NEC4: Preparing and managing contracts PSC introduction

Duration

2 days of 6 learning hours. Duration for e-learning (if used) to be at least 50% of this. 

Purpose/scope

The purpose of this standard is to provide the delegate with the knowledge to support the preparation and management of NEC4 Professional Service Contracts (PSC). It is aimed at both the Consultant (those tendering and delivering the contract), and the Client (those preparing and managing the contract). 

Scope: 

• the underlying principles for the development of the NEC suite of contracts 
• overview of the PSC core clauses and their significance in contract management 
• the reasons for the selection of the main (A,C,E,W) and secondary option clauses (X,Y), and their implications on contract pricing 
• typical z-clauses and resulting changes to the risk profile 
• the requirements stated in Contract Data Part One  
• the requirements of the Scope and the ability to assess the gaps in the Scope included in the tender documentation 
• the significance of the elements of the Contract Data Part Two and how to complete them at tender stage 
• the allocation of liabilities between Parties  
• the roles and responsibilities of the Service Manager and Consultant 
• application of the NEC contract management processes for:  
• contract communications 
• early warnings  
• appointment of subcontractors 
• programme  
• quality management, defect management 
• payment  
• compensation events - notification and quotations 
• insurances 
• termination 
• dispute resolution.

Occupational relevance 

Training delivered against this standard would be relevant to the following occupational groups: 

• supervision  
• management and leadership.

Delegates pre-requisites

There are no delegate pre-requisites as part of this standard, however a basic knowledge of contract management terminology and processes in the construction sector would be beneficial. 

Instruction/supervision

As a minimum, course trainers must be able to demonstrate that, in relation to this standard, they have: 

• an award in education and training (such as City & Guilds level 3 or equivalent)   
• NEC accreditation (or equivalent) as ECC Project Manager or as TSC Service Manager 
• at least 10 years relevant construction sector experience 
• a verifiable CV.

Delivery

The delivery consists of eight e-learning modules or a one-day classroom course with paper or on-line assessment (assessments to have been passed before attending the workshops). The e-learning is the same for the Contractor and Client/Consultant streams: 

1. NEC4 suite of contracts (approx. 30 mins) 
2. NEC4PSC core clauses (2P) (approx. 1 hour) 
3. NEC4PSC main and secondary options clauses (approx. 1 hour) 
4. NEC4PSC roles, responsibilities and liabilities (approx. 30 mins) 
5. NEC4PSC contract data part one (approx. 30 mins) 
6. NEC4PSC scope (approx. 1 hour) 
7. NEC4PSC contract data part two (approx. 30 mins) 
8. NEC4PSC contract management processes (approx. 1 hour) 

Four 1.5 hour workshops (on-line or classroom) which can be done individually or together:  

Workshops 1P PSC Consultant 

• Pre-contract - preparing tender submissions  
• Post-contract - managing risk  
• Post-contract - managing time & quality  
• Post-contract - managing change (Consultant) 

Workshops 2P PSC Client 

• Pre-contract - writing the scope  
• Pre-contract - preparing tender documents  
• Post-contract - managing risk, time & quality  
• Post-contract - managing change (Service Manager) 

Delegates will require copies (or be provided with pdf versions) of the selected contract and NEC user guides, a course-specific workbook for the e-learning and workshops, and in addition, case study examples for the workshops.  

All materials and equipment must be of a suitable quality and quantity for delegates to achieve learning outcomes and must comply with relevant legislation. 

The class size and delegate/trainer ratio must allow training to be delivered in a safe manner and enable delegates to achieve the learning outcomes. In classroom delivery, workshops will be limited to 16 participants. In on-line delivery an on-line platform with breakout room facilities shall be used. 

The following delivery methods may be used in the delivery of this standard: 

• classroom 
• remote 
• a blend of e-learning and classroom  
• a blend of e-learning and remote learning. 

This standard is considered to contain 51% or more theoretical learning. 

This standard is considered to be set at a basic level.

Assessment

For the successful completion of training, delegates must complete an end of unit practical knowledge test that measures all learning outcomes and has a pass or fail criteria. There are 8 e-learning units and 4 workshops. Assessments of at least 4 questions per unit/workshop shall be used. They can be combined into two assessments – one for each of the two 6-hour learning units. 

For the e-learning a minimum of 30 questions shall be asked. For the workshops a minimum of 20 questions shall be asked. 

Delegates are required to achieve an overall pass mark of at least 80% in both sections.

Quality assurance

Assured 

Quality assurance against this standard will require initial approval of the training organisation and their content mapped to the standard.  

CITB will also conduct an approval intervention, either desk-based or centre visit, to ensure the training organisation can meet the requirements of the training standard.  

Approved training organisations (ATOs) will be required to present information on records of training and assessment upon request to CITB for desk-based analysis. They will also be visited annually by the CITB quality assurance team.

Renewal

There are no mandatory renewal or recommended refresher requirements for this standard.

Classification

Lifetime.

Approval date

June 2021

Review cycle

On request or 3 years from approval date.

Learning outcomes