monitoring and Reporting

Tracks schedule performance using percent complete and earned value metrics. Produces schedule status reports for owner and team communication.

Lesson 4 • Duration Estimating Methods

Applies analogous, parametric, and three-point estimating to construction activities. Produces realistic durations that feed directly into the project schedule.

Lesson 1 • Cash Flow Forecasting and Budget Control

Projects monthly expenditures and tracks budget performance against actuals. Enables early detection of cost overruns through earned value analysis.

Lesson 2 • Direct and Indirect Cost Components

Categorises labour, material, equipment, subcontractor, and overhead costs. Ensures all cost elements are captured in the project budget.

Lesson 3 • Contingency and Risk Allowances

Applies design and construction contingency based on project risk level. Connects cost risk to the risk management framework introduced later.

Lesson 4 • Quantity Takeoff Fundamentals

Measures material quantities from drawings using standard takeoff methods. Provides the quantitative foundation for unit-price cost calculations.

Lesson 1 • Contract Administration and Closeout

Manages submittals, pay applications, variation orders, and final closeout documentation. Ensures contractual obligations are fulfilled and records are complete.

Lesson 2 • Procurement Planning and Strategy

Determines what to procure, when, and through which contracting method. Aligns procurement decisions with project schedule and budget constraints.

Lesson 3 • Bid Evaluation and Award

Applies quantitative and qualitative criteria to evaluate bids and select contractors. Produces a defensible award recommendation for owner approval.

Lesson 4 • Contract Types and Risk Allocation

Analyses lump-sum, unit-price, cost-plus, and GMP contracts for risk distribution. Matches contract type to project scope certainty and owner risk tolerance.

Lesson 1 • Quantitative Risk Analysis

Applies Monte Carlo simulation and sensitivity analysis to model cost and schedule risk. Produces probability-based forecasts for budget and completion date.

Lesson 2 • Risk Monitoring and Control

Tracks risk triggers, residual risks, and emerging risks throughout construction. Maintains an updated risk register and reports status to stakeholders.

Lesson 3 • Risk Identification Techniques

Uses brainstorming, checklists, and assumption analysis to surface project risks. Produces a comprehensive risk register as the foundation for analysis.

Lesson 4 • Risk Response Planning

Develops avoid, transfer, mitigate, and accept strategies for prioritised risks. Assigns risk owners and integrates responses into the project plan.

Lesson 1 • Defect Prevention and Root Cause Analysis

Applies root cause analysis tools to eliminate recurring defects on site. Reduces rework costs and schedule impacts through systematic problem-solving.

Lesson 2 • Quality Planning for Building Projects

Establishes quality standards, metrics, and inspection criteria aligned with contract requirements. Creates the quality management plan that governs all QA/QC activities.

Lesson 3 • Quality Control Inspections

Conducts field inspections, testing, and punch list reviews to verify work quality. Provides documented evidence of conformance for owner acceptance.

Lesson 1 • Lessons Learned and Knowledge Transfer

Captures project successes and failures through structured retrospectives and documentation. Transfers institutional knowledge to improve future project performance.

Lesson 2 • Substantial and Final Completion

Defines and achieves substantial completion milestones and resolves outstanding punch list items. Triggers contractual payment and warranty period commencement.

Lesson 3 • Closeout Documentation Package

Compiles as-built drawings, operation manuals, warranties, and test reports into a complete handover package. Fulfills contractual documentation obligations and supports owner operations.