Coursework Assessment Brief

Module Code CE740

Module Title Design Economics and Cost Planning
Title of Assessment Individual Practical Report
Summative (% of module) or Summative – this assignment is worth 60% of
Formative your module grade
Typical individual student hours 60 Hours
required to complete the
assessment

Formal feedback 20 working days after each submission

All assignments must be submitted by the date and time specified above.
Students are required to submit an electronic copy of their completed assignment via the
Assignments section of Canvas and follow any specific instructions. Any change to this
instruction will be advised via Canvas.

In line with Faculty policy for late submission of coursework, any work submitted up to a
week late will be capped at 40%. Coursework submitted after this time will receive 0%.

In case of illness or other issues affecting your studies please refer to the University
Mitigating Circumstances policy.

Please note that if you submit a piece of work you have judged yourself fit to
undertake the assessment and cannot claim mitigating circumstances retrospectively.

Guidance on avoiding academic assessment offences such as plagiarism and collusion

can be found

Module Learning Outcomes

The following module learning outcomes are tested in this assessment:

(1) Demonstrate a critical and analytical knowledge of the principles and application of
estimating, cost planning and pricing techniques within the UK construction
environment and in outline in relation to the global context.
(2) Apply IT techniques to construction economics principles through the use of standard
packages.
(3) Demonstrate ability in the use of taxation schemes and funding arrangements as
applied to construction projects.

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(4) Critically appraise the use of standard evaluation techniques such as benchmarking,
and whole life costs and their application in various procurement and funding
processes.
(5) Critically analyse topical concerns in the field of design economics.

Assessment task and specific terms

This Individual Practical Report (CW2) assignment continues and completes the “in-tray”
exercise that commenced in the Group Situational Analysis Report assignment (CW1).
This CW2 assignment comprises two parts.

Part 2
Your task is to produce and report to your client a Formal Cost Plan 2 following the
requirements of NRM1. Formal Cost Plan 2 should be based on the drawings,
specification and cost information in the Additional Information folder which will be issued
to you, via CANVAS on 3rd March 2023. In your formal cost report, you must explain the
difference (if any) between your Formal Cost Plan 2 Cost Limit and your Formal Cost Plan
1 Cost Limit. You also need to demonstrate the reliability of your estimate to your client.

In addition, your client requires you to include in your report detailed analysis of the life
cycle costs for the two alternative options for curtain walling described in a data sheet
included in the cost information that will be issued to you via CANVAS on 3rd March 2023.

Note:
 RICS NRM1 rules apply
 Assume a traditional procurement route
 Make other necessary assumptions (with justification) to make your estimate
meaningful and realistic
 You may assume names for the participants

Individual Report
This coursework requires the production of two written client reports submitted by the due
dates specified above. Your reports for both Parts 1 and Part 2 must follow the RICS
(2021) New Rules of Measurement 1 (NRM1).

Measurement and costing to calculate the Building Works Estimate for each cost plan
must be carried out electronically using iTWO costX.

Summary page of each cost plan should be included in the respective client reports. Build
up calculations for the Building Works Estimate (generated from iTWO costX files) in each
report should be in the supporting documents section in the Appendices which will be
retained in ‘the office file’. You will need to discuss the reliability of your estimates. This
should be in the form of a quality assurance statement to the client. For instance, reliability
of the cost data and methods used and benchmarking estimates against average prices
for similar completed projects. You should also state the limitations of your estimate.

Each report should demonstrate professionalism and must include a covering letter to the
client and an executive summary. Each report should be submitted online as a single
combined Word or pdf file. The iTWO costX (exf) files associated with your measurement
and costing (Part 1 & 2) should be submitted as separate files.

Word Limit: No set word limit as the reports are mostly quantitative in nature. The reports

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must, however, be kept succinct.

Research and referencing

You are expected to refer to the indicative bibliography of the module provided in the
Module Descriptor and the additional bibliographic sources suggested in the module on
CANVAS and in lecture notes. In addition, you must undertake your own appropriate
further reading and research in relation to the matters addressed in this coursework brief.
Evidence of independent reading and research will be rewarded. A list of References
must be presented at the end of the report listing all bibliographic sources cited in the
main report.

Note
Please note that You are required to use iTWO costX Version 7.0. If you choose to access
iTWO costX through any other source, ensure that you use the 7.0 version otherwise your
submission may not be marked.

Assessment Criteria

Assessment of your submission will be based on the following weighted assessment

criteria as given below which relate to the specified module learning outcomes.
Assessment criteria are reproduced in Canvas in a rubric.

Specific Criteria (marking scheme) Marks available

Part 2
Formal Cost Plan 2: basis of estimate (with 30%
assumptions justified); electronic measurement and
costing; elemental cost plan in accordance with
NRM1; reliability of estimate; and limitations of
estimate.

Life cycle costing: detailed analysis of the life cycle 20%

costs of renewable energy options; determination of
life cycle costs; discounting costs and
income/savings; and comparing alternatives

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Report and supporting information: covering letter, 15%
executive summary, appropriate structure of report,
evidence to support basis of estimate; reliability of
estimate; and iTwo costX file.

Professional report writing skills

Presentation: overall coherence of the report; creative 5%
use of graphics.

Research and Citations: excellence in the choice, 5%

breadth and integration of a range of academic and
practitioner-based contemporary literature, perfectly
cited and referenced in line with the Harvard style.

Total 100%

Academic skills support

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