HNC/HND Project: Sustainable Modular Construction Project

This project report focuses on the influence of modular construction on project sustainability. The student explores the construction of a building using a modular construction theme, addressing issues like waste generation, high costs, and environmental impact. The report includes project identification, research methods, feasibility studies, and a detailed project management plan. It identifies required resources (human, materials, and financial), costs, personnel, and timescales. Techniques for cost planning, including Gantt charts and the critical path method (CPM), are discussed. The student evaluates potential project management solutions using CPM, selects a preferred solution, and compares planned resources, timescales, and costs. The report culminates in a project report detailing each stage of the project, with an evaluation of project management performance.

Running head: PROJECT MANAGEMENT
The influence of modular construction method on project sustainability
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author’s Note

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Table of Contents
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................3
1a) Project identification..............................................................................................................3
1b) Research methods..................................................................................................................3
1c) Feasibility studies..................................................................................................................4
1d) Brief and specification...........................................................................................................5
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................5
2a) Identification of potential resources needed, costs, personnel as well as timescales............5
2b) Techniques for potential solutions for indicating the cost planning...................................10
2c) Project management plan with standard system of time and resources..............................10
Task 3.............................................................................................................................................13
3a) Evaluation of potential project management using CPM....................................................13
3b) Selection of preferred project solution................................................................................13
3c) Comparison of the outcomes of your planned resources, timescales and costs..................14
Task 4.............................................................................................................................................15
4a) Report for stating each stage of the project.........................................................................15
4e) Evaluation and appraise performance for project management..........................................16
References......................................................................................................................................17

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Task 1
1a) Project identification
The paper mainly reflects on construction of a building with modular construction
theme. It is found that the construction of a building on on-site creates a number of problems as
well as challenges including generation of waste material, high expenditure as well as creation of
huge impact on the business of the organization. In order to reduce the problems as well as issues
which are linked with construction of the building, modular construction theme is selected.
According to Bazhanov Yudin and Porkhalo (2018), modular construction is one of the
procedures of constructing a building and then transporting it in small pieces to various location
where assembly generally takes place. It is found that due to utilization of modular construction
theme selection, a number of benefits can be achieved including speedy built, off site
construction, low impact on the business, eco-friendly, cost effective as well as helps in
providing proper quality of construction.
1b) Research methods
After researching a number of journal articles as well as scholar papers, it is identified
that proper research on the background is done in order to determine ideas that are helpful in
tackling similar types of problems and the ways that are used to resolve the problems. According
to Abdelghany (2017) the problem that is associated with the generation of waste material can be
resolved with the adoption of sustainable approach for managing the construction waste as one of
the practices. In addition to this, it is found that the concept of green building can also be utilized
in order to reduce the waste that is generated while construction (Hornstein 2015). It is found
that the programs that are associated with green building are generally helpful in promoting the
entire resource conversation facility with the help of attention to water conservation

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opportunities as well as minimizing the waste that is generated during construction. On the other
hand, it is stated by Rausch et al. (2016) that the expenditure on the project can be managed by
controlling the cost that is linked with the specific processes and by properly tracking the cost
that is needed for executing each of the activities of the project quite accurately. Moreover, the
procedure of controlling over-expenditure is one of the important ways that is mainly utilized for
managing the project budget effectively.
1c) Feasibility studies
It is found that utilization of green building concept in order to minimize the generation
of waste during the construction of the building is one of the advantageous methods but it
generally creates a number of risks as well as challenges including performance risk and risks
related to business codes. It is found that there are evolving risks related with mandates, business
codes as well as other types of rules that are mainly associated with green building that could
mainly related with liabilities (Shan et al. 2019). Lawsuits can also stem due to the failure of the
building in meeting the LEED related requirements. In addition to this, performance risk
including uncertainty related with longevity as well as warranty of new products and untested
materials can be a source of a number of risks and challenges and thus it is found that depending
on the concept of green building is not feasible at all. On the other hand, it is stated by Svejvig
and Andersen (2015) that the method or technique that are utilized for managing the project
expenditure is helpful in managing the project budget however a number of problems can arise if
the project managers are unable to manage the project expenses. If the managers of the project
are inexperienced and they are unable to manage the expenses then the chances of overbudgeting
will occur (Kaiser, El Arbi and Ahlemann, 2015). In addition to this, if project plan is not tracked

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on regular basis then it is quite difficult to manage the project expenditure which further
increases the project budget.
1d) Brief and specification
The paper focuses on construction of a building by utilizing a modular construction
theme in context to sustainability. It is found that for constructing of the building, proper scope
of the project plays an important role. According to Ramazani and Jergeas (2015) scope of the
project enables the managers to properly allocate the labour, costs as well as necessary resources
which are required for finishing the work of the project. It is found that with the help of proper
pre-defined scope of the project, everyone can be capable of understanding the future life-cycle
and helps in avoiding issues like requirement change, improper final outcome, overrunning of
budget as well as delay in the project (Martens and Carvalho 2017). In addition to this, it is found
that if the scope is well-defined then the financial commitment of the entire project is generally
dependent on a number of variables including cost and labour and thus the entire project gets
completed within the budget and time that is defined during the initial project phase. Moreover,
creation of document that generally outlines the deadlines as well as goals of the project are
helpful in shaping the project which is known as the scope statement including proper elements
within the document that is generally helpful in minimizing the challenges which are linked with
changes as well as disruptions.
Task 2
2a) Identification of potential resources needed, costs, personnel as well as timescales
Resources required

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The resources that are generally required in order to construct the building by using
sustainable modular theme are generally elaborated below:
Human resources: The human resources that are needed for the project are listed below:
Resource Name Type Std. Rate Ovt. Rate Base Calendar
Project manager Work £40.00/hr £0.00/hr Standard
Sponsor Work £0.00/hr £0.00/hr Standard
Finance manager Work £50.00/hr £0.00/hr Standard
Site supervisor Work £60.00/hr £0.00/hr Standard
Contractor Work £50.00/hr £0.00/hr Standard
Plumber Work £30.00/hr £0.00/hr Standard
Sub-contractor Work £37.00/hr £0.00/hr Standard
Risk manager Work £40.00/hr £0.00/hr Standard
Project planner Work £35.00/hr £0.00/hr Standard
Materials: The materials that are needed for the construction of a building with the help
of a sustainable modular theme are mainly listed below:
 Wood
 Steel
 Concrete
 Other materials
Financial resources: It is analyzed that around £117,472 is required in order to
construct the building as per the sustainable modular theme
Costs for the project
The budget that is needed for constructing the building with the help of modular
construction theme is generally reflected in the given table:

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WBS Task Name Duration Cost
0
Construction of building using
modular theme
5 mons £117,472.00
1 Project planning phase 0.75 mons £4,960.00
1.1 Requirement analysis 0.15 mons £920.00
1.1.1 Analyzing the requirement 2 days £640.00
1.1.2 Analysis of the project nature 1 day £280.00
1.2 Resource estimation 2 days £800.00
1.3 Estimation of project schedule 3 days £960.00
1.4 Budget estimation 2 days £800.00
1.5 Manpower estimation 2 days £640.00
1.6 Resource analysis 3 days £840.00
1.7
Milestone 1: Completion of
planning phase
0 days £0.00
2 Project initiation phase 1.2 mons £8,832.00
2.1 Fund procurement 3 days £0.00
2.2 Stakeholders appointment 3 days £960.00
2.3 Proper meeting arrangement 4 days £1,280.00
2.4 Arrangement of project finance 3 days £1,200.00
2.5 Appointment of workers 2 days £560.00
2.6 Preparation of blueprint 3 days £1,440.00
2.7 Budget allocation 2 days £800.00

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2.8 Resource procurement 2 days £1,392.00
2.9 Analysis of risk 2 days £1,200.00
2.10
Milestone 2: Completion of
project initiation phase
0 days £0.00
3 Project execution phase 2.9 mons £102,760.00
3.1
Creation of the building with
modular construction theme
8 days £9,280.00
3.2 Transfer of the building theme 7 days £14,760.00
3.3
Construction over the modular
theme framework
10 days £7,760.00
3.4 Application of materials 8 days £9,408.00
3.5 Plumbing 7 days £5,992.00
3.6 Application of electric circuit 6 days £4,656.00
3.7 Application of concrete 7 days £2,800.00
3.8 Application of colour 5 days £3,000.00
3.9 Needed system implementation 4 days £2,464.00
3.10 Application of tiles 3 days £42,640.00
3.11
Milestone 3:Completion of
execution phase
0 days £0.00
4 Project closure phase 0.15 mons £920.00
4.1 Sign off stakeholder 2 days £640.00
4.2 Review of post project 1 day £280.00

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4.3
Milestone 4: Completion of
closure phase
0 days £0.00
Timescales for the project
The timescales for the construction of the building is reflected with the help of the figure
that is given below:
Figure 1: Timescale
(Source: Created by Author)

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2b) Techniques for potential solutions for indicating the cost planning
It is found that sustainable modular theme is utilized as one of the potential solutions in
order to resolve the issues that the workers faces while constructing the building. It is identified
that the modular theme construction is mainly used in the form of off-site construction that
mainly consists of building components as well as modules that are generally constructed within
the factory setting that is mainly transported to the site for assembling (Badewi 2016). The
construction of modular buildings has generally surged its popularity in the recent years due to
its advantages. The advantages include proper speedy construction, minim impact on the
business, utilization of eco-friendly materials, cost effective, attractive design as well as quality-
based construction (Sánchez 2015). It is found that the project manager generally plays an
important role in properly planning the cost of the project though the expenditure within the
modular theme based is quite less. Proper planning of project budget helps in finishing the
budget of the project within the budget that is expected in the initial project phase.
2c) Project management plan with standard system of time and resources
A project management plan is one of the planned as well as approved document that
helps in defining how the entire project gets executed, monitored as well as controlled. The
project management plan with proper system of resource and time generally include Gantt chart
as well as project evaluation and review technique.

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Gantt chart
Figure 2: Gantt chart
(Source: Created by Author)

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Critical path method
Figure 3: Critical path method
(Source: Created by Author)

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Task 3
3a) Evaluation of potential project management using CPM
The critical path method is considered as one of the algorithms that helps in proper planning,
managing as well as analyzing the project time. It is found that the entire step by step system of
constructing the building with the help of sustainability modular theme is mainly used for determining the
critical as well as non-critical tasks within the entire project for preventing temporary risks (Kaiser, El
Arbi and Ahlemann 2015). It is found that the critical path method is mainly used in the project as the
method is helpful in visualizing the project in a quite graphical form and also helps in defining the
important tasks. In addition to this, it generally helps in saving both time as well as assists in managing the
deadlines. Moreover, it also helps in determining all critical activities and makes the dependencies of the
activities much clearer as well as transparent.
3b) Selection of preferred project solution
It is found that earlier the project scope is to construct a building but due to the generation of
large amount of waste as well as hike the needed amount of budget a number of issues and problems within
the project arises. In order to resolve the issues, sustainable modular theme-based building construction
concept is utilized that not only resolves the issues and challenges but helps in achieving shorter build time,
proper return on investment as well as reduction in site traffic. This project solution is quite beneficial and
it generally assists in providing high quality of control by managing the waste.

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3c) Comparison of the outcomes of your planned resources, timescales and costs
It is found that proper comparison of the outcome of the planned, resources, timescales as well as
costs are generally made which reflects that the entire project is facing a delay of 15 days that causes
overflow of budget by £11,200. The figure that is given below helps in reflecting the delay as well as
increase in budget. It is found that if the project managers want to complete the project on time then a
greater number of resources are required that will further enhance the required budget of the project.
Figure 3: Change in timescale and budget
(Source: Created by Author)

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Task 4
4a) Report for stating each stage of the project
It is found that in order to construct the building with the help of sustainable modular theme, the
entire project is mainly categorized into four phases which are elaborated below:
Initiation phase: In the initiation phase, the project stakeholders are appointed and proper
blueprint for the project is created. In addition to this, budget allocation as well as resource procurement
are also done in the project initiation phase (Ramazani and Jergeas 2015).
Planning phase: In the planning phase, proper plan for the project is made by analyzing the
requirement as well as the nature of the project. It is found that the resources for the project is estimated by
making proper schedule for the entire project.
Execution phase: In this particular phase, building with modular theme is created and then the
different parts are transported for assembling (Martens and Carvalho 2017). In addition to this, application
of materials, plumbing as well as concrete are generally done in this phase for the construction of building
with the help of modular theme.
Closure phase: In this particular phase, the stakeholders sign off the project and then the entire
project is mainly reviewed in order to make sure that the project generally meets the objective effectively.

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4e) Evaluation and appraise performance for project management
I have managed the entire project quite effectively such that the problems like delay as well as over
expenditure can generally be managed so that the risks as well as problems associated with the project does
not create negative impact on the project. In addition to this, I have tracked the entire project from time to
time for avoiding delays and for finishing the project on time.
It can be concluded from the entire report that construction of building with the help of
sustainable modular theme generally helps in reducing the waste generation and further helps in
minimizing the budget of the project. In addition to this, modular construction theme helps in achieving
shorter build time, proper return on investment as well as reduction in site traffic.
It is found that in order to improve the performance of the project in the future, it is quite
necessary to follow the following steps:
Tracking: Proper tracking is used in order to handle the time of the project effectively so
that the entire project gets completed on time.
Hiring experienced team members: It is quite necessary to hire experienced project team
members for effectively achieving the project objectives.
Proper management: It is very much important to manage the project properly for avoiding
delay and over expenditure in project.

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References
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modular construction systems with the conventional construction system for affordable houses in
Egypt (Doctoral dissertation, The British University in Dubai (BUiD)).
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