​APDI Program Unit – Development Management

Development Management provides a clear insight into how development projects are delivered and managed through the process. Students will develop an understanding of how the management of cost, time and scope delivers the most appropriate quality and specification as produced in the development phases.

This Unit identifies the risks and mitigants present in the construction process and how the various construction team members and programs are applied to the development in order to retain enough control and flexibility within the critical path. Students will be able to identify the key drivers of a successful property delivery program.

Students are also exposed to cost management tools, risk management strategies, and team building processes. This subject provides a foundation for students to work through the systemic risk events inherent in all development projects.

Program Units

PC4.1 Introduction to Development Management

The skills, attributes, and characteristics of a successful development manager and an overview of the tools and stages of development management, from raw land to completion.

PC4.2 Development Implementation Strategy

Recognise the stages of property development and identify elements of a property development business plan. Appreciate the importance for the development of a project plan, the design stage including consultant contracts and consultant schedule.

PC4.3 Time and Cost Management

Budgeting, acquisition costs, the pricing of construction work, stamp duty, rates and taxes, interest, marketing costs, using cost data and the strategies used to manage costs during design, development, and construction.

PC4.4 Planning, Approval and the Industry

Understand the importance of the planning system for governments, communities, and developers. Recognise the process required to obtain development approval and a planning permit.

PC4.5 Sales, Marketing and Analysis

The importance of market analysis and identifying a developments target audience using demographics. A closer examination of spatial precinct analysis, data visualization, patterns, heat mapping and people and property analysis

PC4.6 Marketing Implementation

Developing a marketing strategy, branding and communicating with a target audience. Understanding online and offline media, channel marketing, and other considerations.

PC4.7 Price Cost Value Attributes

Understanding the difference between cost, price, and value. A closer examination of the role of the cost planner (QS) forecasting and cost to complete.

PC4.8 Sustainability in Development

The relevance of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable property development. A closer examination of building lifecycle management, building information management, design for environment and design for disassembly and deconstruction.

PC4.9 Construction (Part 1)

The management of the construction discipline. A closer examination of delivering building quality, the fundamentals of the critical path analysis and the project initiation documentation. 

PC4.10 Construction (Part 2) 

The importance of construction market cycles. A closer examination of the relevance of benchmarking, procurement strategies, how to evaluate tenders, the basics of construction contracts and cashflow monitoring.

PC4.11 Risk Management

Understanding and identifying risks involved in development. A closer examination of risk management practices, risk reduction strategies, the concept of the risk register, response strategies to risks, the risk management plan and project governance.

​