Project Management for Design and Construction: Useful Links

Project Management Software

Microsoft Project 2007 (Standard and Professional) software is popular in the US and provides well developed project management tools, including time and resource scheduling, financing and project tracking and analysis.  http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/project/default.aspx

UMass students and faculty can get free access to MS Project software via the Microsoft Developer’s Network Academic Alliance (MSDN-AA) program, which is operated on a special agreement between  UMass Amherst and Microsoft.   The MSDN-AA subscription includes the most current Microsoft developer tools, platforms, and servers.  These tools may be loaded on any number of UMass Amherst full time faculty, staff and student instructional and research computers free of charge. MSDN-AA software is restricted for educational and research use only, and cannot be used for infrastructure or commercial development.  http://msdnaa.oit.umass.edu/Nindex.asp

The UMass comunity also has access to Atomic Learning instructional video tutorials on MS Project and other popular programs through the support of OIT and the Provost’s office. 

Primavera is a project management software that is very popular in Europe and is becoming more so in the US as well. It has the reputation of handling resource-driven projects scheduling (as opposed to schedule-driven) very well and is known for its ability to manage large project portfolios.  http://www.primavera.com/

Design and Construction Regulations, Standards and Case Studies (Massachusetts)

The MA Department of Public Safety is responsible for the MA Building Code 780 CMR.  All construction and renovation of detached one- and two- family homes is governed by the Building Code, which is administered by the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (“BBRS”).   BBRS.   The standards for building accessibility are regulated by the Architectural Access Board (“AAB”).  A related standard is the 248 CMR 10.00: Uniform State Plumbing Code, 527 CMR: Board of Fire Prevention Regulations and others. CMR stands for the Code of Massachusetts Regulations.  http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eopsagencylanding&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Public+Safety+Agencies&L2=Massachusetts+Department+of+Public+Safety&sid=Eeops

The Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management (“DCAM”) handles building design, construction, maintenance and real estate for all state public agencies.  Visit the section titled Design and Construction of Public Buildings for resources and standards for public building construction in MA such as current and upcoming construction opportunities, contractor certification, relevant contracts and forms, the designer selection process and standards for planning, design and construction.  http://www.mass.gov/cam/

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General is a state watchdog agency. Among other things, it serves a monitoring and control function for public construction projects.  Its publications include reports are an excellent source of case studies on public construction projects.  They also offer guidance on the state’s design and construction laws and oversee certification for School Project Designers and Owner’s Project Managers.  http://www.mass.gov/ig/

Design and Construction Resources

The Whole Building Design Guide is developed by the National Institute of Building science as a source of information on design techniques and technologies.  The goal of “Whole Building Design” is to create a successful high-performance building by applying an integrated design and team approach to the project during the planning and programming phases.  It also has an extensive section on Project Management.  http://www.wbdg.org/

Green Building Advisor has a free newsletter and provides technical information on designing, building and remodling energy-efficient, sustainable, and healthy homes.   http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com

The Project Management for Design and Construction course Resource Guide managed by Naka Ishii is a terrific summaryof library resources and databases.  http://guides.library.umass.edu/BMatWT597P

Construction Specifications Institute (“CSI”) is a national association of commercial-level construction professionals dedicated to improving construction communication through: – Developing standards & formats, including MasterFormat 2004 and GreenFormat – Certifying professionals who work with construction documentation – Offering rich continuing education for the broad audience of professionals affected by construction documentation CSI is unique in the industry in that its members are a cross section of specifiers, architects, engineers, contractors, owners, facility managers, building materials suppliers, and others who are touched by construction documentation.  http://www.csinet.org/s_csi/index.asp

Project Management Degree Programs

Here is a link to an extensive list of masters degree programs in project management created by Andrea McDougal:  http://mastersinprojectmanagement.com/