A Case Study in Developing a Graduate Studies Course Focusing on Soft Skills in Teamwork – Initial Evaluation

10 pages•Published: July 23, 2025

Gabriel Lefebvre, Melvyn Lees, Guillaume Daigneault and Francis Painchaud

Abstract

This paper describes the initial evaluation of the first three instances of the delivery of a new graduate studies course that focusses on the soft skills associated with the effective functioning of construction project teams. The evaluation uses a mixed methodology approach with quantitative data being collected by standard student evaluations and qualitative data collected by interviews with key participants. The data is then analyzed and presented to draw conclusions on the performance of the course and its future development. The findings show that course is successful and performs at an outstanding level (as determined by institutional evaluation). However, there are some issues around students’ motivation and their ability to engage and absorb the knowledge and soft skills necessary to become effective practitioners in project management at the point of graduation. The paper concludes with some recommendations for improvement and advancement of the course that will allow it to become part of a longitudinal study.

Keyphrases: conflict, leadership, negotiation, soft skills, teamwork

In: Wesley Collins, Anthony J. Perrenoud and John Posillico (editors). Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 61st Annual International Conference, vol 6, pages 153-162.

Links:	https://easychair.org/publications/paper/FWkgh
	https://doi.org/10.29007/1cd8

BibTeX entry

@inproceedings{ASC2025:Case_Study_Developing_Graduate,
  author    = {Gabriel Lefebvre and Melvyn Lees and Guillaume Daigneault and Francis Painchaud},
  title     = {A Case Study in Developing a Graduate Studies Course Focusing on Soft Skills in Teamwork – Initial Evaluation},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 61st Annual International Conference},
  editor    = {Wesley Collins and Anthony J. Perrenoud and John Posillico},
  series    = {EPiC Series in Built Environment},
  volume    = {6},
  publisher = {EasyChair},
  bibsource = {EasyChair, https://easychair.org},
  issn      = {2632-881X},
  url       = {/publications/paper/FWkgh},
  doi       = {10.29007/1cd8},
  pages     = {153-162},
  year      = {2025}}

Download PDF Open PDF in browser