Formulation and Evaluation of Engineering Projects Course

Lesson 1 • Project Objectives and Success Criteria

Converts needs into measurable objectives using structured frameworks. Establishes the baseline for evaluation throughout the project.

Lesson 2 • Nature and Classification of Engineering Projects

Defines engineering projects by scope, complexity, and sector. Anchors all subsequent formulation work in a shared taxonomy.

Lesson 3 • Regulatory and Ethical Constraints in Projects

Identifies compliance requirements and professional ethics obligations that shape project design. Ensures formulation accounts for non-technical boundaries.

Lesson 4 • Problem Definition and Needs Assessment

Translates a real-world problem into a structured engineering need statement. Prevents scope creep by anchoring design to verified needs.

Lesson 1 • Scope Change Control Mechanisms

Establishes formal processes for evaluating and approving scope changes. Protects project integrity against uncontrolled scope expansion.

Lesson 2 • Technical Requirements Specification

Translates objectives into functional and performance requirements. Links stakeholder needs to verifiable engineering specifications.

Lesson 3 • Work Breakdown Structure Principles

Introduces WBS logic, decomposition rules, and coding conventions. Provides the structural backbone for scheduling and cost estimation.

Lesson 1 • Activity Definition and Sequencing

Decomposes work packages into schedulable activities and establishes logical dependencies. Forms the input network for all scheduling calculations.

Lesson 2 • Critical Path Method Analysis

Calculates early/late start and finish dates to identify the critical path. Enables schedule compression and float management decisions.

Lesson 3 • Resource Loading and Leveling

Assigns resources to activities and resolves over-allocation conflicts. Produces a feasible schedule aligned with resource availability.

Lesson 4 • Schedule Compression and Optimisation

Applies crashing and fast-tracking to shorten the schedule within constraints. Balances time, cost, and risk trade-offs systematically.

Lesson 1 • Life-Cycle Cost Analysis

Extends cost analysis beyond construction to operations, maintenance, and disposal. Supports investment decisions based on total ownership cost.

Lesson 2 • Direct and Indirect Cost Components

Categorises all cost elements including labour, materials, equipment, and overhead. Ensures complete cost coverage and prevents budget underestimation.

Lesson 3 • Cost Baseline and Budget Development

Aggregates work package estimates into a time-phased cost baseline (S-curve). Establishes the reference for earned value measurement.

Lesson 4 • Cost Estimation Methodologies

Compares order-of-magnitude, parametric, bottom-up, and vendor-quote methods. Selects the appropriate method based on project phase and data availability.

Lesson 1 • Risk Monitoring and Control

Establishes processes for tracking risk status and implementing responses. Integrates risk management into routine project reporting cycles.

Lesson 2 • Qualitative Risk Analysis

Prioritises risks using probability-impact matrices and risk scoring. Focuses management attention on the highest-exposure items.

Lesson 3 • Risk Identification Techniques

Applies brainstorming, checklists, SWOT, and assumption analysis to surface project risks. Produces a comprehensive initial risk register.

Lesson 4 • Risk Response Planning

Develops avoid, transfer, mitigate, and accept strategies for prioritized risks. Assigns ownership and triggers for each response action.

Lesson 1 • Feasibility Report Structure and Presentation

Synthesizes all feasibility dimensions into a decision-ready report with a clear recommendation. Develops professional communication skills for executive audiences.

Lesson 2 • Environmental and Social Feasibility

Assesses environmental impacts and social acceptance of the proposed project. Ensures compliance with impact assessment requirements.

Lesson 3 • Technical Feasibility Assessment

Evaluates whether available technology, materials, and expertise can deliver the project. Identifies technical gaps requiring resolution before commitment.

Lesson 4 • Operational Feasibility

Determines whether the organization has the capacity, structure, and processes to execute and operate the project. Flags institutional readiness gaps.

Lesson 1 • Evaluation Plan Development

Integrates all evaluation components into a structured plan with timeline, budget, and responsibilities. Produces a document ready for stakeholder approval.

Lesson 2 • Evaluation Types and Timing

Distinguishes ex-ante, mid-term, and ex-post evaluation and their distinct purposes. Aligns evaluation design with project phase and decision needs.

Lesson 3 • Performance Indicator Design

Develops SMART indicators at output, outcome, and impact levels with data sources. Ensures measurability and attribution of project results.

Lesson 4 • Data Collection and Analysis Methods

Selects quantitative and qualitative data collection tools appropriate to each indicator. Produces reliable evidence for evaluation conclusions.

Lesson 1 • Integrated Project Management Plan

Assembles subsidiary plans (scope, schedule, cost, risk, quality) into a unified management plan. Ensures internal consistency across all planning domains.

Lesson 2 • Project Review Gates and Approval Workflow

Designs stage-gate review criteria and the formal approval workflow for project documents. Ensures governance compliance before project execution begins.

Lesson 3 • Project Charter and Business Case

Drafts the project charter and supporting business case to authorize project initiation. Connects strategic rationale to formal project authorization.

Lesson 4 • Quality Management Planning

Establishes quality standards, assurance activities, and control checkpoints for the project. Embeds quality into the project execution framework.