Background

The knowledge of Project management in 21st century organizations has become an important skill towards achieving organizational goals and objectives. Employees need to understand PMBOK for effective management of projects and assignments allocated to them. The Mastery of this subject matter will enhance the effectiveness of the MDA in achieving the mandate and in the long-run the objectives of the Government.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Manage projects with the knowledge of PMBOK
• Conceptualize programmes and projects
• Appraise programmes/project planning
• Apply best practices in project design, integration and implementation
• Understand project Monitoring and Evaluation methods, tools and approaches.
• Understand the Knowledge of the main tasks the Project Managers undertake, plan and execute
• Understand the unique challenges in managing public service projects

Course Contents  

• Overview of Project management
• Understanding project Integration and Triple Constraints
• Managing Project HR and communication
• Managing project stakeholders
• Project quality and procurement management
• Risk Management in Projects
• Project Monitoring, control and Evaluation

Target Audience: Middle and top-level management officers in MDAs

Background

Over the past few years, a harsh reminder has forced the realization of the worst-case scenario of structure failures to the eyes of the public. This course provides information for designers, inspectors, and repair specialists as instructors discuss previous bridge failures along with techniques for proper structural condition assessment and inspection necessary to avoid failures.

Steel and concrete bridge structures will be presented to participants. The facilitators will review welding processes related to seismic applications, metallurgical and mechanical properties, fabrication, testing, and corrosion. Nondestructive testing for both concrete and steel are described as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the various processes.

This course will provide recommendations to add controls above code minimums for extended life and additional information to enhance standard drawing practices. Participants will gain from a relevant course that assesses and covers problems and applicable solutions in order to prevent future bridge failures.

Course Outline

• Examples of structural failures
• Structural condition assessment and inspection techniques
• Recommended conservative inspection applications
• Advantages and disadvantages of nondestructive testing techniques
• Low cycle low stress fatigue
• Mechanical and metallurgical properties of steels (hot formed through quenched and tempered)
• Fracture mechanics considerations
• Accelerated corrosion of weld joints
• Basic weld designs, seismic consideration
• Advantages and disadvantages of welding processes
• Special provisions and drawing details for welded structures
• Code minimums and improvements over code requirements
• How to improve ductility
• High strength bolting

Target Audience: Structural Designers, Structural Engineers, Structural Inspectors, Civil Engineers etc

Background

This training gives practical guidance on construction project administration, field management, and claims avoidance. Participants will saved time and money on their projects by applying the principles and techniques set forth in this dynamic seminar. Participants will follow the construction process from the preconstruction phase through project closeout, learning procedures, contract provisions, and rules of conduct that will help minimize and resolve claims and disputes. Information technology tools that can be used to assure a smooth flowing project will also be discussed.

The seminar is lecture/ discussion format and includes numerous court and board of contract appeals cases as well as case studies that illustrate many of the key points of the seminar.

Learning Objectives

Attend of the course, participants will be able to:

• Find out how to apply proven administrative principles and techniques to improve control of your construction projects from preconstruction through project closeout
• Discover the importance of accurate record keeping
• Learn how to keep construction projects on schedule and within budget
• Avoid claims through effective communication
• Minimize exposure to risk
• Effectively supervise projects in the field
• Find out how information technology can be used to achieve the above benefits

Course Contents

• Project Delivery Systems
• Partnering
• Responsibility and Authority
• On Site Responsibilities
• Records and Reports: Documentation
• Using Specifications for Contract Administration
• Construction Laws and Public Contracts
• Construction Safety
• Preconstruction Operations
• Construction Planning and Scheduling
• Construction Operations
• Measurement for Payment
• Construction Materials and Workmanship
• Changes and Extra Work
• Risk Allocation
• Claims and Disputes: Alternate Dispute Resolution
• Project Closeout and Lien Protection

Target Audience: All members of a construction project team whose actions affect each other. The focus is on the interaction between them and how, together, they can resolve the problems they encounter.

• Observers (inspectors)
• Resident project representatives (resident engineers)
• Project managers
• Contract administrators
• Architects
• Engineers
• Supervisory personnel, and field management personnel

Background

This training programme has been developed to break down the construction management process for a typical public project into its component steps and reassemble it into a straightforward, logical methodology for the development of effective construction management strategies from the owner’s perspective. The process starts with analyzing the construction contract, specifications, and drawings and developing a work breakdown structure upon which the owner’s project controls system will be based. It then proceeds through the construction administration processes for scheduling, submittal, progress payments, quality management, and safety.

The course includes a focus on change orders and claims with an emphasis on how to analyze them and develop a strategy for negotiating them with the contractor. It concludes with the construction manager’s roles and responsibilities for contract close-out. The result is a comprehensive view of the construction management process and a set of proven tools to control cost, time and quality during the execution of the actual construction.

Learning Objectives

Attend of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand procedures for effectively managing and controlling construction projects
• Understand the function of key contract documents in the construction management process.
• Understand the construction change order and claims negotiation process.
• Understand application of project controls methodologies to a typical project.

Course Contents

• Introduction to Construction Management

1.  Definitions
2. Project Delivery Methods
3. Partnering

• Construction Documents as Contract Administration Tools

1.  Roles and Responsibilities
2. Submittals

• Construction Law and Public Contracts

1.  Basic Principles of Construction Contract Formation
2. Public Contract
3. Offers and Acceptance

•  Construction Safety

1.  Preconstruction activities
2.  Preconstruction reports

• Contract Law Case Study
• Construction Planning & Scheduling

1.  Definitions
2.  Work Breakdown Structures
3.  Measuring progress

• Progress Payments

1.  Schedule of Values
2.  Pay Applications
3.  Earned Value Management

• Construction Operations and Quality Assurance

1.  Daily work reports
2.  Preconstruction activities
3.  Preconstruction reports

• Project Close-out

1.  As-built
2.  Final Inspection
3.  Punch-list
4.  Final Payment
5.  Post-acceptance issues

• Claims and Disputes

1.  Negotiations
2.  Claims
3.  Alternative Dispute Resolution

• Preparing for Negotiations

1.  Developing a Negotiating Strategy
2.  Client’s objective/opponents’ objective
3.  Client’s points/ opponents’ points
4.  Takes and concessions

• Project Dispute Case Study

Target Audience: All members of a construction project team in Public Service, these include:

• Resident  Engineers)
• Project Managers
• Contract Administrators
• Architects
• Engineers
• Supervisory personnel, and field management personnel

Background

This course will cover the legal and ethical standards applicable to engineers and how the Professional Engineers interpret those standards. Participants will learn what the engineer’s liability is for preparing proper plans and specifications. They will learn how to head off problems by using the right contract language, including clean and fair terms. Advice will be given on actions to take during the design phase and the construction phase which will minimize problems that inevitably surface. These topics will be presented in an informal, interactive style using real life examples and cases. Participants will be given practical, hands-on advice and guidance on how to best conduct themselves and thus, avoid trouble.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the laws and rules applicable to the practice of engineering
• Learn how the courts and the engineering board interpret and apply these standards to engineers
• Explore ethical issues which engineers may face and learn how to properly deal with them
• Learn the liability of engineers to the owner and to the contractor for the preparation of proper plans and specifications
• Find out how to eliminate problems up front by using the right language in contracts and the right procedures during the design and construction phases of a project

Course Contents

• Laws and rules applicable to engineers

1. Statutes
2. Board Rules
3. Recent Statutory and Rule Changes

• Laws and rules related to the practice of engineering

1. Who Can Practice Engineering?
2. Exemptions from Licensure
3. Responsible Charge
4. Engineer of Record
5. Certification of Business Organizations
6. Seals
7. Competency
8. Negligence
9. Personal Liability
10. Drawings
11. Maintaining Engineering Documents

• Ethical considerations and obligations of engineers

1. Fundamental Principles
2. Public safety
3. Advertising
4. Protection of Confidential Information and Assets
5. Conflicts of Interest and Gifts
6. Hypothetical Ethical Dilemma Exercise

• Engineer’s warranty to contractor  and adequacy of design
• Effect of incomplete, ambiguous or incorrect design documents

1. Impact on Project and to Contractor
2. Consequences to Engineer
3. Ways to Reduce Claims and Mitigate Impact

• Differing site conditions and how to minimize their impact

1. Definition
2. Purpose
3. Common Occurrences
4. Effect of Site Investigation Clauses and Disclaimers
5. Ways to Minimize Differing Site Condition Claims

Background

Monitoring and evaluation is a process of continued gathering of information and its analysis, in order to determine whether progress is being made towards pre-specified goals and objectives. Traditional project management placed monitoring and evaluation as the last step in the project cycle however, contemporary project management practices lay emphasis on monitoring and evaluation as an important aspect which should be evident throughout the lifecycle of a project. A well-functioning monitoring and evaluation system helps guide the intervention strategy and ensures effective operations for all key stakeholders.

This workshop is designed to build and strengthen participant’s skills in monitoring and evaluating projects for national development.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Situate the roles of projects in the development process;
• Discuss the significance and roles of monitoring and evaluation in project implementation;
• Apply tools and techniques for monitoring and evaluating development projects;
• Write good monitoring and evaluation reports;
• Identify weaknesses and constraints to effective m & e in Nigeria; and
• Proffer strategies for effective M&E.  

Course Outline

• Development Project: An Overview
• Concepts and Roles of Project Monitoring and Evaluation
• Institutional Framework for Monitoring and Evaluation in Nigeria
• Tools and Techniques of Monitoring and Evaluation
• Designing M & E System
• Result-based M&E
• Computer Applications in M&E
• Writing M&E Report
• issues and Strategies for Effective M & E

Target Audience

The course is designed for Middle and senior officers of PRS of MDAs.

Background

A senior engineer executive recently said I can always find a good team player but I have one heck of a time finding a good conductor. In this 21st century, the engineering manager must not only be technically competent, but must possess the leadership or conductor skills to move the organization forward.

The need for leadership skills is particularly important in this time of change and complicated by the explosion of new technology. Often, the most successful, technically competent engineers move into positions of leadership. The characteristics that earned the engineers the leadership positions (such as independent achievements and focused technical interests) are often the very characteristics that will lead to failure as a leader.

Although engineers continually develop new technical skills, they receive little training to develop and hone their leadership skills. This training programme, designed for engineers, will help them to develop or expand their leadership skills and will provide tools needed for their success. It will guide them through the steps required to become a successful leader in an engineering organization.

They will recognize the need for honing not only their technical but also their leadership skills. Their will understand the differences in and the need for the art of leadership and the discipline of management. They will be introduced to important leadership philosophies and powerful tools and have the opportunity to apply many of them in the workplace

Learning Objectives

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Learn how to successfully lead an organization
• Gain an understanding of yourself and your team
• Gain an understanding of generational differences
• Learn how to apply the art of leadership and/or the discipline of management
• Learn how to apply appropriate leadership styles to the situation
• Learn how to apply systematic decision making processes
• Learn how the multiple generations and genders communicate in the workplace
• Learn how to effectively communicate and provide feedback
• Evaluate your value system as well as the values of those being led
• Learn your role in establishing the ethical climate of your organization

Course Contents

• Leadership vs Management. Participants will identify the characteristics of a good supervisor. Through discussion of the characteristics, the definitions of leadership and management will evolve. These characteristics will be compared to those of a good engineer. Dealing with generational differences will be a major theme throughout the seminar.
• Ethics, Servant Leadership, and Self-Assessment. In order to understand and sensibly apply the Code of Ethics, the origin and evolution of the code will be discussed. The roles in developing a code for global ethics will be presented. The concept of Servant Leadership will be explored. The role of a leader in establishing the moral climate of an organization will be understood. The seminar concludes with participants delving into their own value centers to determine if they are synchronized.
• Becoming a Change Agent. Participants will understand the dynamics of motivation and change. They will develop their own plan for motivating during change. The participants will then be challenged with the questions – Can you really motivate another person? Can you get them to change? Do they need to change?
• Communications with the 4G’s -Generations. Types of communications will be demonstrated and discussed. A highly thought provoking exercise on gender communications will be undertaken. Through additional exercises and discussions, an effective method for providing feedback will evolve.
• Courageous Decision Making. Structured processes will be presented to maximize both the quality and acceptances of decisions. These processes will be used to solve problems presented to the participants.
• Coaching for Team Building. A group development model will be presented that will reveal to the participants how teams evolve and develop and the corresponding appropriate leadership styles.

Background

This seminar is an intensive overview of material evaluation practices and procedures used for assessing the structural condition of existing structures and cover as many aspects of evaluating structures and structural material conditions as possible. State-of -the-art information on visual inspections, destructive and nondestructive testing (NDT), and the hands-on experience provided in this seminar, are essential for those involved in evaluating concrete, masonry, wood, and metal structures.

After a brief review of structural condition assessment procedures and guidelines, the seminar will cover condition surveys, planning a materials evaluation, destructive and nondestructive testing, limitations of NDT testing, statistical evaluation of test data, and interpretation and use of test results. Nondestructive testing techniques for establishing in-place material properties for concrete, masonry, wood and metals are a primary focus.

The hands-on workshop and case studies will enhance understanding of condition survey and inspection procedures, and destructive and nondestructive testing techniques.

Learning Objectives

Attend of the course, participants will be able to:

• Plan and implement an effective structural evaluation program
• Use Guidelines for Structural Condition Assessment of Existing Buildings
• Examine the latest destructive and nondestructive investigation techniques for evaluating concrete, masonry, wood and metals
• Identify the pros and cons of common destructive and nondestructive testing techniques and find out how to select the best techniques to suit your projects
• Understand how to interpret and use destructive and nondestructive tests results
• Identify quick and simple evaluation techniques
• Plan and conduct a condition survey for concrete, masonry, wood and metal structures
• Develop a condition survey inspection checklist
• Design a materials evaluation program for your structural condition assessment projects
• Identify the limitations of various nondestructive testing techniques
• Diagnose problems and assess strengths and weaknesses of structural materials
• Evaluate test data statistically

Course Contents

• Structural Condition Assessment Procedure
• Conducting a Condition Survey
• Planning the Evaluation
• Statistical Procedures
• Destructive and Nondestructive Testing for Concrete and Masonry
• Pros and Cons of Nondestructive Testing
• Establishing Strength and Quality of In-Place Concrete and Masonry
• Evaluating Cracks in Concrete and Masonry
• Analyzing Wet Masonry Walls
• Evaluating Corrosion
• Interpreting and Using Destructive and Nondestructive Test Results
• Conducting Condition Surveys of Wood and Metal Structures
• In-Place Evaluation of Wood-Based Materials and Metals
• Planning the Evaluation
• Inspection Procedures
• Destructive and Nondestructive Testing of Wood-Based Materials and Metals
• Establishing In-Place Strengths for Wood and Metals
• Understanding the Limitations of Nondestructive Testing
• Investigating Defects and Damage
• Evaluating Wood and Steel Connections
• Case Studies
• Interpretation and Use of NDT Results

Target Audience: All members of a construction project team whose actions affect each other. The focus is on the interaction between them and how, together, they can resolve the problems they encounter.

• Observers (inspectors)
• Resident project representatives (resident engineers)
• Project managers
• Contract administrators
• Architects
• Engineers
• Supervisory personnel, and field management personnel