Construction Management is the overall planning, coordination and control of a project from inception to completion aimed at meeting a client’s requirements in order to produce a functionally and financially viable project.
The functions of construction project management typically include the following.
- Specifying project objectives and plans including delineation of scope, budgeting, scheduling, setting performance requirements, and selecting project participants.
- Maximizing resource efficiency through procurement of labor, materials and equipment.
- Implementing various operations through proper coordination and control of planning, design, estimating, contracting and construction in the entire process.
- Developing effective communications and mechanisms for resolving conflicts.
The most common responsibilities of a Construction Manager fall into seven general categories:
- Project Management Planning
- Cost Management
- Time Management
- Quality Management
- Contract Administration
- Safety Management
- Professional Practice that include:
- Defining responsibilities and management structure of the project team
- Organizing and leading by implementing project controls
- Defining roles, responsibilities and developing communication protocols
- Identifying elements of project design and construction likely to give rise to disputes and claims
There are various ways to engage the Construction Management Professional and each owner and project will have different parameters and requirements The construction project management company becomes an additional party engaged in the project to act as an advisor to the owner, to which they are contractually tied. The construction manager’s role is to provide construction advice to the designer, on the owner’s behalf, design advice to the constructor, again on the owner’s behalf, and other advice as necessary.