Associate Assessment

Project Management
February 2017
Associate Assessment Pathway guide

Project Management
Introduction 3
..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Competencies .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3
What is Project Management? ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3
Project Management competencies 4
.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Technical competencies ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................5

Mandatory competencies ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................13
Continuing professional development (CPD) ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14

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Associate Assessment Pathway guide

Introduction
In order to become an RICS Associate you must demonstrate that
you have knowledge, understanding and practical ability relevant to
What is Project Management?
a surveying role – in this case, Project Management. Project managers occupy a central role in the development process, driving
This guide explains the competencies for your pathway, with examples successful completion of projects.
of how you can show you meet the requirements. Project Management is a thriving professional discipline much in demand
Refer to this guide while preparing your submission for assessment. around the globe.

The Associate Assessment Candidate Guide gives further essential Typically, project managers will be appointed at the beginning of a project
information on how to prepare for the assessment. and will assist the client in developing the project brief and then selecting,
appointing and co-ordinating the project team.
A project manager will then usually represent the client throughout the full
Competencies development process managing the inputs from the client, consultants,
contractors, supply chain and other stakeholders.
A competency is the knowledge, skills, abilities and behaviours needed
for a particular role or task. RICS competencies equip you to work in your Those working in project management can choose from a variety of
chosen pathway. potential employers including clients and consultants from both the public
and private sectors, with either commercial or not-for-profit aims.
The six technical competencies are the pathway-specific ‘hard’ skills
needed for your role.
The eight mandatory competencies are the ‘soft’ business skills
demonstrating your ability to work with colleagues, manage workloads
and act with integrity. All candidates, regardless of their pathway, need
these skills.

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Associate Assessment Pathway guide

Project Management competencies

You must select any six of the following eight technical competencies: You must complete all eight mandatory competencies:
• commercial management of construction • client care
• construction technology and environmental services • communication and negotiation
• contract practice • conduct rules, ethics and professional practice
• procurement and tendering • conflict avoidance, management and dispute resolution procedures
• programming and planning • data management
• project administration • health and safety
• project evaluation • sustainability
• risk management. • teamworking.

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Associate Assessment Pathway guide

Technical competencies
Commercial management of construction

Description This competency covers the commercial management of construction works. Candidates should have an awareness of how their work relates to
commercial competitiveness balanced against profitability. An awareness of the financial process used to achieve profitability is required as well as
how these integrate with the overall delivery of the project.

Requirements Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles of management of construction projects. Apply your knowledge to the financial
management of construction projects, including regular monitoring and reporting on cash flow and profitability.

Examples of likely skills, knowledge and Knowledge

experience • financial management of construction projects, including regular monitoring
• reporting on cash flow procedures and profitability.
Activities
• collecting of data for reports
• carrying out cost to completion exercises
• preparing cash flows
• preparing reports such as liability statements, cost to complete and cost
value reconciliations
• applying value engineering processes
• preparing and submitting cost data for in-house and/or external use in relation to areas such as cost of preliminaries, comparative cost of
different construction techniques and taxation allowances.

Examples of tasks undertaken • cash flow statements

• development or construction budgets
• reports or activities associated with the value engineering process
• collecting/preparing/evaluating cost data.

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Associate Assessment Pathway guide

Construction technology and environmental services

Description This competency covers the design and construction of buildings and other structures. Candidates should have an awareness of the design and
construction processes commonly used in the industry. They should have a detailed knowledge of construction solutions relevant to their projects.

Requirements Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles of design and construction relating to your chosen field of practice. Apply your
knowledge to the design and construction process.

Examples of likely skills, knowledge and Knowledge

experience • the process of design information production, revision and delivery to the project team and those involved outside the project team
• alternative construction details in relation to functional elements of the design such as different types of piling or structural frame solutions.
Activities
• implementing the principles of designing and constructing for sustainability and environmental awareness
• participating in the process of site investigation, archaeological studies and environmental assessments
• appreciating how design solutions vary for different types of building, such as clear span requirements for warehousing, or acoustic
requirements for accommodation.

Examples of tasks undertaken • site investigation, archaeological studies or environment assessments

• site drawings or design schedules
• setting out foundation, drainage, building or structures
• selection or procurement or materials for construction purposes.

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Associate Assessment Pathway guide

Contract practice

Description This competency concerns the ability to recognise, understand and interpret the different procurement routes and contracts. Candidates should
be aware of the different options available within their area of practice. Candidates should have an understanding of appropriate use of alternative
procurement routes and contracts.

Requirements Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the various forms of contract used in the construction industry and/or your area of business.
Apply your knowledge of the use of the various standard forms of contract at project level, including the implications and obligations that apply
to the parties to the contract.

Examples of likely skills, knowledge and Knowledge

experience • variables for consideration when selecting procurement system
• the impact of alteration of contractual arrangements on parties to the contract
• legal and contractual constraints e.g. terms and conditions of engagement, construction legislation
• collateral warranties and latent defects
• contract documentation
• basic contractual mechanisms and procedures at various stages of the contract
• third party rights etc.
Activities
• reviewing contractual relationships with the main parties associated with traditional, design and build, or management types of procurement
routes
• preparing documents associated with warranties and bonds
• providing options for alternative forms of contract with respect to specific procurement routes
• reviewing particular key contract provisions and how these differ between alternative forms of contract.

Examples of tasks undertaken • contract documentation associated with bonds, warranties or insurances
• contract documentation associated with statuary authorities, suppliers or contractors
• meetings or communications associated with contract practices
• contract processes involved with procurement selection or forms of contract.

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Associate Assessment Pathway guide

Procurement and tendering

Description This competency covers the way a project is structured and delivered in terms of risk allocation and contractual relationships and how tendering
processes are used to establish a contract price. Candidates should have a clear understanding of the different types of procurement and tendering
commonly used and the advantages and disadvantages of each to the parties involved. Candidates should have a detailed working knowledge of the
procurement routes and tendering procedures used on their projects.

Requirements Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the main types of procurement. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the tendering and
negotiation processes involved in procurement. Apply your knowledge to the implementation of the procurement routes selected for your projects
and to carrying out tendering and negotiation processes relevant to them

Examples of likely skills, knowledge and Knowledge

experience • the main types of procurement used in both the public and private sectors, both nationally and internationally
• tendering and negotiation processes involved in procurement
• ancillary process such as partnering and framework agreements
• codes of practice and procedures commonly used.
Activities
• evaluating the characteristics to be considered for determining the chosen procurement route
• participating in the tendering and negotiating process, including interviews
• implementing procurement routes such as traditional, design and build, management forms, term and serial contracting, and other types
• producing and/or compiling tender documentation such as letters of invitation, health and safety documentation, design documentation and
contractual details
• carrying out of tendering and negotiation processes such as single and two stage tendering, the use of codes of practice and electronic
tendering.

Examples of tasks undertaken • participating in tendering or negotiation processes

• investigating or compiling factors relevant for the selection of the procurement route
• participating in the negotiation or interview stages of the procurement process
• on site implementation of the chosen procurement route.

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Associate Assessment Pathway guide

Programming and planning

Description This competency is about the management of time and the duration of activities from project inception to completion. It covers an understanding of
programming techniques and critical path features including use of computer software to produce programmes.

Requirements Describe the principles of financial and programme monitoring of projects, including planning techniques such as Gantt charts etc. Demonstrate
knowledge and understanding of various types of programmes and schedules commonly used on projects. Assess, interpret and report on the
programme control of projects.

Examples of likely skills, knowledge and Knowledge

experience • project milestones and acceleration techniques
• network analysis, critical path, Programme Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
• resource analysis, line of balance.
Activities
• evaluating alternative programme techniques
• reviewing and interpreting Gantt charts and other programmes
• evaluating the significance of float
• explaining the critical path determined by a programme
• analysing and evaluating actual performance against planned performance.

Examples of tasks undertaken • gathering data for the development of project plans or programmes
• creating Gantt charts, milestones and other programmes such as network analysis
• identifying key activities and floats whilst developing the critical path
• recording, analysing or managing resources, progress and programmes.

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Associate Assessment Pathway guide

Project administration

Description This competency concerns the contractual, legislative/statutory and other processes required to administer a project. It also covers the reporting
and information management systems for projects

Requirements Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of contractual, legislative and statutory terminology/requirements in the management of a project.
Implement management procedures necessary for the smooth running of a project.

Examples of likely skills, knowledge and Knowledge

experience • contractual, legislative and statutory requirements
• document control systems and techniques
• reporting mechanisms and structures
Activities
• co-ordinating the statutory authorities and service providers
• recording and monitoring records of progress associated with the design and construction processes
• identifying and implementing the contractual, legislative and statutory requirements needed for a development project including any collateral
documents e.g. insurances, warranties etc
• managing document control and information management systems
• managing management reporting systems.

Examples of tasks undertaken • reporting systems associated with the project supply chain
• managing off or on site reporting systems
• managing off or on site document control systems
• preparing or implementing project organisations structures.

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Associate Assessment Pathway guide

Project evaluation

Description This competency concerns the evaluation process – assessing the technical and financial feasibility of a project including the resultant economic
return. The assessment should consider both initial capital costs as well as whole life costs.

Requirements Describe the feasibility
study process, including the financial and town planning aspects associated with a development appraisal. Apply the
techniques used in value management/value engineering, life cycle/whole life costing and risk assessment, together with a balance sheet analysis.

Examples of likely skills, knowledge and Knowledge

experience • development appraisals
• feasibility studies

• value engineering workshops
• risk analysis

• life cycle costing
Activities
• preparing a development appraisal and feasibility study
• reviewing the business case drivers for the development
• using value management/value engineering techniques to advise on and improve the viability of the development
• carrying out a life cycle/whole life costing exercise
• preparing a risk register to advise on and improve the management of a development.

Examples of tasks undertaken • data collection for developing appraisal or feasibility study
• value management/engineering exercise to investigate the value and financial viability of the project
• business case/whole life costing assessments
• risk identification and assessment via the risk register to evaluate the risks’ potential impact upon the development.

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Associate Assessment Pathway guide

Risk management

Description This competency is about the effective use of risk management relating to projects. It includes a knowledge, understanding and use of the tools and
techniques available.

Requirements Demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the nature of risk and, in particular, of the risks associated with your area of business/practice.
Apply your knowledge to carry out risk assessment taking into account all relevant factors. Understand the application of the various methods and
techniques used to measure risk.

Examples of likely skills, knowledge and Knowledge

experience • risk management
• risk register techniques
• risk ownership allocation
• quantitative methods for measuring risk and contingency.
Activities
• undertaking qualitative risk identification and the formation of a risk register
• assisting with the allocation
of risk ownership and the subsequent monitoring of project risks throughout the project
• applying the various quantitative methods and techniques to measure risk
• participating in risk workshops
• preparing reports resulting from risk workshops.

Examples of tasks undertaken • gathering data for the tabulation and measurement of the numerous project risks
• assembling the project risk register
• arranging or taking part in risk workshops
• recording, monitoring and managing the risk register.

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Associate Assessment Pathway guide

Mandatory competencies
Title Requirement

Client care Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles and practice of client care including:
• the concept of identifying all clients/colleagues/third parties who are your clients and the behaviours that are appropriate to establish good
client relationships
• the systems and procedures that are appropriate for managing the process of client care, including complaints
• the requirement to collect data, analyse and define the needs of clients. 

Demonstrate practical application of the principles and practice of client care in your area of practice.

Communication and negotiation Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of effective oral, written, graphic and presentation skills including the methods and techniques that are
appropriate to specific situations.
Demonstrate practical application of these skills in a variety of situations, specifically including where negotiation is involved.

Conduct rules, ethics and professional Although this is demonstrated through the RICS ethics module (see Candidate Guide) you should still refer to it (where applicable).
practice Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the role and significance of RICS and its functions. Also an appreciation of your personal professional
role and society’s expectations of professional practice and RICS Rules of Conduct and regulations, including the general principles of law and the
legal system, as applicable in your country of practice.
Demonstrate practical application in your area of practice, being able to justify actions at all times and demonstrate personal commitment to the
RICS Rules of Conduct and RICS ethical standards.
Demonstrate that you have applied these in the context of advising clients.

Conflict avoidance, management and Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the techniques for conflict avoidance, conflict management and dispute resolution procedures
dispute resolution procedures including for example adjudication and arbitration, appropriate to your pathway.

Data management Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the sources of information and data, and of the systems applicable to your area of practice, including
the methodologies and techniques most appropriate to collect, collate and store data.

Health and safety Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles and responsibilities imposed by law, codes of practice and other regulations
appropriate to your area of practice.
Demonstrate practical application of health and safety issues and the requirements for compliance, in your area of practice.

Sustainability Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of why and how sustainability seeks to balance economic, environmental and social objectives at global,
national and local levels, in the context of land, property and the built environment.

Teamworking Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles, behaviour and dynamics of working in a team.

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Associate Assessment Pathway guide

Continuing professional development (CPD)

In your submission document you must record 48 hours of CPD, this must be 12 months prior to your associate assessment. The following are examples of the type of development relevant to
this pathway.

Contract Practice

Activity type Purpose Description Learning outcomes

Work-based To develop my knowledge of the use of the Attended in-house training workshop on It is important for project managers to
various standard forms of contract Contractual Awareness understand the various forms of contracts
and the potential scenarios, including the
implications and obligations that apply
to the respective parties mentioned in
each contract

Construction technology and environmental services

Activity type Purpose Description Learning outcomes

Private Learn more about the main elements Refresher online course on Construction To have a good understanding of the various
of a construction project and how they Technology and environment services kinds of construction designs, methods,
interrelate materials and manufacturing processes –
such as how steel and concrete frames are
made and erected

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Associate Assessment Pathway guide

Procurement and tendering

Activity type Purpose Description Learning outcomes

Organised Strengthen my knowledge of procurement CPD lecture – outlining the main forms To appreciate the variables or factors that
and tendering; how much it was being applied of procurement as well as knowledge need to be considered when selecting a
in practice and to further my understanding and understanding of the tendering procurement system such as ‘design and
on the procurement options and negotiation processes involved in build’ to ‘traditional’, or one of the two main
procurement management procurement options. Also,
to be familiar with the tendering process,
especially when choosing a contractor
or supplier

Health and Safety

Activity type Purpose Description Learning outcomes

Work-based The course aimed at making delegates Course delivered at my workplace over To understand the importance of health
familiar with relevant health and safety 9 hours through a combination of online and safety to all parties involved with the
legislation and industry standards materials, demonstration and hands-on development, both off site and on site and
associated with preparing risk assessments, tutoring be aware of the key statutory requirements
work package plans, and task briefings and systems and how they should
be
implemented during the various stages of
the development

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Confidence through professional standards
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