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Having all these factors you need to be mindful of while remaining on a rigorous schedule can be stressful.
Of course, completing work on time isn’t the only concern when running project management for construction projects. The work also needs to be completed at a certain level, which is where quality management comes into play.
Before designers get to work, a project manager needs to clarify expectations with the client, which will avoid wasted time. This is when a quality management plan should also begin to take shape.
Here, a project manager needs to review design submittals and evaluate them based on quality. There will likely be several project review meetings with various stakeholders to keep everyone in the loop.
When soliciting bids, a project manager needs to evaluate subcontractors to ensure their suitability from a quality perspective. This involves communicating the project requirements clearly with bidders so they can provide an accurate quote based on the project’s needs.
Throughout the construction phase, managers are responsible for overseeing and coordinating quality inspections and testing. They’ll also need to keep meticulous records of deficiencies and efforts made to address them.
Once construction has been completed, project managers typically need to have a quality review with the client. They’ll also deliver a final quality report complete with recommendations for things like future management of the structure.
As you might imagine, there’s a lot to be done in the way of contract administration during the procurement stage. Agreements need to be reached and notarized with subcontractors while also considering contractual obligations with the client.
Additionally, the manager will need to issue a notice to proceed, which informs subcontractors when they are permitted to begin work.
During the construction phase, project managers create and manage documents as needed based on their contractual obligations. They also hold subcontractors accountable to their agreements and have a hand in securing permits, insurance, bonds, and other legal considerations.
Contract administration at this stage involves delivering on maintenance manuals, warranties, final permits, and more. When needed, project managers will also initiate contractor callbacks to address work that has turned out to be below-par.
Project managers at this stage ensure safety by laying the appropriate organizational foundation. This may involve assembling the beginnings of a staffing plan. among other things.
The project manager facilitates conversations between the design team and a safety coordinator. This is when the safety coordinator develops a solid understanding of the project and provides input regarding its risks.
This stage sees the project manager working alongside a safety coordinator to create a written safety and emergency response coordination plan.
Once construction begins, a project manager needs to work with safety staff to ensure compliance is being enforced. Periodic safety audits need to be conducted, with relevant reports created to document the findings.
If a safety incident does occur, project managers will need to work alongside safety coordinators to address liability concerns.
Lastly, we have team management. A construction project manager plays a very important role in keeping the team working as a cohesive unit. This can mean tracking productivity, using collaborative construction software, and a number of other tasks.
A project manager’s responsibilities here are not limited to any particular phase, of course. Construction projects require teamwork at every stage and the project manager facilitates it by:
The complex role of project management for construction would simply not be possible without dedicated tools and resources. Here’s a rundown of the most commonly-used tools in construction project management.
High end/luxury house builders in the United KingdomDigitization has taken the world of construction by storm. The most effective project managers leverage programs like the ones we discussed in this article to effectively keep tabs on everything.
Gantt charts help construction managers visualize the various resources required to complete a project. It’s a feature available within most construction project management software for small businesses.
Gantt charts are particularly useful for project management in construction because the industry requires a firm understanding of the dependencies between various resources and personnel. A Gantt chart lays that out very clearly.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has an extensive collection of contracts available for construction professionals to use. These documents are so popular because they adhere to industry standards and drastically simplify the contract administration process.
One of COVID-19’s most profound impacts on the construction industry has been an increase in the number of employees working from home. As a result, companies have turned to software like Zoom for conducting remote manpower meetings.
See how Bridgit Bench helps address the biggest challenges with workforce planning and book a personalized tour with our team.
Scheduling is, of course, a very important part of project management for construction. Here are some of the techniques professionals use.
Scheduling is, of course, a very important part of project management for construction. Here are some of the techniques professionals use.
A Gantt chart, as mentioned earlier, offers a timeline visualization of your project. Each task’s start and end dates can be laid out conveniently, which helps you visualize the entire project and see which tasks are dependent on others.
Critical path is among the most popular construction scheduling methods. It involves identifying your project’s most essential tasks and basing your timeline on them. This will help you determine the minimum project completion time.
The line of balance scheduling technique is meant for repetitive construction projects (i.e. building a road or adding storeys to a skyscraper). It sees the construction project’s management allocating resources for each “loop” of the repetitive task.
Resource oriented scheduling is popular when resources are extremely limited. With it, project managers break the job into phases and assign resources to each one.
Given how integral good management is to a construction project, it should come as no surprise that the job qualifications are extensive. Here’s what you’ll need to become a project manager at a construction company in North America.
You’ll typically need a construction-related university degree (BSc/BA) in a field such as civil engineering, project management, or construction technology. Project Management Professional Certification will also be a tremendous asset on your resume. For more information about construction career development, check out our blog, including the top Project Manager interview questions to prep for.
Many construction companies expect project management candidates to have experience overseeing some aspect of projects in the past (i.e. budgets). You’ll also need to have a solid grasp of industry standards related to health, safety, and quality.
Knowing how to communicate effectively is one of the key qualities of a construction project manager, if you’d like to learn more about how to do this, you can check out this article: 6 Tips for better communication as a construction project manager.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction managers receive a median pay of $95,260 per year. The position is also expected to benefit from an 8% growth in employment through to 2029 – much higher than the 4% average across all occupations.
