MIT      Center for Real Estate                               

Strategic Leadership

  
in Real Estate and Construction  

Course Description

  

last revised August 25, 2006
to HARVARD STRATEGY HOME ADMINISTRATION CALENDAR ASSIGNMENTS  
LIBRARY MIT CENTER REAL ESTATE MACOMBER CONSTRUCTION BUILDINGVISION 1.464  I.T.  STRATEGY JOHN D. MACOMBER

Instructor:   John D. Macomber

MIT  1.46 / 11.348                         Spring 2007                      February 6 - March 20                                     

Tuesdays 9:00-11:00 am          Room W31 - 301                                        2 - 0 - 4  

 

Description

Construction, real estate, and architecture together make up the largest industry in the world.    The industry is also extremely fragmented, risky, confrontational, and information intensive.  There are strategic opportunities - and strategic pitfalls.

 

It is assumed that students will soon become principals in existing industry firms, or in their own companies.   Effective principals need a toolkit of strategic concepts to use in exploring and charting the direction of their firms, and in explaining and implementing that direction.

 

This course provides an overview of key concepts in strategic management specific to this industry.  Topics include supply chain analysis, market segmentation, vertical integration, competitive advantage, and industry transformation.    This course will be of interest to students seeking more understanding of the business dynamics of real estate and construction; seeking to provide value in firms which they may join; or seeking to build a foundation for their own entrepreneurial pursuits.

 

Teaching

The case method is used extensively, where students read case studies of business situations, supplemented by academic and business readings, and analyze and discuss the choices and issues with the class.

 

Requirements

There are problem sets and short papers as described in the administration section.  There is no final exam.   Contribution to class discussions is a major factor in grading.

 

Instructor

John D. Macomber is CEO of BuildingVision, Inc., a consulting and investing firm focusing on the future of the construction industry. He is a nationally recognized thought leader on information technology and industry change in construction.   The Chairman and CEO of the George B. H. Macomber Company, a large regional general contractor,  Mr. Macomber has also led organizations in information services, equipment rental, and real estate.  He has been teaching this course and its predecessors at MIT since 1988.