Construction project management entails the plans and strategic decisions associated with developing structures such as roads, buildings, bridges, and industrial plants. Senior professionals in this field focus heavily on delivering the construction project within the project owners' preferred time frame and quality within the available budget. While construction project management primarily relies on the techniques of the construction industry, it typically intersects with other fields like public works and finance.
A major merit of construction project management is the cohesion that construction project managers instill among the various individuals involved in the project. This cohesion is a product of timely and effective communication among the team members across all levels, regardless of their distinct roles. Proper communication also averts workers from safety hazards and reduces the likelihood of rectifications, the latter of which may affect the project's budget allocation.
Another merit of construction project management lies in the lower likelihood of delays due to the structured stages and backup options in place. These options cover abrupt developments such as non-performance and on-site accidents.
The Construction Management Association of America, a notable industry body of construction management professionals in the country, recognizes five stages of construction project management. These include the pre-design stage, the design stage, the procurement stage, the construction stage, and the post-construction stage. Design, procurement, and construction account for the bulk of the work.
At the design stage, the construction project manager is concerned with formulating the project's objectives and intricate details. The intricate details of the project factor in elements such as the project manager's intended colors, building materials, and equipment, as well as the overarching project blueprint. The design stage also comprises the construction project manager's adherence to relevant guidelines.
Under procurement, the construction project manager ensures that the contractors obtain the proposed materials and machinery. Before the workers commence construction, the project manager must ensure that team members examine the project site and assess all its environmental and climatic conditions. During the construction stage, the project manager oversees the daily site activities and quality control and ensures prompt payment of wages.
Construction project management processes primarily comprise the initiation process, the planning process, and the execution process. During the initiation process, the construction project managers formulate ideas and make inquiries fundamental to the course of the construction. Due to the capital-intensive nature of construction projects, project managers must be clear on how feasible and practicable the project is. The construction project managers also solidify the primary objective of the project during the initiation process.
In the planning process that follows, the project managers must determine all the activities necessary for the proposed outcome, coupled with the scale, duration, and likely risks. The bulk of documentation typically ensues during project planning. Furthermore, the project execution comprises the workers undertaking the substantive activities for the actualization of the project within a defined timeline. Project managers partake in numerous meetings during this process.
Over the years, various software packages have evolved to give a new dimension to construction project management. Leading construction project management software includes Monday.com, Fieldwire, JobProgress, and Procore. While Monday.com, Fieldwire, and JobProgress feature free versions for new project managers to familiarise themselves, Procore is ideal for multiple users to collaborate, and JobProgress features a vast storage capacity.
