Construction project management involves organising and directing every aspect of the construction project life-cycle, from ideation to completion. Its main goal is to deliver the project as budgeted and on time. Project management involves addressing many essential concerns like scheduling, cost control, procurement, risk assessment and more.
Construction management is commonly used to cover a wide range of tasks. The most significant of them can be summed up as follows:
Defining the project’s goals and plans, including scope definition, scheduling, budgeting, selecting project participants, and determining achievement requirements.
Increasing resource effectiveness by acquiring the necessary manpower and equipment.
Managing site operations by coordinating contracting, planning, estimating, design, and construction.
Effective creation of reliable communication amongst the agents to resolve any potential issues.
The Role Of A Project Manager In Construction
A project manager plays a vital role in ensuring the success of any construction project. They oversee all aspects of the project, including; planning, execution, control, monitoring and eventually closure of the project on completion. Project managers also ensure that timeframe and budget targets are met while maintaining good client relationships throughout the project.
The role of a project manager may involve managing other employees associated with the project and overseeing day-to-day activities. For instance, they may need to break down the day’s activities to the team and check that correct building materials have arrived on site. They also have a vital role in the monitoring process, reporting the project’s progression to the client and sector management.
Generally, the roles of a project manager may fall into seven main categories
Project management planning
Time management
Cost management
Contract administration
Quality management
Safety management
Construction management professional practices
Construction Project Management Processes
The processes involved in construction project management are as follows;
1. Project Initiation
The first step of construction project management involves determining the feasibility and objective of the project. The project initiation document (PID) is then created to provide the groundwork for the project.
Project initiation is an essential phase since it helps stakeholders to determine if the project is viable.
2. Planning Phase
Here, the team determines all the work that needs to be put into the construction project. Costs, resources and the period of the project are planned out. The work breakdown structure (WBS) is created to divide all the work into smaller and more functional categories that are easier to execute.
The planning phase is an ongoing activity that can last until the end of the project.
3. Execution Phase
The execution phase is where the project management plan is executed. It is divided into two main processes; monitoring and controlling and execution. Project managers are likely to spend most of their time in this phase.
4. Project Closure
The closing phase of a construction project represents its official completion. Here, the project manager will compile a report including the final budget and potential failures of the project. It serves as valuable feedback for upcoming construction projects.
Project management plays a vital role in ensuring the success of your construction project.
