Capital Project Management

Today's dynamic, competitive market provides little margin for error when planning and managing capital projects. But the successful completion of capital projects requires the integrated efforts of team members from a wide variety of backgrounds: business, multiple engineering disciplines (civil, electrical, mechanical, etc.), general and specialty construction, supply chain, and others. Many of these team members understand their portion of the project but do not have a strategic perspective of a capital project and their role in making the entire project successful. They have had little or no formal training in the techniques and tools that provide them with the best opportunities for successful capital projects.

To address this need, the Clemson University Department of Civil Engineering is pleased to offer a Certificate in Capital Project Management (see Courses). The objective of the program is to provide current and future capital project team members with an understanding of the primary concepts, principles, and issues associated with planning and managing capital projects in an active, flexible learning environment (see Delivery Method).

The certificate program:

• Addresses the entire life cycle of a capital project, from project selection through operation and warranty management
• Considers all types of capital projects (industrial, public, commercial, etc.)
• Is applicable to all key participants (owners, designers, constructors, subcontractors, and major suppliers) who need an overall perspective of the capital project process

Program Overview: An investigation of key topics associated with planning and managing capital construction projects, how these topics are integrated into a capital construction project management plan that achieves business and project objectives, and how the project team uses the project management plan to complete the construction project.

The courses will address the entire life cycle of a capital project, from selection to operation; will consider all types of capital projects (industrial, public, commercial, etc.); and will be applicable to all key participants (owners, designers, constructors, subcontractors, and major suppliers) who need an overall perspective of the capital project process.

Courses

The Capital Project Management Certificate Program (CPMCP) includes a series of three, three-hour graduate-level courses that cover the primary concepts associated with planning and managing capital projects. The courses are: (click on a link to view a course description)

CE 8320 — Capital Project Management Fundamentals

Fundamental concepts of designing and constructing capital projects – what they are, why they are done, who is involved, and how to best design and build them; phases of a capital project; variations of organizational and contractual structures used for capital projects.

CE 8330 — Capital Project Controls

Principles and best practices of project controls for capital construction projects, including conceptual and detail estimating, scheduling, and earned value management (EVM); development of project baseline incorporating scope, schedule, and budget; use of baseline to monitor and manage cost and schedule performance; and shortcomings of EVM.

CE 8340 — Key Topics in Capital Project Management

An investigation of key topics associated with planning and managing capital construction projects, how these topics are integrated into a capital construction project management plan that achieves business and project objectives, and how the project team uses the project management plan to complete the construction project.

Choose a Nationally Recognized Leader in Engineering Education

The curriculum incorporates best practices and principles from leading organizations, such as the Construction Industry Institute (CII), the Project Management Institute (PMI), the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering-International (AACE), the Lean Construction Institute (LCI), and the latest research results.

Senior industry professionals were involved in shaping the curriculum to ensure the courses meet working professionals' needs and provide an appropriate balance between theory and practical application.

Faculty from Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, the Business School, and Construction Science provide the expertise needed to present this well-rounded curriculum.

Two cohorts will be formed each year. One cohort will start in January and cover the three courses in the spring, summer, and fall semesters. The second cohort will begin in the fall and cover the three courses in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Each semester is approximately 15 weeks long. Students are encouraged to complete the coursework with their cohort but will be allowed to take up to two years to complete the three courses.

Why a Certificate?

Although numerous project management training opportunities are currently available, the Capital Project Management Certificate Program offers the best value to help working professionals meet their career goals.

1. The certificate is specific to capital project management, not generic project management. Capital project team members will be able to understand and identify with the principles and make direct application to current job challenges.
2. The certificate program provides a systematic approach to learning about capital project management. Rather than taking a series of disjointed training courses covering a hodge-podge of topics, the certificate program integrates all aspects of capital project management into a logical, sequenced approach.
3. The courses may count for graduate credit.
4. Since the courses are taken for graduate credit, most companies have funding available through existing education programs. This saves training budgets for other needs.
5. Multiple participants for a company can complete the program together, which helps them share company-specific ideas and improvements.

Delivery method

The Capital Project Management Certificate Program (CPMCP) includes a series of three, three-hour graduate-level courses that cover the primary concepts associated with planning and managing capital projects (see courses).

To meet the needs of working professionals who do not have the time to attend on-campus classes, all courses will be offered online in an asynchronous mode. Students can take the courses from any location with internet access, based on their schedule, without interfering with their current job.

Coursework will consist of viewing the online recordings presented by industry experts, completing assigned readings and homework, and demonstrating the appropriate application of the concepts to specific situations.

The program faculty will actively evaluate all student work and provide feedback to company points of contact about student progress and performance.

Companies are encouraged to form company study teams to complete the program together. Members of the company study teams will share thoughts, ideas, and company-specific applications through the assignments and discussion board topics.

Requirements, registration and fees

Three options are offered for course participation:

1. Participants with a bachelor's degree who do not desire to immediately pursue a master's degree may register for the courses as Non-degree Seeking Graduate Students. Non-degree Seeking Graduate Students are not required to go through the normal graduate school application process. These students will receive graduate-level credit for the courses and a Capital Project Management Certificate from the Clemson University Department of Civil Engineering.

If these students decide to pursue a graduate degree at some point in the future, the three certificate courses may be used for graduate credit (if applicable to the degree sought). However, the students would be required to complete the standard graduate application process to be accepted into the graduate program.

1. Participants who do not have a bachelor's degree may register for the courses. Upon completion of the courses, they will be awarded a Capital Project Management Certificate from the Clemson University Department of Civil Engineering, but they cannot be given graduate credit for the courses.
2. Degree-seeking graduate students may register to take the courses for graduate credit if the courses are acceptable to their course of study.

Fees:

Non-degree students: $750 per semester hour ($6750 for all three courses)
Degree-seeking students: normal tuition