COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Principles of Construction Project Management course. This program is designed to provide you with a solid understanding of how construction projects are initiated, planned, delivered, and finalised in a professional and compliant manner. Effective project management is fundamental to achieving successful outcomes in residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects, where multiple teams, technical disciplines, and operational constraints must be aligned to deliver results on time, within budget, and to specified quality standards.
The course begins by defining the purpose and scope of construction project management, outlining the role of the project manager in coordinating complex processes and leading multidisciplinary teams. Participants will examine the various types of construction projects encountered in practice and the critical responsibilities involved in ensuring compliance, safety, financial control, and stakeholder satisfaction.
Understanding the construction project life cycle is essential for structured delivery. This section explores the sequential stages of project delivery—initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure—highlighting the key decisions, documentation, and transition points between phases. Comparisons are drawn between traditional delivery models and integrated design-and-construct approaches.
Feasibility analysis and project initiation are covered in detail. Participants will learn how to define project objectives, assess viability through cost-benefit analysis, and identify relevant stakeholders. The importance of project governance and early-stage decision-making is emphasised to ensure clear alignment between intent, budget, and capability.
Defining scope is a core function of project planning. This section introduces methods for preparing comprehensive scope statements, interpreting client briefs, and managing scope boundaries. Participants will explore how to communicate inclusions, exclusions, and deliverables clearly to prevent misunderstanding or disputes during project execution.
Planning and scheduling provide the foundation for effective project control. Participants will develop work breakdown structures (WBS), critical path schedules, and milestone programs. The course also explores sequencing, lead time management, and dependency planning to avoid delays and ensure project cohesion.
Resource planning ensures availability of labour, plant, and materials in line with program requirements. This section outlines how to allocate resources based on productivity rates, site constraints, and skill requirements. Participants will learn how to address shortages and optimise resource use throughout the build.
Procurement and contract management are key to risk control and commercial performance. This section covers the selection of procurement models, management of subcontract packages, and evaluation of suppliers. Participants will explore how to issue tenders, manage claims, track variations, and uphold contractual terms effectively.
Cost control is critical across all stages of project delivery. This section introduces the principles of budgeting, forecasting, and financial tracking in construction projects. Participants will learn how to prepare realistic budgets, monitor cost performance, and implement corrective actions to avoid cost overruns.
Risk management is an ongoing requirement. Participants will identify construction-specific risks—such as design flaws, weather events, and subcontractor delays—and apply tools such as risk matrices to assess and mitigate threats. The course provides practical strategies for managing uncertainty and building resilience into project plans.
Quality management is essential to client satisfaction and compliance. This section explains how to set quality objectives, prepare inspection and test plans (ITPs), and manage non-conformances. Participants will learn how to verify workmanship, uphold standards, and promote continuous quality improvement on site.
Work health and safety (WHS) is a legislative and moral obligation. This section details the responsibilities of PCBUs, contractors, and supervisors under the WHS Act 2011. Emphasis is placed on SWMS preparation, hazard control, and safe management of high-risk activities to ensure every worker goes home safely.
Environmental responsibilities are also explored. Participants will learn how to manage site impacts such as noise, sediment, and waste, comply with environmental planning conditions, and integrate sustainability measures such as material reuse, erosion control, and emissions reduction into project practices.
Communication and stakeholder engagement are critical to keeping projects on track. This section focuses on internal and external communication strategies, including meeting structures, stakeholder coordination, and reporting. Participants will develop skills to manage expectations, resolve misunderstandings, and build strong relationships with clients, authorities, and teams.
Leadership and team management underpin construction project success. This section covers the development of leadership behaviours that promote collaboration, productivity, and accountability. Conflict resolution, coaching, and team motivation techniques are explored to support positive site culture and high performance.
Project monitoring and control are addressed through structured progress tracking. Participants will learn how to compare actual results against plans, interpret performance data, and take corrective action. The use of visual tools such as dashboards, charts, and status reports is introduced to support informed decision-making.
Managing change and project variations is another critical competency. This section examines how to identify, evaluate, and document changes to scope, design, or program. Participants will learn how to minimise disruption, control associated costs, and ensure formal approval and communication of all variations.
Project close-out is a structured process requiring clear planning. This section outlines how to manage final inspections, defect rectification, commissioning, and client handover. Preparation of operation manuals, certifications, warranties, and final reports are included as part of the formal transition to occupancy or asset operation.
Finally, continuous improvement ensures future success. Participants will explore how to review project outcomes, capture lessons learned, and apply insights to improve future planning, procedures, and team performance. The goal is to develop a consistent organisational culture of learning and excellence.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge, tools, and frameworks required to manage construction projects from initiation to completion—achieving safe, compliant, and cost-effective outcomes across diverse project types and delivery models.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Construction Project Management
- Defining construction project management and its purpose
- The role of the project manager in construction settings
- Types of construction projects: residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure
2. Understanding the Project Life Cycle
- Phases: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure
- Milestones, gates, and transitions between phases
- Lifecycle differences in traditional vs design-and-construct projects
3. Project Initiation and Feasibility Analysis
- Defining project objectives, scope, and constraints
- Conducting feasibility and cost-benefit assessments
- Identifying key stakeholders and establishing project governance
4. Defining Scope and Project Requirements
- Developing a detailed project scope statement
- Understanding client briefs, functional requirements, and design intent
- Managing inclusions, exclusions, and scope boundaries
5. Project Planning and Scheduling
- Creating work breakdown structures (WBS)
- Developing project schedules using Gantt charts and critical path method (CPM)
- Planning for milestones, sequencing, and dependencies
6. Resource Planning and Allocation
- Identifying and scheduling labour, plant, materials, and subcontractors
- Balancing availability, skill levels, and productivity
- Addressing resource constraints and contingencies
7. Procurement and Contract Management
- Choosing appropriate procurement models
- Tendering, subcontract selection, and supplier evaluation
- Managing contracts, variations, and payment claims
8. Budgeting and Cost Management
- Preparing project budgets based on scope and market conditions
- Monitoring costs, managing contingencies, and avoiding overruns
- Forecasting cash flow and conducting financial reporting
9. Risk Management in Construction Projects
- Identifying construction-specific risks (design errors, delays, weather)
- Assessing likelihood and consequence using risk matrices
- Developing mitigation strategies and contingency plans
10. Quality Management Principles
- Setting quality objectives and standards
- Developing inspection and test plans (ITPs)
- Managing non-conformances and implementing corrective actions
11. WHS and Site Safety Management
- Understanding WHS responsibilities under the WHS Act 2011
- Implementing risk assessments, SWMS, and site inductions
- Supervising safe work practices and high-risk activities
12. Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
- Managing erosion, sediment, noise, and waste onsite
- Complying with environmental regulations and planning permits
- Integrating sustainability goals into project delivery
13. Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
- Planning project communication: internal, external, formal, and informal
- Running effective site meetings and briefings
- Managing expectations of clients, consultants, contractors, and authorities
14. Leadership and Team Management
- Leading construction teams with authority and empathy
- Resolving conflicts, coaching staff, and maintaining team morale
- Aligning individual performance with project goals
15. Monitoring, Reporting, and Progress Tracking
- Measuring actual progress against schedule, budget, and scope
- Using dashboards, reports, and inspections to inform decisions
- Adjusting the plan based on current performance data
16. Managing Change and Project Variations
- Recognising the need for change due to scope, design, or site conditions
- Evaluating and approving variations with cost and time impacts
- Communicating and documenting all changes formally
17. Project Close-Out and Handover
- Conducting final inspections, defect rectification, and commissioning
- Preparing handover documentation (manuals, certificates, warranties)
- Managing client sign-off and transitioning to operations or occupancy
18. Continuous Improvement and Lessons Learned
- Reviewing project performance and outcomes
- Capturing lessons learned for future reference
- Updating procedures, systems, and knowledge across the organisation
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.