Construction Management - Undergraduate Work Experience
Work Experience Module on the DIT BSc in Construction Management
My name is Craig Grattan. As part of the syllabus on the BSc in Construction Management, I was required to undertake the Work Experience Module in the first semester of the 3rd year of the programme (September – December 2012). I was based on the DIT Campus Development project at Grangegorman, Dublin 7.
The scale and complexity of this project is enormous and for the first few days I was simply observing everything which was going on. Working with James O’Connor (DIT Internal Supervisor) and Louis Gunnigan (Workplace Supervisor), a schedule of work was developed for me to ensure that I received experience in site operations, project planning and project management.
The site operations element was to be achieved through completion of a variety of tasks such as:
- Draft calculations of demolition work in phase 1
- Calculating excavation digs for car parks in East Quad
- Undertaking measurements on site
- Development of scope of the works to be done on site.
During this time, I worked with DIT’s Campus Planning Team (DITCPT) and also with the site staff from the Grangegorman Development Agency (GDA)
In Project Planning, the focus was on the forward planning of new works packages. It primarily centred on research and reporting of the development options that existed on the project through the completion of the following tasks:
- Development of the client briefs for the student accommodation blocks
- Research into the options available for the use of a Combined Heat and Power Plant in a phased development
- The provision of the site-wide infrastructure required to support the Campus IT system.
In addressing these tasks, I worked closely with other parts of DIT such as the Accommodation Office and the Media Services Department.
In Project Management, my role was mostly as an observer and as an assistant to DITCPT staff. I attended several progress meetings, followed up on queries that arose at these meetings and generally assisted where required. I was involved in a variety of aspects of the project, one of which was the compilation of the Furniture, Fittings and Equipment (FF&E) Schedules for the PPP buildings, the East and Central Quads.
As my Work Experience time progressed I was aware that I was being given more responsibility, indicating that the trust in my abilities of those around me was increasing as my skills and abilities developed. I was encouraged to use my initiative and this was reflected in the team accepting me as someone that didn’t need constant supervision. As a result, I was given a progressively more challenging variety of tasks to perform and I liaised with directly with different parties on the project including GDA, National Development Finance Agency and RKD Architects.
A Learning Experience
Problem Solving
Due to the fact the project was primarily in the planning and design stage, several problems came up that needed solutions and this exposed me to opportunities to develop my problem solving skills. For example, the development of the FF&E schedules required extensive consultation with staff in the schools that would move to the campus up to 2017. By going to the schools and helping with the development of the schedules on the ground, I was able to appreciate the difficulties of the end users and was able to assist them in getting the information back in time to achieve a very tight programme. I could use my initiative to prevent a small issue becoming a big problem and before it escalated.
Managing resources and sharing knowledge
Sharing knowledge can be the difference in making a good decision and making a bad decision. On a complex project, it is important that all people involved have access to all the relevant information at the right time. If this is not the case, it is easy for a message to be misinterpreted, thereby leading to frustration, misunderstanding and delays. In terms of my role with sharing knowledge, I was encouraged to speak out at meetings to ensure that a student’s perspective was presented. At the beginning of my Work Experience I was observant of everything, listening and picking up important details. As the project progressed, I became more comfortable and out-spoken in meetings. Over time, I saw that my input was appreciated, but would be challenged if someone did not agree. In turn, this ensured that my input was considered and it helped me to more fully understand the process of discussion and development of ideas in the context of a construction project.
Leadership
There would be no better place to develop my leadership skills considering the amount of team leaders, directors and CEOs that I liaised with during the Work Experience module. The leadership styles that were on show vary from those that choose to have a firm hold on things and those who tend to let things take care of themselves. In my personal opinion to be a good leader you have to be able to solve problems, develop teams, manage work quality, accept responsibility, manage resources and share knowledge. I could see myself using more of my leadership skills as the project progressed. I took responsibility for what I was doing, motivated people in times of stress and shared my knowledge when needed. By the end of the Work Experience, I felt that I had developed stronger leadership characteristics that will help me in my career in Construction Management.
This project that will take place in a number of phases over a long period of time and the opportunity to gain experience there gave me an insight that is not readily available when working only on the construction phase of a project. As a result, completion of the Work Experience module on this project gave me a unique experience to develop my knowledge, personal skills and networking that will benefit me for many years to come.
For further information, contact:
Craig Grattan
T: 0872172780
