The development of mass housing is an excellent example of multi-disciplinary projects.
Several housing projects have been unsuccessful due to a misunderstanding of the necessary
collaboration and buy-in that are required from all parties concerned. The focus of this study
is to identify the required skill sets and responsibilities of the Housing Project Manager in the
Housing environment, and in turn, will support the development of the foundation of the civil
engineering postgraduate curricula. Civil engineers are educated with a strong focus on
technical subjects, but not much attention is paid to many of the less technical aspects as
found in housing projects. Furthermore, the multi-disciplinary aspects of large projects do not
receive sufficient attention in either the undergraduate or postgraduate curricula.
Considering that many civil engineers become actively involved as managers of housing
projects, this paper will present an investigation into the requirements of the curricula of a
postgraduate qualification for civil engineers towards becoming managers in housing
projects. The investigation will include aspects of multi-disciplinary coordination, the less
technical aspects of housing development, but will not exclude a comprehension of technical
involvement.
In order to identify these skill sets and responsibilities several approaches were adopted. The
approaches adopted in this dissertation include: (i) a comprehensive literature study regarding
the housing environment and the position of the housing project manager, (ii) a review of
several housing case studies with project management related problems, (iii) consulting with
several housing management professionals from different sectors in the housing industry, and
(iv) a review of existing formulations of the role and responsibilities of the housing project
manager.