Construction Management Certification Course Online
This construction management course combines planning, scheduling, estimating, materials and coordination using tools such as Smartsheet, Bluebeam and Autodesk Forma. Its published credentials include Procore Student Certification and Bluebeam Certified Professional exams. Procore, site planning and logistics, and safety/OSHA are currently marked as coming-soon core units; the school still offers enrollment.
What's included
- Access to Procore, Bluebeam, Smartsheet for 6 months
- 330 hours of project-based instruction
- 967 training videos
- Procore Student Certification and Bluebeam Certified Professional exams
- 3 additional elective courses
- Instructor support for questions during the course
- Bonus one-on-one training session
- Verified digital certificate of completion
- Instruction at an ACCET-accredited school
- 18 CEUs
Overview
At 330 hours, this is VDCI's most complete construction management track, running from industry fundamentals through the workflows used on current jobsites. Coursework covers project planning, scheduling, estimating, materials, safety, site logistics, and bidding, with hands-on work in Smartsheet for scheduling, Bluebeam Revu for digital takeoffs, Procore for project management, and Autodesk Forma for cloud-based coordination.
The program also covers contract administration, document control, OSHA fundamentals, AI workflows for AEC teams, and communication and leadership skills. It includes the Procore Student Certification and Bluebeam Certified Professional exams and six months of software access. Several modules are listed as coming soon, so prospective students should confirm the current course list with VDCI before enrolling.
Who this course is for
People entering construction management and field staff moving into management roles, plus professionals strengthening project coordination, estimating, or scheduling skills.
Tuition & enrollment
Enroll with Virtual Design and Construction Institute, the course provider.
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Preview the course
Watch free previews and explore the lessons included with enrollment at VDCI.
Intro to Construction Management Course Online
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Course Overview
Lesson 1: The Industry
5:00
The Construction Management Fundamentals course series provides essential knowledge and insights for professionals entering or already working in the construction industry.
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Introduction
Lesson 1: The Industry
4:51
Start the course by providing an overview of the construction industry, highlighting its massive global impact, essential role in society, significant labor shortages, and increasing use of technology and prefabrication to improve productivity and quality.
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Industry Sectors
Lesson 1: The Industry
4:58
Differentiate between design and construction in the construction industry and select a specific sector to focus your career on.
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Typical Career Paths
Lesson 1: The Industry
4:42
Discuss typical career paths in construction, including roles like project engineer, project manager, superintendent, and executive roles, highlighting options in operations and pre-construction as well as considerations like company size, travel, industry sector, and potential for starting a business.
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Industry Life
Lesson 1: The Industry
5:24
Life in the construction industry involves long hours, good pay, travel opportunities, camaraderie building, facing challenges, experiencing stress, achieving accomplishments, learning new businesses, and gaining practical skills.
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Key Players Owner
Lesson 1: The Industry
3:24
Define key players on construction projects and summarize roles on design teams.
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Key Players Design Team
Lesson 1: The Industry
3:05
Design team, led by architects for commercial building projects, orchestrate architectural features, specialized in various disciplines such as geotechnical, civil, water resources, structural, electrical, and mechanical engineering.
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Key Players Contractor
Lesson 1: The Industry
1:50
Identify and categorize the contractor as either a general or subcontractor within a construction project, assigning roles and responsibilities accordingly.
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Life Cycle of a Project
Lesson 1: The Industry
6:41
Discussing the life cycle of a project, starting with master planning, moving on to project planning, design, bidding, construction, project turnover, operation and maintenance, and potentially alteration, renovation, or demolition.
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Master Planning Intro
Lesson 2: Master Planning & Project Planning
4:59
Learn master planning for smart, future-oriented building projects.
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Growth and Land Use
Lesson 2: Master Planning & Project Planning
3:36
Develop a comprehensive long-term vision or plan that addresses growth, land use, and infrastructure for large organizations, campuses, and other entities.
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Transportation and Parking
Lesson 2: Master Planning & Project Planning
3:02
Include transportation and parking considerations in the master plan for effective campus or organizational operation.
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Infrastructure, Resiliency, and Redundancy
Lesson 2: Master Planning & Project Planning
5:01
Discussing infrastructure, resiliency, and redundancy, a power outage in August 2003 affected the Northeast U.S. due to a software glitch in the grid, causing millions to lose power for days. In contrast, the Netherlands' Dutch Delta Works showcase successful civil engineering efforts to combat flooding, demonstrating effective master planning.
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Climate, Sustainability, and Quality of Life
Lesson 2: Master Planning & Project Planning
4:30
Plan for climate change impacts, prioritize green initiatives, and enhance quality of life in urban areas through sustainable design and infrastructure improvements.
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Technology
Lesson 2: Master Planning & Project Planning
2:57
Plan for adaptability in the face of rapidly evolving technology.
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Profit and Restructuring
Lesson 2: Master Planning & Project Planning
3:21
Address potential profit, corporations consider geographic locations to maximize profits by selling or producing goods in different regions, driving master planning decisions.
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Master Planning Conclusion
Lesson 2: Master Planning & Project Planning
4:05
Developing a dynamic master plan outlines long-term project priorities, costs, schedules, and land use considerations for future construction and development.
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Project Financing Part 1
Lesson 2: Master Planning & Project Planning
4:50
Explain how to finance a construction project by obtaining a construction loan or issuing bonds.
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Project Financing Part 2
Lesson 2: Master Planning & Project Planning
3:12
Finance construction projects through public-private partnerships, contractor financing, donor contributions, or existing capital.
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Project Planning Part 1
Lesson 2: Master Planning & Project Planning
4:32
Investigate the site, collect data, define project scope, establish goals, and determine the best delivery system for the project.
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Project Planning Part 2
Lesson 2: Master Planning & Project Planning
1:56
Evaluate project feasibility by investigating the site, defining goals, and reaching out to design and construction partners for services.
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Project Delivery Systems Intro
Lesson 3: Delivery System
4:19
Discussing project delivery systems, defining key players, arranging them in a contract, and allocating risks appropriately.
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Design, Bid, Build
Lesson 3: Delivery System
2:59
Define the design bid build method as a process where the owner hires a design team, completes the design, invites bids, selects the lowest bidder, and then proceeds with construction.
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Design, Build
Lesson 3: Delivery System
4:08
Select a design-builder, proceed with design, and start construction early, allowing for fast tracking of the project timeline.
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CM GC
Lesson 3: Delivery System
5:32
The CMGC delivery system involves the owner hiring a design team, then bringing on a general contractor (CMGC) during the design phase for constructability reviews, scheduling, and cost analysis, leading to better cost certainty for the owner before construction begins.
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Multiple Prime
Lesson 3: Delivery System
2:19
Owner hires design team directly, manages subcontractors independently, and orchestrates project without a general contractor.
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Integrated Project Delivery
Lesson 3: Delivery System
4:41
Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) involves creating a multi-party agreement where the owner, design team, general contractor, and key subs and suppliers work together under one contract to share risks and rewards based on achieving project cost targets and scope requirements.
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Construction Manager Advisor
Lesson 3: Delivery System
4:45
Identify and define the different contract structures related to construction projects.
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Pros and Cons Design, Bid, Build
Lesson 3: Delivery System
6:13
Summarize the Design-Bid-Build delivery system as slow, lacking collaboration, treating contractors as commodities, with cost uncertainty during design and cost growth risk.
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Pros and Cons Design, Build
Lesson 3: Delivery System
4:15
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of design build in construction projects.
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Pros and Cons CM GC
Lesson 3: Delivery System
3:15
Understand, implement, and leverage the advantages of CMGC in construction projects for better collaboration and cost certainty.
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Pros and Cons Multiple Prime
Lesson 3: Delivery System
1:59
Manage multiple prime contracts without general contractor markup, but be prepared for increased administrative burden and project risks.
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Pros and Cons Integrated Project Delivery
Lesson 3: Delivery System
2:13
Embrace integrated project delivery to foster collaboration, share risks, and drive innovation in construction projects.
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Project Delivery Systems Conclusion
Lesson 3: Delivery System
1:35
Choose the appropriate delivery system for the wooden footbridge in your yard based on allocated risks, cost tracking, efficiency, and collaboration.
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Project Delivery Example Intro
Lesson 4: Project Delivery Examples
2:30
Choose the best delivery system for each project characteristic presented.
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Project Delivery Example The Lab
Lesson 4: Project Delivery Examples
5:47
Choose the CMGC delivery system for the project based on the project characteristics and requirements.
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Project Delivery Example The Restaurant
Lesson 4: Project Delivery Examples
4:13
Choose design, bid, build for constructing the fast food restaurant with a standardized layout, low costs, and rapid construction schedule.
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Project Delivery Example The Road
Lesson 4: Project Delivery Examples
3:04
Choose the design, bid, build delivery system for the road resurfacing and reconstruction project.
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Project Delivery Example The Pilot Plant
Lesson 4: Project Delivery Examples
3:58
For the ethanol pilot plant project with a fixed budget, compressed schedule, and cutting-edge equipment/process, the best delivery system chosen was design-build due to collaborative scope manipulation and single-entity responsibility.
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Project Delivery Example The Housing Development
Lesson 4: Project Delivery Examples
3:15
Select multiple prime delivery system with a CM advisor for land development project.
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Payment Options Intro
Lesson 5: Payment Options
1:49
Discuss various payment options for contractors in construction projects, moving beyond the traditional lump sum model.
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Lump Sum Part 1
Lesson 5: Payment Options
4:53
Summarize the concept of lump sum pricing in construction projects, where the contractor commits to a fixed price for all work, including labor, materials, equipment, general conditions, contingency, fees, overhead, insurance, and bonds.
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Lump Sum Part 2
Lesson 5: Payment Options
4:15
Maximize profit in lump sum contracts by reducing costs, managing risk effectively, and potentially earning incentives for early completion or safety performance.
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Cost Plus Part 1
Lesson 5: Payment Options
4:08
Explain cost plus fee with reimbursement for all costs and a fixed or percentage fee for the contractor.
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Cost Plus Part 2
Lesson 5: Payment Options
6:25
Negotiate higher fees, maximize contract prices, adjust labor and equipment rates, include lump sums in contracts, optimize insurance rates, reduce non-reimbursable expenses, and offer incentives to boost margins for contractors in cost plus projects.
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Cost Plus vs Lump Sum
Lesson 5: Payment Options
8:45
Compare lump sum and cost plus contracts based on actual costs and revenue for a construction project.
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Unit Price Part 1
Lesson 5: Payment Options
4:03
Divide project into categories, provide unit prices, and maximize margin opportunities to win bids and increase productivity.
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Unit Price Part 2
Lesson 5: Payment Options
5:01
Avoid submitting unbalanced bids as they can lead to unethical or potentially illegal behavior in construction projects.
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Time and Material
Lesson 5: Payment Options
2:11
Verify and reimburse contractor based on predetermined rates for time and material work, with potential for negotiation on rates and not-to-exceed price.
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Design Team
Lesson 5: Payment Options
2:11
Reimburse the design team through lump sum or established rates for designing and administering construction projects.
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Payment Options Conclusion
Lesson 5: Payment Options
1:29
Identify common payment methods for contractors and design teams in construction contracts, such as lump sum, cost plus with fee, and unit price.
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Procurement Options Intro
Lesson 6: Procurement Options
1:46
Research and select contractors and design teams based on qualifications, past projects, and recommendations, rather than solely focusing on the lowest price, when undertaking unique construction projects.
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Procurement Options
Lesson 6: Procurement Options
2:30
List procurement options: low bid, A plus B, best value, qualifications based, negotiate.
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Design, Bid, Build
Lesson 6: Procurement Options
2:54
Select the lowest responsive, responsible bidder for the contract based on the low bid.
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Design, Build
Lesson 6: Procurement Options
3:01
Evaluate design-build proposals based on qualifications and technical proposals to determine best value for the project.
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Qualifications Based Selection
Lesson 6: Procurement Options
3:01
Selecting a design team through qualifications-based selection involves evaluating past projects and team resumes before shortlisting and negotiating rates.
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Risk Intro
Lesson 7: Risk
2:33
Identify, manage, and quantify construction risks to ensure safety and project success.
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Quantifying Risk Part 1
Lesson 7: Risk
5:21
Quantify risks by determining the probability and consequence, assigning a value, and calculating the expected value.
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Quantifying Risk Part 2
Lesson 7: Risk
5:23
Manage the risk of installing seamless flooring by minimizing risk factors, bead blasting the concrete, using moisture mitigation products, ensuring product compatibility, transferring the risk to the appropriate subcontractor, obtaining warranties, insuring against risks, and accepting some level of risk with contingency funds.
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Managing Risk Part 1
Lesson 7: Risk
3:19
Identifying safety risks, providing training, hiring reputable contractors, transferring risk, insuring against risk, and eliminating hazards to prevent injuries or fatalities on the job site.
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Managing Risk Part 2
Lesson 7: Risk
5:26
Eliminate risks by ensuring proper PPE compliance, transferring responsibilities to suppliers, and implementing safety measures during building demolition.
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Managing Risk Part 3
Lesson 7: Risk
4:32
Identify, plan for, and manage various job site risks, such as wetlands disturbance, erosion control, existing utilities, weather impacts, and public safety concerns.
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Managing Risk Part 4
Lesson 7: Risk
3:58
Identify, manage, and mitigate various construction project risks effectively.
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Risk Conclusion
Lesson 7: Risk
1:12
Identify, forecast, transfer, manage, reduce, ensure, accept, eliminate risks in construction projects for successful outcomes.
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Insurance Intro
Lesson 8: Insurance and Bonds
2:46
Identify and secure necessary insurance policies for construction projects to manage risk effectively.
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Worker's Comp
Lesson 8: Insurance and Bonds
3:40
Purchase workers' compensation insurance for employees to ensure coverage for injuries and fatalities, with rates based on trade, experience modifier rating, and payroll amount.
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General Liability
Lesson 8: Insurance and Bonds
3:08
Purchase general liability insurance to cover liability from general construction operations for third parties involved, including incidents during construction and completed operations.
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Builder's Risk
Lesson 8: Insurance and Bonds
1:53
Builder's risk insurance covers damage to the existing structure under construction caused by events like fire, hail, lightning, theft, or vandalism, with exceptions for certain natural disasters like flooding or earthquake.
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Professional Liability and Others
Lesson 8: Insurance and Bonds
4:23
Obtain professional liability insurance to cover errors and omissions in design work, especially for contractors with design risk, such as design builders and contractors in design assist roles.
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Insurance Examples
Lesson 8: Insurance and Bonds
5:13
Identify the insurance policy that would cover the incident where a fiber optic line is damaged during excavation as builder's risk insurance.
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Insurance Conclusion
Lesson 8: Insurance and Bonds
1:29
Ensure appropriate insurance policies are in place, verify that all parties have the necessary coverage, and confirm that the specified liability limits are met to protect against potential risks.
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Bonds Intro
Lesson 8: Insurance and Bonds
0:35
Understand the necessity of having both bonds and insurance for comprehensive coverage on the job site in construction projects.
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Performance Bonds Part 1
Lesson 8: Insurance and Bonds
4:43
Define bonds as guarantees of performance and financial responsibility in construction projects, with performance bonds ensuring completion of work and sureties covering costs in case of contractor default or breach.
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Performance Bonds Part 2
Lesson 8: Insurance and Bonds
2:17
Explain how performance bonds work in managing contractor defaults and completion of unfinished projects.
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Payment Bonds
Lesson 8: Insurance and Bonds
4:40
Payment bonds guarantee payment to lower-tier subcontractors and suppliers, ensuring they are paid even if the general contractor fails to do so.
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Bid Bonds
Lesson 8: Insurance and Bonds
2:16
Summarize the explanation of bid bonds.
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Bonds Example
Lesson 8: Insurance and Bonds
4:28
Terminate the Terrazzo subcontractor for default, hold their final payment and retention, find a replacement subcontractor recommended by the defaulting party, and cover the remaining work without involving the surety.
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Bonds Conclusion
Lesson 8: Insurance and Bonds
2:06
Acquire required bonds, follow contract steps, and avoid overbilling to manage liability efficiently.
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Course Conclusion
Lesson 8: Insurance and Bonds
0:30
Reviewing the construction overview and project planning, covering key aspects like players, industry comparison, financing, and project delivery systems.
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Intermediate Construction Management Course Online
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Course Intro
Topic 1: Cost Estimating Concepts
7:28
Learn construction management fundamentals, including cost estimating, contracts, scheduling, project plans, and project administration to excel in the industry.
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Introduction
Topic 1: Cost Estimating Concepts
4:10
Explore the challenges of estimating construction costs using prototypes and varying project conditions, emphasizing the importance of accuracy in bids to manage risks and budgets effectively.
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Estimate Types
Topic 1: Cost Estimating Concepts
3:38
Summarize the three main types of cost estimates: conceptual estimates provide a rough order of magnitude based on parameters, assemblies estimates offer more detail with about 10% accuracy, and detailed estimates provide itemized costs with around 5% accuracy.
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Estimate Timing
Topic 1: Cost Estimating Concepts
6:16
Develop cost estimates at different stages of the project life cycle, involving various stakeholders and recording as-built costs for future reference and comparison.
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Design Packages
Topic 1: Cost Estimating Concepts
2:37
Design packages are released sequentially during a fast-track project, requiring continuous design and cost estimating efforts to ensure alignment with the budget.
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Division, WBS, and QTO
Topic 1: Cost Estimating Concepts
4:49
Divide the work, assign tasks to estimators by CSI division, break down work with a WBS, and quantify by pouring through drawings and specs or using on-screen takeoff to do a QTO.
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Cost Determination and General Conditions
Topic 1: Cost Estimating Concepts
3:53
Price the work by sourcing cost information from publications, databases, experience, subs, and suppliers, apply costs to quantities from the quantity takeoff to generate direct costs, and add indirect costs for general conditions and on-site overhead.
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Contingency and Markup
Topic 1: Cost Estimating Concepts
3:03
Estimate contingency, apply markups, and finalize cost estimate for accuracy in project planning.
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Cost Estimating Conclusion
Topic 1: Cost Estimating Concepts
2:32
Review key takeaways from the lesson on cost estimating: Determine estimate type based on project detail and purpose, break down work for manageability, conduct quantity takeoff, find accurate pricing, use estimates for intended purpose, and gain field experience for better cost estimation accuracy.
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Terminology Part 1
Topic 2: Bids & Proposals
4:26
Differentiate bids, proposals, quotes, numbers, and estimates based on whether they are offers to perform work or provide material.
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Terminology Part 2
Topic 2: Bids & Proposals
3:55
Differentiate between bids, proposals, quotes, prices, numbers, and estimates when submitting offers for construction work.
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Bid Process Part 1
Topic 2: Bids & Proposals
5:08
Issue bid packages, gather pricing, compile bid team, evaluate late bids, fill bid form, submit bid.
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Bid Process Part 2
Topic 2: Bids & Proposals
3:38
Seek approval from company leadership for the bid before submission.
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Bid Scenarios
Topic 2: Bids & Proposals
6:07
Analyze bid scenarios for potential issues and take corrective actions.
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Proposals
Topic 2: Bids & Proposals
5:43
Summarize the process of bids and proposals for construction projects.
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Stations and Plan View
Topic 3: Earthwork Estimating
3:06
Learn about earthwork estimating, understand the importance of efficiency in earthwork operations, and grasp the significance of tracking soil movement to minimize costs associated with operating heavy equipment.
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Profile View
Topic 3: Earthwork Estimating
4:21
Slice through the road, analyze the profile, compare existing and proposed grades, and plan earth-moving operations.
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Cross Section
Topic 3: Earthwork Estimating
3:42
Reviewing and interpreting civil drawings to determine soil movement requirements for cut and fill operations on road construction projects.
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Average End Area
Topic 3: Earthwork Estimating
5:13
Quantify soil using the average end area method by finding the average area between cross sections and multiplying it by the length in between to determine the volume of soil.
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Soil Measure and Units
Topic 3: Earthwork Estimating
4:15
Define soil measure and its units by comparing bank cubic yards, loose cubic yards, and compacted cubic yards.
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Sign Convention and Definition
Topic 3: Earthwork Estimating
2:41
Add stripping in fill scenarios and deduct stripping in cut scenarios when calculating cross-sectional area.
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Calculating Earthwork Volume Part 1
Topic 3: Earthwork Estimating
6:54
Calculate the earthwork volume on the sheet.
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Calculating Earthwork Volume Part 2
Topic 3: Earthwork Estimating
4:16
Calculate the volume of cut and fill to determine excess fill or excess cut for efficient earthwork management.
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Earthwork Estimating Conclusion
Topic 3: Earthwork Estimating
2:05
Summarize the earthwork estimating process, including civil drawings, equipment efficiency, volume calculations, and project balance considerations.
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Contract Types
Topic 4: Contracts
3:20
Discussing the importance and structure of contracts in construction projects.
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Contract Considerations Part 1
Topic 4: Contracts
5:34
Identify criteria for legally enforceable contracts, ensure offer clarity, match acceptance, disclose information, exchange value, legal subject matter, and legal capacity.
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Contract Considerations Part 2
Topic 4: Contracts
6:19
Consider whether the contract is reasonable to ensure legal enforceability.
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Contract Documents Part 1
Topic 4: Contracts
3:07
Describe the contents of a construction contract, including the basic agreement, general conditions, template usage, legal assistance, and supplementary terms and conditions.
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Contract Documents Part 2
Topic 4: Contracts
3:13
Summarize contract considerations and types including drawings, specifications, reports, conditions, standards, and training manuals as key components of legally enforceable agreements in construction projects.
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Earthwork Contract Example
Topic 4: Contracts
3:45
Identify and resolve discrepancies in contract terms to ensure legal enforceability.
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Gym Renovation Contract Example
Topic 4: Contracts
1:29
The owner cannot demand the installation of the TVs based on the contractor's promise in the email, as there was no consideration or exchange of value.
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Striping Contract Example
Topic 4: Contracts
2:39
Provide all contract documents to subcontractors and suppliers to accurately determine scope and avoid disputes over missed work.
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Car Dealership Contract Example
Topic 4: Contracts
1:28
Void the contract and refund the $600 to the 16-year-old boy who crashed the car.
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Driveway Contract Example
Topic 4: Contracts
1:56
Pay the contractor for the work completed on your driveway.
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Air Force Contract Example
Topic 4: Contracts
3:30
Analyze and extend the contract duration due to unforeseen military exercise.
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Scheduling Concepts Part 1
Topic 5: Scheduling Concepts
4:00
Break down the construction project into manageable activities and tasks, interrelate them in a schedule, determine materials needed, sequence activities, and overlap tasks based on experience.
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Scheduling Concepts Part 2
Topic 5: Scheduling Concepts
3:51
Construct a schedule by determining feasibility, identifying tasks, sequencing tasks, determining activity durations, assigning responsibilities, evaluating resources, ordering materials, minimizing delays, and using the schedule as a communication tool.
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Activities, Sequence, and Duration
Topic 5: Scheduling Concepts
3:05
Construct a schedule by manually building a network diagram using the activity on node method.
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Network Diagram
Topic 5: Scheduling Concepts
4:52
Create a network diagram for project activities.
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Forward Pass and Project Duration
Topic 5: Scheduling Concepts
5:24
Perform a forward pass on the project schedule to determine the earliest possible finish date, which is 63 workdays.
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Backward Pass and Critical Path
Topic 5: Scheduling Concepts
5:22
Perform backward pass on the activities to determine late start and late finish dates, then identify the critical path through the project.
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Total Float
Topic 5: Scheduling Concepts
2:16
Calculate total float by subtracting the early start from the late start or early finish from the late finish for each activity in the project schedule.
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Free Float
Topic 5: Scheduling Concepts
4:33
Identify float for project activities to determine potential delays.
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Relationships and Lag
Topic 5: Scheduling Concepts
3:47
Identify relationships and use lag in project scheduling.
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Software and Keys to Success
Topic 5: Scheduling Concepts
4:59
Build successful schedules by starting early, seeking input, being realistic, and keeping it simple.
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Project Administration
Topic 6: Project Administration & Productivity
2:24
Transitioning into construction phase, focusing on project administration tasks for effective project management.
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Project Plans
Topic 6: Project Administration & Productivity
2:06
Develop safety, quality, stormwater, and site logistics plans for effective project management.
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Project Administration Categories Part 1
Topic 6: Project Administration & Productivity
3:38
Organize, submit, request, manage issues, record job site activities.
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Project Administration Categories Part 2
Topic 6: Project Administration & Productivity
4:08
Define scope, buyout, manage self-performed work, track equipment, manage risk, and document with photos for project administration.
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Productivity Intro
Topic 6: Project Administration & Productivity
1:24
Discuss how to break down a construction project schedule to a manageable level, focusing on productivity, labor, and potential issues.
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Paperplane Example Part 1
Topic 6: Project Administration & Productivity
7:17
Students participate in a productivity exercise with paper airplanes, simulate crew output, and plan airplane building sequence.
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Paperplane Example Part 2
Topic 6: Project Administration & Productivity
3:18
First crew outperformed second crew by producing 14 planes.
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Labor Report Part 1
Topic 6: Project Administration & Productivity
7:31
Analyze labor report data for productivity and cost variances.
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Labor Report Part 2
Topic 6: Project Administration & Productivity
6:09
Analyze labor productivity reports to identify trends and potential issues.
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Effects on Productivity Part 1
Topic 6: Project Administration & Productivity
4:16
Identify issues affecting productivity: Crew experience, crew size, planning and preparation, morale and personal issues, learning curve, trade stacking, job site conditions, site access and logistics, fatigue from overtime.
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Effects on Productivity Part 2
Topic 6: Project Administration & Productivity
5:31
Identify design issues, address changes, ensure material and tool availability, schedule inspections, set quality expectations, prepare for weather conditions, consider seasonal challenges, prioritize security, manage proximity to the public, address safety issues, refer to the MCAA manual for guidance.
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Productivity Conclusion
Topic 6: Project Administration & Productivity
3:28
Collaborate with pre-con during estimate to establish realistic productivity numbers, prioritize planning, review labor reports frequently, study clues in labor reports, and assess crew output in relation to overall schedule for successful project management.
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Documents Part 1
Topic 7: Document Control
3:32
Control and track drawings, specifications, bid and design packages, revisions, RFIs, and changes on the job site with organization and documentation.
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Documents Part 2
Topic 7: Document Control
3:21
Coordinate submittals, inspections, punch lists, 3D model updates, meeting minutes, job site records, and contracts for efficient project management.
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Submittals Part 1
Topic 7: Document Control
4:22
Submit various submittals to design team for review, including door schedule, product data, shop drawings, and calculations to ensure alignment before construction.
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Submittals Part 2
Topic 7: Document Control
4:29
Submit physical samples, test reports, and warranty information to the design team for review and feedback.
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Request for Information
Topic 7: Document Control
6:56
Propose vertical mounting of glass-supported handrail base by welding new angle to existing slab edge for improved safety and structural integrity.
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RFI Purpose and Suggestions
Topic 7: Document Control
5:45
Write RFIs to clarify, propose solutions, establish a process, be specific, consider priority, work out solutions, coordinate with parties, confirm solutions, post documents, and use the change management process.
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Issue Management
Topic 7: Document Control
4:31
Create and track construction issues diligently to ensure timely resolution and proper documentation.
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Jobsite Records Part 1
Topic 7: Document Control
3:47
Document all job site events, including weather delays, meetings, issues, change of possession, conditions, and behaviors.
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Jobsite Records Part 2
Topic 7: Document Control
3:32
Document all field observations meticulously for future reference and potential compensation.
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Safety Plans
Topic 8: Safety & Quality
3:37
Implementing a fall protection policy for working at heights of six feet or greater, including using guardrails or fall arrest systems, was necessary to ensure safety on the job site.
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Safety Challenges Part 1
Topic 8: Safety & Quality
4:01
Implement fall protection measures, such as guardrails or cable systems, when constructing structures to ensure worker safety and compliance with regulations.
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Safety Challenges Part 2
Topic 8: Safety & Quality
5:10
Assess safety hazards and address risky behavior on the job site.
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Site Specific Safety Part 1
Topic 8: Safety & Quality
3:07
Establish and implement a site-specific safety plan with defined roles, emergency response procedures, injury protocols, work procedures, personal protective equipment requirements, and safety policies for lockout tagout, confined spaces, fall protection, hot work, respiratory protection, and traffic control.
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Site Specific Safety Part 2
Topic 8: Safety & Quality
4:30
Implement site-specific safety plans by conducting orientation and training, pre-task planning, continuous training, material safety data sheet review, frequent work assessments, stop work authorization, recognition of safety efforts, forming safety committees, and fostering a safety culture.
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Quality Plans
Topic 8: Safety & Quality
4:08
Reviewing and unboxing new underwear, discussing quality control and quality assurance processes, and facing a dilemma between purchasing underwear or bananas.
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QA vs QC Part 1
Topic 8: Safety & Quality
4:37
Differentiate between quality control and quality assurance in construction projects by establishing procedures and inspection programs for work (quality control) and verifying those details through authority having jurisdiction (quality assurance).
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QA vs QC Part 2
Topic 8: Safety & Quality
3:09
Crush concrete cylinders, test pressure of pipe, lift heavy weights, spray water on window, flood roof, fill tank with water.
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Project Quality Plan Part 1
Topic 8: Safety & Quality
4:20
Create a site-specific project quality plan by manipulating and adjusting the existing plan, identifying responsible parties, specifying software use, establishing submission and review processes, conducting pre-work planning, performing inspections and verifications, and identifying hold points for quality control and assurance.
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Project Quality Plan Part 2
Topic 8: Safety & Quality
3:41
Implement a comprehensive quality control program to identify, track, and correct deficiencies in construction projects efficiently.
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Site Logistics Part 1
Topic 9: Site Logistics & Stormwater Plans
6:46
Develop a site logistics plan to efficiently and safely manage the movement and activities of workers, equipment, and materials on the project site.
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Site Logistics Part 2
Topic 9: Site Logistics & Stormwater Plans
4:00
Consider efficiency, plan primary haul routes, identify off-site parking options, communicate public interaction protocols, and create multiple site logistics plans for large projects.
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Site Logistics Part 3
Topic 9: Site Logistics & Stormwater Plans
4:44
Simplify site logistics plans by using 2D drawings and avoiding unnecessary graphics.
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Phasing Plans Part 1
Topic 9: Site Logistics & Stormwater Plans
3:17
Create a phase plan to outline major milestones and key scopes of work for a construction project.
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Phasing Plans Part 2
Topic 9: Site Logistics & Stormwater Plans
2:42
Create visual phase plans to communicate project progress and scheduling to stakeholders.
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Stormwater Plans
Topic 9: Site Logistics & Stormwater Plans
4:40
Discussing stormwater control on construction sites, emphasizing the importance of proper planning and execution to prevent sediment, pollutants, erosion, and flooding from reaching bodies of water. Required contents include identifying pollution sources, implementing best management practices, creating erosion control plans, establishing inspection and maintenance procedures, and ensuring final stabilization. Failure to adhere to these measures can result in fines, legal consequences, and environmental damage.
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Best Management Practices
Topic 9: Site Logistics & Stormwater Plans
3:28
Implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) such as using vehicle tracking pads, inlet protection, straw waddles, silt fences, and erosion control blankets to prevent sediment runoff and maintain site stability.
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Erosion Control
Topic 9: Site Logistics & Stormwater Plans
2:25
Create, implement, and maintain a comprehensive erosion control plan to effectively manage stormwater runoff and sediment control on construction sites.
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Course Conclusion
Topic 9: Site Logistics & Stormwater Plans
1:32
Complete the course series by mastering cost estimating, contract management, project plans, and project administration in construction.
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Autodesk Forma: Site Design & Building Design + Board Course Online
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Autodesk Forma Overview
Lesson 1: Project Setup & Site Design Analysis
1:11
Preview the course roadmap covering Forma site design and building design across two real projects in Boulder and San Francisco.
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Autodesk Forma Site Design
Lesson 1: Project Setup & Site Design Analysis
3:56
Explore the Nexus Design project site on Pearl Street in Boulder, including its history, setbacks, and the four-part site design workflow ahead.
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Enrollment required
Access Autodesk Forma Site Design
Lesson 1: Project Setup & Site Design Analysis
4:43
Sign in to Autodesk Forma through a web browser and create a new hub named Intro to Forma to begin the class project.
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Name the Project
Lesson 1: Project Setup & Site Design Analysis
2:21
Rename the untitled project to Nexus Design, Pearl Street through Project Settings and confirm it is ready to use.
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Set the Location and Data Import
Lesson 1: Project Setup & Site Design Analysis
5:22
Set the project location to 2301 Pearl Street, confirm the map area, and import base map, building, and terrain data layers.
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Zoom, Pan, and Orbit
Lesson 1: Project Setup & Site Design Analysis
0:49
Practice zooming, panning, and orbiting the site model using mouse scroll-wheel controls or trackpad gestures.
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Navigation Menu
Lesson 1: Project Setup & Site Design Analysis
3:01
Explore the proposals, layers, library, extensions, and browse data tabs, then remove unwanted buildings using Edit Base mode.
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Design Toolbar and Analysis Menu
Lesson 1: Project Setup & Site Design Analysis
2:05
Tour the design toolbar for creating site elements and the analysis panel for running sunlight, shadow, and wind studies plus site metrics.
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Set Site Limit
Lesson 1: Project Setup & Site Design Analysis
3:34
Draw the site's property boundary line in 2D view by clicking corner points and typing exact edge dimensions.
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Add Setback Lines
Lesson 1: Project Setup & Site Design Analysis
5:06
Draw 25-foot front and side setback lines and a 10-foot rear setback using the line tool and precise dimension entry.
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Add Roads
Lesson 1: Project Setup & Site Design Analysis
6:05
Draw Pearl Street and 23rd Street with custom widths and traffic data, then add an interior road connecting them across the site.
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Create 3 Separate Proposals
Lesson 1: Project Setup & Site Design Analysis
1:58
Duplicate proposal one twice and rename all three so each design option can be developed and compared independently.
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Proposal 1 AI Building Mass
Lesson 1: Project Setup & Site Design Analysis
5:10
Use the site automation tool to generate building layouts by adjusting buffer, story height, building width, and layout type settings.
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Proposal 1 AI Parking and Trees
Lesson 1: Project Setup & Site Design Analysis
3:23
Add tree lines along the walking path and property front, then sketch surface parking to finish out proposal one.
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Proposal 2 Freeform Building Mass
Lesson 1: Project Setup & Site Design Analysis
4:55
Use the 3D sketch tool to draw a custom rectangular building, then carve a pitched roof and an open void through its center.
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Proposal 2 Freeform Parking and Trees
Lesson 1: Project Setup & Site Design Analysis
4:47
Add tree lines and two surface parking lots with entrance cuts around the freeform building to complete proposal two.
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Proposal 3 Basic Building Zones
Lesson 1: Project Setup & Site Design Analysis
3:43
Lay out parking, buffer, and building zones with precise dimensions using the zone tool to organize the site before modeling.
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Proposal 3 Basic Building Building, Parking, and Trees
Lesson 1: Project Setup & Site Design Analysis
7:37
Place a basic building into the zoned layout, trace surface parking and tree areas, and add a meandering walking path.
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Design Analysis Sun Hours
Lesson 1: Project Setup & Site Design Analysis
3:27
Run a Sun Hours analysis on the entire model for December 21st to evaluate shadow impact on the adjacent building.
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Construction Analysis Area Metrics Setup
Lesson 2: Construction Site Analysis & Project Deliverable
3:44
Open Area Metrics on Proposal 3, explore the schedule export and settings panel, add a custom building function, and set the analysis area to the site limit.
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Construction Analysis Area Metrics Run and Review
Lesson 2: Construction Site Analysis & Project Deliverable
4:26
Review the GFA, rentable area, floor area ratio, and efficiency factor numbers, then set the building function to commercial and edit its rentable-area ratio to 0.8.
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Construction Analysis Embodied Carbon Setup
Lesson 2: Construction Site Analysis & Project Deliverable
2:07
Open the Embodied Carbon Analysis tool and assign the building's type, structure, envelope, and window-to-wall ratio before running the calculation.
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Construction Analysis Embodied Carbon Run and Review
Lesson 2: Construction Site Analysis & Project Deliverable
1:52
Run the embodied carbon analysis and review the total and per-square-meter results broken down by envelope, structure, interiors, and MEP systems.
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Earthwork Calculations Terrain Pad
Lesson 2: Construction Site Analysis & Project Deliverable
4:59
Use the Terrain Pad tool to sketch two onsite water-retention basins, setting each one's depth, elevation, and side slope.
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Earthwork Calculations The Numbers
Lesson 2: Construction Site Analysis & Project Deliverable
4:35
Check each terrain pad's cubic-yard volume and the site's total mass balance, then add positive terrain pads over two parking lots to see the balance shift.
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Construction Staging Duplicate Proposal
Lesson 2: Construction Site Analysis & Project Deliverable
0:56
Duplicate Proposal 3 and rename the copy to Construction Staging to set up a dedicated staging environment.
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Construction Staging Detailed Building
Lesson 2: Construction Site Analysis & Project Deliverable
11:51
Hide vegetation, parking, and roads, draw a new terrain pad for the building footprint, then import an architect's OBJ building model and move and rotate it into place.
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Construction Staging Import Equipment
Lesson 2: Construction Site Analysis & Project Deliverable
5:08
Import at least three construction equipment models such as a crane, storage container, and excavator, matching each file's units and rotating it upright before placing it on site.
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Construction Staging Model Sources
Lesson 2: Construction Site Analysis & Project Deliverable
3:11
Compare where staging models can come from, then use Forma's built-in surface and volume tools to block out a staging area and a generic utility volume.
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Construction Staging Sun Hours
Lesson 2: Construction Site Analysis & Project Deliverable
2:22
Run a December 21st Sun Hours analysis on the construction staging site, first on the site selection then on the entire model to check shadow impact on neighboring buildings.
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Clean Site
Lesson 2: Construction Site Analysis & Project Deliverable
2:51
Delete the leftover building, trees, roads, and parking from the construction staging proposal, then rerun the Sun Hours analysis to confirm a cleaner result.
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Camera and Saved Views
Lesson 2: Construction Site Analysis & Project Deliverable
3:29
Orbit to aerial and eye-level angles around Proposal 3 and save each as a named camera view for reuse across proposals.
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Intro to Forma Boards
Lesson 2: Construction Site Analysis & Project Deliverable
2:37
Create a new Forma board, rename it, and explore its select, pen, text, shape, frame, and presentation tools.
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Frame Title Block
Lesson 2: Construction Site Analysis & Project Deliverable
3:14
Add a letter-size portrait frame to the board and duplicate it three times to create four title-blocked pages labeled frame one through frame four.
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Frame 1 Site Design Proposals
Lesson 2: Construction Site Analysis & Project Deliverable
4:39
Drag all three design proposals onto frame one, set a matching camera angle and layout for each, arrange them to fit the page, and title the frame Site Design Proposals.
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Frame 2 Site Analysis
Lesson 2: Construction Site Analysis & Project Deliverable
1:40
Drag the Sun Hours snapshot onto frame two, pick a camera angle and layout, scale it to fill the frame, and title it Site Analysis.
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Frame 3 Site Metrics
Lesson 2: Construction Site Analysis & Project Deliverable
0:56
Drag the area metrics panel onto frame three, disable unit statistics since the building is commercial, and center it under the Site Metrics title.
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Frame 4 Construction Staging
Lesson 2: Construction Site Analysis & Project Deliverable
2:19
Drag the construction staging view onto frame four, set an aerial camera angle, and use the pen and text tools to circle and label a material drop location.
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Print Forma Site Board to PDF
Lesson 2: Construction Site Analysis & Project Deliverable
4:12
Add all four frames to the board's presentation, print it to a portrait letter-size PDF with clean margins, and save it using the required firstname_lastname_1_formasitedesign naming convention.
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Forma Building Design Office Building
Lesson 3: Commercial Building Modeling
0:28
Preview the two-story office building project you'll build in Forma Building Design, complete with detailed floor plans, unit plans, trees, and site design.
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Logging into Forma Building Design
Lesson 3: Commercial Building Modeling
2:22
Access Autodesk Forma Building Design through the Autodesk products portal, and learn how data regions (US, EU, Australia) affect where your project loads.
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Enrollment required
New Building Design Project
Lesson 3: Commercial Building Modeling
2:43
Create a new Forma Building Design project named Nexus Building on Pearl Street, search for the 2301 Pearl Street site, and zoom to the correct map scale.
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Order Contextual Data
Lesson 3: Commercial Building Modeling
0:44
Order contextual building data for your site from the Order Contextual Data window and wait for the surrounding buildings to populate.
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Delete Edge Buildings
Lesson 3: Commercial Building Modeling
2:56
Use crossing-window selection to delete the context buildings hanging off each edge of the site and the apartment complex in the center, then enable the satellite imagery layer.
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Create Site Limit
Lesson 3: Commercial Building Modeling
5:01
Draw a 390 by 100 foot site limit polygon aligned to the site's walking path and buildings, then use guideline offsets to position a centered 100 by 40 foot building area.
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A Note on Aerial and Site Discrepancies
Lesson 3: Commercial Building Modeling
0:55
Review why Forma's dynamic aerial imagery may differ from the instructor's screen and confirm the exact site and building dimensions required for the assignment.
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Create Generic Building
Lesson 3: Commercial Building Modeling
1:27
Create a generic two-story building with 12 foot floor heights by tracing the site limit outline, then view the result in 3D.
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Set Facade Wall Thickness and Building Color
Lesson 3: Commercial Building Modeling
2:26
Select the whole building to create a new 18 inch facade wall type, apply a custom hex color, and set the building's function to office.
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Create Grid Lines
Lesson 3: Commercial Building Modeling
5:15
Use the office floor plan PDF to place horizontal and vertical structural grid lines at precise dimensions across both floors of the building.
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Place Columns
Lesson 3: Commercial Building Modeling
0:52
Add one foot circular structural columns at the grid line intersections on floor one and confirm they extend up through floor two.
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Create Building Entrance
Lesson 3: Commercial Building Modeling
4:10
Split the front facade at two points and push each segment back three feet to create a recessed entrance, then adjust the split dimensions to 24 feet 9 inches and 15 feet 9 inches.
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Center Wall
Lesson 3: Commercial Building Modeling
3:28
Draw a centered interior dividing wall using the Divide Rooms wall tool, align it to the facade with the Align tool, and split out a gap for the restroom area.
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Conference Rooms, Stairs, and Restrooms
Lesson 3: Commercial Building Modeling
4:18
Lay out the stairs, two conference rooms, and restrooms using the wall tool, then use Trim and Extend to join intersecting walls and set exact room dimensions.
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Office Walls
Lesson 3: Commercial Building Modeling
4:43
Build the six front offices by placing a centered hallway wall and dividing walls, then use Align and Trim Extend to true up the walls and fine-tune dimensions like 11 feet 7.5 inches.
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Open Your Building Design Project
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
0:59
Navigate back into your Building Design project from the Forma home hub and switch from the zoomed-out 3D view to floor plan view on the bottom floor.
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Doors Interior and Egress
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
3:33
Place the standard 36-inch by 84-inch door across every interior office, stairwell, conference room, and bathroom opening using the floor plan PDF as your quantity guide.
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Enrollment required
Doors Entry
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
2:44
Create a custom 3-foot-3-inch by 12-foot glass entry door option and place two matching doors, opening opposite directions, at the building's main entrance.
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Windows Office
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
3:15
Define a custom window size using exact PDF dimensions and place it precisely along the office facade by typing coordinates rather than eyeballing placement.
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Windows Conference Rooms
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
3:15
Create a 5-foot-6-inch by 11-foot window option and place it visually, letting windows snap together as you drag across each conference room's back wall.
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Windows Entry
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
1:58
Add a 3-foot-3-inch by 12-foot window option and place four of them across the entry facade and along the left wall, adjusting for overlap and fit.
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Set Window Sill Heights
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
5:03
Switch to elevation view and set each window's sill height, typing 3 feet for office windows and 0 for entry and conference room windows, to clear the red disappearing-window warnings.
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Combine Units
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
1:59
Merge multiple unit tiles on your floor plan into a single unit by hovering over each unit and clicking merge with its neighbor.
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Assign Unit Function and Type
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
1:30
Set the unit's function to office and create a custom unit type category so your metrics panel reflects a 100% office distribution.
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Assign Room Types
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
4:51
Use the zone divider tool to split the entrance from the hallway, then create categories and assign function labels, stairs, conference room, restroom, hall, office, and entrance, to every room.
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Copy to Floor 2
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
6:44
Copy floor one's layout to floor two, then split the shared hallway, delete unneeded exterior doors, add an open-to-below room category, and assign an office level two unit type.
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Draw Parking Areas
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
3:54
Switch to top view and use the guideline and region annotation tools to lay out precise dimensioned outlines for two parking areas and a drive aisle from the site plan PDF.
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Site Dimensions
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
1:57
Clean up auto-generated site dimensions by snapping them into aligned strings, adding missing dimensions with the dimension tool, and moving them off the site for a tidy layout.
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Plantings
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
1:43
Switch to 3D view and use the trees tool to place a varied mix of trees and shrubs around the site, avoiding the parking and drive aisle areas.
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Migrate to Site Design
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
1:01
Switch your workspace from Building Design to Site Design and let Forma translate your building, plantings, and site into an automatically generated proposal.
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Site Design Parking
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
3:41
Trace surface parking areas with the parking tool, adjust lane width, spot width, and spot length settings, and draw a connecting drive lane between the two streets.
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Sun Hours Analysis
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
1:44
Run a Sun Hours analysis on the entire model set to December 21st and review how your building, trees, and surrounding structures cast shadows.
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Save Camera Views
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
4:50
Use the look-from-point and look-at camera tools to compose and save four named camera positions, entrance, front, back, and top, for later use on your Forma Board.
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Enrollment required
Migrate to Forma Board
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
0:28
Switch your workspace from Site Design to Board to begin assembling your final presentation.
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Create Forma Board
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
0:32
Create a new, blank Forma Board and remove any default getting-started content to start with a clean workspace.
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Enrollment required
Forma Board Frames 1-3
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
2:30
Place three letter-landscape frames, drag your proposal's snapshot view into each, and assign the front, entrance, and back saved camera views with title and site name labels.
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Forma Board Frames 4-5
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
6:59
Add two more frames and use the section box tool to slice custom floor one and floor two plan views through your building, saving each as a named camera view.
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Forma Board Frame 6
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
2:45
Add a sixth frame, drag in the Sun Hours analysis snapshot, orbit to frame the whole building, and save it as a new camera view.
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Print Building Design Project
Lesson 4: Commercial Detail & Analysis
2:55
Label your floor and analysis frames with text, then use the presentation print function to export all frames as a landscape PDF named for your submission.
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Mixed Use Project Intro
Lesson 5: Mixed Use Design & Facades
0:38
Explore the new large-scale mixed-use site at Market Street and Stewart Street in San Francisco, where you'll design two separate building proposals.
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Create New Building Design
Lesson 5: Mixed Use Design & Facades
3:18
Create a new Building Design project named Mixed Use Development, San Francisco, set the map location to 1 Market Street, and load contextual tree and Overture building data.
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Prepare Site Building Demolition
Lesson 5: Mixed Use Design & Facades
2:22
Locate the Market Street and Stewart Street corner site and demolish the two existing towers, front building, and connecting mass to clear it for new construction.
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Commercial Base
Lesson 5: Mixed Use Design & Facades
3:00
Sketch a generic six-level building footprint across the site, then set its floor height to 12 feet, apply a ten-inch basic wall type, choose a facade color, and assign the Commercial function to create a base pedestal.
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Split Building
Lesson 5: Mixed Use Design & Facades
1:13
Use the Split tool to draw two lines across the roof and drag the resulting face down to divide the commercial base into two separate building sections.
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Assign Function by Floor
Lesson 5: Mixed Use Design & Facades
4:11
Select floors in groups using shift-click, reassign the bottom six floors to Commercial and the tower floors above to Residential with distinct facade colors, then check the split using the Metrics Area analysis panel.
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Commercial Windows
Lesson 5: Mixed Use Design & Facades
3:50
Select facade faces across the commercial bases and use the Facade panel to apply bar-style windows at 100% glazing on two sides and 60% glazing on the remaining faces.
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Residential Modules
Lesson 5: Mixed Use Design & Facades
9:42
Duplicate the Residential M2 module into a custom Residential Wide Balcony module, resize its wall and door, add a large glass balcony door, custom windows, and a wide balcony, then apply it in an offset left-right pattern up both towers.
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Residential Single Windows
Lesson 5: Mixed Use Design & Facades
3:39
Select the remaining three facade sides of each residential tower using shift-click or window selection, then apply Single Windows with a 10-foot height, 4-foot width, zero sill height, and 4-foot gap.
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Commercial Units
Lesson 5: Mixed Use Design & Facades
7:06
Switch to floor plan view, use the Wall tool set to Divide Units to lay out a central corridor and surrounding commercial units, then create Retail and Corridor unit-type categories and assign them to each unit.
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Commercial Stairs and Elevators
Lesson 5: Mixed Use Design & Facades
5:56
In floor plan view, place stairs and elevators in each commercial corridor, set their floor range from 1 to 6, size an 8-foot U-shaped staircase and a matching elevator, and verify placement in 3D view.
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Site Limit and Regions
Lesson 5: Mixed Use Design & Facades
4:44
Switch to top view, trace a Site Limit boundary around both buildings, then use the Region tool to draw and color a water feature and a sidewalk.
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Trees
Lesson 5: Mixed Use Design & Facades
4:31
Place trees and shrubs around the site and on rooftop green roofs using the Trees tool, then orbit and pan to a street-level view of the completed proposal.
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Create a New Proposal
Lesson 6: Mixed Use Analysis & Final Board Presentation
0:42
Create a second design proposal from a blank slate while keeping proposal one intact and accessible.
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Add Contextual Data
Lesson 6: Mixed Use Analysis & Final Board Presentation
2:29
Import Overture buildings and trees for the new proposal, delete the existing structures on site, then hide vegetation and building layers to model with a clean slate.
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Enrollment required
Site Limit
Lesson 6: Mixed Use Analysis & Final Board Presentation
3:37
Draw the site boundary using the Site Limit tool with exact 530 and 260 foot dimensions, then add setback guidelines of 40 and 10 feet from each street.
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Enrollment required
Commercial Base
Lesson 6: Mixed Use Analysis & Final Board Presentation
1:00
Trace the setback lines with the Generic Building tool to build a six-story commercial base, setting floor height to 12 feet and wall type to a 10-inch basic wall.
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Courtyard
Lesson 6: Mixed Use Analysis & Final Board Presentation
2:27
Use guidelines and the polygon tool inside Building Edit mode to carve a rectangular courtyard through the commercial base at set dimensions.
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Residential Towers
Lesson 6: Mixed Use Analysis & Final Board Presentation
4:37
Lay out guidelines and polygons to outline three residential towers, then extrude them separately to 22, 30, and 14 floors above the six-floor commercial base.
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Facade Sculpting Commercial
Lesson 6: Mixed Use Analysis & Final Board Presentation
2:57
Use the Split tool to break the commercial base facade into floor segments and push at least two faces per side inward by five feet to create recesses.
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Facade Sculpting Residential
Lesson 6: Mixed Use Analysis & Final Board Presentation
3:12
Select single or multiple building edges with Tab and Shift to freely drag and stretch the residential tower facades into a sculpted design.
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Set Floor Function
Lesson 6: Mixed Use Analysis & Final Board Presentation
1:48
Assign the commercial function to the base floors and the residential function to the tower floors, then verify the assignment using the GFA metrics panel.
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Enrollment required
Set Unit Type
Lesson 6: Mixed Use Analysis & Final Board Presentation
4:52
Add custom unit type categories such as retail, office, amenity, and living unit to specific floors, adjust their heights, and recolor the unit mix distribution.
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Enrollment required
Facade Windows and Colors
Lesson 6: Mixed Use Analysis & Final Board Presentation
2:56
Assign a custom color and glazing pattern to each functional floor group, from the retail base up through the office, amenity, and residential levels.
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Add Trees and Shrubs
Lesson 6: Mixed Use Analysis & Final Board Presentation
1:45
Place trees and shrubs on the roof and along the street setbacks, using the selection filter to isolate and delete unwanted vegetation.
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Enrollment required
Sidewalks and Water
Lesson 6: Mixed Use Analysis & Final Board Presentation
3:30
Draw colored sidewalk and water feature regions in top view using snapping, dimensions, and the trim and extend tool.
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Enrollment required
Contextual Data
Lesson 6: Mixed Use Analysis & Final Board Presentation
0:32
Unhide the surrounding buildings and vegetation layers to view the finished design back in the context of the surrounding city.
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Enrollment required
Convert to Site Design
Lesson 6: Mixed Use Analysis & Final Board Presentation
0:46
Switch the project from Forma Building Design into Forma Site Design to compare proposal one and proposal two side by side.
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Enrollment required
Save Camera Views
Lesson 6: Mixed Use Analysis & Final Board Presentation
4:03
Save an aerial camera position plus two street-level look-from-point views at Market and Stewart and Market and Speer for the final presentation.
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Sun Hours Analysis
Lesson 6: Mixed Use Analysis & Final Board Presentation
2:46
Run a Sun Hours analysis on the entire model for December 15th on both proposals and review how shadows fall across each design.
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Enrollment required
Create New Forma Board
Lesson 6: Mixed Use Analysis & Final Board Presentation
0:55
Switch from Site Design to Forma Board and create a new board to begin building the final presentation.
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Enrollment required
Cover Sheet
Lesson 6: Mixed Use Analysis & Final Board Presentation
5:05
Build a letter-portrait cover sheet with a formatted title and location text, then drag in a design view and adjust its thumbnail to a straight-down orientation.
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Enrollment required
View Sheets
Lesson 6: Mixed Use Analysis & Final Board Presentation
10:53
Build three labeled frames comparing proposal one and two with an overall view plus street-corner perspectives at Market and Stewart and Mission and Speer.
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Sun Hours Analysis Sheets
Lesson 6: Mixed Use Analysis & Final Board Presentation
5:01
Add two new frames, save a custom Sun Hours camera angle, and place labeled sun hours views for both proposals onto the presentation.
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Enrollment required
Create PDF
Lesson 6: Mixed Use Analysis & Final Board Presentation
1:52
Print all presentation frames to a portrait, letter-size PDF and save it under the required firstname_lastname_3_forma_final naming convention for submission.
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Construction Scheduling Course Online
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What is Construction Scheduling?
Lesson 1: Introduction to Construction Scheduling
5:32
Explore how construction scheduling organizes work, resources, time, cost, and critical paths to deliver projects on schedule.
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Types of Construction Schedules
Lesson 1: Introduction to Construction Scheduling
4:03
Compare major scheduling methods, including Gantt charts, Critical Path Method (CPM), and look-ahead schedules for short-term planning.
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Enrollment required
Steps to Create a Construction Schedule
Lesson 1: Introduction to Construction Scheduling
5:41
Walk through the full scheduling workflow by reviewing drawings, building a work breakdown structure, calculating the critical path, and implementing the schedule in Smartsheet.
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Enrollment required
Smartsheet Overview
Lesson 1: Introduction to Construction Scheduling
9:43
Navigate Smartsheet to create, organize, and collaborate on construction schedules using Gantt charts and task tools.
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Enrollment required
Construction Document Review Part 1
Lesson 1: Introduction to Construction Scheduling
13:16
Interpret project drawings to assess building size, layout, materials, systems, and sequencing considerations for scheduling.
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Enrollment required
Construction Document Part 2
Lesson 1: Introduction to Construction Scheduling
10:05
Review mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and site plans to identify system layouts, equipment, and installation requirements that affect the schedule.
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Work Breakdown Structure Deep Dive
Lesson 2: Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
8:38
Break down a construction project into clear, non-overlapping work packages that define all required deliverables.
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Starting a Work Breakdown Structure: Tier 1 & 2
Lesson 2: Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
4:10
Build a hierarchical work breakdown structure in Excel or Google Sheets using WBS codes to prepare for sequencing and duration assignment.
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Enrollment required
Work Breakdown Structure Tier 3
Lesson 2: Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
9:08
Develop Level 3 of the WBS by organizing major construction components into site, structural, exterior, interior, and MEP work packages.
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Enrollment required
Work Breakdown Structure Tier 4
Lesson 2: Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
20:38
Expand the WBS to Level 4 by defining task-level activities across site work, structure, finishes, and MEP systems.
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Enrollment required
Determining Durations Trade Partners
Lesson 2: Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
8:39
Assign task durations using trade input, historical production rates, equipment output, and RSMeans data.
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Enrollment required
Determining Durations Past Production Rates
Lesson 2: Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
2:10
Develop a production rate library using past project data while adjusting for complexity, access, weather, and skill level.
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Enrollment required
Determining Durations Equipment Production Rates
Lesson 2: Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
2:15
Calculate task durations by dividing equipment production rates into total work quantities while accounting for operational limits.
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Enrollment required
Determining Durations RSMeans
Lesson 2: Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
3:06
Apply RSMeans production data to estimate durations when historical or subcontractor data is unavailable.
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Critical Path Method Overview
Lesson 3: Critical Path Method
6:06
Apply the Critical Path Method by calculating early and late dates, float, and identifying activities that control project completion.
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Forward Pass Exercise
Lesson 3: Critical Path Method
10:00
Perform forward and backward passes to calculate early starts, late finishes, float, and the critical path.
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Enrollment required
Backward Pass Exercise
Lesson 3: Critical Path Method
4:22
Determine the critical path by working backward from the project completion date and identifying zero-float activities.
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Enrollment required
Float and Critical Path Calculation
Lesson 3: Critical Path Method
3:07
Calculate float values and highlight critical activities that directly impact the project end date.
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Enrollment required
Construction Sequencing
Lesson 3: Critical Path Method
13:07
Organize construction activities logically to improve sequencing, safety, and resource efficiency.
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Enrollment required
Sequencing Exercise
Lesson 3: Critical Path Method
7:04
Sequence activities from the WBS by defining predecessors, relationship types, and logic tables.
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Sequencing Exercise Cont'd
Lesson 3: Critical Path Method
13:28
Apply basic sequencing rules by completing foundations before structure, structure before exterior, and rough-ins before finishes.
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Enrollment required
Sequencing Exercise Cont'd
Lesson 3: Critical Path Method
5:56
Coordinate task timing so painting, MEP installations, and fixtures occur in proper sequence.
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Enrollment required
Midterm Explanation
Lesson 3: Critical Path Method
4:48
Create a four-level WBS and activity sequencing file with codes and predecessors.
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Getting Started in Smartsheet
Lesson 4: Creating a Construction Schedule in Smartsheet
5:48
Build a Gantt-style construction schedule in Smartsheet using WBS tasks, durations, and logic.
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Preparing and Starting a Schedule in Smartsheet
Lesson 4: Creating a Construction Schedule in Smartsheet
8:33
Populate Smartsheet with activities, durations, predecessors, and hierarchy to generate a visual Gantt chart.
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Enrollment required
Adding Predecessors to your Schedule
Lesson 4: Creating a Construction Schedule in Smartsheet
6:53
Configure task dependencies in Smartsheet using relationship types and time lags.
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Adding Utilities and Structural to your Schedule
Lesson 4: Creating a Construction Schedule in Smartsheet
8:42
Sequence excavation, utilities, structure, and landscaping activities using logical dependencies and lags.
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Enrollment required
Adding Foundations, Slabs and Beams
Lesson 4: Creating a Construction Schedule in Smartsheet
7:33
Coordinate foundation, steel erection, and slab pours to optimize workflow progression.
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Enrollment required
Scheduling Exterior Elements
Lesson 4: Creating a Construction Schedule in Smartsheet
5:00
Build the exterior schedule by sequencing masonry, storefronts, curtain walls, panels, windows, doors, and roofing.
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Enrollment required
Scheduling Storefronts, Curtainwalls, Windows and Door
Lesson 4: Creating a Construction Schedule in Smartsheet
6:35
Sequence exterior envelope activities to dry in the building by a target completion date.
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Enrollment required
Starting the Interior Scheduling
Lesson 4: Creating a Construction Schedule in Smartsheet
5:01
Organize interior construction tasks in Smartsheet using indentation, durations, and logical dependencies.
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Enrollment required
Scheduling Wall Layout and Framing
Lesson 4: Creating a Construction Schedule in Smartsheet
6:20
Sequence interior work by coordinating framing, MEP rough-ins, inspections, finishes, flooring, and paint.
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Enrollment required
Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Scheduling
Lesson 4: Creating a Construction Schedule in Smartsheet
8:19
Finalize MEP scheduling by assigning durations and aligning installations with structural and interior milestones.
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Enrollment required
Finishing the Schedule
Lesson 4: Creating a Construction Schedule in Smartsheet
3:49
Schedule landscaping activities to follow exterior completion while coordinating overlaps with interior work.
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Critical Path & Actual Dates
Lesson 5: Analyzing Schedule Logic and Progress in Smartsheet
10:00
Maintain the schedule in Smartsheet by tracking critical path, baselines, actual dates, and progress indicators.
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Enrollment required
Viewing and Exporting in Smartsheets
Lesson 5: Analyzing Schedule Logic and Progress in Smartsheet
10:52
Explore Smartsheet views, export options, and collaboration tools for sharing and updating schedules.
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A Schedule is a Living Document
Lesson 6: Best Practices for Schedule Management
10:00
Maintain schedule accuracy through real-time updates, forecasting, and field coordination tools.
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Schedule Updates
Lesson 6: Best Practices for Schedule Management
5:03
Perform monthly schedule updates by recording actuals, remaining durations, logic changes, and forecast impacts.
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Enrollment required
Four Week Look Ahead Schedule
Lesson 6: Best Practices for Schedule Management
3:05
Use four-week look-ahead schedules to convert contract activities into daily field tasks.
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Enrollment required
Lookahead Planning and Constraints
Lesson 6: Best Practices for Schedule Management
2:25
Identify prerequisites, responsible trades, constraints, and readiness status in look-ahead planning.
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Enrollment required
Schedule Fragnets
Lesson 6: Best Practices for Schedule Management
4:47
Apply schedule fragments to analyze scope changes, time impacts, and support change management.
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Enrollment required
Pull Planning
Lesson 6: Best Practices for Schedule Management
3:39
Examine pull planning as a collaborative scheduling approach driven by trade commitments and milestone targets.
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Enrollment required
Meetings, Communications and Extensions
Lesson 6: Best Practices for Schedule Management
2:39
Coordinate field execution using look-aheads, pull planning, and coordination meetings.
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Enrollment required
What Makes a Good Schedule?
Lesson 6: Best Practices for Schedule Management
6:47
Apply advanced schedule management practices that balance realism, field buy-in, and stakeholder needs.
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Enrollment required
Schedule Quality and Best Practices
Lesson 6: Best Practices for Schedule Management
3:45
Improve schedule quality by defining clear activities, accurate logic, and realistic durations.
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Enrollment required
Common Schedule Red Flags
Lesson 6: Best Practices for Schedule Management
3:23
Identify common schedule red flags, including missing logic, excessive constraints, and negative float.
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Enrollment required
Critical vs. Near Critical Paths
Lesson 6: Best Practices for Schedule Management
5:12
Monitor critical and near-critical activities while integrating procurement milestones and trade coordination.
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Updates, Narratives, and Recovery Strategies
Lesson 6: Best Practices for Schedule Management
4:20
Track monthly updates, document changes, manage float, and apply recovery strategies to protect the timeline.
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Scheduling Tools and Roles and Responsibilities
Lesson 6: Best Practices for Schedule Management
2:21
Recognize that effective scheduling relies on logic, collaboration, and consistent leadership, not just software.
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Final Exercise Explanation
Lesson 6: Best Practices for Schedule Management
2:23
Export the completed Smartsheet schedule as a one-page A1 landscape PDF and submit it to the learning portal.
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Construction Materials Course Online
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Introduction to Materials: Concrete
Lesson 1: Concrete and Foundations
4:42
Learn what concrete is, how it is made, and where it is used in construction.
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Concrete Strength, Properties, and Slump Test
Lesson 1: Concrete and Foundations
7:27
Examine concrete strength, curing, reinforcement, and workability testing.
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Enrollment required
Shallow Foundations
Lesson 1: Concrete and Foundations
10:36
Introducing shallow foundations and how footings, walls, and rebar transfer loads.
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Enrollment required
Building Blocks of Shallow Foundations
Lesson 1: Concrete and Foundations
8:13
Comparing poured-in-place and CMU foundations and their structural connections.
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Enrollment required
Shallow Foundations: Slab on Grade
Lesson 1: Concrete and Foundations
5:53
Dive into slab-on-grade foundations, materials, and construction methods.
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Enrollment required
Shallow Foundations Finishings
Lesson 1: Concrete and Foundations
7:52
Covering waterproofing, insulation, drainage, and foundation durability strategies.
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Enrollment required
Concrete & Steel for Heavy Foundations
Lesson 1: Concrete and Foundations
9:40
Explore deep foundation systems and their use in high-load structures.
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Introduction to Materials: Wood
Lesson 2: Wood and Steel Framing Systems
10:00
Learn why wood is a foundational construction material, including its properties, lumber types, treatments, and sizing standards.
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Wood Floor Framing
Lesson 2: Wood and Steel Framing Systems
10:00
See how wood floor framing systems work and how structural loads move from finished floors down to the foundation.
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Enrollment required
Wood Wall Framing (With Openings)
Lesson 2: Wood and Steel Framing Systems
6:59
Understand how wood-framed walls are built around doors and windows while maintaining proper load paths.
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Enrollment required
Floor Framing Openings and Stairs
Lesson 2: Wood and Steel Framing Systems
8:05
Explore how floor systems are framed to accommodate stairs and other vertical openings without compromising structure.
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Enrollment required
Introduction to Steel
Lesson 2: Wood and Steel Framing Systems
6:46
An introduction to steel as a construction material, including its classifications, properties, and common uses.
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Enrollment required
Commercial Framing Materials: Light Frame
Lesson 2: Wood and Steel Framing Systems
4:00
Discover how light-gauge steel framing is used in commercial and multi-residential construction projects.
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Enrollment required
Structural Steel Part 1
Lesson 2: Wood and Steel Framing Systems
7:49
Learn how structural steel framing systems support large-scale commercial buildings.
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Enrollment required
Structural Steel Part 2
Lesson 2: Wood and Steel Framing Systems
6:04
Take a closer look at composite steel systems, common steel shapes, and required protection methods.
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Introduction to Materials: Insulation
Lesson 3: Building Envelope and Interior Finishes
6:56
Understand what insulation does and how it improves comfort, energy efficiency, and building performance.
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Insulation Types, Considerations, and Placement
Lesson 3: Building Envelope and Interior Finishes
8:49
Explore interior finish elements like molding, trim, and millwork, and how they shape interior spaces.
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Enrollment required
Exterior Finishings Weather Barriers (House Wraps and Building Paper)
Lesson 3: Building Envelope and Interior Finishes
5:34
Compare the most common insulation types and where each performs best.
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Enrollment required
Exterior Siding Part 1
Lesson 3: Building Envelope and Interior Finishes
6:18
Learn how weather-resistive barriers protect buildings from moisture while supporting envelope performance.
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Enrollment required
Exterior Siding Part 2
Lesson 3: Building Envelope and Interior Finishes
9:24
Explore exterior siding systems and how they protect and finish buildings.
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Enrollment required
Commercial Curtain Walls
Lesson 3: Building Envelope and Interior Finishes
4:10
Compare vinyl and metal siding options based on durability, maintenance, and performance.
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Enrollment required
Masonry Veneer and Stucco
Lesson 3: Building Envelope and Interior Finishes
6:22
Learn how curtain wall systems function as non-load-bearing exterior facades.
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Enrollment required
Interior Flooring
Lesson 3: Building Envelope and Interior Finishes
8:47
Understand how masonry veneer and stucco systems manage moisture and enhance durability.
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Enrollment required
Interior Walls and Ceilings
Lesson 3: Building Envelope and Interior Finishes
10:17
Explore common interior flooring materials and how to choose based on performance needs.
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Enrollment required
Millwork, Molding and Related Elements
Lesson 3: Building Envelope and Interior Finishes
5:55
Learn how wall and ceiling finishes affect durability, acoustics, and appearance
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Roof Construction Types
Lesson 4: Roof Systems and Roofing Materials
8:00
Understand the purpose of roof systems and how low-slope and steep-slope roofs differ.
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Rafter Framed Roofs: Materials and Terminology
Lesson 4: Roof Systems and Roofing Materials
7:23
Learn how rafter-framed roof systems transfer loads to supporting walls
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Enrollment required
Roof Trusses
Lesson 4: Roof Systems and Roofing Materials
8:10
Explore roof trusses and how they differ from traditional rafter framing
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Enrollment required
Sloped Roofs
Lesson 4: Roof Systems and Roofing Materials
9:11
Compare steep-slope roofing materials based on performance, cost, and climate suitability
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Enrollment required
Flat Low Slope Roofs
Lesson 4: Roof Systems and Roofing Materials
6:43
Examine low-slope roofing systems and the waterproofing strategies they require.
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Enrollment required
Roof Underlayment, Moisture Control, and Cornices
Lesson 4: Roof Systems and Roofing Materials
6:50
Learn how secondary roof systems manage water, vapor, and airflow.
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Intro to Plumbing Systems
Lesson 5: Building Service Systems (MEP)
6:49
Get an overview of plumbing systems and how water supply and waste removal work together
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Common Plumbing Materials
Lesson 5: Building Service Systems (MEP)
8:17
Explore plumbing materials and how selection affects durability and performance.
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Intro to Mechanical Systems
Lesson 5: Building Service Systems (MEP)
9:51
Understand how HVAC systems regulate temperature, humidity, and indoor air quality.
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Mechanical Systems Materials
Lesson 5: Building Service Systems (MEP)
9:02
Learn how HVAC materials impact system efficiency and comfort.
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Electrical Systems and Materials Part 1
Lesson 5: Building Service Systems (MEP)
5:49
Get familiar with building electrical systems and how power is safely distributed.
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Electrical Systems and Materials Part 2
Lesson 5: Building Service Systems (MEP)
8:09
Gain insight into how electrical components control, protect, and deliver power throughout a building.
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Drivers of Change in Construction Materials
Lesson 6: Innovation, Sustainability & the Future of Materials
8:22
Explore the forces driving innovation in construction materials.
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Sustainable and Green Construction Materials
Lesson 6: Innovation, Sustainability & the Future of Materials
9:28
Learn how sustainable materials reduce environmental impact and support greener buildings.
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Energy Efficient Building Envelopes
Lesson 6: Innovation, Sustainability & the Future of Materials
9:35
Understand how high-performance building envelopes improve energy efficiency and comfort.
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Prefabrication and Modular Construction
Lesson 6: Innovation, Sustainability & the Future of Materials
7:30
Explore prefabrication and modular construction, and how offsite methods change building delivery.
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3D Printing for Construction
Lesson 6: Innovation, Sustainability & the Future of Materials
7:58
Learn the basics of 3D printing in construction, including materials, applications, and current limitations.
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Intro to Construction Estimating Course Online
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Learning Objectives
Topic 1: Introduction - What is Estimating?
1:57
Learn how to estimate a construction project by understanding quantity takeoffs, master format, cost categories, project conditions, and bid delivery.
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Resources and Standard Files
Topic 1: Introduction - What is Estimating?
1:34
Discuss the files for the construction project and prepare for estimating.
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What is Estimating
Topic 1: Introduction - What is Estimating?
2:49
Estimating involves making approximations or predictions based on available information or experience.
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Purposes for Estimating
Topic 1: Introduction - What is Estimating?
1:32
Estimate construction projects for bidding, building, expansion, remodeling, repairs, and financial requirements.
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Skills Required to be an Estimator
Topic 1: Introduction - What is Estimating?
2:11
Mastering construction estimating requires skills such as reading plans, quantifying building components, understanding construction methods, assessing risks, and utilizing computer software for accurate calculations.
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Estimating Tools
Topic 1: Introduction - What is Estimating?
3:00
Discuss professional estimating tools commonly used in the industry, including spreadsheets, on-screen takeoff software, master format, cost data, and database-driven estimating software.
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Estimating Spreadsheets
Topic 1: Introduction - What is Estimating?
2:59
Utilize Excel's formulas to calculate and track project costs efficiently.
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Spreadsheet Best Practices
Topic 1: Introduction - What is Estimating?
1:17
Remember to input data in cells, ensure consistent purpose and format for columns, avoid hidden rows or columns, use original data sources for calculations, keep formulas in cells for reference, include a notes column, and save templates with new names before using them.
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Steps Required to Create an Estimate
Topic 1: Introduction - What is Estimating?
2:18
Create a professional estimate by reviewing documents, preparing a quantity takeoff, organizing quantities, providing unit costs, developing project durations, adding overhead markups, checking for errors, and completing the bid form.
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Definitions and Terminology Pt 1
Topic 2: Definitions & Abbreviations
3:40
Discuss definitions, terminology, and abbreviations of construction and their impact on the field and class.
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Definitions and Terminology Pt 2
Topic 2: Definitions & Abbreviations
1:36
Address the calculations, function symbols, and numeric formatting to ensure clarity and consistency.
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Definitions and Terminology Pt 3
Topic 2: Definitions & Abbreviations
4:32
Understand variables, work breakdown structures, general conditions, general requirements, on-site work, markup, and measurement types.
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Definitions and Terminology Pt 4
Topic 2: Definitions & Abbreviations
2:31
Discussing labor measurement and categorization, including man hours, resources, crews, and crew hours.
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Abbreviations
Topic 2: Definitions & Abbreviations
5:37
Learn and understand construction industry abbreviations and acronyms to facilitate communication and understanding in the field.
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Units of Measure Pt 1
Topic 3: Units of Measure
2:39
This section discusses various units of measure commonly used in estimating, such as feet, square feet, cubic feet, yards, pounds, tons, months, weeks, and hours. It emphasizes consistency in using either uppercase or lowercase letters for units of measure and provides examples of abbreviations, like EA for each.
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Units of Measure Examples
Topic 3: Units of Measure
3:34
Calculate the cubic yardage for concrete footings and square footage for slab on grade using length, width, and depth measurements.
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Units of Measure Common Designations
Topic 3: Units of Measure
8:17
Identify units of measure for different construction materials and processes.
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Organizing the Takeoff with MasterFormat
Topic 4: The Takeoff
3:52
Organize the takeoff using Master Format levels for estimating.
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Set Scale for Takeoff
Topic 4: The Takeoff
1:26
Validate, test, and adjust all required scales to ensure accuracy for accurate takeoff measurements.
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Takeoff Example
Topic 4: The Takeoff
4:06
Identify hidden conditions and quantify missing areas in building plans for accurate estimation.
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Feet and Inches vs Feet and Decimal
Topic 4: The Takeoff
4:28
Convert feet and inches measurements into decimal feet for ease of pricing estimates accurately in Excel.
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Measurement Types Imperial vs Metric
Topic 4: The Takeoff
1:37
Understand the conversion between imperial and metric measurements for practical applications.
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Associating Takeoff items to estimate
Topic 4: The Takeoff
3:26
Associate takeoff items with estimate by referencing sheet S2 to identify footings utilized, ensuring clear identification and migration of information from drawings to quantity takeoff and estimate, establishing a clear relationship between drawings, takeoff, and estimate to facilitate understanding and tracking of line items.
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MasterFormat Alternatives
Topic 4: The Takeoff
1:55
Examine various format types like OmniClass and MasterFormat, essential for construction industry projects.
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MasterFormat Level Four
Topic 4: The Takeoff
1:39
Organize estimate rows by master format with clearly defined codes ranging from levels one through level four, including specific examples and the use of level four for deeper item identification in estimating spreadsheets.
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Pricing Resources
Topic 5: Pricing Resources
3:58
Find construction costs of common materials by utilizing resources such as Harvest Means, Bluebook, vendors, and warehouse stores.
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Pricing Methods and Techniques
Topic 5: Pricing Resources
4:37
Identify unit pricing for different materials and subcontractor pricing to estimate project costs accurately.
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Assemblies
Topic 5: Pricing Resources
2:24
Utilize assemblies in construction to streamline pricing and speed up the process.
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Cost Categories Overview
Topic 6: Cost Categories
1:34
Organize estimate into cost categories for allocation of estimated costs based on labor, material, equipment, or subcontractor involvement.
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Estimating Labor Cost
Topic 6: Cost Categories
4:21
Estimate labor costs by calculating hourly rates, crew sizes, and productivity per hour for effective installation.
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Labor Cost Factors
Topic 6: Cost Categories
3:03
Consider labor shortages, prevailing wage rates, weather conditions, compressed schedules, and client constraints to manage labor costs effectively.
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Estimating Material Costs
Topic 6: Cost Categories
1:45
Understand material pricing by considering different unit measures and sizes for purchasing various materials, such as concrete, lumber, gypsum board, plaster, and paint.
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Material Cost Factors
Topic 6: Cost Categories
2:41
Review factors impacting material costs, such as availability, unit size, delivery costs, expiration dates, waste factors, and guidelines for pricing materials.
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Estimating Equipment Costs
Topic 6: Cost Categories
2:04
Estimate equipment costs by considering the equipment needed, duration of use, and operator requirements, ensuring productivity and rental periods are accurately defined.
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Equipment Cost Factors
Topic 6: Cost Categories
1:40
Secure or reserve equipment in advance to ensure availability, understand required size for backhoes and cranes, consider mobilization costs and proper egress for equipment on site.
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Estimating Subcontractor Costs
Topic 6: Cost Categories
3:15
Subcontractors submit trade-specific bids for their scope of work, which are incorporated into the general contractor's overall estimate for the project.
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Subcontractor Cost Factors
Topic 6: Cost Categories
2:56
Consider project-specific variables when evaluating subcontractor pricing, such as equipment inclusion, scope of work coverage, trade delays impact, long lead items consideration, schedule adequacy, and providing project schedule to subcontractors.
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Example Questions for Subcontractors
Topic 6: Cost Categories
5:02
Ask subcontractors questions to clarify scope of work, such as whether concrete subcontractors cover structural or site concrete, if reinforcing steel is included, where rough carpentry ends, which subs provide doors for storefront systems, who handles floor tile, if electrical contractors provide low voltage services, who hauls off excavation spoils, how many bids to get, and estimating trade costs before receiving subquotes.
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Cost Category Levels
Topic 6: Cost Categories
1:45
Create detailed cost breakdowns in construction estimating to provide comprehensive information for easier understanding and analysis.
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Work Breakdown Structure Codes
Topic 7: The Estimate
2:09
Identify and assign WBS codes to estimate items for proper organization and cost breakdown.
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Estimating Spreadsheet Structure
Topic 7: The Estimate
5:51
Summarize the Excel estimate structure by organizing phase, item number, take-off quantity, labor cost, material cost, equipment cost, subcontractor cost, total cost unit, and total amount calculations for each category.
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Line Item Example Laminated Beams
Topic 7: The Estimate
2:38
Examine the spreadsheet and analyze the pricing breakdown for laminated beams with specific dimensions and additional labor and material costs for the radius.
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Line Item Example Specialties
Topic 7: The Estimate
2:44
Examine Division 10,000 Specialties with three items and labor and material costs, including shower doors, toilet accessories, and wood shelving.
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Line item Example Earthwork
Topic 7: The Estimate
2:27
Review and verify the estimate for earthwork to ensure accuracy and consistency in calculations and quantities.
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Estimate Cost Totals
Topic 7: The Estimate
1:05
Review and verify estimate cost totals for labor, material, equipment, and subcontractor in the spreadsheet to ensure accuracy before moving on to markups and add-ons.
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Scheduling & Project Duration
Topic 8: Project Considerations
4:05
Evaluate project schedule to determine required durations for estimating purposes, considering factors like difficulty, congestion, and weather impacts to accurately calculate costs and profit margins.
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General Conditions
Topic 8: Project Considerations
2:49
Discussing the definition and importance of general conditions in construction projects, including the various costs associated with managing and operating a project.
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Hard Costs
Topic 8: Project Considerations
2:20
Determine hard costs before adding markups and add-ons for construction projects.
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Overhead
Topic 8: Project Considerations
1:47
Establish total hard costs for the project before adding any additional markups or add-ons, and check with company management to determine the actual overhead costs.
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Markup
Topic 8: Project Considerations
4:15
Evaluate actual project costs to compare against estimated costs to identify discrepancies and adjust future estimates for accurate pricing.
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Markup and Add on Order
Topic 8: Project Considerations
2:34
Add overhead costs before markups to ensure accurate pricing and accounting analysis.
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Adjusting for Risk Contingencies
Topic 8: Project Considerations
3:08
Identify potential risks, allocate additional funds as contingencies, and ensure profitability by covering all project costs.
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Unknown Conditions
Topic 8: Project Considerations
2:40
Factor in potential contingencies such as incomplete drawings, weather delays, and material cost inflation to your project estimates.
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Potential Costs
Topic 8: Project Considerations
1:08
Adjust for risk by considering potential costs such as inflation, expiration of labor agreements requiring higher rates, and increases in material prices not purchased by a given date.
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Travel Expenses
Topic 8: Project Considerations
0:50
Consider geographic location impact on labor rates and travel expenses, including providing per diem for out-of-town staff and subcontractors incurring additional costs for lodging, meals, and mileage.
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Validating Scales
Topic 9: Validation
2:26
Verify drawing scales for accuracy and test dimensions against known measurements to ensure correct quantities in the estimate.
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100% Check
Topic 9: Validation
3:11
Validate and cross-check calculations in spreadsheet estimates to ensure accuracy and prevent errors.
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Other Validation Methods
Topic 9: Validation
3:27
Analyze and compare estimate costs to similar projects to validate current project pricing.
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Cover Sheet Elements
Topic 10: Estimate Cover Sheet, Recap & Instructor Thoughts
3:15
Create a comprehensive cover sheet for estimates by including project name, location, proposal date, client company name and contact information, estimator's name, estimate amount, scope of work specifying trades, plans and specifications date, inclusions, exclusions, alternates, and assumptions.
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Bid Form Example
Topic 10: Estimate Cover Sheet, Recap & Instructor Thoughts
7:51
Fill out the bid form by adding dollar amounts to the client-provided form. Include project name, bid date and time (with time zone), project start date, send proposals via email as PDFs, point of contact information, project duration, base bid amount, bond amount, and alternates. Standalone pricing for alternates should be accepted or not at the beginning of the project. List any inclusions, exclusions, and assumptions if allowed. Clarify any unclear items in inclusions and exclusions.
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Final Bid Form Delivery
Topic 10: Estimate Cover Sheet, Recap & Instructor Thoughts
2:01
Deliver bid form cover sheet with references to bid documents, use provided forms, and submit as a PDF for record-keeping.
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Recap of Sequences to Develop an Estimate
Topic 10: Estimate Cover Sheet, Recap & Instructor Thoughts
1:38
Develop an estimate by confirming bid requirements, performing quantity takeoff, entering items into spreadsheet, establishing schedule, preparing general conditions, applying fees and markup, checking for errors, and delivering estimate on time.
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Instructor Thoughts
Topic 10: Estimate Cover Sheet, Recap & Instructor Thoughts
0:57
Consider pursuing a professional career in construction estimating for valuable skills and career opportunities in the building professions.
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Construction Estimating with Bluebeam Course Online
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Welcome and Course Introduction
Lesson 1: Getting Started with Digital Takeoffs in Bluebeam
3:42
Get oriented to the course and see how Bluebeam Revu supports digital takeoffs and cost estimating across real construction projects.
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Bluebeam Toolbar and Workspace Essentials
Lesson 1: Getting Started with Digital Takeoffs in Bluebeam
8:30
Tour the Bluebeam workspace to locate toolbars, panels, navigation controls, and the core tools used in estimating workflows.
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Using Textboxes and Callouts in Bluebeam
Lesson 1: Getting Started with Digital Takeoffs in Bluebeam
12:31
Mark up drawings using textboxes, callouts, and notes to document assumptions, clarify scope, and flag key areas.
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Organize Tools with Bluebeam Profiles
Lesson 1: Getting Started with Digital Takeoffs in Bluebeam
8:54
Customize a Bluebeam profile by arranging toolbars and tool sets to support fast, repeatable estimating work.
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Set Scale and Begin Linear Takeoffs
Lesson 1: Getting Started with Digital Takeoffs in Bluebeam
8:57
Calibrate drawings by setting scale from known dimensions so all measurements produce accurate quantities.
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Understanding the Markups List
Lesson 1: Getting Started with Digital Takeoffs in Bluebeam
5:06
Review the Markups List to understand how Bluebeam captures, sorts, filters, and exports takeoff data.
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Radius, Volume, Cutouts & Dynamic Fill
Lesson 1: Getting Started with Digital Takeoffs in Bluebeam
8:57
Expand your measurement skills with radius tools, volume calculations, Dynamic Fill, and cutouts for openings.
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Reset and Validate Measurement Settings
Lesson 1: Getting Started with Digital Takeoffs in Bluebeam
7:18
Verify drawing calibration by reviewing scale accuracy, removing test markups, and confirming a clean setup.
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Plan Takeoffs Setup & Workflow
Lesson 2: Area & Count-Based Estimating Workflows
2:30
Plan a takeoff workflow by organizing measurements by trade and material before starting full quantities.
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Linear Takeoffs with PolyLength
Lesson 2: Area & Count-Based Estimating Workflows
10:00
Perform linear takeoffs for base trim using the PolyLength tool while applying specification codes for organization.
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Custom Tool Chest Setup
Lesson 2: Area & Count-Based Estimating Workflows
10:00
Save frequently used takeoffs to the Tool Chest and switch between markup and properties modes for faster reuse.
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Estimating Carpet, Tile & Hardwood
Lesson 2: Area & Count-Based Estimating Workflows
11:08
Calculate flooring quantities with area-based takeoffs for carpet, hardwood, and tile using a room-by-room approach.
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Organizing Takeoffs with Layers
Lesson 2: Area & Count-Based Estimating Workflows
3:51
Use layers to control visibility, reduce clutter, and isolate trades as takeoffs grow more complex.
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Counts Fixture and Door Quantities
Lesson 2: Area & Count-Based Estimating Workflows
5:17
Count plumbing fixtures, windows, and doors using the Count tool with labeled symbols and spec sections.
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Quantifying Windows in Bluebeam
Lesson 2: Area & Count-Based Estimating Workflows
5:07
Differentiate window types by size and function while organizing counts using schedules and specification codes.
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Door Takeoffs and Spec Assignment
Lesson 2: Area & Count-Based Estimating Workflows
6:45
Quantify interior and exterior doors by type, dimension, and spec section for clean cost tracking.
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Exterior Wall Framing Takeoff
Lesson 3: Exterior Finishes & Framing Systems
7:59
Create exterior framing takeoffs from elevations by setting wall heights and organizing estimates by wall type.
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Exterior Takeoff Prep and Specs
Lesson 3: Exterior Finishes & Framing Systems
4:48
Review elevations and notes before siding takeoffs to clarify materials and prepare clean markup organization.
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Stucco Area Takeoffs with Cutouts
Lesson 3: Exterior Finishes & Framing Systems
8:45
Build accurate stucco takeoffs using area tools, polygon cutouts, and reusable tool settings.
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Composite Siding Takeoff Workflow
Lesson 3: Exterior Finishes & Framing Systems
9:25
Develop composite siding takeoffs by duplicating tools, adjusting specifications, and managing material transitions.
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Standing Seam Roofing Estimating
Lesson 3: Exterior Finishes & Framing Systems
14:54
Estimate railings and standing seam roofing with linear and area tools while keeping elevations visually clear.
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Estimating Roofs and Parapet Walls
Lesson 3: Exterior Finishes & Framing Systems
9:23
Apply Dynamic Fill to membrane roofing takeoffs and convert slopes and wall depths into accurate quantities.
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Wrap up and Midterm Export Instructions
Lesson 3: Exterior Finishes & Framing Systems
2:52
Export and submit a midterm takeoff report as a PDF with filtered columns and course-ready formatting.
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Electrical Fixture Takeoffs
Lesson 4: Interior & Ceiling Takeoffs by Layer and Zone
9:31
Count electrical fixtures efficiently using Search and Count tools with color-coding and labeled devices.
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Interior Wall Framing Takeoffs
Lesson 4: Interior & Ceiling Takeoffs by Layer and Zone
6:52
Measure interior wall framing with PolyLength tools, wall height inputs, and precise layer control.
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Wall Sheathing Takeoffs
Lesson 4: Interior & Ceiling Takeoffs by Layer and Zone
10:49
Convert framing takeoffs into gypsum and sheathing quantities by duplicating tools and adjusting properties.
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Estimating Parapet Stud Framing
Lesson 4: Interior & Ceiling Takeoffs by Layer and Zone
4:52
Frame flat roof parapets using PolyLength tools while separating sheathing and framing components cleanly.
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Ceiling Framing and Drywall Area Markups
Lesson 4: Interior & Ceiling Takeoffs by Layer and Zone
10:36
Estimate ceiling framing and gypsum for guest rooms using labeled PolyLength tools and controlled wall heights.
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Estimating Complex Ceiling Areas in Bluebeam
Lesson 4: Interior & Ceiling Takeoffs by Layer and Zone
11:36
Separate ceiling zones in the music room by segmenting markups and organizing takeoffs by panel type.
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Concrete Footing Volume Takeoffs
Lesson 5: Structural Foundations, Framing & Masonry
12:32
Calculate concrete footing volumes using calibration, volume tools, PSI requirements, and spec sections.
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Floor Joist Layout & Takeoffs
Lesson 5: Structural Foundations, Framing & Masonry
7:57
Measure floor joists with on-center spacing to generate framing quantities aligned with trade specifications.
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Roof Joist Takeoffs & Counts
Lesson 5: Structural Foundations, Framing & Masonry
6:45
Quantify roof framing elements, including glue-laminated beams, using Length and Count tools.
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Estimating Structural Wood Posts
Lesson 5: Structural Foundations, Framing & Masonry
6:18
Log structural posts by size and location while assigning consistent subjects and spec codes.
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Plywood Sheathing Area Takeoffs
Lesson 5: Structural Foundations, Framing & Masonry
9:01
Measure plywood sheathing for floors and roofs using area tools, hatches, and layer visibility controls.
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CMU Wall Estimating and Waterproofing
Lesson 5: Structural Foundations, Framing & Masonry
9:21
Estimate CMU walls and waterproofing systems by combining PolyLength and Area tools with height assumptions.
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Finalizing Takeoffs for Construction Estimates
Lesson 6: Estimating Outputs and Cost Integration
7:45
Audit all takeoffs to confirm labels, scale, categories, and readiness for cost estimation.
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Configuring Cost Per Unit Columns for Estimating
Lesson 6: Estimating Outputs and Cost Integration
6:09
Add custom columns for unit costs, labor, and materials directly within the Markups List.
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Formatting Takeoff Exports to PDF
Lesson 6: Estimating Outputs and Cost Integration
13:33
Export formatted PDF reports that display quantities, layers, colors, and cost fields for stakeholders.
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Exporting Bluebeam Markups to CSV
Lesson 6: Estimating Outputs and Cost Integration
11:37
Export measurement data as CSV files for external cost modeling and estimating workflows.
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Combine Detail Sheets and Add Cover Page
Lesson 6: Estimating Outputs and Cost Integration
5:26
Organize multiple sheets into a navigable PDF set using thumbnails, hyperlinks, and cover sheets.
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Entering Unit Costs in Bluebeam
Lesson 6: Estimating Outputs and Cost Integration
16:02
Enter material pricing directly into Bluebeam to transition quickly from quantity takeoff to estimate.
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Data Flow from Bluebeam to Spreadsheets
Lesson 6: Estimating Outputs and Cost Integration
0:51
Map exported takeoff data into a structured estimating input sheet to eliminate duplicate entry.
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Completing the Estimate Using Input Sheet
Lesson 6: Estimating Outputs and Cost Integration
7:56
Complete a final estimate review by confirming quantities, updating unit prices, and validating scope.
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Introducing AI to Estimating Workflows
Lesson 6: Estimating Outputs and Cost Integration
8:33
Explore how historical data, automation, and machine learning are shaping the future of construction estimating.
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Construction Bidding Course Online
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Welcome to the Course
The Role of the Estimator
3:10
An introduction to the course, previewing the deep dive into the estimator's role in bid solicitation, subcontractor coordination, and company strategy.
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Learning Objectives
The Role of the Estimator
2:07
Lays out the lesson's objectives: understanding how estimating connects to revenue, profit, risk, and company growth strategy.
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What Estimators Do
The Role of the Estimator
7:26
Breaks down the three core buckets of an estimator's work: quantity takeoffs, translating drawings into scope packages, and building the foundation for accurate subcontractor pricing.
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Estimator as Growth Engine
The Role of the Estimator
3:01
Explains why estimating is the engine of a contractor's project pipeline, since construction projects can take one to three years to plan and execute.
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Where Estimators Create Value
The Role of the Estimator
7:10
Explores where estimating creates value for a company, including revenue growth, backlog building, and long-term strategic positioning.
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Revenue Starts Early
The Role of the Estimator
4:09
Explains why a project's revenue and profit potential are locked in at the estimate stage, long before construction begins.
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Profit is Locked in Early
The Role of the Estimator
2:35
Contrasts how profit is set during estimating with how it's protected during construction, and why accurate early pricing matters most.
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Revenue-Profit-Risk
The Role of the Estimator
3:04
Introduces the risk-fee-probability-of-win triangle and how estimators balance these three factors when evaluating a project.
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Food for Thought & Key Takeaways
The Role of the Estimator
3:32
Walks through discussion scenarios, such as incomplete drawings and tight deadlines, to reinforce how estimators should think through risk.
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The Estimator's Role in Bidding
The Role of the Estimator
9:37
Shifts focus to the bidding process itself, covering how estimators coordinate scope, subcontractor coverage, bid leveling, and handoff to operations.
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Bidding Process Responsibilities
The Role of the Estimator
8:55
Covers scope creation, explaining how a clean, well-defined scope package prevents confusion during bidding and disputes after award.
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Bid Solicitation and Coverage
The Role of the Estimator
4:17
Explains the difference between bid solicitation and bid coverage, and why strong, qualified coverage gives a contractor better options on bid day.
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The Elite Estimator
The Role of the Estimator
10:42
Introduces what separates elite estimators from average ones, and the career and business impact of doing the job well.
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Traits of a Great Estimator
The Role of the Estimator
4:57
Details the traits of great estimators, starting with attention to detail and its impact on pricing accuracy and project outcomes.
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Strategic Thinking and Relationship Building
The Role of the Estimator
2:51
Covers how top estimators think strategically about which bids to pursue, plus the communication and relationship-building skills that support their work.
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Intro to Bid Strategy and Lesson Objectives
Bid Strategy and Project Selection
2:51
Introduces lesson two's focus on bid strategy and project selection: how contractors decide which projects to pursue and how aggressively to price them.
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Hard Bid Jobs, Negotiated Work and GMP
Bid Strategy and Project Selection
7:21
Compares hard bid, negotiated, and GMP delivery methods and the different competitive dynamics each one creates.
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How Delivery Method Changes Strategy
Bid Strategy and Project Selection
7:57
Digs deeper into how hard bid, negotiated, and GMP delivery methods each call for a different bidding strategy.
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Go and No-Go Decision Making
Bid Strategy and Project Selection
8:29
Explains the go/no-go decision, and why deciding whether to bid a job is as important as the bid itself.
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Backlog, Capacity and Pricing Structure
Bid Strategy and Project Selection
8:33
Covers how to read the competitive bidding environment, including competitor behavior, client tendencies, and how backlog and capacity shape pricing.
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Intro to Subcontractor Strategy
Subcontractor Strategy and Bid Solicitation
4:52
Introduces lesson three's shift to subcontractor strategy, covering how to build a strong bidder pool and run an effective bid solicitation process.
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Building the Bid List
Subcontractor Strategy and Bid Solicitation
7:52
Explains how a strong subcontractor bid list creates real competition and drives more accurate pricing.
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Subcontractor Prequalification
Subcontractor Strategy and Bid Solicitation
9:43
Covers what to review when prequalifying subcontractors before adding them to a bid list, including financial health and past performance.
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Bonding Capacity Deep Dive
Subcontractor Strategy and Bid Solicitation
3:34
Explains bonds and bonding capacity, including bid bonds, performance bonds, and payment bonds.
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Subcontractor Prequalification Form
Subcontractor Strategy and Bid Solicitation
13:09
Walks through a sample subcontractor prequalification form to illustrate what a real intake process looks like in practice.
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Ensuring Adequate Coverage Across Trades
Subcontractor Strategy and Bid Solicitation
4:54
Covers how to confirm adequate subcontractor coverage across every trade before bid day, including backup options for critical scopes.
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Bid Solicitation Workflow
Subcontractor Strategy and Bid Solicitation
5:07
Outlines the step-by-step workflow for soliciting bids, starting with targeting the right subcontractor firms for each trade and project.
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Communication and Outreach
Subcontractor Strategy and Bid Solicitation
9:18
Covers best practices for communicating with subcontractors, including giving them enough lead time and clarifying due dates and scope.
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Midterm Overview
Subcontractor Strategy and Bid Solicitation
10:29
Walks through the midterm assignment structure, including the project case file, grading distribution, and what's expected in each section.
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Lesson Objectives
Bid Leveling and Scope Analysis
5:22
Introduces lesson four's focus on bid leveling and scope analysis: comparing subcontractor bids on an equal basis.
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Comparing Bids on an Equal Basis
Bid Leveling and Scope Analysis
8:34
Explains why raw bid totals can be misleading when subcontractors scope work differently, and why leveling is essential.
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Identifying Scope Gaps and Overlaps
Bid Leveling and Scope Analysis
10:39
Covers common scope gaps and overlaps, such as permits, testing, hoisting, and cleanup, that estimators must clarify with subcontractors.
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Reviewing Clarification and Assumptions
Bid Leveling and Scope Analysis
10:39
Explains how to review proposal qualifications, exclusions, alternates, and unit rates when comparing subcontractor bids.
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Standard Bid Leveling Workflow
Bid Leveling and Scope Analysis
9:11
Outlines a standardized workflow for leveling bids, starting with organizing and sorting all quotes by trade and bidder.
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Scope Normalization Checklist
Bid Leveling and Scope Analysis
7:24
Provides a checklist for normalizing scope across bids, covering commercial items, payment terms, and change order markups.
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Lesson Objectives
Building the Final Bid
4:24
Introduces lesson five's focus on building the final bid, layering general conditions, fee strategy, and contingency onto leveled trade pricing.
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How the Final Bid Comes Together
Building the Final Bid
11:12
Walks through how the final bid comes together, starting with the trade and direct cost base from leveled subcontractor numbers.
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General Conditions: What Belongs There
Building the Final Bid
8:02
Breaks down what belongs in general conditions, starting with staffing costs like superintendents, project managers, and project engineers.
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Staffing and Site Cost Considerations
Building the Final Bid
6:08
Covers staffing and site cost considerations, including how project complexity and schedule affect the level of supervision needed.
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Fee Strategy and Margin Considerations
Building the Final Bid
8:45
Explains how estimators set fee percentage and profit margin strategy, and why that decision heavily influences whether a bid wins or loses.
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Contingency Planning Based on Project Risk
Building the Final Bid
6:06
Covers contingency planning, including when it's appropriate to carry contingency for real but not fully measurable project risks.
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Balancing Competitiveness and Protection
Building the Final Bid
4:50
Explains when to submit an aggressive, balanced, or conservative final bid depending on a company's need for work and risk tolerance.
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Real World Examples
Building the Final Bid
4:41
Reviews real-world examples of bid mistakes, including under-built general conditions, to illustrate lessons learned.
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Lesson Objectives
Bid Day Simulation
5:51
Introduces the bid day simulation, covering how estimators and pre-construction teams manage a live bid day under pressure.
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Bid Day Workflow and Coordination
Bid Day Simulation
8:35
Covers what to confirm before bid day begins, including submission deadlines and logistics.
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Who Does What on Bid Day
Bid Day Simulation
8:21
Outlines who owns what on bid day, including the estimator or pre-construction lead's role managing the live bid summary.
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Managing Last-Minute Changes
Bid Day Simulation
8:37
Covers how to handle the last-minute changes and incomplete information that are common on bid day.
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Standard Bid Day Decision Points
Bid Day Simulation
4:33
Walks through common bid day decision points, such as whether to trust a suspiciously low number.
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Submission Readiness Checklist
Bid Day Simulation
2:54
Provides a submission readiness checklist to confirm commercial accuracy before the final bid goes out to the client.
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Ethical Consideration in Bidding Practices
Bid Day Simulation
5:45
Covers the ethics of competitive bidding, distinguishing normal negotiation and leverage from misrepresenting scope or manipulating information.
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Real World Examples
Bid Day Simulation
3:58
Reviews real-world bid day examples, including a suspiciously low electrical bid and a late addendum, to show good decision-making in practice.
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Conclusion
Bid Day Simulation
1:06
Wraps up the course with a recap of the estimator's role as both the business development and risk-protection arm of a construction company.
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Final Overview
Bid Day Simulation
10:31
Introduces the final exercise, a community center renovation project that applies lessons four through six to build a complete final bid.
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AI Workflows for AEC Professionals Course Online
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Course Introduction
Lesson 1: Intro to AI for AEC Professionals
5:49
Explore the evolution of design technology from hand drafting through BIM to AI, and discover how AI integrates into AEC workflows across the full project lifecycle.
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Intro to Apex Performance Hub
Lesson 1: Intro to AI for AEC Professionals
1:52
Meet the fictitious client project, Ironwood University's Apex Performance Hub, and learn how AI tools will support design decisions from pre-design through construction handover.
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Intro to Class Tech Stack
Lesson 1: Intro to AI for AEC Professionals
9:31
Discover how large language models and transformers work, then survey available AI chatbots and establish the core tech stack used throughout the course.
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Logging Into An AI Chatbot
Lesson 1: Intro to AI for AEC Professionals
2:42
Navigate the sign-up and login process for Gemini, ChatGPT, and Grok, and configure essential settings like chat history recording.
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AI Prompting Basics
Lesson 1: Intro to AI for AEC Professionals
9:13
Master the progression from zero-shot to few-shot prompting techniques to generate more specific, structured, and consistent AI outputs.
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Client Interview Tasks
Lesson 1: Intro to AI for AEC Professionals
5:45
Apply the RAFT prompting framework to extract room requirements and square footage from an unstructured client interview transcript into a clean markdown table.
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Building Program Document
Lesson 1: Intro to AI for AEC Professionals
5:42
Upload and analyze a 40-page technical program document using AI, learning when to shift from "analyze" to "extract" language for structured data processing.
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Building Program Synthesis
Lesson 1: Intro to AI for AEC Professionals
12:01
Synthesize multiple data sources into a unified building program using priority logic, conflict resolution, and a single AI prompt that generates both a conflict log and final room table.
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Create Adjacency Diagram
Lesson 1: Intro to AI for AEC Professionals
12:21
Build a functional adjacency matrix from the building program using a document processor as a prompts sandbox, defining relationship symbols and formatting output as a square markdown table.
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Vertical Stacking Diagram
Lesson 1: Intro to AI for AEC Professionals
4:49
Create a vertical stacking diagram for a multi-story building by structuring prompts with specific levels, zones, and logic rules for optimal room placement.
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Create APH Project Manual
Lesson 1: Intro to AI for AEC Professionals
6:20
Compile all AI-generated diagrams and tables into a professional project manual document with proper formatting, titles, and page breaks for client review.
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Schematic Design Intro
Lesson 2: Schematic Design
3:29
Learn how AI serves as a design critic during schematic design, validating designs against master plans, program documents, and adjacency diagrams to catch issues early.
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Schematic Design Analysis with RTF Prompt
Lesson 2: Schematic Design
5:04
Use a Role-Task-Format prompt to compare schematic floor plans against program requirements, generating a detailed comparison table of room discrepancies and overages.
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Schematic Design Analysis with CoT Prompt
Lesson 2: Schematic Design
5:20
Apply Chain-of-Thought prompting to generate deeper design analysis with placement recommendations and functional improvements beyond simple data comparisons.
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Master Plan Compliance
Lesson 2: Schematic Design
6:15
Use Chain-of-Verification prompting to check program compliance against the campus master plan, performing value engineering and naming consistency verification.
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Schematic Design Program
Lesson 2: Schematic Design
3:58
Verify program accuracy using adjacency and vertical stacking diagrams to ensure logical room groupings and floor-to-floor alignment in the final schematic design table.
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Final Schematic Design Areas
Lesson 2: Schematic Design
7:38
Export final program data into a spreadsheet and apply professional formatting including text wrapping, conditional formatting, and color coding for the project manual.
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Schematic Design Facade Study
Lesson 2: Schematic Design
2:15
Explore AI-driven facade design by conceptualizing an east-facing glass facade with vertical shade fins as a manipulable data table of rotation values.
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Define the Facade Table Random
Lesson 2: Schematic Design
2:04
Generate a markdown table of random shade fin rotation values using a multi-shot prompt to populate a 3x20 bay grid with initial 45-degree starting values.
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Visualize the Facade Table Random
Lesson 2: Schematic Design
4:48
Apply conditional formatting and color scaling in a spreadsheet to visualize shade fin rotations, enabling quick visual evaluation of the facade design.
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Adjust the Facade Table By Level
Lesson 2: Schematic Design
1:55
Update the facade table with progressive degrees of openness by floor level, using capped values and specific prompting to prevent AI hallucination.
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Visualize the Table By Level
Lesson 2: Schematic Design
1:25
Duplicate the spreadsheet tab to create a second design option and visually compare the level-based facade iteration against the random baseline.
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Adjust the Facade Table Azimuth
Lesson 2: Schematic Design
7:18
Calculate shade fin rotations based on summer solstice azimuth angles at specific times per floor, applying solar geometry to optimize shading performance.
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Visualize the Table Azimuth
Lesson 2: Schematic Design
2:25
Create and compare a third solar-calculated facade option, demonstrating how tabular design data enables rapid client communication before CAD implementation.
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Generate Basis of Design Memo
Lesson 2: Schematic Design
3:18
Use AI as a technical spec writer to generate a concise basis of design memo that references master plan sustainability goals and facade solar mitigation strategies.
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Update Project Manual
Lesson 2: Schematic Design
6:00
Add all facade design work to the project manual including the basis of design memo, three design study options, and formatted facade tables for client sign-off.
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Construction Documents Intro
Lesson 3: Construction Documents
3:13
Explore the construction documentation phase covering regulatory code analysis, technical specifications, and CAD automation using grounded AI prompts.
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Zero Shot Code Study
Lesson 3: Construction Documents
1:53
Discover why zero-shot prompts fail for building code analysis as AI returns multiple conflicting answers without specific regulatory context.
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Grounded Code Study
Lesson 3: Construction Documents
4:05
Ground your AI prompts with uploaded building code documents to produce precise, section-referenced answers for regulatory code questions.
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Code Study Explanation
Lesson 3: Construction Documents
2:56
Learn the building code classification system and how AI calculates occupancy loads using Chapter 3 and Chapter 10 of the Michigan Building Code.
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Automated Occupancy Table
Lesson 3: Construction Documents
6:52
Generate a complete occupancy table by uploading the approved program and building code chapters, using chain-of-logic prompts to calculate loads and functions.
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Finalize Occupancy Table
Lesson 3: Construction Documents
4:21
Format the AI-generated occupancy table in a spreadsheet with text wrapping, alternating colors, and proper column sizing for integration into the project manual.
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Create a Structural Concrete Specification
Lesson 3: Construction Documents
10:25
Draft a CSI Division 3 cast-in-place concrete specification using AI with role assignment, design intent, and specific directives for strength and environmental requirements.
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Create Door Hardware Schedule from Specification
Lesson 3: Construction Documents
6:25
Generate a door hardware schedule by analyzing hardware specifications, door schedules, and the approved program, with AI organizing components by hardware group.
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Format the Hardware Schedule
Lesson 3: Construction Documents
4:15
Format the hardware schedule in a spreadsheet with bold headers, alternating colors, and proper column sizing before adding it to the project manual.
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Intro to Drawing and Layer Setup
Lesson 3: Construction Documents
1:51
Set up CAD automation using firm standards documents for layer naming and sheet organization, establishing the framework for automated drawing generation.
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Generate Preliminary Sheet List
Lesson 3: Construction Documents
3:59
Use AI to generate an architectural sheet list based on design build standards and the approved program, creating a preliminary drawing index for CAD setup.
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Format Sheet List
Lesson 3: Construction Documents
2:00
Format the sheet list in a spreadsheet with professional styling and add it to the project manual as the architectural design sheet index.
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Generate Layers Table
Lesson 3: Construction Documents
3:11
Create an extensive AutoCAD layers table with 50+ rows using AI grounded to CAD layer standards, including columns for layer name, color, line type, and description.
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Format Layers Table
Lesson 3: Construction Documents
2:30
Format the layers table in a spreadsheet with appropriate sizing and alternating colors, then integrate it into the project manual as a complete layer reference.
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Generate Layers AutoLISP script
Lesson 3: Construction Documents
8:33
Generate an AutoLISP routine that automatically creates all project layers in AutoCAD, including layer existence checks, line type loading, and description assignment.
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Finalize Mid Term Project Manual
Lesson 3: Construction Documents
4:11
Review the complete midterm project manual containing all deliverables from building program through CAD automation, and add the AutoLISP routine as the final component.
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Bonus Run the MAKELAYERS AutoLISP script
Lesson 3: Construction Documents
4:12
Run the AI-generated AutoLISP script in AutoCAD to automatically populate 50+ project layers in seconds, demonstrating real-world AI-to-CAD automation.
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Bidding and Proposals Intro
Lesson 4: Bidding and Proposals
7:28
Preview the bidding and proposals phase covering Python basics, Google Colab setup, AI-driven bid comparison, and interactive ranking tool development.
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Getting Started Setting up Colab
Lesson 4: Bidding and Proposals
3:56
Set up Google Colab by signing in, creating a new notebook, and navigating the interface tools including code cells, text cells, and execution controls.
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Python Basics Hello World
Lesson 4: Bidding and Proposals
5:10
Write and run your first Python program with the classic Hello World print statement, learning proper syntax and basic error troubleshooting.
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Python Basics Variables
Lesson 4: Bidding and Proposals
3:10
Learn to create and use Python variables as data containers, storing names and ages and printing them with proper string formatting.
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Python Basics Functions
Lesson 4: Bidding and Proposals
3:59
Define and call reusable Python functions with parameters, understanding how functions enable code reusability across different inputs.
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Python Basics If Else
Lesson 4: Bidding and Proposals
2:17
Control program flow with conditional if-else statements, testing different values to produce different outputs based on logical conditions.
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Python Basics Loops
Lesson 4: Bidding and Proposals
1:55
Automate repetitive tasks with Python while loops, using counters and understanding how loops execute at computer speed.
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Python Basics User Interface
Lesson 4: Bidding and Proposals
2:29
Build an interactive slider bar using ipywidgets in just two lines of code, discovering the power of Python libraries in Google Colab.
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Colab File Management
Lesson 4: Bidding and Proposals
2:38
Manage Colab notebooks with collapsible outputs, table of contents generation, Google Drive file storage, and notebook organization features.
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Bidding Comparison AI Chatbot
Lesson 4: Bidding and Proposals
7:54
Analyze a bid tabulation using Gemini with a grounded, logic-based prompt to rank contractors by lowest GMP and best overall value.
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Chart Script Setup
Lesson 4: Bidding and Proposals
1:42
Create a side-by-side AI chatbot and Google Colab workflow, writing a detailed role-task prompt to generate Python visualization code with Plotly.
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Chart Script Messy
Lesson 4: Bidding and Proposals
12:48
Generate Python code with intentional errors to practice troubleshooting workflows, copying error messages back to AI for iterative debugging.
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Chart Script Clean
Lesson 4: Bidding and Proposals
8:53
Write a refined prompt to generate clean Python code that creates a styled stacked bar chart of contractor costs with HTML export.
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Bid Ranking Setup
Lesson 4: Bidding and Proposals
2:01
Set up a new interactive ranking tool notebook and prepare to develop a weighted scoring system with dynamic slider controls.
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Ranking Chart Prescribed
Lesson 4: Bidding and Proposals
8:41
Generate Python code for an interactive ranking tool with slider controls for weighting bid evaluation criteria including price, safety, schedule, and experience.
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AI Generated Prompt Setup
Lesson 4: Bidding and Proposals
4:37
Apply two-step prompt engineering where layman's terms input generates a technical prompt, which then produces the actual Python code.
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Prompt Engineered Ranking Chart
Lesson 4: Bidding and Proposals
13:52
Iterate on a ranking tool through multiple AI-generated prompt versions, adjusting appearance and functionality without writing code directly.
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Completed Notebooks
Lesson 4: Bidding and Proposals
0:34
Review three completed notebooks, Learning Python, Bid Analysis, and Contractor Selection Sandbox, stored in Google Drive for future reference.
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Output Options
Lesson 4: Bidding and Proposals
1:26
Discover practical output applications including interactive HTML tools for clients, PDF exports for presentations, and CAD automation workflows.
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Intro to AI for Construction Management
Lesson 5: AI for Construction Management
5:03
Tackle three real-world construction challenges (water table excavation, medical gas scheduling, and sustainable concrete) using constraint-based, meta, and iterative AI prompting techniques.
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Water Table Excavation Analysis Setup
Lesson 5: AI for Construction Management
3:14
Download geotech cost matrices and specification files, then set up a Google Colab notebook to analyze how excavation depth impacts project cost and schedule.
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Excavation Analysis Code V1
Lesson 5: AI for Construction Management
6:46
Generate a first-pass Python script with a one-shot prompt to create an interactive excavation depth slider with a dual-axis cost and time graph using matplotlib in Google Colab.
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Excavation Analysis Code V2
Lesson 5: AI for Construction Management
10:35
Improve an excavation analysis chart through iterative prompting, requesting enhanced visual styling and stable readouts for cost and time analysis.
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Generate Perch Table HTML
Lesson 5: AI for Construction Management
6:31
Convert an interactive chart into a shareable standalone HTML file by adding export and format instructions to the prompt for client presentation.
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Med Gas Setup
Lesson 5: AI for Construction Management
2:05
Set up a fresh Google Colab notebook and AI chat session to tackle a medical gas scheduling conflict that was missed during the planning phase.
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Med Gas Meta Code
Lesson 5: AI for Construction Management
6:30
Write a comprehensive meta prompt covering trade sequences, QC requirements, overlap penalties, and Gantt chart constraints for medical gas installation coordination.
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Med Gas Gantt Chart
Lesson 5: AI for Construction Management
6:48
Refine the AI-generated meta prompt and generate Python code to create an interactive Gantt chart with a slider for visualizing trade overlaps and schedule compression.
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Concrete Analysis Setup
Lesson 5: AI for Construction Management
2:27
Review embodied carbon requirements and pricing data, then set up a Google Colab notebook to analyze low-carbon concrete alternatives.
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Concrete Analysis V1
Lesson 5: AI for Construction Management
5:53
Generate interactive Python code with dropdowns for selecting concrete mixes across building areas while dynamically displaying cost and carbon footprint tradeoffs.
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Incremental Code Updates
Lesson 5: AI for Construction Management
10:57
Update code iteratively within the same AI chat to add summary boxes, delta calculations, and HTML export, then learn to consolidate incremental changes into a single refined prompt.
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Direct Export HTML
Lesson 5: AI for Construction Management
6:49
Create a standalone HTML file for concrete mix analysis featuring live dropdowns, summary boxes, and an interactive scatter plot with iterative debugging.
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Enrollment required
AI as a CM Problem Solving Tool
Lesson 5: AI for Construction Management
3:41
Review accomplishments across all three construction challenges and explore flexible output options including direct HTML generation without Python intermediaries.
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Save or Print to PDF
Lesson 6: Finalizing the Project
2:35
Preview the final course deliverables, a project closeout report PDF and a punch list drawdown simulator HTML dashboard, to complete the Apex Performance Hub project.
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Intro to Finalizing the Project
Lesson 6: Finalizing the Project
2:01
Identify the six required files for the final lesson including the punch list CSV, letterhead template, issue resolution report, schedule, and project documents.
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Enrollment required
Files Needed
Lesson 6: Finalizing the Project
0:54
Set up the project closeout report by downloading the letterhead template, applying naming conventions, and adding identification details and the report title.
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Project Closeout Report Setup
Lesson 6: Finalizing the Project
2:01
Generate an executive summary using a grounded AI prompt with proper heading tags and a 150-word limit for future AI processing compatibility.
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Executive Summary Text
Lesson 6: Finalizing the Project
4:22
Create a professional AI-generated rendering of the Apex Performance Hub using the SCENE Framework for subject, context, engineering, lighting, and exposure parameters.
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Enrollment required
Executive Summary Project Image
Lesson 6: Finalizing the Project
6:37
Generate a Project Overview and Baseline Scope section by grounding AI with the midterm project document to connect the building to Ironwood University's mission.
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Enrollment required
Project Overview
Lesson 6: Finalizing the Project
2:55
Create a schedule summary using a role-task format prompt with expert construction data analyst framing and the final schedule file as grounded input.
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Enrollment required
Schedule Summary Text
Lesson 6: Finalizing the Project
2:09
Apply meta-prompting to extract schedule data into a markdown table, then generate a technical illustrated infographic instead of a basic table format.
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Schedule Summary Infographic
Lesson 6: Finalizing the Project
3:39
Summarize key technical challenges (geotech, medical gas, and sustainability) by grounding AI with the issue resolution report in a 150-word format.
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Enrollment required
Challenges and Resolutions Text
Lesson 6: Finalizing the Project
2:27
Reuse the challenges and resolutions text to efficiently generate a technical illustrated infographic, demonstrating double-efficiency in AI prompting workflows.
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Enrollment required
Challenges and Resolutions Infographic
Lesson 6: Finalizing the Project
2:00
Complete the closeout report by meta-prompting, copying the entire document into AI to generate a cohesive 100-word conclusion that ties all sections together.
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Enrollment required
Report Conclusion
Lesson 6: Finalizing the Project
2:35
Finalize the closeout report formatting including fonts, colors, and heading styles, then export the document as a PDF for final submission.
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Enrollment required
Project Drawdown Setup
Lesson 6: Finalizing the Project
2:18
Open Google Colab and download the punch list CSV to set up a new notebook for building an interactive 30-day handover timeline simulator.
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Enrollment required
Project Drawdown Prompt
Lesson 6: Finalizing the Project
7:08
Write a comprehensive AI prompt to generate a Python script that creates an interactive HTML dashboard with a line chart, trade sliders, and dynamic recalculation.
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Enrollment required
Project Drawdown Script
Lesson 6: Finalizing the Project
3:33
Run the AI-generated Python script in Google Colab to produce an interactive drawdown dashboard for real-time adjustment of labor and lead time forecasts.
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Enrollment required
Final File Submission
Lesson 6: Finalizing the Project
0:30
Upload both final deliverables (project closeout PDF and the drawdown HTML file) to complete the course.
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Commercial Blueprint Reading Course Online
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Welcome to the Course
Lesson 1: Foundation Walls and Basement Columns
1:09
Study a seven-story mixed-use commercial project for commercial construction, reviewing architectural, civil, structural, mechanical, and plumbing plans, along with interior design and technology drawings, and project specifications.
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Symbols
Lesson 1: Foundation Walls and Basement Columns
8:08
Identify and interpret symbols on floor plans.
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Enrollment required
Doors and Windows
Lesson 1: Foundation Walls and Basement Columns
5:17
Analyze floor plan details for doors and windows.
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Enrollment required
Dimensions Part 1
Lesson 1: Foundation Walls and Basement Columns
3:23
Discussing dimensions in architectural and engineering drawings, including the use of extension lines, dimension lines, indicators, and dimension text, as well as differences in representation between architect and engineer drawings.
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Enrollment required
Dimensions Part 2
Lesson 1: Foundation Walls and Basement Columns
5:58
Study and analyze the dimensions of the building to understand the measurements and layout effectively.
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Enrollment required
Standard Views
Lesson 1: Foundation Walls and Basement Columns
3:23
Differentiate between floor plans, elevations, building sections, wall sections, and details in architectural drawings.
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Enrollment required
Construction Document Set Organization
Lesson 1: Foundation Walls and Basement Columns
4:13
Organize blueprints in a sequence from general notes to engineering drawings, including site plan, floor plan elevation sections, enlarged sections, detail drawings, interior elevations, and engineering drawings.
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Enrollment required
Stairs
Lesson 1: Foundation Walls and Basement Columns
7:01
Examine stair drawings to understand layout and spatial relationship.
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Enrollment required
Paper Size
Lesson 1: Foundation Walls and Basement Columns
3:23
Utilize standard paper sizes in architecture engineering contracting offices, including 8.5 by 11, 11 by 17, 22 by 34, and 30 by 42 for various printing needs.
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Enrollment required
Scale
Lesson 1: Foundation Walls and Basement Columns
5:47
Study and apply architectural scale factors for accurate blueprint design.
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Architectural Cover Sheet
Topic 2: Cover Sheet & Floor Plan
10:00
Examine the cover sheet for key project details, including project name, address, professionals involved, revisions, and building codes.
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Architectural Sheet Index
Topic 2: Cover Sheet & Floor Plan
4:04
Review and follow the sheet index page for organizational guidance.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Abbreviations
Topic 2: Cover Sheet & Floor Plan
4:31
Review architectural abbreviations, symbols, sheet identification, material legend, and general notes to understand construction document conventions.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Floor Plans 01
Topic 2: Cover Sheet & Floor Plan
8:27
Examine floor plan details, including key plan, structural grids, dimensions, wall patterns, and room sections.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Floor Plans 02
Topic 2: Cover Sheet & Floor Plan
5:42
Review and analyze the sheet for structural grid consistency and detailed information inclusion.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Floor Plans 03
Topic 2: Cover Sheet & Floor Plan
4:18
Examine building sections, floor plans, and dimensions in the drawing.
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Architectural Reflected Ceiling Plans
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Wall Types
4:07
Review the Reflected Ceiling Plan drawing for public areas, identify ceiling types, heights above the finished floor, and lighting fixtures.
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Architectural Building Elevations
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Wall Types
6:08
Examine building elevation drawings to understand materials, dimensions, and design details.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Building Axonometrics
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Wall Types
1:15
Examine building axonometrics modeled in Revit software, showcasing detailed construction documents and design enhancements.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Building Sections
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Wall Types
3:06
Review the building section sheet with axonometric, key plan, and building section details, including column grid, room names, and pochade walls, along with references to wall sections on adjacent pages.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Wall Sections
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Wall Types
7:21
Examine detailed wall sections with keynotes and material annotations, showing specific construction elements at a larger scale than building sections.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Interior Wall Types 01
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Wall Types
5:55
Review the enlarged plans and sections for stairway number two, focusing on key dimensions, materials, and details at each level of the building.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Interior Wall Types 02
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Wall Types
3:51
Study the interior wall types and sections drawing to understand the different wall configurations and materials used.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Interior Wall Types 03
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Wall Types
3:27
Review the detailed floor plan layout, noting key indicators for wall types, fire ratings, ADA clearances, structural grid lines, and building sections.
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Architectural Enlarged Unit Plans A
Topic 4: Enlarged Drawings & Occupancy/Egress
7:15
Reviewing and analyzing detailed guest room suite drawings, including floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, electrical plans, furniture plans, axonometrics, and interior elevations.
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Architectural Enlarged Bathroom Plans
Topic 4: Enlarged Drawings & Occupancy/Egress
7:30
Review enlarged public restroom drawings including floor plan, interior elevations, cabinetry, and fixtures.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Enlarged Lobby Drawings
Topic 4: Enlarged Drawings & Occupancy/Egress
2:21
Study the enlarged lobby space plan drawing showing wall sections and elevation views.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Door Schedule And Door Types
Topic 4: Enlarged Drawings & Occupancy/Egress
3:47
Review the door schedule to identify details such as room number, door type, fire rating, width, height, material, head and jam details, and hardware set numbers for each door.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Enlarged Stair Plans And Sections
Topic 4: Enlarged Drawings & Occupancy/Egress
5:55
Examine enlarged plans and sections for stairway number two depicting details and dimensions on each level of the building.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Elevator Drawings
Topic 4: Enlarged Drawings & Occupancy/Egress
4:58
Analyze the Passenger and Service Elevator plans and elevations for dimensional consistency and referencing.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Enlarged Elevator Drawings
Topic 4: Enlarged Drawings & Occupancy/Egress
4:21
Reviewing and detailing the elevator plans, reflected ceiling plans, and elevations to ensure accurate representation in construction documents.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Parking Lot Striping Plans
Topic 4: Enlarged Drawings & Occupancy/Egress
3:07
Review the striping plan for parking part B, highlighting the designated paths of travel, ADA parking requirements, column grids, and parking spot dimensions.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Occupancy/Egress 01
Topic 4: Enlarged Drawings & Occupancy/Egress
12:34
Explain egress plans and occupancy load calculations in a San Diego building renovation.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Occupancy/Egress 02
Topic 4: Enlarged Drawings & Occupancy/Egress
5:08
Summarize means of egress and occupancy load drawings for a specific office suite in a building, focusing on safety and building code compliance.
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Interior Design Finish Schedule
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
1:17
Review the finish schedule for the interior design drawings, identifying tags, specifying items, determining materials, and establishing sources for procurement.
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Interior Design Ceiling Wall Finish Plan
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
2:07
Summarize the Lobby Level, Ceiling, and Wall Finish Plans in Interior Design Drawing ID 102, detailing the extent of finishes and specifying materials for different areas of the lobby and public spaces.
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Enrollment required
Interior Design Millwork Details 01
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
3:32
Review millwork details for half of the registration desk in the lobby, including section cuts, dimensions, and elevations.
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Enrollment required
Interior Design Millwork Details 02
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
6:30
Review and analyze the millwork drawings for the bar area.
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Enrollment required
Civil Demolition Plan
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
2:59
Review the civil engineering demolition plan drawing, noting key items like property lines, demolition legends, notes on removal of various elements, spot elevations, construction site extents, and entrance location.
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Enrollment required
Civil Metes and Bounds
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
8:48
Civil engineers use decimal units and surveyor's angles to create site plans with precision and accuracy.
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Enrollment required
Civil Site Plan
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
4:33
Examine the site plan drawing for building footprint and parking layout details.
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Enrollment required
Civil Grading and Drainage Plan
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
3:30
Review the Civil Sheet C4.1 Grading and Drainage Plan, focusing on keynotes, spot elevations, and water management on the project site.
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Enrollment required
Civil Utilities Plan
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
3:15
Review the Utilities Plan drawing showing water systems and sanitary systems, noting connections, layouts, and key details for reference.
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Enrollment required
Civil Details
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
2:51
Examine the civil site details in drawing C6.2, focusing on various sections and elements like curbs, walls, structures, and elevations for a parking garage.
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Enrollment required
Civil Landscape Plan
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
2:17
Review LS.1 landscape plan drawing showing plant schedule, symbols, codes, quantities, and areas for trees, shrubs, ground covers, and flowers with plants to be removed.
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Structural Structural General Notes
Topic 6: Structural
4:30
Examine the structural engineering drawings for specific design criteria and load requirements, including dead loads, live loads, wind loads, foundations, reinforced concrete, structural steel, and post-installed anchors.
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Structural Structural 3D View
Topic 6: Structural
2:42
Create 3D models of structures using programs like Revit for collaborative analysis and visualization by the construction team.
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Enrollment required
Structural Foundation Plan
Topic 6: Structural
3:31
Review foundation plan details, including footing sizes, elevations, control joints, and slab details.
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Enrollment required
Structural Structural Framing Reinforcement
Topic 6: Structural
2:59
Review page S105B for the Level 2 Hotel Framing and Reinforcing Plan, focusing on the structural details of the concrete slab and reinforcing bars, including the expansion joint, rebar configurations, and grid dimensions.
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Structural Structural Sections Details
Topic 6: Structural
6:18
Review sheet S202 for typical sections and details, noting that all drawings are not to scale with consistent text size and clear instructions for construction details.
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Structural Foundation Schedule Details
Topic 6: Structural
6:55
Review sheet S-301, focusing on the foundation schedule and details, including spread footing sizes, reinforcement spacing, column and beam details, rebar placements, and slab dimensions, for accurate construction execution.
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Enrollment required
Structural Schedule Sections Details
Topic 6: Structural
6:05
Review beam schedule, sections, and details in sheet S401, analyzing dimensions, reinforcing, and placement of rebar and stirrups for beams and columns.
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Enrollment required
Structural Slab Sections Details
Topic 6: Structural
3:26
Review sheet S-503 for slab sections and details, focusing on balcony, pour strip, transitions at the ramp, shear walls, openings, suspended CMU masonry wall, and tenons at ramp.
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Enrollment required
Structural Sections Details
Topic 6: Structural
3:46
Review the structural drawings, focusing on sheet S604, Sections and Details, for analysis and detailing.
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Mechanical M Abbreviations Legend Notes
Topic 7: Mechanical
1:34
Review the Mechanical Abbreviations, Legends, and Notes page for important details on ductwork, equipment, piping, and graphical standards. Pay specific attention to the Ductwork Legend and Abbreviations for key symbols like air registers and return air grills.
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Mechanical Mechanical Plan 01
Topic 7: Mechanical
2:28
Revit was used to model the project in 3D, allowing for efficient resolution of duct placement and clear organization of information in the mechanical drawing.
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Enrollment required
Mechanical Mechanical Plan 02
Topic 7: Mechanical
7:13
Examine the detailed mechanical system layout on the floor plan for various areas of the building, including the pool, guest suites, bathrooms, fitness area, and meeting rooms.
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Mechanical Mechanical Plan 03
Topic 7: Mechanical
1:21
Detailing the mechanical features of Level 4 in Area A of the building, including ducting, fire smoke dampers, airflow into the guest rooms, and fire detectors.
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Enrollment required
Mechanical Mechanical Guest Room Plan
Topic 7: Mechanical
2:04
Review the mechanical guest room plans focusing on suite types, noting key features such as vertical conditioning units, air supply and return, passive ventilation systems, and thermostat locations.
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Enrollment required
Mechanical Mechanical Schedules
Topic 7: Mechanical
3:16
Reviewing the mechanical schedules reveals detailed information about fan coil units, condensing units, ERUs, and other HVAC components based on specific manufacturer models such as Trane and Aeon.
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Enrollment required
Mechanical Mechanical Details
Topic 7: Mechanical
0:59
Review mechanical detail sheet for project-specific and manufacturer-provided details on filling voids, back drafts, fire stops, and exhaust pipes through walls.
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Electrical Electrical Notes Legends
Topic 8: Electrical
2:08
Review electrical notes and legends including lighting fixtures, fire alarm system legends, electrical symbol legends, and abbreviations provided by the engineer, among other content.
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Electrical Power Plan 01
Topic 8: Electrical
3:25
Review the power plant building layout, highlighting the electrical connections and panel box locations.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Power Plan 02
Topic 8: Electrical
1:43
Review the power drawing for the hotel area to identify junction boxes and electrical wiring details for different locations.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Power Plan 03
Topic 8: Electrical
2:11
Review the power drawing for consistency and clarity, noting the key elements such as power notes, fire alarm details, junction boxes, outlets, and electrical panel connections within guest suites and shared corridors.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Lighting Plan
Topic 8: Electrical
3:07
Review lighting drawing showing different light fixtures in various areas, including lobby, meeting rooms, corridors, trellis, egress hall, and bathrooms, with no dimensioning of fixtures.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Guest Room Plan
Topic 8: Electrical
3:16
Review electrical guest room plans, noting circuitry, fixtures, keynotes, junction boxes, outlets, smoke detectors, and fire alarm details for various suite types.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Power Lighting Partial Plan
Topic 8: Electrical
1:25
Review power and lighting partial plans for the building, focusing on electrical stations, panels, and data stations.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Electrical Riser
Topic 8: Electrical
3:47
Study the electrical riser drawing to understand the organization and distribution of the electrical system in the building, starting from the bottom with utility transformers and power distribution.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Electrical Schedules
Topic 8: Electrical
1:48
Review electrical schedules to identify circuits plugged into panel boxes in the building, noting circuit numbers, breaker numbers, KVA load factors, and total KVA demand for each panel.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Electrical Details
Topic 8: Electrical
2:49
Review standard electrical details for project scope and size, focusing on specific requirements for accessibility and safety compliance.
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Plumbing Legend Notes
Topic 9: Plumbing
1:32
Review and reference plumbing legends and notes to understand the symbols used in plumbing drawings.
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Plumbing Plumbing Plan 01
Topic 9: Plumbing
4:12
Review underground plumbing drawings to understand the sanitary and stormwater systems, tracing various pipe sizes and connections leading to a main manhole for waste disposal.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Plumbing Plan 02
Topic 9: Plumbing
3:45
Review the P1 parking plumbing drawings, noting the keynotes legend and general notes, highlighting the relationship between the lines coming down to feed into sanitary and storm lines, identifying various pipes and their functions, and emphasizing the need to pay attention to detail and the legend for clarity.
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Plumbing Plumbing Plan 03
Topic 9: Plumbing
1:40
Analyze plumbing floor plan for hotel guest suites on level one, highlighting piping layout, legend, and 3D models in Revit.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Plumbing Plan 04
Topic 9: Plumbing
3:15
Examine plumbing drawing on level 4 showing storm drains and sanitary drains with keynotes and general notes.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Plumbing Plan 05
Topic 9: Plumbing
2:26
Review the plumbing drawings for the roof to identify roof drains, gas lines, mechanical systems, and architectural scuppers for water control.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Guest Room
Topic 9: Plumbing
1:47
Examine plumbing guest room plans for higher-end suites, focusing on hot and cold water lines and drain configurations.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Enlarged Laundry
Topic 9: Plumbing
3:35
Examine the plumbing plan for the laundry area showing gas lines, sanitary connections, and riser diagrams.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Riser Designation Areas
Topic 9: Plumbing
1:18
Review the riser designation area drawing for Part B of the building to prepare for the subsequent riser diagrams.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Sanitary Riser
Topic 9: Plumbing
4:08
Show risers for area B, sections F and F1 depicting 3D grease waste, public restrooms, and sanitary risers with labeled traps, ventilation, and clean outs.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Partial Plans And Risers
Topic 9: Plumbing
3:54
Review the plumbing partial plans riser diagram for the public bathroom on the first level of the hotel.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Schedules
Topic 9: Plumbing
3:09
Review plumbing schedules for water heater, sump pump, fire pump, jockey pump, domestic water booster pump, circulation pump, storage tank, gas pressure regulator, grease trap, plumbing specialties, and plumbing fixtures.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Details
Topic 9: Plumbing
2:28
Examine plumbing details for key information and components to understand how they fit together and function.
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Technology Legends Symbols
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
1:23
Examine the legends and symbols page of the technology systems drawings to understand the information presented, including mounting heights and raceway details.
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Technology Technology Plans 01
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
2:36
Review the building technology drawing for part B of the building down in the parking lot, focusing on conduits, connections, access points, card readers, and intercom stations for a comprehensive understanding.
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Enrollment required
Technology Technology Plans 02
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
3:36
Reviewing the lobby level technology drawings for audiovisual and security features.
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Enrollment required
Technology Technology Plans 03
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
1:43
Summarize the technology drawings for the third level, showing common space information and individual guest suites with details such as IT closets, telecom backboards, racks for voice data terminations, wireless access points in corridors, and ADA two-way communication for wheelchair access.
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Enrollment required
Technology Guestroom Plans
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
2:57
Examine guest room technology drawings for cabling and raceway keynotes, noting cable quantities and locations for voice, data, and TV connections.
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Enrollment required
Technology Details
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
3:45
Review the cabling and construction details sheet, identifying keynotes and symbols for different technology cablings and installations.
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Enrollment required
Technology Coax Cable Riser Diagrams
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
2:36
Review the coax cabling riser diagram and understand the distribution of coax cables throughout the building.
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Enrollment required
Specifications Standard Specifications Format
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
5:01
Discuss the organization of project specifications using Master Format, which categorizes construction requirements, products, and activities into 48 divisions for communication and coordination among industry professionals.
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Enrollment required
Specifications Standard Specifications Part 01
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
1:59
Review the specifications document, focusing on the general section, references codes, quality assurance, warranties, and project conditions.
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Specifications Standard Specifications Part 02
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
3:19
Detailing approved products for concrete applications, including concrete cleaning, patch repair, overlays, casting, accessories, pigmentation, and coatings.
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Specifications Standard Specifications Part 03
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
2:06
Summarize project specifications into three sections: general, product, and execution, covering topics like installation, examination, coordination, field quality control, final cleaning, protection, and maintenance.
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Enrollment required
Closing Instructor Thoughts
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
1:51
Complete the course completion survey and provide feedback to help improve future courses.
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Residential Blueprint Reading Course Online
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Welcome to the Course
Topic 1: Blueprint Reading Basics
1:43
Learn how to understand and read blueprints for residential construction.
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Symbols
Topic 1: Blueprint Reading Basics
8:08
Identify and follow symbols on floor plans to locate detailed information in schedules and other drawings.
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Enrollment required
Doors and Windows
Topic 1: Blueprint Reading Basics
5:17
Analyze and interpret floor plan drawings to understand door and window configurations.
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Enrollment required
Dimensions Part 1
Topic 1: Blueprint Reading Basics
3:23
Discussing dimensions on architectural and engineering drawings, including the use of extension lines, dimension lines, indicators, and dimension text.
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Enrollment required
Dimensions Part 2
Topic 1: Blueprint Reading Basics
5:58
Study the dimensions provided in the building plan to understand the layout and measurements accurately.
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Enrollment required
Standard Views
Topic 1: Blueprint Reading Basics
3:23
Explain the differences between floor plans, building elevations, building sections, wall sections, and details.
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Enrollment required
Construction Document Set Organization
Topic 1: Blueprint Reading Basics
4:13
Organize a set of blueprints or construction documents in a specific order for submission to regulatory agencies.
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Enrollment required
Stairs
Topic 1: Blueprint Reading Basics
7:01
Analyze different stair drawings to understand their layout and configuration.
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Enrollment required
Paper Size
Topic 1: Blueprint Reading Basics
3:23
Identify standard paper sizes for architectural drawings in an engineering office: eight and a half by eleven, eleven by seventeen, twenty-two by thirty-four, and thirty by forty-two.
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Scale
Topic 1: Blueprint Reading Basics
5:47
Draw architectural blueprints using various scale factors to accurately represent dimensions in different parts of a building.
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Title Sheet
Topic 2: Title Sheet & Floor Plans
10:00
Review the construction documents for one residence, including architectural drawings, structural drawings, mechanical drawings, and plumbing drawings for plan one.
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Floor Plan Part 1
Topic 2: Title Sheet & Floor Plans
6:28
Examine the first floor plan for the residence, focusing on the dimensions, scale, and symbols.
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Enrollment required
Floor Plan Part 2
Topic 2: Title Sheet & Floor Plans
5:12
Take a virtual tour of the house from the garage to the master bedroom, showcasing key features and details such as double doors, bedrooms with closets, Jack and Jill bathrooms, and interior elevation symbols for further details.
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Floor Plan Part 3
Topic 2: Title Sheet & Floor Plans
4:01
Explain finished material legend for different rooms in the building.
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Interior Elevations Door and Window Schedules
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Schedules
6:05
Review and analyze the interior elevation sheet, focusing on key elements such as cabinet door details, door and window schedules, and glazing specifications.
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Building Sections and Roof Plan
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Schedules
3:42
Review and analyze the building sections and roof plan details for accurate representation and keynotes consistency.
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Enrollment required
Building Elevations
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Schedules
3:47
Review the building elevations sheet to understand the keynotes, plate elevations, and details provided for each element in the drawing.
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Wall Sections
Topic 4: Wall Sections & Details
5:54
Review wall sections and details to understand building components and construction details.
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Details and Hardscape
Topic 4: Wall Sections & Details
3:40
Examine details and hardscape plans on sheets 9-1 and 9-2, referencing window sill conditions and dimensions for construction.
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Structural Drawings Part 1
Topic 5: Structural Drawings
4:47
Reviewing structural notes and calculations submitted by the structural engineer for appropriate design and load-bearing requirements for the building construction project.
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Structural Drawings Part 2
Topic 5: Structural Drawings
4:36
Show foundation details, reinforcing bar bending schedule, and framing details in structural engineering drawings.
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Structural Drawings Part 3
Topic 5: Structural Drawings
4:13
Review the foundation plan, noting the structural grids, detailed sections, and dimension anchoring for effective communication and coordination during construction.
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Structural Drawings Part 4
Topic 5: Structural Drawings
3:50
Examine the structural drawings with details referencing other information within the set.
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Mechanical Drawings
Topic 6: Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing
3:52
Examine MEP mechanical, electrical, and plumbing drawings with schedules, symbols, and details for installation purposes.
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Electrical Drawings
Topic 6: Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing
5:49
Review and analyze the electrical drawings for the project, focusing on symbols, abbreviations, lighting fixture schedule, and construction notes.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Drawings Fixtures
Topic 6: Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing
2:40
Plumbing drawings include fixtures, connections, and venting details for various plumbing elements like sinks, toilets, and tubs, as well as corresponding piping sizes and descriptions in the fixture schedule and legend.
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Plumbing Drawings Domestic Water and Gas Lines
Topic 6: Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing
2:35
The plumbing drawing shows domestic water and gas lines branching to different fixtures like bathtub, sink, toilet, oven, range, forced air unit, dryer, and hot water heater.
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Plumbing Drawings Isometrics
Topic 6: Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing
2:47
Isometric drawings show the layout of domestic water and gas lines in the house, indicating how the pipes should be installed above ceilings and dropping down as needed.
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Plumbing Drawings Waste Lines
Topic 6: Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing
3:52
Review the detailed mechanical, electrical, and plumbing drawings, including symbols, abbreviations, code requirements, schedules, and plan drawings presented in residential and commercial projects, with isometrics for clarity and installation.
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TS1 Title Sheet Part 1
Topic 7: Title Sheet
6:20
Review the title sheet TS 1.0 of the residential project in San Diego County for building permit and regulatory agency requirements.
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Title Sheet Part 2
Topic 7: Title Sheet
1:56
Include fire notes, general notes, vicinity map, and other required information on the title sheet cover for regulatory compliance.
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Enrollment required
TS1 Title Sheet Part 3
Topic 7: Title Sheet
5:38
Review the site plan for the house, noting the property lines, setbacks, and meets and bounds information, illustrating the dimensions and angles of the property boundaries.
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TS1 Title Sheet Part 4
Topic 7: Title Sheet
4:21
Review the site plan with dimensions, setbacks, and fuel modification zone.
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TS2, TS3 and T24 Sheets
Topic 8: Architectural Site Plans
4:24
Include regulatory agency-required information, such as general notes, fire protection notes, storm water quality notes, and mechanical notes in the construction documents, along with construction specifications and nailing schedules to adhere to building code requirements.
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Architectural Site Plans AS1 and AS2
Topic 8: Architectural Site Plans
3:54
Continue with the architectural site plan, showcasing more detailed information and keynotes for regulatory agencies to understand the property layout and topography, with enlarged plans on sheets AS1 and AS2.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Site Plans AS2
Topic 8: Architectural Site Plans
2:06
Revise documents to address regulatory agency checklist items by adding necessary information and annotations, ready for resubmission.
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Floor Plans Overview
Topic 9: Floor Plans
1:59
Review the floor plan documents for a house with three floors, including the basement/ground level, first floor, and second floor, with the orientation of the house correctly aligned on the site and garage entrances indicated on the plans.
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Floor Plans Level 1 Part 1
Topic 9: Floor Plans
2:57
Zoom in on the house plan to show garage doors, mudroom, elevator, stairs, and guest room/bonus area with keynotes indicating specific details and revisions.
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Enrollment required
Floor Plans Level 1 Part 2
Topic 9: Floor Plans
4:01
Explain dimensions and construction details in a building drawing.
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Floor Plans Sections
Topic 9: Floor Plans
2:39
Examine the symbols on the floor plan and refer to corresponding sections in the document for more detailed information.
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Enrollment required
Floor Plans Level 2
Topic 9: Floor Plans
3:04
Zoom back to the previous page to see the steps leading up to the butler's pantry, living room, and guest quarters with a feature wall and deck.
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Enrollment required
Floor Plans Scale
Topic 9: Floor Plans
2:54
Review and analyze the basement plan on sheet A2.2, noting key revisions, scale considerations, and wall representations for accurate documentation.
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Enrollment required
Floor Plans Level 2 Part 2
Topic 9: Floor Plans
3:13
Examine building sections and interior elevations for detailed information on room layouts and materials.
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Enrollment required
Floor Plans The Deck
Topic 9: Floor Plans
2:38
Zoom in to the deck area and observe the standard stud walls, French doors, and detail callouts referencing other images in the set for more information.
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Floor Plans Level 3
Topic 9: Floor Plans
3:00
Review the floor plans and proceed to the building sections for further analysis.
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Building Sections Part 1
Topic 10: Building Sections & Elevations
4:16
Examine building sections on sheet A4.1 for detailed vertical dimensions and datum symbols, referencing specific detail sheets for enlarged information.
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Building Sections Part 2
Topic 10: Building Sections & Elevations
3:35
Trace information across a set of drawings by referencing building section indicators, images, keynotes, and symbols to understand the construction details effectively.
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Enrollment required
Building Sections Part 3
Topic 10: Building Sections & Elevations
1:15
Review the building sections and keynotes provided on the pages to understand the information conveyed.
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Building Elevations
Topic 10: Building Sections & Elevations
3:58
Review the building elevations for consistency and accuracy, ensuring all dimensions and keynotes are properly referenced.
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Interior Elevations Part 1
Topic 11: Interior Elevations & Roof Plan
2:56
Review and analyze interior elevations to understand the layout and design of the project.
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Interior Elevations Part 2
Topic 11: Interior Elevations & Roof Plan
2:11
Specify window dimensions and glazing type for bid and energy calculations, excluding interior finish details.
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Enrollment required
Roof Plan
Topic 11: Interior Elevations & Roof Plan
3:28
Review and analyze the roof plan for sheet A6.1.
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Details Part 1
Topic 12: Details, Schedules & Electrical
3:04
Review and organize office details from various libraries, including standard, construction-specific, and project-specific details.
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Details Part 2
Topic 12: Details, Schedules & Electrical
4:04
Detail pages in architectural drawings present information at different scales to best communicate important details for construction.
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Enrollment required
Details Part 3
Topic 12: Details, Schedules & Electrical
3:28
Reviewing and incorporating project-specific details from standard libraries to enhance construction documentation.
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Door and Window Schedule
Topic 12: Details, Schedules & Electrical
2:10
Analyze the Title 24 page and present door and window schedules to the regulatory agency for energy efficiency calculations and procurement purposes.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Drawings
Topic 12: Details, Schedules & Electrical
2:04
Review and interpret the electrical sheets in the construction documents for a custom residential project to understand layout and requirements for regulatory compliance during construction.
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Enrollment required
Instructor Thoughts
Topic 12: Details, Schedules & Electrical
2:17
Complete the Blueprint Reading for Residential Construction course.
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MEP Blueprint Reading Course Online
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Course Overview
Lesson 1: MEP Systems Fundamentals
1:07
Explore how mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems support overall building performance and how to recognize basic system symbols on construction drawings.
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What Does MEP Mean?
Lesson 1: MEP Systems Fundamentals
4:20
Understand the scope of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and how each discipline supports comfort, safety, daily operations, and construction cost.
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Enrollment required
MEP Systems
Lesson 1: MEP Systems Fundamentals
6:28
Review the core functions of MEP systems, identify common equipment, and see how each system is represented on blueprints.
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Enrollment required
MEP in Construction
Lesson 1: MEP Systems Fundamentals
4:21
Follow how MEP systems are coordinated from design through installation, commissioning, and as-built documentation.
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Mechanical Overview
Lesson 2: Mechanical Blueprint Reading Basics
5:17
Examine the structure of a mechanical plan set, including floor plans, sections, schematics, controls, and schedules.
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Mechanical Legend & General Notes Part 1
Lesson 2: Mechanical Blueprint Reading Basics
Review the purpose and contractual importance of mechanical general notes and how they affect coordination, cost, and schedule.
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Enrollment required
Mechanical Legend & General Notes Part 2
Lesson 2: Mechanical Blueprint Reading Basics
7:59
Dive deeper into mechanical general notes covering conflict resolution, specifications, substitutions, and contractor responsibility.
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Enrollment required
Symbols & Abbreviations Part 1
Lesson 2: Mechanical Blueprint Reading Basics
5:07
Identify air distribution symbols for diffusers, grilles, registers, ductwork, and airflow direction on mechanical plans.
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Enrollment required
Symbols & Abbreviations Part 2
Lesson 2: Mechanical Blueprint Reading Basics
4:07
Read mechanical piping symbols, valve types, abbreviations, and line conventions for hydronic and condensate systems.
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HVAC Mechanical Set
Lesson 3: HVAC Systems & Air Distribution Plans
7:50
Walk through a complete HVAC mechanical plan set and see how air, hydronic, roof, section, schematic, and schedule drawings work together.
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Mechanical Schedule Part 1
Lesson 3: HVAC Systems & Air Distribution Plans
4:13
Understand how mechanical schedules organize HVAC equipment information for coordination and procurement.
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Enrollment required
Mechanical Schedule Part 2
Lesson 3: HVAC Systems & Air Distribution Plans
2:44
Connect air distribution floor plans to mechanical schedules using duct sizes, airflow types, and labeling conventions.
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Enrollment required
Air Design & Ductwork Part 1
Lesson 3: HVAC Systems & Air Distribution Plans
2:44
Interpret air distribution floor plans by tracing duct sizes, airflow direction, and system routing to occupied spaces.
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Enrollment required
Air Design & Ductwork Part 2
Lesson 3: HVAC Systems & Air Distribution Plans
7:05
Analyze vertical duct transitions by tracing ductwork from mechanical rooms to diffusers and identifying key components.
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Enrollment required
Air Design & Ductwork Part 3
Lesson 3: HVAC Systems & Air Distribution Plans
5:31
Review diffuser schedules to understand airflow requirements, branch duct sizing, and system balancing.
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Enrollment required
Hydronic Systems Part 1
Lesson 3: HVAC Systems & Air Distribution Plans
5:47
Explore hydronic piping plans and see how liquid-based HVAC systems are represented through pipe sizing, abbreviations, and condensate drainage.
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Enrollment required
Hydronic Systems Part 2
Lesson 3: HVAC Systems & Air Distribution Plans
4:42
Interpret hydronic plans by identifying valves, gauges, fittings, control devices, and tagged notes.
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Enrollment required
Mechanical Roof Plan
Lesson 3: HVAC Systems & Air Distribution Plans
2:57
Review mechanical roof plans showing rooftop equipment, exhaust systems, penetrations, and placement requirements.
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Enrollment required
Enlarged Mechanical Plans
Lesson 3: HVAC Systems & Air Distribution Plans
3:04
Examine enlarged mechanical plans to understand detailed layouts in mechanical rooms and high-density equipment areas.
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Enrollment required
Mechanical Plan View
Lesson 3: HVAC Systems & Air Distribution Plans
3:12
Read mechanical plan views by interpreting line types and understanding spatial relationships between systems.
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Enrollment required
Mechanical Isometric View
Lesson 3: HVAC Systems & Air Distribution Plans
7:08
Visualize mechanical systems in three dimensions using isometric views that show routing, clearances, and equipment size.
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Enrollment required
Mechanical Sections
Lesson 3: HVAC Systems & Air Distribution Plans
8:03
Interpret mechanical section cuts to understand vertical relationships, elevations, and system transitions.
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Enrollment required
HVAC Conclusion
Lesson 3: HVAC Systems & Air Distribution Plans
2:38
See how plans, sections, isometrics, schedules, and notes work together to fully describe HVAC systems.
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Electrical Overview
Lesson 4: Electrical & Lighting Blueprint Reading
2:58
Explore the structure and purpose of electrical plan sets covering power, lighting, and life safety systems.
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Electrical Legend & General Notes Part 1
Lesson 4: Electrical & Lighting Blueprint Reading
6:38
Review electrical general notes to understand code requirements, responsibilities, and delegated design elements.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Legend & General Notes Part 2
Lesson 4: Electrical & Lighting Blueprint Reading
4:19
Examine electrical general notes addressing generators, grounding, penetrations, and specialty systems.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Symbols
Lesson 4: Electrical & Lighting Blueprint Reading
7:21
Identify common electrical symbols for receptacles, switches, panels, circuits, and fire alarm devices.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Site Plan
Lesson 4: Electrical & Lighting Blueprint Reading
4:21
Read electrical site plans showing incoming utility power, transformers, generators, switchgear, and duct banks.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Power Plan
Lesson 4: Electrical & Lighting Blueprint Reading
9:14
Interpret electrical power floor plans showing receptacles, equipment connections, panel names, circuits, and mounting heights.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Roof and Fire Plans
Lesson 4: Electrical & Lighting Blueprint Reading
5:32
Understand how electrical power is distributed to rooftop equipment and how fire alarm systems are shown on plans.
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Enrollment required
Enlarged Electrical Room & Kitchen Plans
Lesson 4: Electrical & Lighting Blueprint Reading
6:09
Review enlarged electrical plans showing panels, transformers, switchboards, and dense equipment layouts.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Power Riser Plans Part 1
Lesson 4: Electrical & Lighting Blueprint Reading
7:20
Trace power flow through a building using electrical power riser diagrams from the utility service to the distribution panels.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Power Riser Plans Part 2
Lesson 4: Electrical & Lighting Blueprint Reading
4:14
Interpret power risers by reviewing feeder schedules, conduit sizes, wiring types, and supporting notes.
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Enrollment required
Fire Alarm Riser Diagram
Lesson 4: Electrical & Lighting Blueprint Reading
3:47
Explore fire alarm riser diagrams to understand system architecture, device connectivity, and code compliance.
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Enrollment required
Fire Alarm Annunciator Panel Plan
Lesson 4: Electrical & Lighting Blueprint Reading
2:49
Review annunciator panel matrices to understand alarm inputs, outputs, zones, and response logic.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Schedules
Lesson 4: Electrical & Lighting Blueprint Reading
5:35
Examine electrical schedules that consolidate power requirements, emergency designations, and disconnects.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Details
Lesson 4: Electrical & Lighting Blueprint Reading
2:56
Interpret electrical details related to mounting heights, penetrations, accessibility, and specialty systems.
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Enrollment required
Roof Lightning Protection System
Lesson 4: Electrical & Lighting Blueprint Reading
3:28
Review roof-mounted lightning protection systems, including grounding components and surge protection coordination.
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Enrollment required
Lighting Plan
Lesson 4: Electrical & Lighting Blueprint Reading
6:12
Understand how lighting plans identify fixtures, switches, sensors, exit devices, circuits, and control logic.
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Plumbing Overview
Lesson 5: Plumbing Systems & Riser Diagrams
3:43
Explore the structure of plumbing plan sets covering water, drainage, storm, and gas systems.
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Plumbing Legend & General Notes
Lesson 5: Plumbing Systems & Riser Diagrams
8:07
Review plumbing general notes to understand installation requirements, coordination rules, and cost impacts.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Symbols Part 1
Lesson 5: Plumbing Systems & Riser Diagrams
3:53
Identify plumbing symbols for drains, cleanouts, meters, annotations, and riser references.
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Plumbing Symbols Part 2
Lesson 5: Plumbing Systems & Riser Diagrams
7:09
Distinguish plumbing piping systems using line conventions for domestic water, sanitary, storm, gas, and vent systems.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Floor Plans Part 1
Lesson 5: Plumbing Systems & Riser Diagrams
6:33
Interpret plumbing floor plans showing fixtures, pipe sizes, drainage routing, and below-slab piping.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Floor Plans Part 2
Lesson 5: Plumbing Systems & Riser Diagrams
5:06
Trace plumbing mains, branches, valves, chases, and vertical transitions with an emphasis on maintenance access.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Roof Plan
Lesson 5: Plumbing Systems & Riser Diagrams
1:16
Review roof plans showing storm drainage starting points, roof drains, and emergency drainage systems.
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Enrollment required
Enlarged Plumbing Plans
Lesson 5: Plumbing Systems & Riser Diagrams
7:52
Analyze enlarged plumbing plans by tracing supply, drainage, and vent piping in dense fixture areas.
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Enrollment required
Domestic Water Riser Diagram
Lesson 5: Plumbing Systems & Riser Diagrams
2:57
Follow domestic water distribution from municipal entry through pumps, heaters, valves, and fixtures.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Riser Diagram Part 1
Lesson 5: Plumbing Systems & Riser Diagrams
3:27
Review plumbing riser diagrams to understand domestic water distribution across multiple floors.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Riser Diagram Part 2
Lesson 5: Plumbing Systems & Riser Diagrams
6:27
Interpret sanitary riser diagrams showing waste and vent piping, fixture connections, and roof penetrations.
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Enrollment required
Gas & Storm Riser Diagram
Lesson 5: Plumbing Systems & Riser Diagrams
4:11
Explore gas and storm riser diagrams covering service entry, metering, regulation, and drainage paths.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Schedule
Lesson 5: Plumbing Systems & Riser Diagrams
4:29
Review plumbing schedules consolidating fixture data, ADA requirements, rough-in sizes, and mounting details.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Details
Lesson 5: Plumbing Systems & Riser Diagrams
5:35
Interpret plumbing details showing drains, hangers, cleanouts, heaters, and gas assemblies for inspection and long-term performance.
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Structural Blueprint Reading Course Online
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Structural Basics
Lesson 1: Structural Plan Fundamentals
10:00
Learn about the importance of structural blueprints in building design and construction.
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Structural Notes
Lesson 1: Structural Plan Fundamentals
10:00
Break down structural general notes and inspection tables found at the beginning of a structural drawing set.
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Enrollment required
Structural Standards
Lesson 1: Structural Plan Fundamentals
11:20
Analyze structural general notes with a focus on codes, material requirements, coordination rules, and contractor responsibilities. Emphasize how missed notes can lead to pricing errors, rework, or safety risks.
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Enrollment required
Inspection Overview
Lesson 1: Structural Plan Fundamentals
11:48
Define the role inspections play in structural integrity and code compliance.
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Enrollment required
Inspection Types
Lesson 1: Structural Plan Fundamentals
12:07
Learn to differentiate between continuous, periodic, and random inspections used on structural projects.
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Enrollment required
Structural Testing
Lesson 1: Structural Plan Fundamentals
9:48
Examine inspection requirements for concrete, masonry, steel welding, bolting, and framing systems.
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Foundation Layout
Lesson 2: Foundations and Slabs
7:22
Interpret foundation and slab-on-grade plans by identifying column lines, grid systems, and footing callouts.
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Structural Schedules
Lesson 2: Foundations and Slabs
6:35
Connect plan callouts to structural schedules to determine dimensions, reinforcement, and elevations.
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Enrollment required
Wall Footings
Lesson 2: Foundations and Slabs
8:06
Analyze continuous wall footings and perimeter foundation systems to show how footing tags, schedules, and section cuts define structural intent.
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Enrollment required
Foundation Details
Lesson 2: Foundations and Slabs
9:21
Learn to interpret section cuts and foundation details to understand how footings, walls, and reinforcement connect.
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Enrollment required
Slabs on Grade
Lesson 2: Foundations and Slabs
8:11
Examine how slabs-on-grade are specified, detailed, and coordinated within structural plans.
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Framing Overview
Lesson 3: Structural Framing Systems
10:00
Learn to identify common steel members and explain how framing plans communicate load paths and structural layout.
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Steel Identification
Lesson 3: Structural Framing Systems
5:00
Learn how to interpret joist, beam, and wide-flange designations on structural framing plans, including how sizes, weights, and spacing.
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Enrollment required
Joist Systems
Lesson 3: Structural Framing Systems
9:57
Differentiate between K-series, KCS, and other joist types used for varying load conditions.
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Enrollment required
Framing Coordination
Lesson 3: Structural Framing Systems
11:16
Analyze how beams, joists, and girders coordinate with column lines and building geometry.
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Enrollment required
Bearing Plates
Lesson 3: Structural Framing Systems
4:52
Learn the purpose and installation of bearing plates at structural support points.
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Enrollment required
Penthouse Framing
Lesson 3: Structural Framing Systems
15:10
Interpret penthouse and low-roof framing plans to understand structural transitions at upper levels.
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Enrollment required
Roof Framing
Lesson 3: Structural Framing Systems
26:42
Analyze roof framing plans with a focus on joist layout, beam slopes, and elevation changes.
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Enrollment required
Long Span Joists
Lesson 3: Structural Framing Systems
13:33
Examine long-span joist systems used in large open areas such as gyms or atriums.
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Structural Details
Lesson 4: Details, Connections & Sections
4:02
Learn how structural details can communicate constructability and design intent beyond plan views.
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Concrete Details
Lesson 4: Details, Connections & Sections
9:22
Gain insight into common concrete details such as step footings, construction joints, slab depressions, and stair footings to understand how dimensional limits help prevent structural failure.
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Enrollment required
Wall Reinforcement
Lesson 4: Details, Connections & Sections
8:47
Interpret reinforced concrete and ICF wall details used at openings, corners, and wall terminations.
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Enrollment required
Masonry Support
Lesson 4: Details, Connections & Sections
8:17
Analyze concrete masonry unit (CMU) details showing how beams, joists, and lintels bear on masonry walls.
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Enrollment required
Retaining Walls
Lesson 4: Details, Connections & Sections
8:23
Break down retaining wall sections and schedules used to resist soil pressure and elevation changes.
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Enrollment required
Steel Connections
Lesson 4: Details, Connections & Sections
3:24
Explore steel connection details, including bolted plates, angles, weld symbols, and load tables, while understanding how connection geometry influences structural capacity.
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Composite Framing
Lesson 4: Details, Connections & Sections
6:30
Examine composite floor and roof framing systems using metal deck, shear studs, and concrete slabs, and see how layered assemblies define load paths.
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Structural Sections
Lesson 4: Details, Connections & Sections
6:21
Analyze foundation, wall, slab, and roof sections to understand vertical relationships and construction sequencing.
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Communication & Connection Course Online
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Introduction
Lesson 1: Communication and Connection
2:36
Learn essential skills for effective communication, negotiation, conflict management, emotional intelligence, diversity, and public speaking.
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Standard Communication
Lesson 1: Communication and Connection
3:10
Learn to communicate for connection by understanding the limitations of standard communication, valuing connection in all interactions, and practicing the five essential components for effective communication.
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Communication for Connection
Lesson 1: Communication and Connection
8:18
Practice consistent use of the five Cs to improve communication for connection.
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5 C's of Communication
Lesson 1: Communication and Connection
5:23
The five C's of communication are clean, clear, compassionate, courageous, and connected.
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Myth Busting and Senior Leaders
Lesson 1: Communication and Connection
4:23
Leverage communication for connection to save time and build rapport in professional settings.
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Self Application
Lesson 1: Communication and Connection
6:04
Reflect on your own communication skills by considering where your strengths lie and where you have opportunities for growth based on the five Cs framework discussed in the course.
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Next Steps
Lesson 1: Communication and Connection
2:08
Focus on practicing clean, clear, compassionate, courageous, and connected communication to enhance professional growth and foster deeper connections in both personal and professional relationships.
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Making Requests
Lesson 2: Making Requests
1:58
Learn to effectively make requests by describing it as an essential skill, understanding why we resist it, and demonstrating how to use a clear framework.
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Why Make Requests
Lesson 2: Making Requests
2:48
Make powerful and effective requests to maximize professional success and personal happiness, build quality relationships, create opportunities, and avoid regrets.
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Examples of Effective Requests
Lesson 2: Making Requests
3:14
Make requests to advance your career, such as seeking visibility in the industry, balancing work and personal life, and exploring new opportunities within the company.
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Why We Resist Making Requests
Lesson 2: Making Requests
3:37
Identify and challenge the thoughts holding you back.
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Making an Effective Request Part 1
Lesson 2: Making Requests
5:41
Position yourself for success by understanding the lay of the land and finding the right timing and approach. Communicate effectively by paying attention to how you present yourself. Follow a framework to master the request process, starting with knowing what you want and making a clear request. Think about what you want, who you're asking, and why you're making the request.
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Making an Effective Request Part 2
Lesson 2: Making Requests
5:44
Offer specific appreciation and acknowledge the impact of your request when making a request to enhance your chances of success.
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Making an Effective Request Part 3
Lesson 2: Making Requests
4:28
Be prepared to accept any outcome when making requests.
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Making an Effective Request Part 4
Lesson 2: Making Requests
2:46
Practice making effective requests using the provided framework to achieve your desired outcomes in your personal and professional life.
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Managing Challenging Conversations
Lesson 3: Managing Challenging Conversations
6:30
Learn strategies for handling challenging conversations and conflict effectively through practice and application.
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Everyone is Right or No One is
Lesson 3: Managing Challenging Conversations
8:09
Practice mental flexibility by asking yourself "What else is possible that I might not be seeing?" and "How else could I interpret this situation?"
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The Value of Getting it
Lesson 3: Managing Challenging Conversations
6:35
Practice active listening and empathize with others by sincerely acknowledging their point of view, even if you don't agree.
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What's the Bigger Commitment
Lesson 3: Managing Challenging Conversations
5:51
Clarify your bigger commitment and desired outcome before engaging in challenging conversations.
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Challenging Conversations Checklist
Lesson 3: Managing Challenging Conversations
3:06
Practice active listening, release attachment to being right, clarify bigger commitments to effectively manage conflicts in professional settings.
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Dispute Avoidance and Negotiation
Lesson 4: Negotiation
2:23
Daughter negotiates candy sale with father, buys discounted jelly beans, and makes a profit.
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Dispute Avoidance
Lesson 4: Negotiation
2:56
Build personal connections, engage in partnering sessions, communicate clearly, set expectations, and ensure competent people perform the work to avoid disputes.
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Key Points on Negotiations
Lesson 4: Negotiation
6:38
Key points for successful negotiation: - Conflict is inevitable, so embrace it and learn to navigate it. - Understanding cultural differences in negotiating styles can help in handling conflicts effectively. - Building relationships with others can prevent conflicts from escalating. - Focus on the issue at hand and communicate clearly about what you want and why. - Consider the other party's perspective and find mutually beneficial solutions. - Be assertive and ask for what you want, as it increases the chances of achieving your goals. - Prepare for negotiations by doing thorough research and gathering relevant facts.
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Negotiation Techniques Preparation
Lesson 4: Negotiation
4:23
Prepare for negotiation by conducting research, determining acceptable outcomes, and identifying the authority to settle before making the first offer.
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Negotiation Techniques Emotion
Lesson 4: Negotiation
6:55
Maintain emotional balance during negotiations by avoiding attachment, staying calm, and practicing empathy.
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Negotiation Techniques Connection and Aggression
Lesson 4: Negotiation
7:15
Build connections by asking for reasons behind positions, showing empathy, listening, and using mirroring and paraphrasing techniques during negotiations.
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Negotiation Techniques Teamwork
Lesson 4: Negotiation
3:37
Utilize the higher authority technique to gain negotiation leverage.
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What Works for Me
Lesson 4: Negotiation
9:23
Build a team of allies, inject humor into negotiations, use facts and written records, embrace silence, practice honesty, bring up old agreed-upon issues, concede to smaller issues or sweeten the deal, admit faults, ask for help, challenge egos, focus on the future, document resolutions, maintain a positive reputation in the community.
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Negotiation Conclusion
Lesson 4: Negotiation
1:38
Implement strategies for dispute avoidance and negotiation in order to achieve win-win outcomes.
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Public Speaking Introduction
Lesson 5: Public Speaking
4:08
Identify steps, apply techniques, and evaluate body language norms to improve public speaking skills for convincing, informing, or entertaining audiences.
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Preparation Do Your Homework
Lesson 5: Public Speaking
7:03
Prepare for your presentation by knowing your audience, connecting personally, studying your material, catering to the audience, knowing your space, understanding time constraints, and maintaining a consistent pace.
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The Details
Lesson 5: Public Speaking
6:16
Create an organized presentation layout with concise content, brief bullets, and transitions for smooth flow.
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Practice
Lesson 5: Public Speaking
3:43
Rehearse your presentation, use cue cards, predict and prepare answers to potential questions.
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Delivery
Lesson 5: Public Speaking
6:21
Practice delivering speeches or presentations to improve your skills and confidence.
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Body Language The Eyes
Lesson 5: Public Speaking
6:04
Interpret and adjust audience body language to enhance communication effectiveness.
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Body Language The Arms
Lesson 5: Public Speaking
1:54
Avoid crossing arms and use open body language to appear more confident and approachable.
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Body Language The Hands
Lesson 5: Public Speaking
3:13
Avoid aggressive body language, such as pointing or hiding palms, and keep your hands in the strike zone between shoulders and hips to appear more inviting and engaged when speaking in public.
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Body Language The Solution
Lesson 5: Public Speaking
3:42
Implement body language tips for effective public speaking: maintain strike zone, use open palms, maintain eye contact, smile, interpret audience body language, adjust presentation accordingly, and practice for success.
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Emotional Intelligence
Lesson 6: Emotional Intelligence
4:22
Coach senior leader with more experience, address miscommunication, restore trust, and align to move forward effectively using emotional intelligence.
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Components of EQ
Lesson 6: Emotional Intelligence
2:19
The four main components of emotional intelligence are self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. Self-awareness involves recognizing one's own emotions, self-management involves responding appropriately to emotions, social awareness involves understanding others' emotions, and relationship management involves effectively handling interpersonal interactions. Take a moment to reflect on how you recognize and respond to emotions in yourself and others.
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Self Awareness
Lesson 6: Emotional Intelligence
3:37
Develop self-awareness by reflecting on your emotions, strengths, and challenges to better understand how they impact your interactions and decision-making.
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Self Management
Lesson 6: Emotional Intelligence
3:25
Identify and manage emotions effectively for better self-management.
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Social Awareness
Lesson 6: Emotional Intelligence
2:17
Assess the social awareness of a team struggling with culture and climate to understand the dynamics and build a more positive environment.
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Relationship Management
Lesson 6: Emotional Intelligence
3:25
Manage relationships effectively by addressing tensions, partnering with influential individuals, and disrupting old patterns to move forward collectively.
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Benefits of Emotional Intelligence
Lesson 6: Emotional Intelligence
5:33
Strengthen emotional intelligence to enhance professional success by building trust, reducing stress, improving conflict management, and fostering effective team leadership.
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Increasing Emotional Intelligence
Lesson 6: Emotional Intelligence
6:43
Increase emotional intelligence by valuing diverse teams, communicating for connection, making requests, practicing self-reflection, and managing conflict effectively.
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Communication for DEI
Lesson 7: Communication for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
3:49
Learn about communication for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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Diversity
Lesson 7: Communication for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
3:27
Define diversity as the representation of various identities and lived experiences, highlighting individual uniqueness and contributions to a group or organization.
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Equity
Lesson 7: Communication for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
5:40
Define equity as ensuring fair access and opportunities for all individuals based on their needs rather than providing equal treatment or resources.
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Inclusion
Lesson 7: Communication for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
4:19
Define inclusion as actively inviting all voices to participate and contribute, creating a sense of belonging where all feel safe to share their ideas and concerns, and intentionally seeking out diverse perspectives and ensuring that all voices are heard.
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Importance of DEI
Lesson 7: Communication for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
4:15
Value diversity, equity, and inclusion for humanity, performance, recruitment, retention, and happiness in the workplace.
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Why a DEI Focus Matters
Lesson 7: Communication for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
3:50
Implement strategies to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in your organization, including advocating for programs and initiatives, identifying decision-makers, making requests, creating opportunities, and assessing your career trajectory for alignment with DEI values.
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Tools for Communication
Lesson 7: Communication for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
3:11
Implement the five C's of communication and ABCDE framework to support inclusion in workplaces.
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Check in and Examples
Lesson 7: Communication for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
5:05
Practice self-reflection on creating inclusive environments, assess comfort working on diverse teams, support equity and inclusion by giving marginalized individuals a voice, and incorporate inclusive communication in all roles to build and support inclusive environments.
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Putting it All Together
Lesson 7: Communication for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
1:54
Utilize emotional intelligence, the five C's of communication, and the ABCDE framework to support diversity, equity, and inclusion in all interactions.
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Communication and Connection Conclusion
Lesson 7: Communication for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
0:44
Complete part one connection and communication in the essential skills for the technical professional course.
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Self-Management Skills Course Online
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The Excursion
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Introduction
Topic 1: Time Management
1:40
Learn time management, mindset and goal setting, decision-making, and ethics and integrity in the self-management skills course.
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Time Management
Topic 1: Time Management
7:36
Unlock your time, prioritize your commitments, evaluate your productivity, and focus on what matters to maximize your daily hours effectively.
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Evaluate Time
Topic 1: Time Management
5:36
Evaluate your weekly calendar, fill in all activities, identify areas for improvement, and make adjustments to free up more time for yourself.
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Priorities
Topic 1: Time Management
6:19
Identify your top five priorities, align them with your calendar, and adjust your actions accordingly.
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Simplify
Topic 1: Time Management
6:32
Simplify by eliminating, consolidating, and postponing tasks to free up time, say no more often, and consider spending money to unlock time.
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Schedule Priorities Part 1
Topic 1: Time Management
7:08
Schedule your high-priority items first, followed by medium-priority tasks, and then low-priority activities throughout the day to maximize productivity and focus on what truly matters.
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Schedule Priorities Part 2
Topic 1: Time Management
3:03
Communicate your priorities to others to ensure understanding and collaboration.
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Revise Calendar
Topic 1: Time Management
4:27
Revise your calendar based on priorities, make adjustments, set rules, communicate expectations, and be flexible.
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Task Planning
Topic 1: Time Management
5:35
Create prioritized to-do lists, break tasks into manageable chunks, schedule long-lead items, predict tasks months in advance, consider timing, set deadlines, and plan tasks based on your biological rhythms.
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Execute Tasks
Topic 1: Time Management
5:35
Execute tasks by starting with decisive actions, removing distractions, focusing on one task at a time, seeking help when needed, and mimicking the final product in your working file. Be relentless, show results, and prioritize action over perfection.
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Productivity & Efficiency
Topic 1: Time Management
4:26
Maximize productivity by pacing tasks deliberately, moving quickly on filler tasks, planning for efficiencies with templates and batching, automating repetitive tasks, and taking time each day to make future tasks easier while maintaining quality and personal connections.
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Quality & Perfection
Topic 1: Time Management
5:47
Focus on tasks, commit to quality, avoid cutting corners.
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Time Management Conclusion
Topic 1: Time Management
4:42
Evaluate your available time, determine priorities, and apply techniques to improve productivity and maximize energy expenditure.
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Our Brain
Topic 2: Mindset & Goal-Setting
7:32
Learn about mindset and goal setting for better success and well-being.
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Mindset
Topic 2: Mindset & Goal-Setting
7:05
Identify and consciously choose your mindset.
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Mindset and Behavior Part 1
Topic 2: Mindset & Goal-Setting
6:31
Change your mindset by actively changing your thought process.
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Mindset and Behavior Part 2
Topic 2: Mindset & Goal-Setting
4:00
Discuss the differences between fixed mindset and growth mindset and their impact on personal development.
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Change your Mindset Part 1
Topic 2: Mindset & Goal-Setting
4:45
Change your mindset by actively identifying and altering beliefs through daily reflection and targeting specific beliefs to change behavior, utilizing a conceive-believe-achieve cycle.
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Change your Mindset Part 2
Topic 2: Mindset & Goal-Setting
5:13
Reinterpret past events to change your mindset.
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Mindset Foundations
Topic 2: Mindset & Goal-Setting
6:50
Establish five foundations for a strong mindset: prioritize movement, prioritize recovery, nourish the body, foster discovery, and cultivate connections.
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Balance & Resilience
Topic 2: Mindset & Goal-Setting
5:02
Define your personal version of balance and cultivate resilience by identifying your core why and making small decisions aligned with your priorities.
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Design Methodology
Topic 2: Mindset & Goal-Setting
4:25
Apply the design methodology to achieve goals effectively and efficiently.
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Goals Part 1
Topic 2: Mindset & Goal-Setting
6:58
Identify purpose, set achievable goals, and write them down to improve the likelihood of accomplishment by 40%.
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Goals Part 2
Topic 2: Mindset & Goal-Setting
5:53
Utilize the SMART acronym for effective goal setting.
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Daily Reflection
Topic 2: Mindset & Goal-Setting
5:10
Dedicate daily time for reflection to refresh your mindset.
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Decision Making
Topic 3: Decision Making
9:23
This lesson discusses decision-making, highlighting key imperatives and factors affecting our ability to make effective decisions, emphasizing the need for commitment, human involvement, information processing, the impact of indecision, and the role of emotions in decision-making processes.
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How We Think Part 1
Topic 3: Decision Making
4:03
Consider how we think into four categories: experiencing, creating heuristics, constructing ideas, and analyzing.
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How We Think Part 2
Topic 3: Decision Making
4:43
Break down events, perceive information, filter through meaning changes, consider cultural background and mindset, process decisions consciously, avoid automatic mode, slow down, engage effortful thinking for important decisions.
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How We Think Part 3
Topic 3: Decision Making
4:25
Danny Kahneman's quotes highlight the default mode of filling in gaps and forming coherent stories based on available information. Our automatic thinking tendency, influenced by the law of least effort, leads to cognitive biases and shortcuts in decision-making. Awareness of these thinking tendencies is crucial for improving decision-making.
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How We Make Decisions
Topic 3: Decision Making
8:38
Improve intuitive decision making through gaining experience, scenario training, and active feedback loops.
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Decision Making Processes
Topic 3: Decision Making
9:11
Summarize a decision-making process in five steps: define the decision, collect information, consider options, make the decision, take action, and assess the outcome for future improvement.
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Pitfalls Narrow Framing
Topic 3: Decision Making
5:28
Implement a five-step decision-making process to deliberate and thoughtful decision-making, be aware of and mitigate decision-making pitfalls, such as narrow framing, by developing multiple options, conducting opportunity cost assessments, using the vanishing options test, and seeking an outside view.
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Pitfalls Confirmation Bias
Topic 3: Decision Making
4:18
Combat confirmation bias by seeking out negative information, considering the opposite perspective, and using the triangulation technique to gain a more holistic view before making a decision.
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Pitfalls Short Term Emotion
Topic 3: Decision Making
3:57
Recognize and mitigate the influence of short-term emotions in decision-making by getting distance, taking time, considering different time horizons, seeking external advice, and aligning decisions with core priorities for long-term well-being.
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Pitfalls Overconfidence
Topic 3: Decision Making
4:19
Prepare for unforeseen events by bookending and conducting pre-mortems and pre-parades to identify potential risks and opportunities in decision-making, and consider building in a factor of safety to account for unknown unknowns.
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Pitfalls Planning Fallacy
Topic 3: Decision Making
5:46
Implement strategies to better estimate and manage time for decision-making and action planning.
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Ethics & Integrity
Topic 4: Ethics & Integrity
1:48
Commit to a life of ethical behavior and high integrity in your professional career.
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Code of Ethics
Topic 4: Ethics & Integrity
10:04
Adhere to professional ethics by prioritizing public safety, staying within your area of expertise, providing complete and truthful information, maintaining objectivity in public statements, avoiding deceptive acts, and preventing conflicts of interest.
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Integrity
Topic 4: Ethics & Integrity
7:00
Maintain integrity by doing the right thing even when unobserved, as unethical choices can gradually erode it, leading to severe consequences.
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Significance of Ethical Behavior
Topic 4: Ethics & Integrity
2:52
Embrace ethical behavior and integrity to build trust, advance in your career, and avoid the consequences of unethical actions in the professional world.
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Four R's for Ethical Dilemmas
Topic 4: Ethics & Integrity
7:51
Apply the four R's framework when faced with ethical dilemmas.
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Examples Design vs
Topic 4: Ethics & Integrity
5:47
Inspect the bent headed anchor studs on the construction site and call off the concrete pour if necessary.
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Examples Design vs
Topic 4: Ethics & Integrity
3:52
Disclose mistakes promptly and honestly to maintain integrity and transparency.
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Examples The Company Vehicle
Topic 4: Ethics & Integrity
3:49
Adhere to company policy and refrain from using the company vehicle for personal trips, even if coworkers are doing so.
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Examples The Lunch
Topic 4: Ethics & Integrity
4:55
Invite public agency employees to a barbecue and have them pay for their own meal to comply with gift acceptance rules.
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Examples The Excursion
Topic 4: Ethics & Integrity
2:44
Evaluate the offer of a sponsored trip from a supplier and carefully consider company rules and potential conflicts of interest.
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Examples The Marker & Side Hustles
Topic 4: Ethics & Integrity
4:48
Communicate with your supervisor or HR department about potential conflicts of interest regarding side hustles.
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Examples Safety
Topic 4: Ethics & Integrity
4:56
Enforce safety protocols and follow lockout/tagout procedures in industrial settings to prevent accidents and ensure compliance.
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Ethics & Integrity Conclusion
Topic 4: Ethics & Integrity
1:54
Strive to always do the right thing, maintain high integrity, and face consequences when necessary.
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Course Conclusion
Topic 4: Ethics & Integrity
0:45
Practice and implement the time management and decision-making techniques discussed in part two for personal and professional growth.
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Teamwork, Collaboration & Leadership Course Online
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Introduction
Lesson 1: Meetings & Collaboration
1:37
Learn to conduct successful meetings, build effective teams, make collaborative decisions, and develop leadership skills to excel in a technical professional role.
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Defining Collaboration
Lesson 1: Meetings & Collaboration
10:20
Improve collaboration and meeting effectiveness by following structured meeting guidelines and implementing practical tips.
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Meetings
Lesson 1: Meetings & Collaboration
5:13
Identify qualities of successful and unsuccessful meetings, focusing on preparation and follow-up to improve meeting effectiveness.
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Meeting Preparation Part 1
Lesson 1: Meetings & Collaboration
3:22
Identify meeting purpose, create written agenda with topics, time, and talker, and publish at least 24 hours in advance.
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Meeting Preparation Part 2
Lesson 1: Meetings & Collaboration
5:26
Identify attendees, set expectations, clarify outcomes, plan logistics, and rehearse meetings for success.
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Meeting Preparation Part 3
Lesson 1: Meetings & Collaboration
1:49
Delegate simpler tasks like note-taking and timekeeping, consider venue logistics, and rehearse the meeting for smooth execution.
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Conducting the Meeting Part 1
Lesson 1: Meetings & Collaboration
4:01
Stage two of conducting a meeting involves following the agenda, starting on time, setting a positive tone, and reiterating the purpose of the meeting to set expectations. Introduce new members, highlight important logistics briefly, and avoid spending too much time on administrative details. Stick to the agenda and maintain a positive, collaborative environment throughout the meeting.
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Conducting the Meeting Part 2
Lesson 1: Meetings & Collaboration
3:12
Facilitate agenda items, encourage participation, document decisions, assign tasks, and set deadlines.
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Conducting the Meeting Part 3
Lesson 1: Meetings & Collaboration
2:03
Close the meeting by summarizing actions, thanking attendees, providing encouragement, and identifying follow-up tasks.
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Meeting Follow Up
Lesson 1: Meetings & Collaboration
3:58
Implement effective follow-up actions to enhance accountability and maintain momentum post-meeting.
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Tips Keep it Small
Lesson 1: Meetings & Collaboration
4:24
Keep meetings small to enhance participation and engagement, combat social loafing, and encourage active contribution from all attendees.
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Tips Ban Devices
Lesson 1: Meetings & Collaboration
4:02
Ban devices during meetings to reduce distractions, improve engagement, and enhance collaboration.
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Tips Keep it Short
Lesson 1: Meetings & Collaboration
3:54
Keep meetings short and focused to maintain engagement and productivity, aiming for a default duration of 30 minutes and a maximum of 60 minutes to prevent boredom and ensure efficient use of time.
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Tips Participation and When Not to Meet
Lesson 1: Meetings & Collaboration
4:22
Encourage active participation from all attendees in meetings by setting clear expectations and providing opportunities for engagement, ensuring valuable insights are shared and reducing unnecessary meetings for more focused work time.
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Virtual Meetings
Lesson 1: Meetings & Collaboration
4:18
Identify challenges in virtual meetings to enhance collaboration.
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Techniques for Virtual Meetings Part 1
Lesson 1: Meetings & Collaboration
4:59
Implement techniques to enhance virtual meetings, such as defining a clear purpose, covering fewer topics, conducting regular check-ins, asking specific and engaging questions, and adjusting questioning techniques to encourage collaboration among participants.
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Techniques for Virtual Meetings Part 2
Lesson 1: Meetings & Collaboration
4:33
Capture visual notes during discussions, avoid using presentations as the main focus, include opportunities for individual reflection, customize the method for visual record-keeping based on meeting purpose, and set the expectation for active participation.
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Collaboration and Meetings Conclusion
Lesson 1: Meetings & Collaboration
1:39
Implement the techniques for effective collaboration in meetings, including preparation, conducting, and follow-up, to improve outcomes and engagement.
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Teamwork and Teambuilding Introduction
Lesson 2: Teamwork & Team-Building
4:10
Learn the theory and practical tips for effective teamwork and team building.
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Teams vs
Lesson 2: Teamwork & Team-Building
5:33
Define teams by looking at what they are not, contrasting teams with groups, highlighting the importance of synergy and collaboration, emphasizing the need for commitment to transition from a working group to a team, and avoiding the pseudo team stage to achieve optimal performance.
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Phases of Team Development Part 1
Lesson 2: Teamwork & Team-Building
5:59
Outline the stages of team development: forming, storming, norming, performing, maturing, and declining.
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Phases of Team Development Part 2
Lesson 2: Teamwork & Team-Building
4:43
Work through the stages of team development to achieve high performance.
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Roles of Team Members
Lesson 2: Teamwork & Team-Building
6:44
Identify and balance team roles to optimize performance.
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Team Dynamics
Lesson 2: Teamwork & Team-Building
3:59
Highlight the traditional and modern team dynamics, emphasizing the importance of cohesiveness in both settings.
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Qualities of a High Performing Team
Lesson 2: Teamwork & Team-Building
5:10
Identify the four qualities of a cohesive, high-performing team.
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Shared Vision Unity of Purpose
Lesson 2: Teamwork & Team-Building
4:57
Examine motives, align agenda, ensure consistent behavior for unity of purpose within a team.
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Trust Fundamentals
Lesson 2: Teamwork & Team-Building
4:28
Dive deep into understanding trust and its nuances.
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Components of Trust
Lesson 2: Teamwork & Team-Building
9:53
Break down emotional trust and intellectual trust and discuss how trust works.
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How Trust Works
Lesson 2: Teamwork & Team-Building
4:52
Build self-trust by honoring commitments to yourself, then cultivate relational trust through meeting, rapport-building, shared experiences, collaboration, and deepening relationships.
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Trustworthiness
Lesson 2: Teamwork & Team-Building
5:27
Prioritize others first, seek to understand, validate their value, honor reason, and embrace abundance to enhance trustworthiness.
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Extending Trust
Lesson 2: Teamwork & Team-Building
5:01
Reflect on your trust spectrum position, conduct a personal risk assessment, evaluate self-trust, and start small to extend trust in teamwork.
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Teambuilding Activities Part 1
Lesson 2: Teamwork & Team-Building
3:58
Implement team building activities to enhance team cohesion and collaboration, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie among team members through informal interactions and shared experiences.
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Teambuilding Activities Part 2
Lesson 2: Teamwork & Team-Building
4:19
Plan and execute formal team-building activities, such as welcome celebrations, monthly recognition, farewell celebrations, team launches, and work style or human behavior inventories, to foster trust and cohesion within the team.
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Organizational Charts Part 1
Lesson 2: Teamwork & Team-Building
5:15
Utilize organizational chart, task assignment matrix, and RACI matrix to enhance teamwork efficiency.
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Organizational Charts Part 2
Lesson 2: Teamwork & Team-Building
3:55
Create a synchronization matrix to coordinate tasks and purposes for various team members or departments.
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Virtual Teamwork Tools
Lesson 2: Teamwork & Team-Building
3:46
Utilize virtual teamwork tools to enhance collaboration and productivity in remote team settings.
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Being a Good Teammate
Lesson 2: Teamwork & Team-Building
4:42
Implement positive mindset, be proactive, get involved, and show respect to be a good teammate.
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Teamwork and Teambuilding Conclusion
Lesson 2: Teamwork & Team-Building
1:45
Reflect on the key principles of team building and apply them to future team endeavors.
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Team Decision Making Introduction
Lesson 3: Team Decision-Making
3:24
Learn team decision making dynamics, understand groupthink, achieve buy-in, navigate decision-making processes, apply core values, and use tactical tools and techniques for effective team decisions.
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Methods of TDM
Lesson 3: Team Decision-Making
5:50
Identify the decision-making method based on the situation and select the appropriate decision maker.
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Challenges & Benefits of TDM
Lesson 3: Team Decision-Making
4:24
Highlight the benefits of team decision-making, such as gaining a broad perspective, leveraging diverse opinions, facilitating faster implementation, and enhancing group ownership of decisions.
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Groupthink
Lesson 3: Team Decision-Making
7:47
Identify symptoms of groupthink to prevent poor decisions in team decision-making.
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Avoiding Groupthink
Lesson 3: Team Decision-Making
5:35
Prevent groupthink by discussing symptoms, assigning rotating devil's advocate, bringing in external experts, restructuring groups, acknowledging conflict, avoiding self-censorship, not pressuring others to conform, and avoiding mind-guarding behaviors.
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Lack of Buy in
Lesson 3: Team Decision-Making
5:39
Build buy-in by ensuring fair process, including team members in decision-making, and explaining the reasoning behind decisions.
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TDM Dynamics Part 1
Lesson 3: Team Decision-Making
4:27
Understand team decision process and dynamics to achieve buy-in.
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TDM Dynamics Part 2
Lesson 3: Team Decision-Making
4:58
Generate diverse perspectives, consolidate options, and refine decisions in group decision-making.
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TDM Core Values
Lesson 3: Team Decision-Making
4:01
Manage the noble struggle to integrate in team decision-making by incorporating the core values of full participation, mutual understanding, inclusive solutions, and shared responsibility.
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TDM Tools & Techniques Part 1
Lesson 3: Team Decision-Making
6:20
Share techniques and tools for team decision-making, including SWOT and decision matrices, to enhance understanding and achieve inclusive solutions.
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TDM Tools & Techniques Part 2
Lesson 3: Team Decision-Making
6:25
Utilize techniques for buying by capturing individual thoughts, narrowing down options with a five-bean vote, rating decisions from zero to three, and actively considering opposing viewpoints to gain buy-in and make reality-based decisions.
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TDM Conclusion
Lesson 3: Team Decision-Making
1:26
Implement key strategies for effective team decision-making, including considering team vs. individual decisions, preventing groupthink, setting realistic expectations, integrating divergence and convergence, achieving buy-in, and utilizing tools and techniques.
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Principles of Leadership Introduction
Lesson 4: Leadership
5:15
Discuss leadership principles.
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Bend Nails
Lesson 4: Leadership
5:39
Lead by example and get your hands dirty to inspire and earn respect.
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Build a Following & Knockdown Barriers
Lesson 4: Leadership
3:53
Focus on building relationships with your team and supporting them in their work to achieve success.
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Goals, Simplification & Empowerment
Lesson 4: Leadership
4:14
Empower and motivate your team by setting big goals, simplifying messages, breaking down tasks, and recognizing individual strengths.
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Humility & Decisiveness
Lesson 4: Leadership
3:27
Be humble, seek advice, be decisive, listen to advice, display optimism, avoid pessimism.
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Demeanor, Integrity & Excuses
Lesson 4: Leadership
5:11
Exhibit calm behavior, do exceptional work, take pride in your work, lead with integrity, take ownership of your team and work, and take responsibility for your team's actions.
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Be Flexible, Celebrate, Follow
Lesson 4: Leadership
3:14
Practice flexibility in leadership, celebrate victories, and learn from others to become a better leader.
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Principles of Leadership Conclusion
Lesson 4: Leadership
1:31
Continuously learn, improve, inspire, and lead with integrity in all aspects of life.
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Course Conclusion
Lesson 4: Leadership
0:48
Celebrate completing the series on teamwork, collaboration, and leadership!
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Curriculum
What you'll learn
- Plan, schedule, and coordinate construction projects from preconstruction through closeout, applying the critical path method, work breakdown structures, and lookahead planning to keep projects on track
- Develop accurate cost estimates and competitive bids by performing quantity takeoffs, analyzing labor, material, equipment, and subcontractor costs, and evaluating risk and contingencies
- Apply industry-standard software including Smartsheet for scheduling, Bluebeam Revu for digital takeoffs, Procore for project management, and Autodesk Forma for cloud-based site analysis and coordination
- Interpret architectural, structural, and MEP construction documents to extract cost data, coordinate trades, and verify field accuracy across residential and commercial projects
- Administer contracts, manage submittals, RFIs, and document control, and select appropriate project delivery systems, payment structures, and procurement options for different project types
- Build comprehensive site logistics, safety, and quality plans that address jobsite circulation, OSHA requirements, hazard analysis, stormwater management, and PPE protocols
- Leverage AI-powered workflows and automation tools to streamline bidding, proposal writing, schedule analysis, field reporting, and project closeout reporting across the construction lifecycle
- Lead teams effectively through clear communication, conflict resolution, ethical decision-making, and collaborative leadership practices essential to managing crews, stakeholders, and clients on the modern jobsite
Course outline
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Intro to Construction Management Course Online 20 hours
Kickstart your construction career with a comprehensive introduction to the industry’s key fundamentals, including the essential players, project planning processes, and delivery systems. This course provides the knowledge and tools to succeed in the construction industry.
- Key principles of construction management and project organization
- Essentials of construction technology and how it applies to the industry
- How to interpret and analyze construction documents effectively
- Fundamentals of contract administration and legal requirements in construction
- Practical strategies for managing resources, schedules, and budgets
- Communication and leadership skills to manage teams and stakeholders, with insight into industry best practices and real-world applications
- Overview of the key parties involved, industry sectors, design vs. construction
- Overview of the major project delivery systems, payment/procurement options, bonds, and insurance
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Intermediate Construction Management Course Online 20 hours
Dive into construction management with intermediate knowledge of cost estimating, scheduling, contracts, and the critical project plans required for successful project execution. This course will provide practical tools for managing site logistics, safety, and quality plans.
- Advanced project scheduling and resource allocation strategies.
- Budget estimation and cost control techniques.
- Risk assessment and management in construction projects.
- Effective communication and collaboration in multidisciplinary construction teams.
- Insights into regulatory compliance and contract administration.
- Overview of safety plans, quality plans, site logistics plans, phasing plans, and stormwater management plans.
- Overview of document control, submittals, RFIs, issue management, and jobsite records.
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Autodesk Forma: Site Design & Building Design + Board Course Online 30 hours
This course provides hands-on experience, guiding you from a blank project to a coordinated construction model. You will master efficient workflows for the modern jobsite, tackling everything from initial site massing to the detailed resolution of mechanical clashes. We will dive into practical projects, teaching you how to expertly handle digital files, version control, and automated coordination tools.
- Set up geographic project sites, import datasets, and establish site limits.
- Generate and compare design variations using site automation and sketch tools.
- Model commercial and mixed-use structures with columns, walls and interior rooms
- Design and assign custom facade components, window ratios and balcony modules.
- Evaluate proposals using sun hours, area metrics, earthwork and carbon analyses.
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Construction Scheduling Course Online 30 hours
Master construction scheduling and project management with our Smartsheet training course. Learn to create efficient schedules, optimize workflows, and apply industry best practices to keep your projects on track.
- The fundamentals of creating effective construction schedules tailored to project requirements
- Techniques for utilizing scheduling software to streamline project timelines and workflows
- Strategies for identifying and managing critical paths to avoid delays and ensure timely completion
- Best practices for resource allocation and balancing workloads across project teams
- Methods for monitoring progress and updating schedules to adapt to changing project conditions
- Tips for communicating schedules effectively with stakeholders and maintaining transparency throughout the project lifecycle
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Construction Materials Course Online 30 hours
Dive into the world of construction materials with this in-depth course covering everything from concrete foundations to innovative green materials. Gain the skills to evaluate, select, and apply materials in residential and commercial projects.
- Understand the properties and uses of construction materials, including concrete, steel, wood, and more
- Explore the latest innovations in sustainable and green construction materials
- Learn how to evaluate and select the appropriate materials for various project requirements
- Gain practical knowledge on applying materials effectively in both residential and commercial contexts
- Develop skills to assess material performance, durability, and cost-effectiveness
- Discover industry trends and best practices for using materials in modern construction projects
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Intro to Construction Estimating Course Online 20 hours
Learn the fundamentals of construction estimating, including types of estimates, quantity takeoffs, pricing strategies, and cost estimate proposals.
- Understand the fundamentals of construction estimating for residential and commercial projects.
- Learn to interpret architectural and structural plans to extract relevant cost-related data.
- Master different types of estimates, such as conceptual, preliminary, and detailed estimating.
- Gain insight into quantity surveying, estimating takeoffs, labor costs, equipment costs, and contingency planning.
- Explore industry-standard tools and software used for creating precise cost estimations.
- Develop problem-solving skills to analyze discrepancies and mitigate cost overruns effectively.
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Construction Estimating with Bluebeam Course Online 30 hours
Develop the skills to perform accurate construction takeoffs using Bluebeam Revu, with a focus on digital measurement tools, quantity reporting, and organizing data for real-world estimating workflows.
- Build a solid foundation in digital estimating by learning key concepts such as takeoffs, quantities, and bid preparation using Bluebeam Revu.
- Practice using Bluebeam’s measurement, markup, and dynamic fill tools to calculate quantities across all building systems, including walls, windows, flooring, and roofing.
- Learn to manage data using tool chests, layers, spaces, and customizable columns. Export your takeoffs into shareable, editable reports for clients or team use.
- Apply your skills to real project drawings with structured exercises and assignments that mirror professional estimating workflows.
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Construction Management with Procore Course Online (Coming Soon) 30 hours
This course is designed to equip construction professionals with the skills needed to effectively manage projects using Procore's powerful tools. Prepare for the exam and learn how to optimize workflows, improve collaboration, and ensure project success through self-paced training and expert guidance.
- Learn how to utilize the full capabilities of Procore software to manage construction projects seamlessly
- Gain strategies to improve collaboration between office and field teams for clarity and efficiency
- Learn the best practices for communication and task management
- Apply techniques for tackling challenges across all project phases
- Discover how to streamline processes, minimize delays, and reduce rework, ensuring every task aligns with project goals
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Construction Bidding Course Online 30 hours
Winning work in construction takes more than sharp numbers. It takes strategy, judgment, and a clear process from start to finish. This course walks through how estimators approach the full bidding cycle, from choosing which projects to chase, to comparing subcontractor pricing, to building a final number that balances competitiveness with risk.
- Understand the full role of the estimator and how bidding fits into the overall project lifecycle
- Evaluate projects for pursuit using go/no-go criteria, contract structure, competition, and backlog
- Build a qualified subcontractor bid list and solicit complete, competitive coverage across trades
- Level subcontractor bids by normalizing scope, identifying gaps, and justifying final selections
- Price a complete bid by incorporating general conditions, fee structure, and risk-based contingency
- Navigate bid day pressures to submit a competitive, ethical, and complete final bid
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Construction Site Planning & Logistics Course Online (Coming Soon) 30 hours
A well-run jobsite doesn't happen by accident. It takes careful planning around how people, materials, and equipment move through the space every day. This course looks at how field teams approach site logistics from start to finish, including how to evaluate a site, build a workable plan, manage daily operations, and adjust as conditions change on the ground.
- Understand what site logistics means in construction and how it supports safety, productivity, and project success
- Evaluate a site's physical constraints, access points, and existing conditions before planning begins
- Develop a practical site logistics plan covering fencing, access routes, staging, and temporary facilities
- Manage the flow of manpower, materials, and equipment to reduce congestion and improve efficiency
- Coordinate daily field operations in a way that supports safety, housekeeping, and controlled work zones
- Apply phase-specific logistics planning and adjust strategy as site conditions change throughout a project
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AI Workflows for AEC Professionals Course Online 30 hours
This course explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and the built environment, covering practical applications of AI across design, documentation, bidding, and construction management. Students will develop hands-on experience building automation tools and scripts tailored to real AEC workflows.
- Apply advanced prompting and scripting techniques to analyze and process AEC-specific documents and data sets.
- Create and manage automated workflows using Python and AI APIs within a professional firm context.
- Design and model project criteria using generative and iterative AI tools across multiple phases of the construction lifecycle.
- Develop professional-grade automation tools for bidding, proposal writing, and project management tasks.
- Build custom user interfaces designed for real-world, office-wide implementation and deployment.
- Utilize AI tools to perform data cleaning, document digestion, and multi-format data analysis on complex project materials.
- Generate and manage AI-driven project schedules, field reports, and real-time budget tracking tools.
- Produce a complete, portfolio-ready web application that demonstrates competency in AI-driven automation for the built environment.
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Construction Safety & OSHA Fundamentals Course Online (Coming Soon) 30 hours
Master the essentials of construction safety, from PPE and fall protection to hazard analysis and OSHA referencing. Build the knowledge to make informed safety decisions on real construction sites and prepare for OSHA 10 certification.
- Understand the general requirements and common dangers of the construction industry
- Identify personal protective equipment (PPE) and know when each type is required
- Apply activity-specific safety protocols for fall protection, welding, confined spaces, and electrical work
- Recognize and interpret hazardous material symbols commonly found on construction sites
- Complete an Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA) for a given construction task
- Navigate OSHA resources and reference standards for real-world scenarios
- Conduct a basic safety inspection, including exit routes, signage, and fire plans
- Evaluate weather-related safety considerations for both heat and cold conditions
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Commercial Blueprint Reading Course Online 20 hours
Gain the skills to read construction blueprints for mixed-use commercial projects, including hotels, retail spaces, and parking structures, with an emphasis on interrelationships between drawings and how 3D models simplify construction documents.
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical plans used in mixed-use commercial construction projects
- Learn to read and interpret industry-standard symbols, notations, legends, and technical details across construction documents
- Evaluate how different drawing sets relate to one another when submitted for building permits
- Work hands-on with real-world commercial construction drawings and documentation
- Apply blueprint knowledge to cost estimating, project planning, and maintaining on-site accuracy during construction
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Residential Blueprint Reading Course Online 10 hours
Learn the fundamentals of blueprint reading for residential construction, from understanding drawing types to interpreting complex construction documents, to gain a solid foundation for your career in the construction industry.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the inter-relationship between the drawings included in a set of Construction Documents (blueprints).
- Analyze different drawings and see how scale is presented throughout a set of Construction Documents.
- Evaluate the similarities between all sets of blueprint construction documents submitted for building permits.
- Recognize the need for consistency in presenting information in all types of Construction Documents in this online blueprint reading course.
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MEP Blueprint Reading Course Online 20 hours
Gain essential skills in reading and interpreting MEP blueprints. Learn HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems to excel in construction and design projects.
- Understand the fundamentals of reading and interpreting MEP blueprints
- Identify and analyze key components in HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems
- Learn how to apply blueprint knowledge to real-world construction projects
- Develop skills to accurately interpret symbols, scales, and technical drawings
- Gain confidence in collaborating with design and construction teams using MEP plans
- Explore troubleshooting techniques for common challenges in blueprint interpretation
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Structural Blueprint Reading Course Online 20 hours
Learn how to read and interpret structural blueprints, including notes, symbols, foundations, steel systems, and detailed construction sections.
- Interpret structural blueprints and understand their role in construction projects
- Read and apply General Notes and Inspection Requirements in structural plans
- Identify and interpret foundations, footings, and slab-on-grade information
- Recognize symbols and abbreviations related to concrete, rebar, and structural steel
- Interpret steel beams, steel joists, metal decking, and associated assemblies
- Analyze structural details and sections, including weld symbols, bolt schedules, and rebar layouts
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Communication & Connection Course Online 10 hours
Master fundamental communication skills to enhance connection, collaboration, and negotiation in professional environments, with an emphasis on emotional intelligence and public speaking.
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Self-Management Skills Course Online 10 hours
Learn how to manage your time, set impactful goals, and make sound decisions that lead to success in both your career and personal life. Develop the skills necessary to prioritize what matters most and build trust through ethics and integrity.
- Evaluate your time.
- Improve efficiency.
- Prioritize what matters.
- Establish a positive frame of mind and set career and life goals.
- Form a framework to make decisions.
- Prioritize ethics and integrity to build trust.
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Teamwork, Collaboration & Leadership Course Online 10 hours
Discover how to build teams and foster collaboration through strong leadership skills in this course. Learn how to inspire others, make sound decisions, and advance ideas in a group setting to drive success.
- Effectively conduct meetings.
- Build collaboration.
- Thrive as a team and make decisions as a group.
- Encourage teams to buy into an idea or plan.
- Move an idea forward in a group setting.
- Inspire others through leadership.
Course Reviews
Is this course right for you?
This broader track suits learners who want management workflows plus additional coordination and site-related topics. Confirm the release status of any coming-soon modules before enrolling. The shorter construction management course is a useful comparison when your immediate needs are core scheduling, estimating and project administration.
Which listed modules are still coming soon?
VDCI currently marks Procore, Construction Site Planning and Logistics, and Construction Safety and OSHA Fundamentals as coming soon. They appear in the core sequence, before the optional electives. Ask the school how those release dates affect your study plan; the package still offers enrollment.