CIEN E4129: Managing Engineering and Construction Processes

Course Overview

This course introduces you to the foundational principles of project management within the engineering and construction industries. With an emphasis on real-world applications, you will explore key areas such as planning, scheduling, estimating, bidding, cost control, contracts, and project delivery methods. By engaging with actual case studies and industry-standard practices, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of how complex infrastructure and construction projects are conceived, managed, and delivered.

Throughout the course, you’ll develop both technical and managerial skills essential for today’s project managers. These include performing critical path method (CPM) scheduling, conducting earned value analysis, applying engineering economic principles like net present value and internal rate of return, and interpreting project delivery frameworks. The course also explores linear construction scheduling techniques and risk-based methods like PERT. This will strengthen your ability to manage uncertainty in large-scale projects.

The group project is a core element of this course. In teams, you will visit and analyze an active construction project in the New York/New Jersey area. You will conduct interviews with professionals, document your observations, and present original insights regarding the project’s management challenges. This immersive experience deepens your exposure to field conditions, fosters industry engagement, and strengthens teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.

By the end of the course, you will be equipped with a toolkit directly aligned with industry demands. You will have the ability to evaluate economic feasibility, develop project timelines, and assess performance metrics - skills that are essential not only for engineering firms, but also for addressing broader societal needs such as sustainable infrastructure, urban development, and efficient capital project delivery.

Course Instructor

Ibrahim S. Odeh

Founding Director of the Global Leaders in Construction Management (GLCM) program and Chair of the Engineering and Construction Management Program at Columbia University

Dr Ibrahim Odeh is the Founding Director of the Global Leaders in Construction Management (GLCM) program and Chair of the Engineering and Construction Management Program at Columbia University. A globally recognized strategist, academic, and innovator, his work bridges industry and academia, advising leading construction firms and global organizations—including the World Economic Forum, Turner & Townsend, and Turner Construction—on digital transformation and strategic growth.

He has served on advisory boards for the G20’s GI Hub, Financial Times’ Future of Construction Summit, and numerous startups and firms in construction tech. Odeh pioneered the first Construction Management MOOCs on Coursera, reaching over 700,000 learners in 190 countries. A sought-after speaker and award-winning educator, his accolades include the McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award and Columbia University’s Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching. He holds a PhD in Civil Engineering and an MBA.