COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Resource Management in Building & Construction Projects course. This program is designed to develop your capacity to plan, allocate, monitor, and optimise construction resources across all phases of a building project. Effective resource management is essential for achieving project outcomes on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. Whether managing labour, materials, equipment, or financial inputs, construction professionals must coordinate resources methodically to meet contractual obligations and reduce operational risk.
This course begins by defining what constitutes a 'resource' in a construction context, examining the interdependencies between human, material, plant, and financial resources. Participants will explore how resource planning influences each element of the project triangle—time, cost, and quality—and why integrated resource management is vital for large and complex builds.
Understanding resource requirements begins with an accurate review of project scope. This section focuses on interpreting drawings, specifications, and bills of quantities (BOQs) to identify where and when resources are most heavily demanded. Participants will distinguish between critical and non-critical resources to ensure priority is given to those affecting program delivery.
Human resource planning is addressed in detail, with emphasis on identifying the appropriate trade mix, estimating labour requirements based on productivity benchmarks, and planning for subcontractors, direct labour, and casual hire. Participants will also develop strategies to match workforce availability with staged construction tasks.
Labour scheduling is essential to productivity and compliance. This section introduces task-based rostering, aligning trades with workfront availability, and managing issues such as absenteeism, fatigue, and shift equity. Workface planning principles are used to avoid delays and ensure safe workforce coordination.
Materials procurement planning involves forecasting material needs based on program sequencing, placing timely orders, and tracking long lead-time items. Participants will learn how to create and manage materials schedules that align with construction stages and supplier capacities.
Once materials are on site, they must be managed effectively. This section explores delivery coordination, laydown area planning, protection measures, and strategies to prevent theft, damage, or contamination—particularly in weather-sensitive or high-density construction sites.
Vendor and supplier relationships directly affect project efficiency. This section provides tools for evaluating supplier performance, managing deliveries and invoice processes, and resolving disputes or quality issues. Maintaining strong commercial relationships is critical during periods of constraint or change.
Plant and equipment coordination underpins site productivity. Participants will learn how to identify plant requirements, book and manage shared assets (e.g. cranes, generators, EWPs), and ensure operator competencies are current. Maintenance scheduling and equipment availability are integrated into site-level planning.
Subcontractor engagement must include clear scope definitions and resourcing expectations. This section discusses subcontractor onboarding, clarifying deliverables and coordination responsibilities, and monitoring their resource contribution and output on site.
Site-wide resource scheduling is essential for avoiding congestion and sequencing clashes. Participants will integrate labour, plant, and materials schedules into broader construction programs, making real-time adjustments as workfronts open or delay.
Cost estimation of resources is fundamental to financial control. This section examines how to develop resource-based cost estimates, apply unit rates and productivity factors, and incorporate allowances for overheads, wastage, and market variability.
Monitoring actual resource usage is essential for control and accountability. Participants will learn how to record and analyse resource usage data using site diaries, digital tracking tools, and timesheets to evaluate performance against planned benchmarks.
Resource shortages and constraints must be identified early and mitigated proactively. This section guides participants in developing contingency plans, sourcing alternatives, and communicating constraints across affected trades and stakeholders to maintain progress.
Waste minimisation and optimisation practices improve both sustainability and efficiency. Participants will adopt LEAN construction principles, focusing on reducing material wastage, improving tool and equipment utilisation, and reassigning underused labour to priority tasks.
Reporting and performance analysis form the basis for data-driven decision-making. This section introduces resource performance KPIs, visual dashboards, and trend analysis across project stages, enabling informed interventions and accurate forecasting.
Multi-site resource coordination becomes critical as organisations grow. Participants will examine strategies for sharing labour, plant, and materials across concurrent projects, centralising procurement, and prioritising resources based on criticality.
Logistical planning supports safe and efficient access to site. This section addresses vehicle movement planning, delivery windows, material handling procedures, and site traffic management—ensuring that resourcing does not compromise safety or disrupt workflow.
Continuous improvement requires structured reflection. Participants will be guided through post-project resource reviews, updating planning templates, and establishing a culture of data-informed refinement. Training staff to anticipate, allocate, and adapt resources will strengthen organisational capability for future projects.
By the end of this course, you will possess the knowledge and tools to manage construction resources with strategic foresight, operational clarity, and performance accountability—contributing to project excellence and long-term business success.
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 Resource Management in Construction
- Defining resources in the context of construction projects
- Importance of resource planning to time, cost, and quality outcomes
- Categories of resources: human, material, plant/equipment, and financial
2. Understanding Project Scope and Resource Demand
- Reviewing drawings, specifications, and BOQs for resource requirements
- Identifying resource-intensive phases across project timelines
- Differentiating critical vs non-critical resource allocations
3. Human Resource Planning and Allocation
- Identifying required trades, specialists, and support personnel
- Planning labour quantities based on productivity outputs
- Coordinating direct employees, subcontractors, and casuals
4. Labour Scheduling and Workface Management
- Aligning workforce availability with construction programs
- Creating task-based crew rosters for key activities
- Managing absenteeism, fatigue, and shift compliance
5. Materials Procurement Planning
- Forecasting material needs based on construction sequence
- Creating materials schedules and delivery timelines
- Identifying long lead-time or special-order items early
6. Managing Material Delivery and Storage Onsite
- Coordinating supplier deliveries with site access and capacity
- Allocating laydown areas and temporary storage
- Protecting materials from weather, theft, or contamination
7. Supplier and Vendor Relationship Management
- Evaluating suppliers based on cost, reliability, and lead time
- Managing purchase orders, delivery dockets, and invoice approvals
- Addressing supply disruptions and quality concerns
8. Plant and Equipment Allocation and Coordination
- Identifying machinery and equipment needs for project stages
- Scheduling access to cranes, hoists, generators, and EWPs
- Managing downtime, maintenance, and operator licensing
9. Subcontractor Management and Integration
- Selecting and onboarding qualified subcontractors
- Clarifying scopes, inclusions, and resource responsibilities
- Monitoring subcontractor resource usage and productivity
10. Site Resource Scheduling and Sequencing
- Developing integrated resource plans alongside construction programs
- Avoiding trade congestion and resource clashes
- Adjusting allocations in response to delays or scope changes
11. Estimating Resource Costs and Budgeting
- Calculating unit rates for labour, materials, and plant
- Incorporating wastage, overheads, and productivity allowances
- Feeding estimates into overall project budgets
12. Monitoring Resource Use and Efficiency
- Tracking actual resource usage against planned quantities
- Identifying overuse, underutilisation, or waste
- Recording usage data through site diaries, logs, and digital tools
13. Managing Resource Constraints and Shortages
- Identifying potential resource bottlenecks early
- Developing contingency plans or sourcing alternatives
- Communicating constraints across trades and stakeholders
14. Waste Minimisation and Resource Optimisation
- Reducing material wastage through design and offcut reuse
- Reallocating unused plant, tools, or labour to other tasks
- Adopting LEAN construction principles to optimise flow
15. Resource Reporting and Performance Analysis
- Preparing reports on labour hours, material consumption, and equipment use
- Analysing trends across stages or zones of the project
- Using dashboards or KPIs to drive performance reviews
16. Coordinating Resources Across Multiple Sites
- Managing shared plant, labour, or suppliers in concurrent projects
- Prioritising resource allocation based on project criticality
- Implementing centralised procurement and resource registers
17. Managing Site Access and Logistics
- Planning for vehicle movement, crane lifts, and equipment deployment
- Allocating delivery windows and access permissions
- Ensuring traffic control and material handling safety
18. Continuous Improvement in Construction Resource Management
- Conducting post-project resource reviews and lessons learned
- Updating resource planning templates and productivity benchmarks
- Training staff in resource forecasting and allocation methods
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”.