Don't miss your chance to register for MERIT 2024

There's still time to register for the 2024 MERIT (Management, Enterprise, Risk, Innovation and Teamwork) competition.

Attracting international competitors, over 35,000 young engineers have participated, many who now hold senior positions.

What is MERIT?

The MERIT competition is a web-based computer simulation that allows participants operating in groups of up to four, acting as a board of directors and managers, to run their own construction company.

MERIT creates a realistic, challenging and stimulating training and learning environment.

It was designed for young engineers and early career professionals working in the construction industry with a predominately technical education.

It allows participants to learn about their role in a company's commercial activities as well as business and financial management. It also highlights a holistic perspective of the whole construction process.

What does the competition involve?

To take part in the simulation, participants don’t have to leave their place of work, making it a very cost-effective training tool, and one that requires minimal internal administration. 

Participants need to form a team of up to four people – a minimum of three is recommended to benefit from the team-working aspects of the simulation – and select a team leader to become the main contact for the competition. 

The winning team will receive a cash prize.

Competition format

Having registered for the competition, the key components for taking part are:

• A web browser to use the online software known as the Team Module. We recommend Chrome, but all modern browsers are supported. The Team Module enables participants to enter decisions, obtain information and measure the performance of the company being managed.
• A slideshow tutorial that covers all aspects of the simulation (available as PowerPoint or PDF).
• Trial data for practising prior to the start of the competition.

Once the competition starts, the online software is used to communicate decisions to and from the game controller. Team decisions are held in the team's unique company database.

There are eight rounds in the first phase of the competition, known as the early years. Each round is played over one week and will normally require between one and two hours of each team member's time per week.

The top teams from the early years will be invited to an intensive final held online, known as the final years.

This is when the skills gained to date will be put to the test in an even more competitive environment over a further eight rounds.

How do I take part?

Those wishing to participate must complete the team details form, which will be entered into the MERIT system. The team will then receive an email detailing their login and password for the MERIT website.

By logging into the website, downloading and installing the team module software, they can get trialling!

Register now

Key dates