Construction Supply Chain Management is critical to the success of any project and must address the challenges distinct to the industry which include a high degree of uniqueness from project to project, as well as the often temporal nature of demand and supply relationships.
Construction Supply Chain Management can be separated into the following two categories, both of which will be covered in this course:
1. Practical Site Logistics
Site logistics is concerned with the creation of a productive and efficient work-flow on site. This involves planning and organisation of the following:
- Site layout, mobilisation and establishment
- Site access and temporary utilities
- Necessary plant
- Efficient material handling
- Day-to-day management of the site, including Health and Safety
2. Strategic Management
Supply Chain Management in the context of construction involves the strategic management of the project, procurement and supply of labour and material resources, and the stake-holder relationships and information flows necessary to facilitate this.
The course will cover the practical management of on-site logistics, people and team management, as well as offer an introduction to approaches and principles such as construction sustainability, utilisation of information technology, as well as management philosophies such as LEAN which have their origins in the manufacturing and software development industries.