MERIT 2014 has been set up to model a construction industry operating in an economy emerging from a recession with up to date bank interest rates and charges and current corporation tax. Learning to survive as a construction business in tough market conditions with fierce competition is the knowledge currently needed by our industry executives.

After completing eight rounds simulating two years of trading the top six teams will be invited to Loughborough University to experience a further two years of simulated trading in the MERIT 2014 final, the winning team will be presented with the ICE’s Silver Salver and named the 2014 MERIT Champion.

Registration

• Oct 2013 - Feb 2014

Trialling

• Jan 2014 - 11 Feb 2014

Submissions  

• Round 1 - 18:00 GMT, Wednesday 12 Feb 2014
• Round 2 - 18:00 GMT, Wednesday 19 Feb 2014
• Round 3 - 18:00 GMT, Wednesday 26 Feb 2014
• Round 4 - 18:00 GMT, Wednesday 05 Mar 2014
• Round 5 - 18:00 GMT, Wednesday 12 Mar 2014
• Round 6 - 18:00 GMT, Wednesday 19 Mar 2014
• Round 7 - 18:00 GMT, Wednesday 26 Mar 2014
• Round 8 - 18:00 GMT, Wednesday 02 Apr 2014

Final at Loughborough University

• 24 & 25 April 2014

This Privacy Policy governs the manner in which Construction Industry Simulations Ltd collects, uses, maintains and discloses information collected from users (each, a "User") of the http://meritgame.com website ("Site"). This privacy policy applies to the Site and all products and services offered by Construction Industry Simulations Ltd.

Personal identification information

We may collect personal identification information from Users in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, when Users visit our site, register on the site, place an order, subscribe to the newsletter, respond to a survey, fill out a form, and in connection with other activities, services, features or resources we make available on our Site. Users may be asked for, as appropriate, name, email address, mailing address, phone number. Users may, however, visit our Site anonymously. We will collect personal identification information from Users only if they voluntarily submit such information to us. Users can always refuse to supply personally identification information, except that it may prevent them from engaging in certain Site related activities.

Non-personal identification information

We may collect non-personal identification information about Users whenever they interact with our Site. Non-personal identification information may include the browser name, the type of computer and technical information about Users means of connection to our Site, such as the operating system and the Internet service providers utilized and other similar information.

Web browser cookies

Our Site may use "cookies" to enhance User experience. User's web browser places cookies on their hard drive for record-keeping purposes and sometimes to track information about them. User may choose to set their web browser to refuse cookies, or to alert you when cookies are being sent. If they do so, note that some parts of the Site may not function properly.

How we use collected information

Construction Industry Simulations Ltd may collect and use Users personal information for the following purposes:

• - To improve customer service
  Information you provide helps us respond to your customer service requests and support needs more efficiently.
• - To personalize user experience
  We may use information in the aggregate to understand how our Users as a group use the services and resources provided on our Site.
• - To improve our Site
  We may use feedback you provide to improve our products and services.
• - To process payments
  We may use the information Users provide about themselves when placing an order only to provide service to that order. We do not share this information with outside parties except to the extent necessary to provide the service.
• - To run a promotion, contest, survey or other Site feature
  To send Users information they agreed to receive about topics we think will be of interest to them.
• - To send periodic emails
  We may use the email address to send User information and updates pertaining to their order. It may also be used to respond to their inquiries, questions, and/or other requests. If User decides to opt-in to our mailing list, they will receive emails that may include company news, updates, related product or service information, etc. If at any time the User would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email or User may contact us via our Site.

How we protect your information

We adopt appropriate data collection, storage and processing practices and security measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction of your personal information, username, password, transaction information and data stored on our Site.

Sensitive and private data exchange between the Site and its Users happens over a SSL secured communication channel and is encrypted and protected with digital signatures.

Sharing your personal information

We do not sell, trade, or rent Users personal identification information to others. We may share generic aggregated demographic information not linked to any personal identification information regarding visitors and users with our business partners, trusted affiliates and advertisers for the purposes outlined above.We may use third party service providers to help us operate our business and the Site or administer activities on our behalf, such as sending out newsletters or surveys. We may share your information with these third parties for those limited purposes provided that you have given us your permission.

Third party websites

Users may find advertising or other content on our Site that link to the sites and services of our partners, suppliers, advertisers, sponsors, licensors and other third parties. We do not control the content or links that appear on these sites and are not responsible for the practices employed by websites linked to or from our Site. In addition, these sites or services, including their content and links, may be constantly changing. These sites and services may have their own privacy policies and customer service policies. Browsing and interaction on any other website, including websites which have a link to our Site, is subject to that website's own terms and policies.

Changes to this privacy policy

Construction Industry Simulations Ltd has the discretion to update this privacy policy at any time. When we do, we will revise the updated date at the bottom of this page. We encourage Users to frequently check this page for any changes to stay informed about how we are helping to protect the personal information we collect. You acknowledge and agree that it is your responsibility to review this privacy policy periodically and become aware of modifications.

Your acceptance of these terms

By using this Site, you signify your acceptance of this policy. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use our Site. Your continued use of the Site following the posting of changes to this policy will be deemed your acceptance of those changes.

Contacting us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this site, please contact us at:

• Via the Contact Us page
• By writing to us: Construction Industry Simulations Ltd., The Innovation Centre, Loughborough University, Charnwood Building, Holywell Park, Ashby Road, Loughborough, Leics LE11 3AQ
• By email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This document was last updated on September 18, 2012

MERIT 2013 has been set up to model a construction industry operating in an economy emerging from a recession with up to date bank interest rates and charges and current corporation tax. Learning to survive as a construction business in tough market conditions with fierce competition is the knowledge currently needed by our industry executives.

After completing eight rounds simulating two years of trading the top six teams will be invited to Loughborough University to experience a further two years of simulated trading in the MERIT 2013 final, the winning team will be presented with the ICE’s Silver Salver and named the 2013 MERIT Champion.

Registration

• Oct 2012 - Feb 2013

Trialling

• Mid. Dec 2012 - 14 Feb 2013

Submissions  

• Round 1 - 18:00 GMT, Thursday 14 Feb 2013
• Round 2 - 18:00 GMT, Thursday 21 Feb 2013
• Round 3 - 18:00 GMT, Thursday 28 Feb 2013
• Round 4 - 18:00 GMT, Thursday 07 Mar 2013
• Round 5 - 18:00 GMT, Tuesday 12 Mar 2013
• Round 6 - 18:00 GMT, Thursday 14 Mar 2013
• Round 7 - 18:00 GMT, Tuesday 19 Mar 2013
• Round 8 - 18:00 GMT, Thursday 21 Mar 2013

Final at Loughborough University

• 11 & 12 April 2013

To discuss your requirements, you can either use the Contact Us page, or send send an email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Arrangements

We suggest that you indicate your requirements in terms of team numbers and timings. Arrangements will be made to:

1. Register your teams on the MERIT system.
2. Provide the students with the MERIT Tutorial.
3. Operate MERIT during the trialling phase before the game begins and over the eight periods. There is an on-line query system through which students can have their queries answered by the MERIT Team. The trial sessions train the students before they start the game.

Support

1. The main online support is the MERIT Tutorial and the online query system
2. For UK Universities new to MERIT on the first occasion we will, depending on timing, provide either Professor Ron McCaffer, Professor Tony Thorpe or Dr Francis Edum-Fotwe to introduce MERIT to your students. On the first occasion this will be done on an expenses only basis. For subsequent years their will be a small charge.
3. For International Universities outwith the UK we could come to a similar arrangement to talk to your students over SKYPE.

Cost

This depends on the number of teams and support required. An indicative cost will be provided quickly on any initial enquiry

Background

Over 30,000 young construction executives and students from over 200 employers have been trained in company and financial management through the MERIT experience. Since 1988 MERIT has been used as the Institution of Civil Engineers National Construction Business Game and has serviced an important training need as is evidenced by extensive support and sponsorship from industry.

Use in teaching at Loughborough University pre-dates the ICE game and MERIT, over the years, has also been used in twelve other University teaching programmes.

Through simulation MERIT creates a realistic, challenging and stimulating training environment which is greatly enjoyed by the participants. The MERIT experience expands the horizons of students and encourages further study. Supported by its own staff, MERIT is continually updated maintaining it as a modern and evolving training vehicle.

The simulation is designed to demonstrate the interdependence of the various managerial decisions and the interlocking nature of the variables that determine the success or failure of a construction company.

MERIT

• Is based on the simulation of managing a construction company.
• Demonstrates the value of teamwork and shows how managerial and technical decisions made today unfold into tomorrow's operational and financial results.
• Is an excellent introduction to company, business and financial management in a construction context.

Participants operate in groups of up to six, acting as a board of directors and managers, to manage their own construction company.

Operation of student games

MERIT is operated in three phases:

• Phase 1 - Teams trial the software in order to work out a strategy
• Phase 2 - Each team is competing against the simulation.
• Phase 3 - Each team competes against the simulation and each other for work and for key staff.

The most popular format for use in student programs and as used at Loughborough, is a 4+4 sequence. This allows the student teams to experience decision making by competing against the simulation for each of 4 MERIT periods. Decisions included overhead allocation, estimating, bidding, staffing and financial decisions for four periods where they will gain a clear understanding of the effect of their decisions. This is followed by 4 further periods where they take the same decisions but in a more competitive environment, competing both for contracts and key staff.

We are able to offer flexible sequences of operation and patterns of play other than 4+4. Simply discuss your requirements with us.

The MERIT University family

MERIT has been embedded as an assessed teaching module in degree programmes in the following Universities:

• Aberdeen University, Scotland
• Auckland University, New Zealand
• Canterbury University, New Zealand
• Loughborough University, Undergraduates, UK
• Loughborough University, Postgraduates, UK
• Melbourne University, Australia
• Newcastle University, Australia
• Waterford Institute of Technology, Republic of Ireland
• Glasgow Caledonian, Scotland
• Oxford Brookes University, UK
• Deakin University, Australia
• Anglia Ruskin University, UK
• George Brown College, Canada

Although the National Game is not intended for University participation and is directed at young engineers in industry the following Universities have entered teams:

• Cambridge University
• Dundee University
• Heriot Watt University
• Leeds University
• Universiti Teknologi, Malaysia
• Pennsylvania State University, USA
• University of Brighton