Course syllabus for Design management

Course syllabus adopted 2026-02-12 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameDesign management
  • CodeBOM186
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPDCM
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyArchitecture, Architecture and Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • DepartmentARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
  • GradingUG - Pass, Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 88113
  • Maximum participants60
  • Open for exchange studentsNo

Credit distribution

0120 Project 2 c
Grading: UG		 2 c
0220 Project 5.5 c
Grading: UG		 5.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements

Course specific prerequisites

Only for students admitted to MSc programme within Architecture or Civil and environmental engineering.

Aim

The students shall understand the complexity of integrating different professional disciplines as well as engaging stakeholders in the design process in order to be able to develop a skill in managing the design process in the construction sector. In this course the focus is on design management related to digital construction and Building Information Modeling (BIM). The course therefore particularly emphasizes the importance of leadership and management in the design process and how new technologies and methods such as (BIM) influence the process towards a more integrated way of working. In this context, a new concept called "Total BIM" has started to emerge, which supports drawing-less and model-based design and production. As a result, BIM becomes production-adapted and becomes the dynamic single-source of information on the construction site. This entails and places new demands and changes on how the design process is carried out and managed. It is required that new work methodologies, resources and management and work forms be developed, as well as a new type of project management in order to fully achieved "Total BIM" projects. In this context, it is important to understand its possibilities and implications in the process and their management.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

Understand and be able to describe:
  • the complex challenges of multidisciplinary and digital design (digital construction)
  • the design management process and function in digital construction, and discuss its challenges
  • the BIM and Total BIM concepts and their opportunities and implications in the design process and its management
  • how drawing-less, model-based design and construction (Total BIM) can be implemented, and how it transforms/disrupts design and construction processes
Be familiar with and able to:
  • describe and discuss the roles and actors in the design process
  • describe and discuss the design process, including digital construction workflows and actions within it
  • describe, use and discuss design methodologies and digital tools (BIM platforms, model-based workflows, coordination)
  • take part in multi-disciplinary building design teams
  • describe and discuss design/project management using BIM/Total BIM in the design process, including opportunities and implications
  • communicate professionally with other stakeholders in the design process

Content

The course consists of lectures bringing up design methods, current design practice and tools, including BIM. Focus is on organizing and management of the design process and digital construction. Project assignments, exercises, computer labs aim to exercise the students capability to manage steps in the design process towards digital construction. Digital communication and integration between different disciplines is in focus.

Organisation

The course starts with a set of lectures and is followed by project assignments and computer labs connected to BIM.

Literature

The course do not have any course book. Supplementing literature is provided digitally.

Examination including compulsory elements

Completed project assignments and computer labs will be the base for grading.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers about disability study support.