Free Self-Paced Course
Construction Management
11 Weeks · 333 Sections · Business — Construction Management
This free, self-paced course provides a structured 11-week syllabus for learning Construction Management. Each module builds on the previous one, guiding you from foundational concepts through advanced topics with 333 pages of in-depth reading material. All content is drawn from our comprehensive Construction Management textbook, organized into a clear weekly schedule that you can follow at your own pace.
Weekly Syllabus
- Part I — Foundations
- Chapter 1 — What Is Construction Management? The Profession That Turns Designs into Reality
- Chapter 2 — The Construction Industry: Players, Project Types, and How the Business Works
- Chapter 3 — Project Delivery Methods: Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, CM at Risk, and IPD
- Chapter 4 — Construction Contracts: Lump Sum, GMP, Cost-Plus, Unit Price, and What Each Means for Risk
- Chapter 5 — Construction Law: Liens, Bonds, Insurance, Disputes, and the Legal Framework
- Chapter 6 — Risk Management: Who Owns Which Risk, What It Costs, and How Contingency Actually Works
- Chapter 7 — Reading the Construction Documents: Drawings, Specifications, CSI MasterFormat, and Order of Precedence
- Part II — How Buildings Actually Get Built
- Chapter 8 — Sitework and Structure: Earthwork, Foundations, Concrete, Steel, and Framing
- Chapter 9 — Enclosure and Interiors: Roofing, Waterproofing, Facades, and Finishing the Building
- Chapter 10 — Building Systems: HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection — and Why MEP Drives the Schedule
- Part III — Preconstruction
- Chapter 11 — Preconstruction Services: Conceptual Estimating, Budgeting, and Value Engineering
- Chapter 12 — Estimating Fundamentals: Quantity Takeoffs, Unit Costs, and Building a Bid from Plans and Specs
- Chapter 13 — Detailed Estimating: CSI Divisions, Subcontractor Quotes, Equipment Costs, and the Final Number
- Chapter 14 — Scheduling: Critical Path Method, Gantt Charts, and Building a Schedule That Reflects Reality
- Chapter 15 — Bidding and Proposal: How to Win Work (and How to Know When to Walk Away)
- Chapter 16 — Procurement and Buyout: Subcontracts, Purchase Orders, Long-Lead Items, and the Supply Chain
- Chapter 17 — Pre-Construction Planning: Permits, Site Logistics, Procurement, and Mobilization
- Part IV — Building It
- Chapter 18 — Site Management: Layout, Logistics, Material Handling, and Running an Efficient Job Site
- Chapter 19 — Subcontractor Management: Selection, Coordination, Quality, and Getting 20 Trades to Work Together
- Chapter 20 — Labor, Productivity, and the Construction Workforce
- Chapter 21 — Equipment Management: Cranes, Excavators, Concrete, and Matching Equipment to the Work
- Chapter 22 — Temporary Structures: Formwork, Shoring, Scaffolding, and Dewatering
- Chapter 23 — Quality Management: Inspections, Testing, Punch Lists, and Delivering a Product You're Proud Of
- Chapter 24 — Safety Management: OSHA, Site Safety Plans, Toolbox Talks, and Why Zero Incidents Is the Only Goal
- Part VI — Project Controls
- Chapter 28 — Cost Control: Budgets, Cost Codes, Tracking, Forecasting, and Knowing If You're Making Money
- Chapter 29 — Schedule Control: Updates, Delays, Acceleration, and Getting Back on Track
- Chapter 30 — Earned Value Management for Construction: Measuring Progress in Dollars and Days
- Chapter 31 — Change Order Management: Identifying, Pricing, Negotiating, and Documenting Changes
- Chapter 32 — Progress Payments: Applications for Payment, Retention, Lien Waivers, and Cash Flow
- Chapter 33 — Claims, Disputes, and Delay Analysis: When the Project Goes Sideways
- Chapter 34 — Construction Finance and Accounting: WIP Schedules, Over/Under Billing, Bonding Capacity, and Why Profitable Contractors Go Broke
- Part VII — Specialized Practice and Technology
- Chapter 35 — BIM for Construction: 3D Coordination, 4D Scheduling, 5D Estimating, and Digital Twins
- Chapter 36 — Sustainable Construction: LEED, Energy Codes, Green Materials, and Building for the Future
- Chapter 37 — Residential Construction Management: The Unique Challenges of Building Homes
- Chapter 38 — Heavy Civil Construction: Roads, Bridges, Utilities, and Infrastructure
- Chapter 39 — Construction Technology: Drones, Reality Capture, Prefab, Robotics, and What's Coming
How to Use This Syllabus
- Read at your own pace. Each module is designed for roughly one week of study, but there are no deadlines. Spend as much time as you need on each topic.
- Follow in order or jump around. The modules are arranged sequentially for a structured learning path, but feel free to skip to any topic that interests you most.
- No sign-up needed. Every page in this syllabus links directly to free, open-access content. Just click a topic and start reading immediately.
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