Teaching Construction Project Planning and Control Using a Management Game Approach

Proficiency in construction project management is indispensable for undergraduate civil engineers. To teach these concepts, instructors often adopt a theoretical approach because replicating the dynamic conditions of construction projects within the classroom is challenging. This paper describes a management game approach to teach undergraduate civil engineering students how to plan and control construction project performance. The management game objective is to construct a major project comprising three bridges, 4 km dual-carriageway highway, drainage system, and culverts over a 60-week contract period and to achieve maximum profit. The project details are available through drawings, a longitudinal profile, productivity data, rates and resource costs. Once students have completed their preliminary program, they are required to submit their plans for the first 12-weeks. Each submission contains the tasks the group chooses to complete and the resources necessary. Once the order request is submitted, the game controller informs on resource utilization (over/under-ordered), costs incurred, payments received, and whether the groups could complete the tasks. A risk affecting the project performance, such as adverse weather or equipment non-availability, is randomly selected from a predefined list. Each student group is required to formulate resolution strategies to address the selected risk. This process of randomly selecting a risk and formulating a resolution is repeated five times, and students are assessed based on their ability to make profits and complete all tasks. Based on student feedback, the management game engages students, develops their decision-making skills, and facilitates their understanding of key concepts on project planning and control.