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CstM 460 – Construction Cost Management
Fall 2012 Course Syllabus
MEETINGS:
PROFESSOR:
OFFICE/HOURS:
TEXT:
Lecture
Activity
T
9:10 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
T or Th
10:10 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.
Students may attend either activity session except when
quizzes are scheduled, at which times students must attend
the activity session in which the quiz is given.
Thomas Heustis, Associate Professor
theustis@acm.wsu.edu
Carpenter 508
M W F 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
No Text, Multiple Handouts
Course Objectives:
This course is required of Construction Management Majors and is intended to provide the student
with a detailed understanding of the principles and practices of construction project budgeting, cost
tracking, cost control and cost management. The course will also provide students with a basic
understanding of the techniques for monitoring and reporting construction profit and/or loss at the
corporate level.
Methods of Achieving the Course Objectives:
Lectures will cover the following construction cost management topics:
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Fundamental control theory
Construction project budgeting
Construction task re-budgeting
Monthly progress billings
Work in Progress (WIP) cost reports
Cost variance analysis
Project auditing
Corporate profitability reporting
Assignments will require students to produce:
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A construction project budget
A task re-budget
Monthly project billing documents
A cost variance analysis
A cash flow report
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Evaluation:
Assignments and Minimum Competency Quizzes (MCQ’s):
All assignments are team projects. Students will form self-selected teams of from
2 to 3 students who will work together to complete the assignment. Each team
member will receive the “team grade” for the assignment:
Upon submission of each assignment (above), all students will take a “Minimum
Competency Quiz” (MCQ) on the assignment topic.
Other Quizzes:
Project Budget
Project Budget MCQ
9% of the course grade
8% of the course grade
Task Rebudget
Task Rebudget MCQ
9% of the course grade
8% of the course grade
Project Billing
Project Billing MCQ
9% of the course grade
8% of the course grade
Cost Variance Analysis
Cost Variance Analysis MCQ
9% of the course grade
8% of the course grade
Cash Flow Report
Cash Flow Report MCQ
9% of the course grade
8% of the course grade
In addition to the Assignment-Based MCQ’s, there will be three (3) quizzes on
material covered in lecture for which no assignment is given. Those “other
quizzes” include:
Master Project Audit Quiz
Work In Progress (WIP) Report Quiz
Corporate Profitability Report Quiz
5% of the course grade
5% of the course grade
5% of the course grade
General Notes:
1. All assignments should be submitted in, but not attached to, a “letter size” (8.5x11”) manila file
folder. Place a “cover page” in front of the first page of each assignment identifying the
Course Name and Number, the Assignment Name, and the Names of the Members of Your
Team. Also, place the Course Number and Assignment Name on the file folder tab.
Assignments will not be accepted until they are submitted in this format.
2. Late assignments and missed quizzes may (or may not) be accepted, at the Professor’s
discretion. If accepted, late assignments or missed quizzes will receive 50% of the points
otherwise earned on the assignment or quiz.
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Statement Regarding School Policies:
The School of Architecture and Construction Management at Washington State University is
committed to providing our students with an exceptional educational experience. Our student
population comes from diverse social, economic and ethnic backgrounds from throughout the
United States and many foreign countries. As part of our commitment to our students we have
established a series of school policies. As a student you are required to read and abide by these
policies. All school policies may be access through the school webpage at: www.acm.wsu.edu.
School policies are supplemental to other policies and procedures of the College and the University.
University policies are outlined in the University’s General Catalog. Students should become familiar
with the General Catalog for the year in which they entered WSU as the General Catalog establishes
University guidelines, policies and expectations for WSU students.
Safety on Campus:
The University has developed a resource in support of our commitment to the safety of students,
faculty, staff and visitors. Students are encouraged to review the Campus Safety Plan, which can be
found at http://safetyplan.wsu.edu and the University website is: http://oem.wsu.edu/emergencies to
become familiar with the campus safety and emergency information provided. Additionally,
students should also become familiar with the WSU ALERT site http://alter.wsu.edu where information
about emergencies and other issues affecting WSU will be found. Finally, all students should go to the
myWSU portal at http://my.wsu.edu and register their emergency contact information for the Crisis
Communication System (CCS).
Students with Disabilities:
I am committed to providing assistance to help you be successful in this course. Reasonable
accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. Please visit the Disability
Resource Center (DRC) during the first two weeks of every semester to seek information or to qualify
for accommodations. All accommodations MUST be approved through the DRC (Admin. Annex
Bldg., room 205). Call (509) 335-3417 to make an appointment with a disability counselor.
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