Construction Management: How It Works And Why Is It Necessary?
Managing construction is by far one of the most demanding and long processes that contractors are facing. The advancement of technology today and some changes in the regulations made by the government make a significant impact on the industry where most contractors compete.
Perhaps, you’re dealing with project management for construction, and that being said, you are one of the responsible persons to make a great foundation in every building project and the reason behind its success. In this article, you will understand more about managing construction and get a better understanding of its purpose. You will also know why it is necessary to let the public know understand that they need this kind of service, especially with big projects.
What is Construction Management?
Construction management is a kind of professional service that implements projects for the owner or the client. Its main purpose is to monitor and control the flow of the project carefully. Led by a construction manager, he is responsible for keeping the project management for construction, especially about the scheduling of construction, quality, function, scope, and even safety.
What makes construction management very challenging is the need for knowledge in different areas. It includes many responsibilities in many fields, like law, business, budgeting, engineering, construction, and even software like the construction scheduling software. And no matter what the setting could be, construction management can still be compatible with the delivery methods of the projects.
Even if you are a skilled professional, being alone in a project is not enough to develop a successful outcome. The planning, coordination, accomplishment, and scheduling of construction require communication between various project stakeholders. To make managing construction a success, it comprises three parties:
- The owner, who funds or commissions the project directly or through other types of methods
- The engineer or architect who make the designs of the project
- The contractor, who manages operations and baseline a project day-by-day as well as engaging with the subcontractors
Furthermore, with all the project management for construction, the construction management also includes design-build and design-build-bid at either private or public partnerships. The project’s scope may be lengthy, high-budget, and large-scale projects such as transportation infrastructure, industrial facilities, commercial real estate, and even military infrastructure.
Duties and Responsibilities of Construction Managers
Perhaps you’re curious about being creative in engineering and construction. For a kind of industry that involves creativity and solving problems, there must be someone who manages areas like planning, monitoring, execution, control, and closure. These roles are done mainly by construction managers, as they must always ensure the project’s success.
In other words, construction managers are those responsible to baseline a project to proceed accordingly to the proposed and existing plan. Their goal is to handle the project to ensure scheduling in construction towards its completion and agreed time and budget. For better understanding, here are the usual things that construction managers do:
Always Set Goals and Objectives about the Scope of the Project
Construction management is about planning many parameters. These parameters include scheduling, which can be done through construction scheduling software — creating performance standards and choosing the parties involved in the project.
- Compliance
Construction managers must ensure that their project is compliant with codes, regulations, and building plans.
- Communicate Effectively
Construction managers must communicate effectively and clearly. Before starting the project, they must listen and ask questions and be precise and concise in giving instructions. Perhaps they should build strong communications to avoid and resolve problems about the project. They select the correct methods of construction and the best strategy for the project.
- Assigns Tasks
They must delegate tasks to those who are responsible for completing them. They could also assign a worker to supervise areas of the project.
- Assess Progress and Deadlines
They are also responsible for evaluating the progress and even deadlines. Perhaps they have this construction scheduling software that connects them to their team to monitor, plan the work schedule, and report their project’s life cycle.
- Creates a Teamworking Environment
Construction managers also lead and create a working environment that possesses teamwork and inspires workers to perform their jobs. They also develop problem-solving skills and always open to innovation.
Key Functions and Purposes of Construction Management
There is always that one goal or objective in every construction project that must be accomplished. If you’re managing construction, it always goes without saying that there are times these goals may come together. If that happens, the construction manager will provide clarity to the objectives and prevent disagreements that may deter the project’s progress.
To make it clear to you, we will let you understand the functions of construction management.
- To Plan the Entire Project
One of the steppingstones for completing a project is to plan it thoroughly. Before it gets started, the construction manager must plan things out on each step of the project. This is vital because if there is a great construction plan, it would be easier to develop a work schedule and develop a budget.
- Managing Time
You know that time is something that you can never take back once it happened. Thus, it would be better if you used your time wisely. The same goes for construction, as the more time you spent on a project, it comes with the higher expense. But with construction management, you can use your time efficiently as there is scheduling in construction.
- Contract Administration
Processing of contracts usually starts when there is construction management. Since contract administration is done between the construction team and the owner of the project, the parties must make decisions and exchange information for the project’s success.
This plant between the construction management and the owner is crucial. The construction team must accomplish the project to contract through analyzing and monitoring the entire progress of the project. This will get the final opportunity to correct doubts, mistakes, or changes from the proposed design. Both parties must agree to the project’s development.
- Safety Management
Perhaps you’re aware that construction is a kind of industry where even the smallest error could lead to injury, or worse, death. There is safety management if there is construction management since to start safely is considered a big part of the function. The management should be open about the potential safety hazards for the job.
Safety protocols must always be implemented to prevent injury to both bystanders and workers. And to avoid these uncertainties from happening, the management must ensure that their employees are not working too much overtime.
- Ensure the Quality of the Project
When there is construction management, it will help keep the quality and baseline of a project. The management must analyze the work to ensure they are up to par and the outcome is excellent. Construction management also helps in determining if the material being used is of standard quality. This will see to it that the project, once finished, is free from potential damage or harm.
Phases of Construction Management
Construction management happens after the long process of bidding. If the bidding has reached its end, then the project should begin officially, and there are 5 phases that a construction project consists of, these are:
- Initiation
This is when the construction manager collects the business case that determines the project’s feasibility, particularly before starting the project. If everybody approves the project, the construction manager will put the project initiation document to cover the scope and needs.
2. Planning
This phase involves establishing the core guidelines when the construction manager executes a project management plan containing information about some serious aspects of the construction, such as cost estimation and implementation of the roadmap.
3. Execution
This stage typically consists of two different processes, the project monitoring and controlling, plus the project execution. The construction management team constantly ensures that the tasks make progress. Meetings must also be held regularly to cover every part of the construction process.
4. Monitoring the Project
Of course, construction managers devote their time to manage and monitor the project and modify the schedule according to the recent issues and changes. That way, the construction manager could keep up with the project control.
5. Closure of the Project
Lastly, this phase is where the project ends. It represents the delivery and completion of the project. This is when the construction manager checks whether the project has met its goals and whether the estimation for the budget is successful.
The manager would then make a report that shows the final result of the construction project that could be a useful source of knowledge for building another project in the future.
Key Takeaways
There are plenty of good reasons why construction management exists. You may have heard about construction before, but you’re not aware why it’s necessary to develop a plan and baseline a project involving people outside the construction industry. The truth is, there are benefits associated, especially if you’re handling a complex and huge project to complete.
In the end, it’s always the success of the project that matters. Yes, there may be potential risks and issues throughout the project, but if there is proper management and monitoring, such problems could be solved with the best solutions. I hope you now understand how construction management works and why it is necessary with the above details.
