Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Construction Project Management Leadership (Face-to-Face)

CM 4300-01

Course: CM 4300-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ET
CRN: 30783

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to expose the student to principles and techniques of managing engineering and construction projects from the conceptual phase, through design and construction, to completion. It emphasizes project management during the early stages of project development, but continues to project closure. Leadership principles will be studied and discussed in detail. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): CM 3240 or CM 3880 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: D-

Required Texts

No textbook is required. Students will use instructor-generated and Web-based materials and their experience in construction project management projects.

Recommended books:
S. Keoki Sears [and four others], Sixth Edition, 2015. Construction Project Management: A Practical Guide to Field Construction Management, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
  1. Project Management Institute, Sixth Edition, 2017. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide), Project Management Institute, Inc., Pennsylvania 19073-3299 USA

Software:
  1. Microsoft® Project 2016. (Software)
  2. Primavera 6 (Cloud)
  3. Carl Chatfield and Timothy Johnson, 2016. Microsoft Project 2019 Step by Step, Microsoft Press - A division of Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, Washington 98052-6399.
  4. RiskyProject
  5. Procore

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Analyze complex construction project management problems, identify the roles and relationships of various stakeholders, and effectively communicate data-driven outcomes, including through the use of AI-powered project analysis tools. (Analysis)
  2. Integrate information and ideas from multiple sources to develop innovative and practical solutions, leveraging AI applications (e.g., generative design, predictive scheduling, and risk modeling). (Creativity)
  3. Critically evaluate quantitative and qualitative evidence from construction practices using appropriate reasoning, mathematical tools, and AI-assisted evaluation platforms. (Mathematical Evaluation)
  4. Apply advanced management techniques, leadership strategies, and digital systems—such as construction management software with AI capabilities—to successfully deliver projects from inception to completion. (Technical Expertise)
  5. Demonstrate initiative in decision-making and problem-solving processes, particularly in complex and unpredictable construction scenarios, while exploring the support of AI-based decision support systems. (Application)
  6. Communicate complex academic and professional ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively in written, visual, and oral formats, utilizing AI-enhanced tools for presentations, technical writing, and data visualization. (Communication)
  7. Collaborate effectively in group settings, taking on both leadership and support roles, while employing collaborative AI tools (e.g., cloud-based platforms, BIM-integrated communication systems). (Leadership & Teamwork)

Course Requirements

To successfully complete CM-4300, students must fulfill the following course components:
1. Modules (Lectures)
  • Evaluation Type: Individual
  • Description: Students are expected to attend and review all 12 lecture modules. These are foundational but not directly graded.
  • Points: 0
  • Weight: 0%
2. Assignments
  • Evaluation Type: Individual
  • Description: Six assignments will be given throughout the semester, focused on applying project management leadership concepts.
  • Points: 80
  • Weight: 8%
3. Quizzes
  • Evaluation Type: Individual
  • Description: Six quizzes will be administered to assess understanding of key concepts from lectures and readings.
  • Points: 100
  • Weight: 10%
4. Class Attendance
  • Evaluation Type: Individual
  • Description: Regular class attendance is required and tracked. Full attendance earns full points.
  • Points: 100
  • Weight: 10%
5. Computer Labs
  • Evaluation Type: Individual
  • Description: Students must complete 10 computer lab sessions that involve project simulations, scheduling software, and the integration of AI tools in construction project management.
  • Points: 100
  • Weight: 10%
6. Procore Certifications
  • Evaluation Type: Individual
  • Description: Students are required to complete five Procore certification modules to gain industry-recognized credentials.
  • Points: 100
  • Weight: 10%
7. Term Projects
  • Evaluation Type: Group
  • Description: Three collaborative group projects focused on applying leadership, scheduling, budgeting, and AI integration in real-world construction scenarios.
  • Points: 150
  • Weight: 15%
8. Mid-Term Exam
  • Evaluation Type: Individual
  • Description: A comprehensive midterm examination assessing analytical, technical, and leadership skills covered in the first half of the course.
  • Points: 170
  • Weight: 17%
9. Final Exam
  • Evaluation Type: Individual
  • Description: A cumulative final exam assessing the full range of course topics including project planning, stakeholder management, AI applications, and leadership strategies.
  • Points: 200
  • Weight: 20%

Total Course Points: 1000
Grading Breakdown: 100%

Course Outline

Part (1): Overview of Construction Industry
1.     Construction Industry Practices
2.     Construction Project, Program and Portfolio Management
3.     Project Feasibility Studies

Part (2): Design Phase
4.     Project Design Models 
  • The RIBA Design (The Royal Institute of British Architects of Work) Model
  •  ‘‘Total Design’’ Model
  •  (VDI) Engineering Model
  •  March's Design Model
  •  BS 7000 Design Model
  •  French’s Design Model
  •  Pahl and Beitz D-Model
  •  The Analytical Design Planning Technique (ADePT) Model
  •  Integrated Design Planning Model
  •  Scheduling and Control (DePlan) Model
  •  Design Collaboration (Teamwork) Frameworks Model
  •  Conventional Design Process in Construction Model
  •  Process Parameter Interface Model 
5.     Value Engineering

Part (3): Preconstruction Phase
6.     Construction Project Cost Estimating and Unbalanced Bids
7.     Construction Project Planning by MS-Project 
8.     Construction Project Scheduling by MS-Project 
9.     Construction Project Resource Management by MS-Project 
10.  Construction Project Financial Management (Cash-Flow) 

Part (4): Construction Phase
11.  Construction Project Time Reduction by MS-Project
12.  Construction Project Time Updating by MS-Project
13.  Construction Project Cost Control by Earned Value
14.  Construction Project Administration by Procore
15.  Construction Project Quality Control System by Procore
16.  Construction Project Safety by Procore
17.  Construction Project Risk Management by the Mont-Carlo Risk Analysis Model
18.  Construction Project Changes by Procore

Part (5): Closeout Phase
19. Construction Project Closeout 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

  1. Missed Lectures: Students are responsible for all material covered in class during an absence. Students who are absent from a lecture should ask a classmate or the instructor for lecture notes. The PowerPoint slides do not cover everything discussed in class. 
  2. Missed/Late Assignments: Contact the instructor to check about missed assignments. Students are responsible for completing assignments made on time during their absence. Assignments handed in late will be penalized 15% of the total point value for each class day late.
  3. Missed Quizzes: Quizzes are usually given during the first 10 minutes of class. There will be no makeups for missed quizzes. 
  4. Missed Labs: In-class portions of the labs cannot be made up. An absence will result in a 0 for that day’s lab activity, and the lowest lab grade will be dropped. When students are asked to finish a lab at home, labs handed in late will be penalized 15% of the total point value for each class day late.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is required if you are registered for a Face-to-Face, Synchronous Remote, or Hybrid course. If you are ill, you may request a faculty member record the class and share it with you or request other reasonable accommodations. Your instructor will work with you to develop a plan for completing coursework. To receive academic accommodations and ensure that your request is communicated to faculty, you must submit this self-report form.

Course Fees

N/A

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.