The Construction Industry: The Way Forward

The Construction Industry: The Way Forward

This course is part of Construction Management Specialization

Instructor: Ibrahim Odeh, Ph.D., MBA

19,334 already enrolled

Included with

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

408 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

9 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

408 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

9 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Construction Industry Overview, Sustainability in the Construction Industry, Building Information Modeling and Technology Trends in Construction

Skills you'll gain

Category: Machine Learning
Category: Digital Transformation
Category: Business Transformation
Category: Architecture and Construction
Category: Innovation
Category: Emerging Technologies
Category: Workforce Development
Category: Climate Change Adaptation
Category: Construction Management
Category: Thought Leadership
Category: Sustainable Design
Category: General Construction and Construction Labor
Category: Construction
Category: Organizational Change

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

5 assignments

Taught in English

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Construction Management Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 5 modules in this course

This final course in the specialization provides an introduction on types of the construction projects as well as the main concern of the productivity challenge in the construction industry. Through case studies, you will learn the industry characteristics and its unique environment that led to such productivity performance as well as touch base on other several examples of challenges we are facing internally in the industry.

In the 2nd part of the course, Professor Odeh will give an overview of 10 mega trends that are making us change the way we think about construction. Furthermore, Professor Odeh will discuss the main role of three levels on what needs to be done: an industry collaborative effort and role; a government role; and last but not least a company role. In this discussion, Professor Odeh will also touch base on several technological and innovative trends that are rising in our construction industry. By the end of this course, you will be able to: -Understand the overall history of construction industry -Analyze the optimal ways to respond to the opportunities and challenges brought by current industrial trends such as aging infrastructure, climate change, sustainability trends and tools, the rise of urbanization, and an aging/shrinking workforce -Recognize the importance of collaborating with governments and public officials in pursuit of industry transformation -Comprehend the rising technological trends in the AEC industry and give examples of how to apply technology to the construction industry

Welcome to the course. In this module Professor Odeh will give an overview of the construction industry and its history. This will be followed by an exploration of the various characteristics of the construction industry globally as well as common internal challenges.

What's included

4 videos4 readings1 assignment3 discussion prompts1 plugin

4 videosTotal 29 minutes

Course Overview3 minutes
History and Development of Construction Industry8 minutes
Common Construction Industry Characteristics8 minutes
Internal Challenges of the Industry9 minutes

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Academic Honesty Policy10 minutes
Discussion Forum Etiquette10 minutes
The Construction Industry: The Way Forward: Glossary 10 minutes
Lecture Handout10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

History, Characteristics and Challenges of Construction Industry30 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 25 minutes

Welcome to the course!5 minutes
Construction Industry Characteristics10 minutes
Week 1 Questions and Feedback10 minutes

1 pluginTotal 15 minutes

Pre-course Survey15 minutes

The second module highlights ten examples of trends that are reshaping the way we deliver construction projects, such as: aging infrastructure, climate change, sustainability trends and tools, the rise of urbanization, and an aging/shrinking workforce. Along the way, you'll learn the optimal ways to respond to the opportunities and challenges brought by these trends respectively.

What's included

6 videos1 reading1 assignment2 discussion prompts

6 videosTotal 54 minutes

Ten Examples of the Trends8 minutes
Aging in Infrastructure & Gap in Investment12 minutes
Climate Change5 minutes
Sustainability13 minutes
Urbanization5 minutes
The Workforce Shortage & Complex Regulation10 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Lecture Handout10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Trends30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Trends in the Construction Industry10 minutes
Week 2 Questions and Feedback10 minutes

In this module, Professor Odeh discusses the way forward for the construction industry based on his work with the World Economic Forum. Moreover, Professor Odeh will discuss the importance of collaborating with governments and public officials in pursuit of industry transformation.

What's included

4 videos1 reading1 assignment2 discussion prompts

4 videosTotal 26 minutes

Transformations Needed to Move Forward6 minutes
Industry Transformation on Marketing5 minutes
Government Transformation on Regulations and Policies8 minutes
Government Transformation on Procurement8 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Lecture Handout10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Transformations Needed: Industry and Government Level30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Recruitment in the Industry 10 minutes
Week 3 Questions and Feedback10 minutes

This module builds on the previous one by digging deeper into the role of companies at the AEC industry by covering the areas of innovative strategy, dealing with the workforce dilemma and culture, as well as business operations and processes.

What's included

4 videos1 reading1 assignment2 discussion prompts

4 videosTotal 31 minutes

Companies Transformation on Strategy10 minutes
Companies Transformation on Workforce12 minutes
Companies Transformation on Process and Operation I5 minutes
Companies Transformation on Process and Operation II4 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Lecture Handout10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Transformations Needed: Companies30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 15 minutes

Path to Transformation 5 minutes
Week 4 Questions and Feedback10 minutes

The final module covers rising technological trends in the AEC industry by giving an introduction to topics such as the use of Big Data, machine learning in construction, 3D printing, robotics, virtual/augmented reality, and the rise of Digital Twin. The course concludes by connecting the four industrial revolutions to our modern day construction industry.

What's included

8 videos1 reading1 assignment2 discussion prompts1 plugin

8 videosTotal 52 minutes

Rising Technology and Materials11 minutes
New Technologies Innovation6 minutes
Big Data, AI&ML, and 3D printing8 minutes
Drones and Robotics6 minutes
VR & AR, Digital Twin8 minutes
Digital Technologies6 minutes
Four Industrial Revolutions & Wrap up5 minutes
Global Leader in Construction Management2 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Lecture Handout10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

New and Rising Innovative Technologies30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 30 minutes

Technology in the Construction Industry20 minutes
Week 5 Questions and Feedback10 minutes

1 pluginTotal 15 minutes

Post Course Survey15 minutes

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

(117 ratings)

Ibrahim Odeh, Ph.D., MBA

Columbia University

5 Courses301,047 learners

Offered by

Columbia University

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Showing 3 of 408

Reviewed on Dec 26, 2023

It is good for a person like me to accumulate experience and learn more and deeper than i thought.

Reviewed on Jul 25, 2021

A very insightful course with lots of relevant information on the present state and future of the Construction Industry. I plan to go over this particular course a second time.

Reviewed on Aug 23, 2021

after completing 1st and 2nd course of this specialization, i started this course and understood it completely. looking forward to complete other courses

Frequently asked questions

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When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.