Construction managers are responsible for the management of construction projects. They are in charge of the planning, organizing, and directing of all aspects of a construction project.
Construction managers work with architects to ensure that buildings meet safety codes and regulations. They also work with engineers to make sure that buildings meet structural requirements.
They are also responsible for the coordination of all the tradespeople on a project, making sure that they know what is expected of them, and making sure that all deadlines are met.
Construction Management Processes
Construction management is the process of managing a construction project from start to finish. It includes the planning, design, procurement, construction, and inspection of a project.
It is an important part of any construction project. It is the process that ensures that all aspects of a project are completed on time and within budget.
Construction management can be broken down into three main phases: pre-construction, construction, and post-construction.
The pre-construction phase includes planning (work plan, schedule, and budget) and designing the project as well as obtaining necessary permits and approvals from authorities.
The construction phase includes managing all aspects of the work on-site such as scheduling, budgeting, quality control, etc., site control, quality assurance, on-site material procurement, and logistics.
While the post-construction phase involves handing over the completed project to its owner or client. Post-construction management includes the completion of a project, evaluation of results, and ensuring compliance with contract expectations.
Principles of Construction (Project) Management
There’s no denying that construction projects are complicated. Besides technical obstacles, you also have to deal with other tasks like managing labor and finding the necessary materials. Let’s take a closer look at construction project management fundamentals:
Defining the Goals and objectives of the project
If your project requires a kick-starter, then you are in luck. Goals and objectives can help with that by providing a clear roadmap for what needs to be done. It is important to mention that setting clear goals early on will help you outline the overall structure of your project. The plan relies on the availability of certain resources for the overall success of the construction project.
Structuring of the project
Generally, project management revolves around 3 key areas – resources, time, and quality. Contractors must be cognizant of these parameters to manage a project successfully. It is essential to understand the project in detail to achieve this.
A Project order and timeline.
Successfully managing your projects requires an understanding of the order that which things happen and how long they take. A document that deals with the timeline of the project, before construction has even begun through a graphical representation of milestones is used to stay aligned with the timeline. Construction teams usually rely on flowcharts which makes it easier for the team to plan and understand where you need to start, to get the desired outcome
Outlining and Definition of the project phases
The project phases are the stages of a project that are necessary to complete the project successfully. The phases are usually broken down into three parts:
- Planning and Preparation
- Execution. What is the sequence of events for a project?
- Evaluation and Feedback
The planning and preparation phase is where you will identify what needs to be done, how it will be done, who will do it, and when it will be done by. The execution phase is where you do the work that was planned in the preparation phase. The evaluation and feedback phase is where you evaluate what has been done so far, make any necessary changes or corrections, and then move on to the next stage of the process.
Projects can also be completed in phased-out projects as described in this article.
Transparency throughout the project
Transparency is a key factor in any project. The client needs to know what is going on and how the project is progressing. Transparency throughout the project can be achieved by providing regular updates, sharing progress reports, and making sure that all stakeholders are aware of what’s happening. Communication is a key factor in any project. This includes clear and concise communication that is easy to understand, responds to questions quickly, and provides updates on progress. The client should also be involved throughout the process by being given regular updates and being informed of what’s happening in the project. It is also important for stakeholders to be informed regularly of what is taking place. Due to this reason, transparency is considered one of the essential activities in construction project management. It helps in eliminating the risks of claims in construction by keeping everything clear among the contracting parties.
Project risk assessment and recognition
Risks are a part of every project. They can be either internal or external to the project. The risk assessment and recognition process is an important step in the project management life cycle. It helps to identify, associate, assess, and prioritize risks that may affect the success of a project.
The risk assessment and recognition process is an important step in the project management life cycle. It helps to identify, assess, and prioritize risks that may affect the success of a project.
Risks can impact the project cost, timelines and viability adversely. Therefore, the managers have to ensure adequate assessment and recognition of risks for optimal project management.
You can read more about common risks on a residential construction site, The Most Common Health and Safety Risks During Construction, and How to Eliminate Health and Safety Risks on Construction Projects here.
Managing disturbances and disputes
Managing disturbances and disputes is a crucial part of project management. It is important to know how to handle these situations to avoid them from happening.
No one can assess all risks associated with construction projects. So, the probability of disturbances always remains present in projects. If any disruption occurs, the project managers should try to resolve the issues as earliest as possible.
There are many different ways that you can manage disturbances and disputes. One way is by using the “broken window theory” which states that if you fix the small problems, then the big problems will not happen. Another way is by using a “stoplight system” where you have three colors: green, yellow, and red. Green means everything is going well, yellow means there are some issues but they are not too bad, and red means there are major issues that need to be addressed immediately.
Construction Management Tools and Checklist
Construction management tools are used for a variety of purposes. They can be used for estimating, scheduling, and budgeting. They can also be used for managing the project from start to finish. Construction management tools are usually integrated with other software such as accounting and payroll software.
This integration helps in streamlining the process of construction management and making it more efficient.
Becoming a Construction Manager, Ask yourself…
- Have you got good communication skills?
- Do you work well with others?
- Are you meticulous and organized?
- Have you got a good understanding of the construction industry?
If you answered yes to the questions above, then a career as a Construction Manager could be for you and we encourage you to read our article on becoming a construction manager.
Construction managers are the backbone of any construction project. They are responsible for managing the project and ensuring that it is completed on time and within budget. Many construction managers are involved in the design of the project, which involves envisioning how the structure will look and function when finished. Construction managers typically work for construction companies, but many also work independently or for smaller firms. The size of a company can dictate whether they have a full-time construction manager or not.