Nobody wants their construction project to turn into a costly and chaotic disaster. Effective project management is one of the best ways to ensure smooth, on-time and within-budget completion. So what is construction project management? Construction Project Management (CPM) involves supervising a construction project from start to finish. The project manager coordinates resources, schedules, and people to achieve your project’s objectives.
There is more than one reason why people involved in the construction industry make sure they use construction project management.
Project management involves meticulously outlining project objectives, scopes, timelines, and resource requirements even before you begin construction. It also details the roles and responsibilities of every person involved in the project which eliminates any confusion, and as a result, enhances productivity. Making a clear roadmap also allows you to identify potential hurdles and risks early so that you can look for proactive solutions.
Managing costs and budgeting is an important aspect of construction project management. Project managers create detailed budgets after accurately estimating how much everything including material, labor, equipment, and other expenses will cost. They also monitor expenditures and track the financial performance against the budget throughout the project. This can help them implement any cost-saving measures if necessary. Overall, this process can optimize project profitability.
It is easy to get carried away with time in construction. Without proper time management, you can easily exceed your deadlines. Construction Project Management puts a serious emphasis on realistic scheduling and sequencing of tasks along with efficiently allocating resources. This helps minimize delays and makes sure that your project is completed on time. Additionally, CPM also includes continuous monitoring so that you can take proactive measures to keep the project on track.
The more complex a construction project is, the more susceptible it is to various risks. There are also other factors like inclement weather, supply chain disruptions, regulatory changes, and other unforeseen challenges along the way that can make it even more risky. Corporate Risk Management includes using risk management strategies to identify, assess, and proactively mitigate potential risks.
You cannot carry out a construction project successfully if the communication and collaboration between its stakeholders are not properly coordinated. Construction Project Management promotes transparent channels of communication that foster regular progress updates and collaborative decision-making. If any issues occur over time, effective communication can help you find a resolution as quickly as possible.
The whole point of using Construction Project Management is to make sure that your project is carried out on time without compromising on its quality. Project managers ensure to set clear standards and protocols for every project they take up. With these measures, CPM can ensure that your project meets or exceeds your expectations.
This is the beginning of the project where you set the foundation for all activities that follow. It is a stage where all stakeholders including clients, developers, and project managers can define the scope, objectives, and feasibility of your project. At this stage, you conduct initial assessments, define goals, and identify potential risks.
This is where you develop a comprehensive roadmap that can guide you throughout your project. Effective planning keeps you on track by organizing it according to your project goals.
After planning everything related to implementing the project, you begin with the execution. Execution starts with mobilizing project teams, procuring materials and equipment, conducting inspections, and making sure that it complies with all safety and regulatory standards. You need your execution to be concise to maintain the momentum of your project.
Once the execution begins, project managers keep a keen eye on the performance to see if it deviates from the plan, so you can make corrections when necessary.
When the project is completed, you need to conduct one final inspection before it is closed.
Several people are involved in Construction Project Management
The project manager who is responsible for overseeing the entire project
The site manager who is responsible for all the day-to-day operations on the construction site
The contract administrator who manages all the legal aspects of the project
The engineers and architects who provide the technical expertise and design guidance
