What is Important for Construction Project Management?
Construction projects are extremely complicated to finish on time and within budget. So what is important for construction project management? Whether you are building a big shopping mall or a 3-bedroom house, there are a lot of moving parts, people, and budgets that must be coordinated and managed.
There are also many different phases to a construction project such as design, building, and handing over which must all be managed carefully. Are you interested in becoming a project manager in construction? Then read on for the ultimate discussion on what is important for construction project management.
What is Construction Project Management?
We should first start by defining what exactly project management in construction is. Construction project management is the function of controlling and managing resources from the start to the end of a construction project’s lifecycle. Various tools and methodologies are used to ensure that aspects such as scope, cost, time, and quality are effectively managed.
Types of Construction Projects
Construction projects are classified into buildings, infrastructure, and industrial structures. These can then be further divided into two main categories: residential and commercial. Under residential projects, you would have home building and renovation projects. Commercial projects include agricultural projects, heavy industrial construction, engineering construction, heavy civil construction, and institutional and commercial construction. Project management is required for all types of construction no matter how small or big.
What Does a Construction Project Manager Do?
The construction project manager is the person responsible for ensuring that a project is successfully completed. Specifically, they are tasked with planning, budgeting, scheduling, coordinating, and supervision of all the construction activities. The project manager has to be a skilled communicator and negotiator in order to ensure that everyone involved in the project works together harmoniously. They also need to have an understanding of both construction and project management principles.
Key Steps in Managing a Construction Project
There are four main steps in construction project management. The first step is to conceive and initiate the project. This means that before you start a project you must be sure that it can be completed. This can be tested using a feasibility study or business case. A construction project manager must also identify and mitigate any risks they perceive in the project.
The second step is to define and plan the project. This means that the project manager has to map out all the tasks, milestones, people, and resources that are required to complete the project. It is important to involve everyone that will be part of the project in the planning phase so that nothing is missed. The more transparent a plan is, the higher the chances of success.
The third step is the launching of the project. This is the most taxing part of project management. The manager has to ensure all timelines are met and report to all stakeholders the progress being made. The project manager also has to communicate with all stakeholders of the project and ensure they are working together.
The fourth step which is closely related to the third is to track the project performance. This is done using key performance indicators like time, cost, and quality. Staying on top of your performance indicators throughout the project ensures that it is completed successfully.
Stages of Construction Project Management
Construction projects are best achieved by breaking them down into manageable phases. The four main stages of a construction project that should be managed are the design phase, pre-construction, procurement, and construction. The project manager must first make sure that the construction project has a feasible design.
They also must get the design drawings approved by the local authority planners. The next stage is preconstruction whereby the construction manager should appoint the key personnel and do the initial site visit and investigation. The next stage would then be the procurement of construction materials after which the construction will commence.
Construction Management Tools
Successful project management requires certain tools to be effective. For construction management, these tools include project management software that has features like Gantt charts, team collaboration functionality, resource allocation and management, document control, task lists, etc.
Challenges of Construction Project Management
Some of the problems you can encounter with construction project management include communication problems as there are several people, companies, and teams that can work on the same project. Another big problem is scope changes or creep whereby work not included in the original plan is added. This can increase the cost or completion time of the project.
Another problem is hiring the wrong team or people. Conflicts within the team or unqualified personnel can delay a project or even cause it to fail. The worst situation is if the project manager is inept as strong leadership is a key requirement for project success.
Finally, management of risk is a major problem in construction management as the risk of injury is high. Project managers have to ensure risks are identified and properly mitigated.
What is Important For Construction Project Management?
Construction project management is necessary for the successful completion of building projects. Successful construction project management requires a project manager with strong leadership skills as well as a deep knowledge of both construction and project management processes. For more information about construction project designs, read the rest of our blog.
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