A Beginner's Guide to Construction Management

Construction management is the combination of the expertise and skills in the construction industry and the typical responsibilities of the project manager. Since the projects in construction are in constant change, it is highly required for the construction manager to possess a diverse set of abilities and skills to deal with the project and the workers successfully. This article will cover the primary principles and other fundamental information for those who consider themselves a beginner in construction management.

 

The Roles in Construction Management

 

The project manager's responsibility is to ensure that the construction project is going well as planned. This guarantees that it will be completed at the desired time and will not exhaust the designated budget. Aside from that, they should also make certain that the workers are finishing the job in compliance with the existing building codes, principles, and standards. The proper construction management will also include safety management, contract administration, quality management, time management, cost management, and planning.

 

Contractors also have specific roles in construction management. They will assume their position after the completion of the design phase. Contractors are chosen based on particular factors such as their qualification, best value, and low-bid selection. Contractors should have the right skill needed to handle the workers correctly, create the drawing, calculate, make good decisions, quality, cost and time management, and uphold the safety on the site.

 

The Basics of the Management

 

As opposed to the common misconception about construction management, it is a complex industry that requires knowledge in various areas such as business, law, mediation, finance, and others. Here are some of the basics that you need to understand.

 

The project owner will share the information about a certain project to a huge list of contractors to start the bidding process. This process will begin by presenting the cost estimate and the materials. Basically, the construction will tell them how much it will cost him to allow the contractor to complete the job successfully. After the bidding process has been completed, it is time for the construction to initiate, and the construction management will begin. It involves 5 phases:

 

·         Initiation- Evaluating if the case is feasible. This will help them identify weaknesses and refine the project.

 

·         Planning- Comprehensive planning is a significant part of construction management, including documentation, work structure, communication, and risk management planning.

 

·         Execution- This is basically the phase where the construction project will begin. It will include assigning the resources, executing the plan, setting up the system, completing the task, updating the schedule, and adjusting or modifying the program. This is a demanding and time-consuming task.

 

·         Monitoring- This is about measuring the performance and the progress of the construction project. It helps them ensure that they are on the right track and that they can meet the deadline.

 

·         Closure- It is the final phase of the management. It is a time for you to identify the failures and successes during the project.

 

Construction management is an integral part of the construction project and fundamental to achieving a successful project. It can also be used in project delivery and contracting systems.