The module considers the nature and importance of contracts and procurement and their role within project management. Procurement and contracts are integral to successful project delivery. This course examines the processes used to procure products and services that are required by the project team or the project organisation. Students learn how to plan procurements, conduct a tendering process, negotiate and administer the resulting contract. A key aspect to this course is developing an understanding of the key legal implications of contracts as they relate to project success.

1. Critically analyse the effect procurement and contract management strategies have on the overall project system.
2. Evaluate thestandardmethods of procurementand demonstate the ability to give reasoned advice on the appropriateness of various procurement routes.
3. Critically assess the varying forms of contract andthe incorporation ofterms and conditionsrelating to theexposure, transfer and mitigation of risk.
4. Establish effective project communications plan and performance measurement/monitoring against contractual terms.
5. Demonstrate knowledge and applied understanding of important legal issues that underpin and influence both contract and procurement law. Critically analyse the key legalconceptstaht may arise fromparticular procurement option.
6. Critically evaluate the theory and development of negotiating approaches and to develop appropriate negotiation strategies for use in project management.

The module will provide learners with the necessary legal knowledge to understand and identify the complexities of law surrounding construction contracts. In doing so learners will be able to recognise and confront the kinds of problems that can get in the way of successful construction contract/project management. The legal meaning and implications of key terms in construction contracts and their impact on the administration will be examined in detail. The principal legal differences between standard forms of contract, both national and international, will be identified and evaluated. The nature and type of construction claims will be considered as well as the various dispute resolution mechanisms currently employed within the construction industry.

1. Appraise the various types and standard forms of construction contracts in common use in the construction industry demonstrating a critical awareness of the main contractual framework established in the main standard form of construction contract and the significance of specific contractual terms within a construction contract
2. Critically assess the role, obligations and responsibilities of the employer, contractor and subcontractorunder construction contracts.
3. Assess and analyse legal concepts/facts and formulate reasoned legal opinion/advice.
4. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the legal and statutory requirements for the resolution of construction contractual disputes including conflict management and dispute resolution procedures within the construction process including the requirements and function of the expert witness within the construction industry and in particular their role and the importance of evidence.
5. Critically analyse and appraisethe key legal concepts underpinning standard construction terms and provisions which are encountered in the administration of construction contracts.
6. Assess and appraise the validity of various contractual claims

The student will be learn how to design, conduct and analyse standard and complex experiments, and interpret the data from these experiments.

1. Conduct two and three level fractional factorial experiments and analyse the resulting data.
2. Plan, conduct and analyse experiments using Response Surface Methodology (RSM).
3. Design and analyse mixed level experiments.
4. Analyse multiple response experiments and interpret the results.
5. Analyse and interpret data from experiments involving random effects models.
6. Formulate the expected means square rules to develop appropriate statistical models.
7. Use Minitab to design an experiment, analyse, interpret and evaluate the resulting data.

This module facilitates a deep appreciation of quality from its metaphysical level to its day to day practise.

It draws from the conventional sources of standards, gurus and models as well as the broader emerging field of appreciative systems.

1. Explain the fundamental principles underpinning quality.
2. Lead an organisation’s quality initiatives based on well informed current best practice.
3. Evalute and Justify the various models and approaches for suitability in any given situation.
4. Demonstrate a deep understanding of complex human activity systems.
5. Apply business excellence models to facilitate self assessment, continual improvement and systems alignment/integration.
6. Act as an inspiration and support to others on matters of quality.

This module addresses the social, organisational, ethical, environmental and legal contexts within which information systems are developed and used. It examines how technologies evolve and how emerging technologies can be aligned with business and organisational needs. It also looks at the ethical, legal and governance requirements raised by the introduction of new technologies within organisations.

1. Evaluate selected emerging technologies in the context of organisational strategies and societal change.

2. Analyse and assess the benefits and costs of emerging IT solutions, including the identification of broader social, environmental and ethical implications.
3. Identify means of addressingtechnical and management challenges in the implementation of digital strategies.

4. Anticipate governance issuesemerging from the regulatory context within which information systems are used, including considerations of security.

In software problem areas that require exploratory development efforts, those with complex requirements and high levels of change, agile software development practices are highly effective when deployed in a collaborative, people-centred organizational culture. This course examines agile methods, including Scrum, Extreme Programming (XP), Lean and Kanban to understand how rapid realization of software occurs most effectively. The ability of agile development teams to rapidly develop high quality; customer-valued software is examined and contrasted with teams following more traditional methodologies that emphasize planning and documentation.

Students will study agile development principles, tool and techniques covering the entire software development process, and will be able to effectively participate in and manage agile software development as a result of their successfully completing this course.

1. Demonstrate a critical Knowledge of Agile software development and associated concepts.
2. Identify and analyse variousAgile Methods, such as Scrum and Extreme programming.
3. Identify and analyse the various agile domains of practice and associated tools and techniques that may be used from envisioning the project through to executing the project.

This module explores the origin and development of environmental policy at European and National level, how the Irish Planning system is used to protect the environment and the requirements of European and National legislation in relation to the environmental assessment of projects (Environmental Impact Assessment) and programmes (Strategic Environmental Assessment).

1. Critically review the development and implementation of environmental policy at Local, National and European level.

2. Explain the legislative framework of the Irish Planning system and how it can help to protect the environment.

3. Explain the legislative framework for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) at European and National level.

4. Explain the requirements of the EPA Guidelines for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment Reports (EIAR).

5. Carry out a detailed review of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR).

This subject takes a potential entrepreneur through the process of starting a business, from first thoughts about self-employment to the practicalities of start-up. The student will be required to generate a new Business Plan for a start-up business.

For those students already in employment, this module will focus on 'intrapreneurship'. Intrapreneurship is the process by which companies seek to maintain their competitive edge in innovation and profit by asking employees to spawn new businesses within their company. This module would provide the student with a greater understanding of what it would take to run a particular aspect of the company, perhaps a new product line, department or subsidiary.

Key reasons major corporations encourage intrapreneurship are:

Technology and globalisation are increasing competition. Companies that can pounce quickly on new opportunities will have an advantage over slower competitors.

A recent McKinsey report shows that a company's chances of holding on to a top position are fading. The key player in any industry will have a tougher time holding onto the top spot now more than ever. Leaders must become flexible and entrepreneurial.

•Employee loyalty is ending. If employees feel their great idea would be better received by the competition, they will leave more quickly than ever before. Take, for example, the case of Palm. The company grew large; it started stifling intrapreneurship, and the founders left to start Handspring. Then Palm realised its mistake and purchased Handspring back at a huge cost.

Topics to be addressed include: What makes a good entrepreneur / intrapreneur? Developing a strategy Market Research, Marketing & Advertising Innovation Financial support Preparing budgets and cash flow statements How to generate a business plan How to present your plan to potential investors

It is not required that the proposed new business will be taken any further than the end of the academic year. The marking criteria will take into account how innovative the idea is, that the plan is realistic (potential sales, market share, market research, financial projections) and that students have addressed the main issues including staffing, funding, and route to market.

Note: Guest lectures from industry and government agencies will be utilised on this course.

1. Prepare a Market Research and Feasibility Study for a new manufacturing or service business
2. Develop a Strategy, Mission Statement and Vision for the new business.
3. Identify the optimum business and legal structure and manage Intellectual Property requirements for the new business
4. Generate financial statements, operating budgets and cash flow statements.
5. Integrate all of the above items in order to prepare and present the business plan to a group of potential investors, state agencies and financiers

In this module the student will acquire a comprehensive knowledge of strategy making, strategy transformation and implementation, learn how to recognise corporate structures and how to influence decision making in the hierarchy.

1. think strategically about a company, its present business position, its long-term direction, its resources and competitive capabilities, the calibre of its strategy, and its opportunities for gaining sustainable competitive advantage.
2. craft business strategy, reason carefully about strategic options, use what-if analysis to evaluate action alternatives, and make sound strategic decisions.
3. Demonstrate why the different parts of a business need to be managed in strategic harmony for the organization to operate in winning fashion.
4. have strongerpowers of managerial judgment,be ableto assess business risk, and improved ability to make sound business decisions and achieve effective outcomes.
5. appreciate how ethical principles, core values, and socially responsible management practices matter greatly in the conduct of a companys business.

This subject aims to provide the students with the skills and knowledge required to to develop the value stream as a source of competitive advantage.

1. Recognise the value stream as a source of competitive advantage.
2. Utilise value stream mapping tools.
3. Demonstrate strategic thinking in the context of value stream optimisation.
4. Formulate the total value within the supply chain.
5. Plan a performance measurement system for the value chain.
6. Align the value stream in the context of sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility

Mechanical Building Services Technology will enable learners to develop critical opinions of mechanical building services technology and building systems. It will enable learners to evaluate and assess the requisite mechanical services elements, systems and components which combine to complete a variety of efficient functioning building types. This will require learners to appraise and evaluate the relationships between the CSA (Civil, Structural and Architectural) disciplines and the building services personnel. The learner will develop the necessary skill sets to formulate the range of options best suited to the building's use in accordance with the clients requirements and critique the commercial implications involved in the design development.

1. Assess and evaluate basic mechanical building services technology including; utility services, main plant, boiler plant, flues, fuel storage, control systems, drainage and refuse disposal, hot and cold-water services, ventilation and air conditioning, space heating, fire suppression, etc. + associated builders, pipework, ductwork and insulation.

2. Formulate and assess the commercial issues involved with mechanical and electrical design development.

3. Evaluate and discuss that which is identified as builders work and assess the extent to which it is required.

4. Explainthe significance and importance of Building Management Systems.

5. Evaluate how to procure specified Mechanical Building Services components and Mechanical Subcontract work packages.

This module introduces the student to the various economic schools and examines the economics of the construction sector and the economic environment in which construction firms operate. The module also aims to develop the students awareness and understanding of financial management in construction and how companies structure their finances and the sources of capital. The module will introduce the leaner to various methods for construction project appraisal, with particular emphasis on; Net Present Worth evaluation, Equivalent Annual Worth and Internal Rate of Return techniques.

1. Critically appraise the importance of the construction industry to the economy.
2. Develop an understanding of the effects of macroeconomic policies on construction firms and their response to such policies.
3. Analyse and assess the theories of corporate and financial planning of organisations in the construction industry and appreciate the relevance of business strategy to construction contractors.
4. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the need for financial management in construction.
5. Financially appraise and evaluate alternative schemes and strategies.

The learner will summarise, present, explain and critically discuss current issues, knowledge and theory relating to an area of Project Management using suitable referencing skills. The learner will demonstrate the ability to plan, execute and monitor an individual research investigation with appropriate attention to the theoretical and practical aspects of the topic. Students will analyse, critically evaluate, present and discuss research outcomes in a logical and systematic manner, setting them in the context of previous research. They will produce a written report of their research and its conclusions that is appropriate to a Master's degree level within their chosen specialism.

1. Survey, summarise, present, explain and critically discuss current issues, knowledge and theory relating to an area ofProject Managementusing suitable referencing skills.
2. Demonstrate the ability to plan, execute and monitor an individual research investigation with appropriate attention to the theoretical and practical aspects of the topic.
3. Analyse, critically evaluate, present and discuss research outcomes in a logical and systematic manner, setting them in the context of previous research.
4. Communicate the importance of these research outcomes in the context of current knowledge and understanding of the topic
5. Present a critical comparison of the strengths and failings of the research undertaken with respect to the strengths and failings of previous research.
6. Produce a written report of their research (including a research paper)and its conclusions that is appropriate to a Masters degree level