problem 1) Cost control
a) Drawing on your experience as a designer and a contractor, identify the possible causes of programme over-runs, late completion and claims on construction projects and describe methods that could be taken to minimise their recurrence on site.
b) describe the parameters you would explore to achieve a cost effective solution to a drainage problem. Include social and environmental issues in your argument.
c) Describe how cost risks are identified and managed in the feasibility, design, tender and construction of a project. How does consideration of cost risk affect the choice of method of procurement?
problem 2) the financing of infrastructure development
a) describe how a consultancy operating in, and owned by, the public sector may compete with private sector organisations. How may such organisations work together on public infrastructure provision?
b) Describe the merits of provision of infrastructure utilising public or private finance.
c) Is PFI the right way to provide public infrastructure and services? describe.
d) Drawing on your experiences from different types of contract, describe the relative merits for financing highways infrastructure projects from public and/or private sources.
B Management
problem 3) Re-thinking construction
a) The Egan report recommended wide ranging changes to the way clients, consultants, and contractors inter relate throughout the project cycle. What do you consider to be the most important influences post Egan on our attitudes and strategic thinking?
b)Drawing on exs from your own wide experience over many years in civil engineering, describe the concept of "safety culture" in the construction industry, commenting on any key changes which have occurred in the past 30 years.
c) Compare the different forms of contract available for use by the civil engineer and describe which you would use under what circumstances. Describe how each of the forms relate to Egan principles.
problem 4) quality, health, safety and environmental management systems
a) Describe the merits of integrated quality, health and safety and environmental management in construction, both in the UK and in developing countries
b) Describe how you would implement the integrated management system on a new project.
c) Describe the merits of an integrated quality, health and safety, and environmental management system to meet the requirements of a customer.
d) As a manager of a team responsible for highway maintenance and environmental services, describe how you would set up a new management structure which addresses both strategic and day-to-day needs. How would you make sure that works are suitably procured and managed through specification, tender and construction phases?
e) Discuss the range of benefits that the client, contractor and supply chain can expect to see when entering into a partnering relationship in the design and construction of civil engineering projects. What disadvantages are there and what management systems would you suggest to minimise them?
f) As the Principal Engineer within a civil engineering consultancy, suggest how integrated quality, health and safety and environmental management systems could be implemented. How would such systems benefit both the client and the wider community?