All tall buildings, grand stadiums, elegant houses, and such were once just plans and projects. If you’ve ever tried to make or build something before, you’ll know everything needs preparation. You’ll need materials and all the resources required. When you study for tests on various course subjects, how do you plan to study for all of them? Do you schedule which ones to read first down to the last one as most people do? There’s so much that goes into a project. And for something like a building that would shelter people, allow businesses to operate, and more, you can expect more complexity and preciseness required into its planning and execution. This is what you call construction project management.
Construction Project Management
Project Management Institute explains that project management is the art of utilising material and human resources throughout a project by applying modern management styles, tools, and techniques in achieving a set of objectives on the cost, scope, time, and quality. With construction project management, it has the same definition. Still, the techniques and models that construction project managers will use should encompass a construction context.
The essence of construction project management is coordinating, planning, executing, and monitoring a construction project. There are various construction projects such as residential, agricultural, institutional, commercial, heavy civil, industrial, or environmental.
As mentioned earlier, a construction project would be more challenging than others. Construction project management would involve complicated tasks that can sometimes change immensely depending on the situation and work. One needs to possess strong communication skills, in-depth knowledge of the building and construction process, and problem-solving skills. It even goes beyond construction knowledge. It would require construction project managers to know fields like law, business, finance, and such.
Project Management Process
There are five phases of project management. This starts after the bidding process has been completed. You or your company have won the right to handle the construction project. Even though construction projects are way different from other projects, the pattern of the process they have is similar to traditional projects. According to the Project Management Institute, here are the five phases:
- Initiation
- Planning
- Execution
- Performance and Monitoring
- Closure
What are the roles of a construction project manager?
A construction project manager may or may not be a part of the construction itself’s planning process. Still, their primary responsibility is to lead and monitor the project and keep everything within the budget and on schedule. They may also be expected to be in charge of setting parameters; be it in the calendar, finances, hiring a subcontractor and on-site workers. They may also have to find a company that can supply roll off dumpsters in many US states, or perhaps sign off documents that confirm that the site is adhering to environmental hygiene standards. They should also be able to develop strategies in increasing productivity and resolving conflicts.
Seven categories encapsulate the expected responsibilities of a construction project manager:
- Safety management
- Project management planning
- Time management
- Cost management
- Quality management
- Contract administration
- Construction management professional practices
There are specific tools to aid in a construction project management’s work, such as a construction project management software that helps keep projects on schedule and manage possible risks. They can also provide you with the correct information, such as real-time insights whenever you need it. With this type of software, you get to avoid any unexpected setbacks or make a wise and informed decision when problems arise.
