Good construction project management is one of the key elements of a successful construction business. While running a construction business may seem simple and intuitive at first glance, bringing teams together in this industry is particularly complex. Running a project well means getting people to do their job within the given time frame, and ensuring that standards are met. To do this, you need the right materials, tools, experts, and communication skills.
Construction management is the process of managing construction projects. When comparing construction project management to other types of projects, the key distinction is that construction is task-based. This means that the project organization ends with the completion of the project structure.
Construction project management is the organization and alignment of teams and resources that will work on a construction project in order to achieve operational excellence and meet standards, in order to meet deadlines. Given how many different aspects are involved in construction, managing a project requires understanding and working with multiple disciplines, experts, and good communication.
As you can imagine, project management is a holistic practice. While project management is generally defined as managing resources throughout the lifecycle of a project through various tools and methodologies to control scope, cost, time, quality, etc., when working in the construction industry, your perspective should be broader. Construction management often involves a wider range of constraints that need to be considered, specific to the design and construction of construction projects.
Construction project management can interact with a variety of different disciplines throughout the lifecycle of a project, from architecture to engineering, from public works to urban planning.
Project managers are crucial to the success and development of a flawless project. Without one person to lead and keep all teams working in sync, they are a factor that affects the most accurate, on-time delivery of the work.
While the functions of construction management vary, they can generally be divided into six basic sections. Each of these aspects is something an experienced project manager must master to ensure project quality and success:
Project Planning: Defines the tasks of employees for a construction project, as well as the time estimates and conditions they will apply for each phase of the activity. Good planning is much easier than solving problems when you move on to the implementation phase. Spend as much time as necessary to ensure your workflow makes sense.
Cost Management: Ensuring that all aspects of the project stay within budget.
Time Management: Ensuring that all teams do the right thing at the right time. It’s important to determine how long any given task will take and to be able to anticipate potential delays. Being prepared and responsive when problems arise, rather than reacting.
Quality Management: Thoroughly reviewing the quality deliverables to ensure excellence, with all teams working together to ensure excellence.
Contract Management: Ensuring that paperwork and administrative work is up to date and done correctly.
Security Management: Ensuring that security procedures are in place to prevent risks.
Communication: Problems are much harder to resolve when communication channels are unclear. Make sure they are well-established and permanently active.
Team: Having the right people in each role is half the battle. Work with the best people, tools, and materials you can.
Follow-up: You can’t improve what you can’t measure. Keeping track of all updates on any project can also help you with future planning and bidding.
Technical: Use the right tools to help you manage your construction projects. Also, don’t forget to include modern digital applications that will help you manage and align stakeholders.
Managing a construction project is a time-consuming and complex process. However, to get better at construction project management, you should prioritize the methods we mentioned above. For Project Management related questions and collaborations, you can reach us.
