BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF COMPUTING ENGINEERING AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

COURSEWORK ASSIGNMENT BRIEF
BNV5108 Commercial Management

Coursework Assignment Brief

Assessment - Undergraduate

Academic Year 2022-23

Module Title: Commercial Management

Module Code: BNV5108

Assessment Title: Assessment 002: Cost Management

Assessment Type: Coursework Weighting: 50 %

School: School of Engineering and the Built Environment

Module Co-ordinator: John Posillico

Hand in deadline date: 1500 (3:00 PM) on 12th May 2023

Return of Feedback date
and format
Re-assessment hand in
deadline date:
Support available for
students required to
submit a re-assessment:
NOTE:
Assessment Summary
20 working days from date of submission (see Moodle for
details).
1500 (3:00 PM) on 24 July 2023
Note: the reassessment work may be different.
Timetabled support sessions will be arranged for the period
immediately preceding the hand-in date
At the first assessment attempt, the full range of marks is
available. At the re-assessment attempt the mark is capped
and the maximum mark that can be achieved is 40%.
The provision of advice to a client in a professional report
inclusive of:
1. Demonstrating an understanding of the tendering
process and procurement documentation at various
work stages. Identifying the methods and resources
available for use in the submission of tenders
particularly focusing on sub-contractors, preliminaries
and overheads and profit.
2. The impact of Life Cycle Costings on the Commercial
Management of a project.

The Production of a priced Bill of Quantities for finishes

measured under NRM2.

1 CEBE UG Assignment brief revised 03/08/2018

IMPORTANT STATEMENTS

Undergraduate Regulations

Your studies will be governed by the BCU Academic Regulations on Assessment, Progression and
Awards. Copies of regulations can be found at https://www.bcu.ac.uk/student-info/student-
contract

For courses accredited by professional bodies such as the IET (Institution of Engineering and
Technology) there are some derogations from the standard regulations and these are detailed in
your Programme Handbook

Cheating and Plagiarism

Both cheating and plagiarism are totally unacceptable and the University maintains a strict policy
against them. It is YOUR responsibility to be aware of this policy and to act accordingly. Please
refer to the Academic Registry Guidance at https://icity.bcu.ac.uk/Academic-
Services/Information-for-Students/Assessment/Avoiding-Allegations-of-Cheating

The basic principles are:

 Don’t pass off anyone else’s work as your own, including work from “essay banks”. This is
plagiarism and is viewed extremely seriously by the University.
 Don’t submit a piece of work in whole or in part that has already been submitted for
assessment elsewhere. This is called duplication and, like plagiarism, is viewed extremely
seriously by the University.
 Always acknowledge all of the sources that you have used in your coursework assignment
or project.
 If you are using the exact words of another person, always put them in quotation marks.
 Check that you know whether the coursework is to be produced individually or whether you
can work with others.
 If you are doing group work, be sure about what you are supposed to do on your own.
 Never make up or falsify data to prove your point.
 Never allow others to copy your work.
 Never lend disks, memory sticks or copies of your coursework to any other student in the
University; this may lead you being accused of collusion.

By submitting coursework, either physically or electronically, you are confirming that it is your own
work (or, in the case of a group submission, that it is the result of joint work undertaken by
members of the group that you represent) and that you have read and understand the University’s
guidance on plagiarism and cheating.

You should be aware that coursework may be submitted to an electronic detection system in order
to help ascertain if any plagiarised material is present. You may check your own work prior to
submission using Turnitin at the Formative Moodle Site. If you have queries about what
constitutes plagiarism, please speak to your module tutor or the Centre for Academic Success.

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Electronic Submission of Work

It is your responsibility to ensure that work submitted in electronic format can be opened on a faculty
computer and to check that any electronic submissions have been successfully uploaded. If it cannot
be opened it will not be marked. Any required file formats will be specified in the assignment brief
and failure to comply with these submission requirements will result in work not being marked. You
must retain a copy of all electronic work you have submitted and re-submit if requested.

Learning Outcomes to be Assessed:

1 Identify and analyse the relationships between different costs in a construction

project.

3 Assess and evaluate the impact of procurement procedures on project development

costs of political, legal, economic and social issues.

4 Appraise the impact of systems/techniques used throughout the life of a

development.

Assessment Details:

Title: Tendering Process, Cost Management Techniques and Bill of Quantities

Style: Professional Report inclusive of Bill of Quantity calculations

Rationale: The assignment allows for the application of theoretical cost management
approaches through the various stages of a construction project linking the commercial
management role from a contractors view point to the cost management theories. This
deliverable reflects closely the role of a commercial manager with the interpretation and
analysis of data presented to a client. Commercial/cost management is one of the core
competences of a quantity surveyor and compliments measurement, procurement and
technology modules.

Description: Your client Cabot Development Group is now looking to your company, Hudson
Construction Partnership, to provide a report outlining the procedures and processes that
would be put in place within their estimating department, in the preparation of a proposed
tender submission. The tender to be submitted is on the proposed new student
accommodation (250 beds) in Exeter, procured under a Design and Build route. Cabot
Development Group have requested that your report should include discussion on the
following areas of a design and build tender submission and where appropriate, examples to
be included to support your discussions.

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Part 1 – Report (50%)
Your report should focus on the following:

 The information Hudson Construction Partnership could expect to receive in order to

undertake a successful tender build up and how the tender process would be managed
by the estimating department during the tender period of eight weeks. Particular
emphasis should be given in your report to the management involved, their roles and
responsibilities and general procedures that could be applied throughout the various
stages of the tender bid of 8 weeks (20%).
 What and how the preliminaries would be priced with supporting examples (10%).
 What are and how the pricing of subcontractors would be managed (5%).
 What are and how the overheads and profit would be approached prior to submission
of the tender to Cabot Development Group with supporting examples (5%).
 Advise your client, Cabot Development Group, on the benefits and drawbacks to their
specific project where the application of Whole Life Costing (WLC) as a commercial
management tool could provide. In discussing this project ensure you fully explain the
Whole Life Cycle (WLC) approach and methods that could be applied and support your
discussions with specific examples in relation to the student accommodation project.
(10%).

Part 2 – Bill of Quantities (30%)

Your client, Cabot Development Group, has released a small finishes Bill of Quantities for
tendering on a small residential development and requested that your company Hudson
Construction Partnership submit a priced tender. This work is part of a larger contract that you
have been awarded and therefore you are required to price the BQ items only.

All the quantities and descriptions are based on NRM2 and your tender should reflect current
day pricing levels based on the data provided in Appendix A and B. There is no requirement
for you to rebase any costs.

 Using the pricing information provided in Appendix A calculate your All in Labour Rates
for the tradesman and labourer (10%).

 Having calculated the All in Labour rates from Appendix A, use those rates, together
with the information in Appendix B, to calculate the unit price of the various items and
submit your completed tender for the finishes works as the attached Bill of Quantities.
(20%).

Part 3 – Professionalism (10%)

It is expected that the business report be structured and composed in a professional, tidy and
high-class manner.

Part 4 – Attendance (10%)

It is expected that you are present for and actively engage with each lecture and seminar.

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Additional information:

You should make use of the Design and Build Procurement approach to understand the
various forms of information and terminology that a contractor receives when preparing and
pricing a Design and Build contract. Ensure when considering the commercial management
procedures of WLC that additional reading is carried out to widen your discussions. General
estimating knowledge is required for the understanding and application of All in Labour Rates
and unit rates.

Guidance on what a professional business report should resemble will be provided in the
seminar sessions.

For advice on writing style, referencing and academic skills, please make use of the Centre
for Academic Success: https://icity.bcu.ac.uk/celt/centre-for-academic-success

Workload:

This coursework is equivalent to 1,500 words; however, this numerical figure does not
represent a minimum or maximum word count.

Transferable skills:

Professional cost management skills relating directly to industry requirements. Professional

communication including professional responsibility and management of uncertainty. Report
Writing skills of a professional standard expected by industry.

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Marking Criteria:

Table of Assessment Criteria and Associated Grading Criteria

Assessment
Criteria Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

Weighting: 50% 30% 10% 10%
Grading The basic points not covered. None to only three or four No attempt at professionalism 7 or more unexcused absence
Criteria Incomplete report poorly calculations provided. No made. from a lecture and/or seminar.
compiled with sections formula given. No BQ
0 – 29% missing. Within the text no completed and minimal
F reference to WLC and no supporting data.
explanation to the meaning of
WLC.
30 – 39% Little or no reference to the Only the first section of the Final product is incomplete. 6 unexcused absence from a
E major points on the specific form completed with correct Level 5 ability and expectations lecture and/or seminar.
procurement route. formula. BQ completed on not met.
No clear understanding agreed template but no
demonstrated on what supporting data.
preliminaries, subcontractors
and OH&P are. Within the
text limited reference to the
effect of WLC. Limited
reference to overall process
involved.

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40 – 49% Some knowledge on different
D management positions
Some knowledge
demonstrated on what
preliminaries, subcontractors
and OH&P are. Incomplete
with work missing, no effort
evident in compiling work.
Limited reference to process
of WLC.
Up to 50% of the correct data
provided with the correct
formula. BQ completed on
agreed template. Only 50% of
the calculations are correct
and clearly supported.
Final product is incomplete 5 unexcused absence from a
and/or extremely untidy. Level 5 lecture and/or seminar.
ability and expectations barely
met.

50 – 59% Management & Up to 60% of the correct data Final product is more untidy than 4 unexcused absences from a
C subcontractor positions and
their role in the process with
few examples
Management of
preliminaries, subcontractors
and OH&P clearly noted and
their role in the process with
no examples. Effort evident in
compiling work. Some
reference to WLC.
60 – 69% Good discussion on all
B sections but no examples.
Good, professional work.
Good evidence in compiling
work. Good reference to WLC
and some reference to
benefits and drawbacks.
provided with the correct tidy. Some Level 5 ability and lecture and/or seminar.
formula. BQ completed on expectations met.
agreed template. Only 75% of
the calculations are correct.
30% of the answers are
clearly supported with
calculations provided with
minimal supporting data.
Up to 70% of the correct data Final product is tidy with some 3 unexcused absences from a
provided with the correct parts untidy. Most of the Level 5 lecture and/or seminar.
formula. BQ completed on ability and expectations met.
agreed template. Only 75% of
the calculations are correct.
50% of the answers are
clearly supported with
calculations provided with
minimal supporting data.

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70 – 79% Good discussion on all
A sections and supported by
some examples. Very good,
professional work. Very good
evidence in compiling work
and reference to WLC. Good
attention to details,
procedures and benefits and
drawbacks.
80 – 89% Excellent discussion on all
A+ sections and supported by
some examples. Very good,
professional work. Very good
evidence in compiling work
and reference to WLC.
Excellent attention to details,
procedures and benefits and
drawbacks.
Up to 80% of the correct data Final product is very tidy. Level 5 2 unexcused absences from a
provided with the correct ability and expectations met. lecture and/or seminar.
formula. BQ completed on
agreed template. Only 80% of
the calculations are correct.
75% of the answers are
clearly supported with
calculations provided with
minimal supporting data.
Over 80% of the data Final product is exceptionally 1 unexcused absence from a
presented correctly with the tidy and of industry calibre. Level lecture and/or seminar.
correct formula. Over 80% of 5 ability and expectations far
the data presented correctly exceeded.
with the correct formula.

90 – 100% Excellent discussion Over 90% of the data Very little difference from a No missed lectures and/or
A* supported by excellent presented correctly with the professional, industry published seminars.
examples and Professional correct formula. Over 90% of report.
report format. Excellent work, the data presented correctly
completed to a high with the correct formula.
professional standard
including critical analysis.

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Submission Details:

Format: Produce a single report (including supporting documentation in appendices) in a

.PDF format and submit via Moodle. The Bill of Quantities document should be submitted as
a MS Excel document.

Regulations:

 The minimum pass mark for a module is 40%

 Re-sit marks are capped at 40%

Full academic regulations are available for download using the link provided above in the IMPORTANT
STATEMENTS section

Late Penalties
If you submit an assessment late at the first attempt then you will be subject to one of the
following penalties:

 If the submission is made between 1 and 24 hours after the published deadline the
original mark awarded will be reduced by 5%. For example, a mark of 60% will be
reduced by 3% so that the mark that the student will receive is 57%.
 If the submission is made between 24 hours and one week (5 working days) after
the published deadline the original mark awarded will be reduced by 10%. For example,
a mark of 60% will be reduced by 6% so that the mark the student will receive is 54%.

 If the submission is made after 5 days following the deadline, your work will be
deemed as a fail and returned to you unmarked.

The reduction in the mark will not be applied in the following two cases:
 The mark is below the pass mark for the assessment. In this case the mark achieved
by the student will stand
 Where a deduction will reduce the mark from a pass to a fail. In this case the mark
awarded will be the threshold (i.e.40%)
Please note:
 If you submit a re-assessment late then it will be deemed as a fail and returned
to you unmarked.

Feedback:

Marks and Feedback on your work will normally be provided within 20 working days of its
submission deadline via Moodle.

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Where to get help:

Students can get additional support from the library for searching for information and finding
academic sources. See their iCity page for more information: http://libanswers.bcu.ac.uk/

The Centre for Academic Success offers 1:1 advice and feedback on academic writing,
referencing, study skills and maths/statistics/computing. See their iCity page for more
information: https://icity.bcu.ac.uk/celt/centre-for-academic-success

Additional assignment advice can be found here: https://libguides.bcu.ac.uk/MA

Fit to Submit:

Are you ready to submit your assignment – review this assignment brief and consider
whether you have met the criteria. Use any checklists provided to ensure that you have done
everything needed.

Report: must demonstrate professional layout and logical approach, with title page, contents
sheet and appendices.
Must demonstrate evidence of how calculations arrived at, sources of information and
reference to cost data.

Reference in text to the Scenario provided with relevant examples where required.

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 Assignment Tip Sheet

Assignment Checklist
Run through this simple tick list before submitting your work!

Report
Well prepared materials make your work look more professional and easy to understand.
Item Action Done?
1 I have used the spellchecker and proofread the report correcting errors several times.
2 I have checked that all material is directly related to the assignment tasks.
3 I have checked that all the required information has been included in the report.
4 The report is professionally presented using consistent headings, fonts and layout.
5 All tables and images are numbered and captioned.
6 I have used the report structure specified in the assignment.
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Referencing and Originality

Your work will be subjected to checks to ensure it is not derivative of other works. Works found to be
derivative may leave you subject to penalties, including in extreme cases, expulsion from the University.
Item Action Done?
1 All images and tables are fully referenced
I have not copied any material from anywhere else. All sentences have been paraphrased into
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my own words.
3 All references appear in the references section at the end of the presentation.
4 All references are cited in the text in the form of (author, year). See
https://www.bcu.ac.uk/library/services-and-
support/referencing for more details.

5 If I have used quotes, these are fully referenced, appear in quotation marks and form only
a small part of my report.

Content
Is your work complete? Have you included all the required elements?
Item Action Done?

1 I have given an analysis of problem..

2 I have explained why I chose the strategic tools that I have used and used references to
support my decisions.

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