School of Built Environment and Geography
Coursework Assessment Brief
Module Code CE5026
Module Title Design Economics and Cost Planning
Title of Assessment Situational Analysis Group Report
Summative (% of module) or Summative – this assignment is worth 40%
Formative of your module grade
Typical individual student hours 40 Hours
required to complete the
assessment
Assessment set by (and contact)
Submission deadline (date and time) 2024, 23h59
Formal feedback 21st January 2025 - 20 working days after
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. Guidance on mitigating circumstances can be found on
MyKingston, click here
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 on
Module Learning Outcomes
The following module learning outcomes are tested in this assessment:
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the theories and principles of
design economics and the factors that affect the cost of buildings over their whole
life.
Debate the relationship between sustainable building design, construction
methods, and cost of buildings.
School of Engineering and the Environment. Coursework Assessment Brief. Page 1 of 4
Demonstrate deep and analytical knowledge of the rules, principles and application
of estimating, cost planning, benchmarking and cost reporting techniques and
apply the above techniques in producing early cost estimates of building projects
based on limited information.
Apply estimating, benchmarking, and cost reporting techniques in producing cost
plans during the detailed stages of building projects using standard IT packages.
Assessment task and specific terms
This Situational Analysis Group Report assignment is part of an “in-tray” exercise that will
continue through the Individual Practical Report (CW2) and to the end of the module in the
Client Report (CW3).
Your client has two alternative proposals for developing a greenfield site to provide 5,000
square metres of a prototype technical college in either a 5-storey rectangular building or
a 3-storey irregular shaped building. Outline sketches of both options and the relevant
cost information are provided in the Drawings and Information folder accompanying this
assessment brief.
Specification:
Both alternative proposals have identical specifications
Your client requires your economic evaluation of both design proposals and an Order of
Cost Estimate (OCE) for one of the options. Note that the cost of land is not a factor for
the client in this appraisal. In your teams (groups), your task is to produce a client report
in two parts:
Part 1 should detail an element-by-element comparison of the cost implications of the two
design options. Actual costs are not required for the economic evaluation. Only cost
influences need to be discussed in this part. Your evaluation is expected to be critical and
therefore should include a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of each option in
relation to cost. You should also include recommendations for each option that would
improve their value for money.
Part 2 should provide an OCE for one of the options only using the available
information. The selected option is to be built in Kingston upon Thames and June 2025 is
the expected tender date. Construction is expected to commence in September 2025 and
completion is projected for March 2027.
Note:
RICS NRM1 rules apply
Assume a traditional procurement route
Outline specifications for the Order of Cost Estimates are assumed to be similar to
the cost analyses provided
Make other necessary assumptions (with justification) to make your estimate
meaningful and realistic
You may assume names for the participants
Word Limit: 3000-word count
Group Report
This coursework requires the group production of a written client report submitted as a
single coherent document. The report should demonstrate professionalism and must
therefore include a covering letter to the client and an executive summary. Group
compositions are strictly as specified on Canvas.
School of Engineering and the Environment. Coursework Assessment Brief. Page 2 of 4
Report specifics
You must include an element-by-element comparison of the cost implications of identified
design variables on the two design options. Each element of the building must be
given consideration.
Summary page of the OCE should be included in the body of the client report. Build up
calculations for the Building Works Estimate 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 estimate. This should be in the form of a quality assurance statement
to the client. For instance, you may discuss the reliability of the cost data and methods
used and also benchmark your estimates against average prices for similar completed
projects. You should also state the limitations of your estimate.
Marks Awarded & Peer Assessment
A group mark will be awarded for the group submission. Individual marks to students
making up the group will be awarded to reflect each group member’s contribution to the
group effort. The group mark will be adjusted (upward or downward) or remain unchanged
for individual team members. The adjustment will be decided by the module team based
on the students’ (group members) completed confidential peer assessment forms and the
student (group member) entries on the team log.
Each student is therefore required to regularly update the team log and to submit a
completed peer assessment form on Cavas at the time the group report is submitted.
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.
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 1
Economic evaluation of alternative designs: element by element
comparison of the cost implications of identified design variables
on the two design options. Critical discussion of cost strengths
40%
and weaknesses of each option and recommendations for
improving value for money.
Part 2
Basis & Reliability of estimates: a discussion of the basis of the
estimate and the justification for any assumptions made. Quality
15%
assurance statement and limitations of estimate.
School of Engineering and the Environment. Coursework Assessment Brief. Page 3 of 4
Order of Cost Estimate: Summary page of the OCE should be
included in the client report. Build up calculations should be in the
supporting documents section in the Appendices which will be 25%
retained in ‘the office file’.
Professional report writing skills
Professionalism: covering letter, executive summary, appropriate
structure, overall coherence of the report, clear and cogent
12.5%
presentation
Research and Citations: excellence in the choice, breadth and
integration of a range of academic and practitioner-based
7.5%
contemporary literature, perfectly cited and referenced in line with
the Harvard style.
Total 100%
Academic skills support
For help and advice on this assessment please contact the assessment setter/s or the
module leader. For advice on academic writing and referencing please contact the Faculty
of Engineering, Computing and the Environment (ECE) Student Academic Success
Centre (SASC). Trained staff and students will give you guidance and feedback on
assessments. SASC can be accessed here
School of Engineering and the Environment. Coursework Assessment Brief. Page 4 of 4
