A Financial

1 The financial implications of decisions made by engineers

1.1 Discuss the coordination, monitoring and approval mechanism necessary when more than one
company is involved with the design of a project and how the design liability and financial implications
of any errors are assessed.
1.2 Chartered Engineers bear very heavy responsibility for the advice they give to the authorities and
clients concerning the ethical, environmental and financial consequences of the projects they
propose. How are such matters assessed and how do you consider your training has prepared you for
such responsibilities?
1.3 Discuss the issues involved in advising a client on technical and financial matters, in response to a
brief, in order to ensure client satisfaction and consultant profitability.
2 whole life asset management
2.1 Discuss the contribution a project team has to whole life asset performance.
2.2 Drawing on your experience explain the need for short, medium and long term asset management
plans and how such plans might be prepared for extensive sewerage networks taking due account of
environmental issues.
3 budget management
3.1 Identify the possible causes of budget over runs due to late completion of construction projects and
discus measures, which could be taken to minimise their reoccurrence on other projects
3.2 Discuss the possible causes of budget over-runs and late completion for the construction of a new
major plant and measures to minimise their recurrence.
3.3 What may cause budget over-runs and late completion of construction projects and what measures
should be taken to minimise their occurrence?
3.4 As a project leader for a design consultant on a multi-million pound large span bridge project, explain
how you would set up your team to cover all aspects of the day-to-day management of the project
from tender stage to completion. How would you ensure a successful financial outcome for your
company?
4 cost control
4.1 Drawing on your experience as a designer and a contractor, identify the possible causes of
programme over-runs, late completion and claims on construction projects and discuss measures
which could be taken to minimise their recurrence on site.
4.2 Discuss the parameters you would explore to achieve a cost effective solution to a drainage problem.
Include social and environmental issues in your argument.
4.3 Discuss how cost risks are identified and managed in the feasibility, design, tender and construction
of a project. How does consideration of cost risk affect the choice of method of procurement?

5 private finance
5.1 Discuss the merits of provision of infrastructure utilising public or private finance.
6 the financing of infrastructure development
6.1 Describe how a consultancy operating in, and owned by, the public sector may compete with private
sector organisations. How may such organisations work together on public infrastructure provision?

6.2 Discuss the merits of provision of infrastructure utilising public or private finance.
6.3 Is PFI the right way to provide public infrastructure and services? Discuss.
6.4 Drawing on your experiences from different types of contract, discuss the relative merits for financing
highways infrastructure projects from public and/or private sources.
7 operational and maintenance cost analysis

8 estimating/tendering

9 payment and compensation

B Management
1 Re-thinking construction
1.1 The Egan report recommended wide ranging changes to the way clients, consultants, contractors
inter relate throughout the project cycle. What do you consider to be the most significant influences
post Egan on our attitudes and strategic thinking?
1.2 Drawing on examples form your own wide experience over many years in civil engineering, discuss
the concept of "safety culture" in the construction industry, commenting on any key changes that have
occurred in the past 30 years.
1.3 Compare the various forms of contract available for use by the civil engineer and discuss which you
would use under what circumstances. Explain how each of the forms relate to Egan principles.

2 quality, health, safety and environmental management systems

2.1 Discuss the merits of integrated quality, health and safety and environmental management in
construction, both in the UK and in developing countries
2.2 Discuss how you would implement an integrated management system on a new project.
2.3 Discuss the merits of an integrated quality, health and safety, and environmental management system
to meet the needs of a customer.
2.4 As the manager of a team responsible for highway maintenance and environmental services, explain
how you would set up a new management structure which addresses both strategic and day-to day
needs. How would you ensure that works are appropriately procured and managed through
specification, tender and construction phases?
2.5 Discuss the range of benefits that the client, contractor and supply chain can expect to see when
entering into a partnering relationship in the design and construction of civil engineering projects.
What disadvantages are there and what management systems would you suggest to minimise them?

2.6 As a Principal Engineer within a civil engineering consultancy, suggest how integrated quality, health
and safety and environmental management systems could be implemented. How would such systems
benefit both the client and the wider community?
3 effective delegation
3.1 In any large civil engineering project effective delegation and communication is often more important
than technical expertise. Discuss.
3.2 Effective delegation is essential for career development, company competitiveness and efficient
project delivery. Discuss your experiences of delegation to others in project teams and how you can
ensure that project quality and programme do not suffer.
4 leadership
4.1 What qualities enable a manager to develop into a leader?
4.2 Drawing on your experience from the Ebbw Vale Cemetery project in particular, discuss the qualities
that have enabled you to progress from a manager to develop into a leader.
5 communication during the design and construction of civil engineering works
5.1 Discuss the importance of effective communication during the design and construction of civil
engineering works. Explain the role an importance of Quality procedures in this process.
5.2 Discuss the measures to be taken in order to maximise the integration of multi disciplinary teams to
produce a satisfactory outcome for both Client and Contractor
5.3 Assess the importance of establishing a co-operation between the Client, Designer and the Contractor
and describe the contractual principles that you would consider important if any of these relationships
break down.
5.4 Drawing from your own experience describe the challenges a civil engineer has to face beyond the
design and supervision of a construction project. Please include examples of any liaison with
landowners, and the influence public consultation procedures may have on a project.
5.5 Effective communication during the design and construction stage of civil engineering works is
important. Discuss.
5.6 Drawing on your experience discuss the importance of effective communication on major construction
sites highlighting the difficulties and problems that can be encountered in the management of design
information and how you would overcome them.
6 training/development of staff
6.1 Chartered Engineers bear very heavy responsibility for the advice they give to the authorities and
clients concerning the ethical, environmental and financial consequences of the projects they
propose. How are such matters assessed and how do you consider your training has prepared you for
such responsibilities?
6.2 Discuss the roles that senior staff can play towards the career development of junior staff.
7 partnering/alliances
7.1 Discuss how using NEC partnering contract conditions initially on your project could have affected the
out-turn of the project
7.2
8 quality assurance
8.1 Compare quality control and quality assurance
8.2 As the manager of a team responsible for highway maintenance and environmental services, explain
how you would set up a new management structure which addresses both strategic and day-to day
needs. How would you ensure that works are appropriately procured and managed through
specification, tender and construction phases?
8.3 Discuss the role of benchmarking and performance indicators in a County Engineers Office.
9 marketing

10 site/project management
10.1 Describe the management factors required to ensure good relationships between the Engineer's
Representative and the Contractor on a contract for the reclamation of a contaminated site. Give your
views on the factors, which are most important, and how these may differ depending on the form of
contract being used.
10.2 Discuss the need for project management in the construction industry with particular reference to
water process projects
10.3 Discuss the coordination, monitoring and approval mechanism necessary when more than one
company is involved with the design of a project and how the design liability and financial implications
of any errors are assessed.
10.4 Discuss the issues that you would consider in designing major road maintenance works in terms of
contract programme, quality of product, disruption to the public, environmental impact. Etc. How
would you as a Civil Engineer prioritise these elements?
10.5 Explain, from a contractor's perspective, the management structure you would put in place to ensure
the effective financial and contractual control of a major civil engineering project. Comment on the
factors that could adversely affect timely delivery of a project.
10.6 Explain the value of a geotechnical investigation to any civil engineering construction project,
illustrating your views from your own experiences.
10.7 Discuss the measures to be taken in order to maximise the integration of a multi-disciplinary team to
produce a satisfactory outcome for both Client and Contractor. Give examples from your own
experience.
10.8 Discuss how you would manage from inception to completion a flood alleviation scheme. Comment
on the importance of planning, co-ordination and good communication between all parties involved.
Give examples from your own experience.
10.9 Discuss the preparation of potable water supply contingency plans for periods of severe drought; how
such plans would be implemented and the hygiene, safety, environmental, financial and legislative
constraints that might apply.
C Societal
1 Equal opportunities in the UK in relation to the construction industry

2 sustainable development
2.1 Discuss how you would consider sustainability if managing the design and/or construction of a project
similar to your experience at…
2.2 Protecting the environment, the prudent use and re-use of natural resources and maintaining
economic growth all contribute towards sustainable development. Discuss this statement, drawing on
your own experience where appropriate.
2.3 Discuss the preparation of potable water supply contingency plans for periods of severe drought; how
such plans would be implemented and the hygiene, safety, environmental, financial and legislative
constraints that might apply.
3 influencing local, national and international political decisions
3.1 Chartered Engineers bear very heavy responsibility for the advice they give to the authorities and
clients concerning the ethical, environmental and financial consequences of the projects they
propose. How are such matters assessed and how do you consider your training has prepared you for
such responsibilities?
3.2 Drawing from your own experience describe the challenges a civil engineer has to face beyond the
design and supervision of a construction project. Please include examples of any liaison with
landowners, and the influence public consultation procedures may have on a project.
3.3 What direction do you think UK transport policy should take?
3.4 How should the public be consulted during the planning and design of civil engineering works?
Discuss the role of the civil engineer in influencing political decisions on public works.
4 the influence of recent international events on civil engineering

5 the role of the institution

5.1 Discuss how the status of the civil engineer can be enhanced within society. Comment on how the
ICE can assist in this matter.
6 overseas aid

7 Institution's rules for professional conduct

8 health and safety management

8.1 Drawing on examples form your own wide experience over many years in civil engineering, discuss
the concept of "safety culture" in the construction industry, commenting on any key changes that have
occurred in the past 30 years.
8.2 Discuss the importance of safety in civil engineering projects, with particular reference to the impact
of the Construction (design and management) regulations 1994 on all parties using examples from
your own experience.
8.3 There is a common concept of "safety culture" in the construction industry. Discuss.
8.4 Explain how you have implemented health and safety legislation on the projects that you have worked
on and discuss what opportunities you consider there are for improving health and safety
performance.
8.5 The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994 have not made sufficient impact on
the construction industry's safety record. Discuss.
9 aesthetical and environmental issues in civil engineering
9.1 Discuss the responsibility of engineers to ensure that designs are aesthetically pleasing and
environmentally acceptable as well as functional.
9.2 Discuss the parameters you would explore to achieve a cost effective solution to a drainage problem.
Include social and environmental issues in your argument.
10 health, safety and welfare during the design, construction, maintenance, operation and subsequent
removal of the works
10.1 Discuss the impact on initial design of the need to take account of health, safety and welfare in
maintenance and operation.
10.2 Working on a marine site presents difficulties in respect of Health and Safety and environmental
aspects. Discuss the precautions you must take and the problems which can arise.

10.3 Discuss all the factors which must be considered and the test which should be carried out in the
principal assessment of a railway bridge over water.
10.4 Outline the current legislation with regard to Health and Safety on construction sites and from your
personal experience comment on their effectiveness.
10.5 Discuss the importance of safety in civil engineering projects, with particular reference to the impact
of the Construction (design and management) regulations 1994 on all parties using examples from
your own experience.
10.6 Discuss how designers of civil engineering works should take account of health, safety and welfare
during the design, construction, maintenance, operation and subsequent removal of the works.

10.7 Explain why designers of civil engineering works should take account of health, safety and welfare
during the design, construction, maintenance, operation and subsequent removal of the works.
11 environmental impact of construction projects
11.1 Working on a marine site presents difficulties in respect of Health and Safety and environmental
aspects. Discuss the precautions you must take and the problems which can arise.

11.2 Discuss the impact of environmental considerations relating to civil engineering operations, and large
infrastructure projects in particular.
11.3 Discuss how the environmental impact of construction project should be assessed.
11.4 Discuss factors involved in promoting a new road through a National Park. Should it be treated
differently from a road anywhere else?
11.5 How have attitudes to the environment changed? Discuss the effects on infrastructure design and
construction.
11.6 Environmental constraints delay civil engineering projects and result in excessive additional cost.
Discuss this statement referring to your own experience.
12 status of the civil engineer in society
12.1 Discuss how the status of the civil engineer can be enhanced within society. Comment on how the
ICE can assist in this matter.
12.2 "Civil Engineers neither command due respect nor appropriate financial remuneration for their
capability and value to society". Comment on the validity of this statement and on what engineers
should do to enhance their status.
D Commercial
1 methods of procurement of construction
1.1 Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Design and Construct contracts compared to other
procurement methods.
1.2 Discuss the financial risks a contractor is exposed to and how these can be minimised both at
tendering and construction stages of a design and construct contract.
1.3 Discuss procurement options for highway improvement schemes.
1.4 What are the advantages and disadvantages of design and construct contracts by comparison with
other procurement methods? Discuss, giving examples from your own experience.
1.5 Discuss how cost risks are identified and managed in the feasibility, design, tender and construction
of a project. How does consideration of cost risk affect the choice of method of procurement?

1.6 Explain the basis of "Design Build Finance and Operate" for procuring a major public sector project.
What do you consider to be the major advantages and disadvantages of this method of procurement
for clients, consultants and contractors?
2 forms of contract for civil engineering works
2.1 Describe the main options available under NEC. Discuss the relative differences between the options
and under what project circumstances the options might be appropriate.
2.2 Describe in detail the various forms of contract that can be used to procure large public works, and
discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each from the viewpoint of both the client and the
contractor.
2.3 Discuss the relative merits of Engineering and Construction Contracts with respect to more traditional
forms of contract.
2.4 Discuss the merits of different forms of contract that can be used for major road works.
2.5 Compare the various forms of contract available for use by the civil engineer and discuss which you
would use under what circumstances. Explain how each of the forms relate to Egan principles.

2.6 What are the advantages and disadvantages of design and construct contracts by comparison with
other procurement methods? Discuss, giving examples from your own experience.
2.7 You have been involved in traditional, partnering and joint venture types of contract. Discuss the
advantages, disadvantages and management challenges of such contracts using examples from your
own experience to demonstrate your views.
2.8 Discuss, with reference to your own experience, the advantages and disadvantages to both Client and
Contractor of DBFO contracts.
3 joint venture contracts
3.1 Discuss the advantages, disadvantages and management challenges of joint ventures.
3.2 Discuss the advantages, disadvantages and specific management challenges of joint ventures in the
construction industry.
4 risk analysis
4.1 Discuss the financial risks a contractor is exposed to and how these can be minimised both at
tendering and construction stages of a design and construct contract.
4.2 Discuss the ways in which Client, Design and Contractor risk can be better understood, apportioned
and managed. How do decisions taken by engineers lead to effective implementation of safety?

5 target cost contracts

6 partnering/alliances
6.1 Describe how a consultancy operating in, and owned by, the public sector may compete with private
sector organisations. How may such organisations work together on public infrastructure provision?

6.2 Discuss the merits of partnering as applied to civil engineering schemes. Has the UK construction
industry realised benefits from this approach?
6.3 Discuss the range of benefits that the client, contractor and supply chain can expect to see when
entering into a partnering relationship in the design and construction of civil engineering projects.
What disadvantages are there and what management systems would you suggest to minimise them?

6.4 Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and the management challenge of partnership contracts.

6.5 With reference to your own experience, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Partnering
Agreements and Design and Build Contracts.
6.6 Explain the main advantages and disadvantages of procuring major civil engineering works by Project
Partnering. In particular how can the customer be confident that value for money has been optimised?
Also discuss by way of examples, what Contract provisions are in place to remedy a major failure by
one party.
7 supply chain management
E Technical/Academic
1 research and development
1.1 With reference to your own experience discuss solutions to the problem of development on ground
containing peat.
2 knowledge transfer

3 the professional development of civil engineers

3.1 Chartered Engineers bear very heavy responsibility for the advice they give to the authorities and
clients concerning the ethical, environmental and financial consequences of the projects they
propose. How are such matters assessed and how do you consider your training has prepared you for
such responsibilities?
3.2 Give your interpretation of the term "Professional" in the context of civil engineering. How can
professionalism be developed and how can the present system of training engineers be improved in
this respect.
3.3 Discuss the importance of the professional development of Civil Engineers.
4 performance specification

5 national and international regulations on the control of pollution

6 the role of an engineer as a specialist or a generalist

6.1 Should the civil engineer of the future be a specialist or a generalist? Discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of both avenues, and make reference to current trends. Explain which in your opinion
is the best way to enhance the future role of the civil engineer in society.
7 quality management
7.1 Discuss the benefits of rigorous Quality Management and Business Systems in major projects.

7.2 Discuss the coordination, monitoring and approval mechanism necessary when more than one
company is involved with the design of a project and how the design liability and financial implications
of any errors are assessed.

8 infrastructure maintenance
8.1 "The fragmentation of the railway industry into constituent parts, with operators and maintainers has
brought benefits to all." Discuss
8.2 Discuss the contribution that civil engineers make towards sustaining a civilised way of life through
the development of our infrastructure.
8.3 Discuss the issues around the design and construction of new build road projects in comparison with
the upgrading and widening of existing routeway.
8.4 Discuss all the factors which must be considered and the test which should be carried out in the
principal assessment of a railway bridge over water.
8.5 Discuss the issues that you would consider in designing major road maintenance works in terms of
contract programme, quality of product, disruption to the public, environmental impact. Etc. How
would you as a Civil Engineer prioritise these elements?
8.6 A range of defects can be discovered during bridge inspections. Identify the most usual defects found
and discuss how you consider they might have been avoided.