Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. ILO 1: Students can explain the interdependencies of different components of construction as a production system
  2. ILO 2: Students can compare and contrast the similarities and differences of different production planning and control methods (Drawing Gantt Charts, CPM, LBMS, Takt time, Last Planner System)
  3. ILO 3: Students can calculate the production system cost of a schedule
  4. ILO 4: Students can explain the factors related to production system risk of a schedule
  5. ILO 5: Students can explain the significance of work and labor flow and how flow can be achieved in construction
  6. ILO 6: Students can discuss how Building Information Modeling can be used as a tool to guide production planning and control decisions
  7. ILO 7: Students can plan a location-based schedule of a real project using the Location Based Management System
  8. ILO 8: Students can make production control decisions based on the schedule using the Location Based Management System
  9. ILO 9: Students can analyze the quality of a location-based schedule
  10. ILO 10: Students can collaborate in multi-disciplinary teams

Credits: 5

Schedule: 08.01.2019 - 22.02.2019

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Olli Seppänen, Olli Seppänen

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Olli Seppänen, Olli Seppänen

Contact information for the course (valid 17.12.2018-21.12.2112):

Students can contact the responsible teacher prof. Olli Seppänen by e-mail olli.seppanen@aalto.fi .

Teaching assistant Joonas Lehtovaara can be contacted by e-mail joonas.lehtovaara@aalto.fi

 

CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    The course focuses on production planning and control of construction projects. In addition to interactive lectures, team group work develop skills related to production planning and control. The exercises are based on practical construction case examples.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    This year we will have two production planning assignments (each student picks one option)

    1) Camino Medical Center - planning a medical center interior schedule using locaiton-based management principles (project from California)

    2) Telakkakatu street project - Aalto University is conducting research on how to accelerate urban street projects. One of the planning assignments is related to a real street project and includes a site visit on this ongoing project in the center of Helsinki

    The planning assignments will be done in groups of three. In addition, a peer evaluation is written for someone else's assignment. In both assignments  Vico Schedule Planner is used as the planning software.

    Production control assignment is the same for all students and is based on MyCourses forum correspondence. A simple schedule is first optimized and then events start to happen twice a day for two weeks. Each student will enter production control information in Vico Schedule Planner, analyze the results and actively participate in debate about suitable course of action. The most popular action will impact the progress of the next update.


    In addition we will have lectures:

    - 7 interactive lectures (including 2 lectures with guest speakers)

    - 1 flipped classroom to get deeper on one selected topic

    - 1 production simulation day where legos are used to illustrate lean construction topics.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Production planning and control assignments 25%

    Participation during lectures and MyCourses discussions 25%

    Final exam: 50%

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Production planning and control assignment is 25 % of the total grade.

    Out of this 25%, 

    1. production planning assignment is mandatory and 40% of grade. The teamwork within group is evaluated by other team members based on evaluation rubric. The final assignment is evaluated by other students. Each group gets three peer evaluation reports from others which determine the grade. Students have to pass the production planning assignment to pass the course.

    2. The peer evaluation report is mandatory and 20% of grade, and it is evaluated by the teacher. Students have to submit an acceptable peer evaluation report to pass the course

    3. Production control assignment is mandatory, is evaluated by the teacher and is 40% of grade. Students have to return an acceptable production control assignment, including a Schedule Planner file and a report, to pass the course.


    PArticipation during lectures and myCourses discussions is 25% of total grade:

    Out of this 25%:

    1. Attending lectures is maximum of 33% of grade (10 points) - each lecture (but not tutorial) brings one point EXCEPT flipped classroom and production simulation day which bring 2 points.

    2. Activity during lectures is self-assessed after each lecture based on rubric (max 10 points)

    3. MyCourses discussions (max 10 points). Initiating or responding to discussions in MyCourses (1 point for each meaningful participation). 

    Participation points are not mandatory.


    Final exam 50%

    Short essay questions in an open book computer exam. Students can bring any material they wish to the exam and also use internet sources. Communication with others is not allowed.

    Good points can be scored by widely using information learned during the course, include information acquired from lectures, assignments, readings, simulations etc. Copying and pasting directly from readings will result in low score. 

    Final exam is mandatory and students must get above 20/100 points to pass the course.



Workload
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Workload in total 135 hours:

    -        Lectures: 24 h (8x1,5=12 h contact time, 12 h study time)

    -        Flipped classroom: 14 h (reading and preparation)

    -        Production Planning exercise: 24 h (2*2h computer tutorials, 20 hours on own time)

    -        Production Control game: 12 h (2 h tutorial, 12 hours on own time)

    -        Weekly reading assignment: 6 h

    -        Weekly MyCourses discussions 6 h (6x1 h)

    -        Evaluation of other group s project work: 10 h

    -        Exam preparation: 30 h

    Exam: 3 h

DETAILS

Study Material
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Kenley,R & Seppänen, O 2010. Location-Based Management for Construction: Planning, Scheduling and Control. Spon Press: London and New York.

    eISBN-13: 9780203030417  (selected chapters) - available as e-book in the library

    Additionally academic journal and conference articles. These will be introduced during the course

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Academic journal papers will be introduced as readings for each lecture. 

    The papers together with selected chapters of the book will be included in the exam.


Prerequisites
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Construction Management course

SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

    9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

    12 Responsible Production and Consumption

FURTHER INFORMATION

Details on the schedule
  • Applies in this implementation:

    Production planning assignment February 3rd

    Production planning peer review report February 10th

    Production control assignment  February 17th