Civil Engineering Project Management Game: Teaching with Simulation

Abstract

The increased cost and complexity of many construction projects have enhanced the importance of project management in the construction industry. Industry and government now seek managerial as well as technical capabilities in the engineers they employ. However, civil and construction engineering students often have few opportunities for exposure to the conceptual and practical issues involved with project management. This paper describes a game that was developed to simulate the management of a design and construction project, and discusses how the game was used to teach project management to civil engineering students at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa.