Construction Project management

Construction Project Management

The Construction Project and the seven stages of its development process in relation to the Project Manager 's tasks and responsibilities

The Project and its Inception

The decision to build is a complex one involving the definition of project requirements and the assembly of many different resources . A project by definition is the change caused by a series of activities which are undertaken within specific constraints . Alternatively : a project is an endeavor that is undertaken to produce the results that are expected from the requesting party

The

task of the Project Manager

The Project Manager 's role on the various stages of a Construction Project development process

A project whether big or small begins at inception and ended in a project close out . This is the beginning and end of a development process for a construction and reconstruction for vertical or horizontal infrastructure projects . Project management involves identifying problems and finding the right techniques to solve them . Although a team , there must be a single head that makes the final decision and keep focus on the project

Managing a construction project includes systematic coordination of people , time limits (schedule , equipment , materials , and money , to finish a specified work on time and within approved budget . The budget is the statement of the costs the client will incur to accomplish the project

Peter Drucker believes that the work of management is to make people productive

The major player in this diversified endeavor is the Client 's Project Manager (PM ) who leads the Project Team (PT ) and ensures a quality project within time cost and scope constraints . He or she performs the five (5 ) basic functions of management : Planning , organizing coordinating , motivating and , controlling (POCMC

1 . Feasibility Studies part 1 of Inception

Phase I or the initial phase is what we call the project inception . The Project Manager provides the project brief for the Client . It includes the project title , possible location of the project but most important is the project requirement and budgetary cost . A clear concept about the undertaking is a must for any project inception . Also during this phase the selection of site and the Architect or designer is of major importance

2 . Part 2 of Project Inception - Strategy

The project inception is like the moment of conception and an unhealthy reproductive organ leads to a threaten abortion . In this stage it is important to manage risk because it is the key factor in decision making . It is always a question of whether to build or not to build The Inception phase is where a well written architectural program for a project is laid . And based on this architectural programming report , the project manager reassesses strategic solutions or suggests alternative solutions

The project comprises of three responsible parties namely : the client who sets the operational criteria which involves parameters on cost , payments , milestone , and completion date , the designer who creates the project design , and the contractor who implements the project by furnishing labor and materials

3 . Pre-Construction Phase

Upon the determining the exact site location of the project , the Project Manager who acts in the best interest of the Client leads the Design Team whereas this pool of experts provides schematic studies based on the Project Brief as approved by the Client . The work always includes site or soil analysis , zoning regulatory requirements , the building or space allocation for the project vis-a-vis the project cost

There is also a need to make land valuation in to know if the building to be constructed is feasible for the acquired site or location or if the land cost is tantamount to the building cost and cost of money based on the engagement or time limits of the project . An environmental impact study is also of utmost importance on major or complex projects A project manager intuitive effort must rightfully begin at this stage which means Early Assessment and Action (EAA ) the process in which finding out if the project needs to be redesigned . Redesigning a project in this stage is an early avoidance of risk

Upon the review of the project feasibility studies , the project management team develops strategic plans in procurement , financial , and the appointment of the Architect for buildings and or Engineers for horizontal structures . The design team should be selected with care and consideration of the specific needs of each project . The design team plays a major role in the success of the project they design what the client has conceived , what this team create is the blue print or the soul of the project . The design phase is divided into Pre-design Services , Design Development Phase , and the Pre-construction Phase which already includes details or the A /E drawings , specifications and general conditions , the tender documents , conferences , and the abstract of the tender

The Project Manager is not bound legally the PM here acts in behalf of the Client in communicating the project brief or requirements . It is the principal designers and his /her associates who have the legal responsibility for their designs . Sometimes at this stage of work the Client may elect his Architect as the Project Manager . The Architect is usually retained by the client because he or she is more conversant with the overall building enterprise

Upon completion of the design stage , the next process is the selection of the Project Construction Group

4 . Construction Phase

The winning contract does not normally follow the lowest tender but the most responsible appropriate tender . The Project Manager plays a vital role in the abstract . His team is solely responsible for the selection for the General Contractor of the project . A close coordination between the builder and the Project Manager is necessary at all times , not only on submittals but in a day to day construction activity . At this span of work the PM is the overseer of the Client . The General Contractor provides all the labor and equipment for the faithful performance of the Work including submittals , mock-up or sample of works , shop drawings testing for building materials , and fit outs . The Project Manager coordinates all the submittals of the Contractor to the Architect or act as the mediator between the two for the successful implementation of the project . At this stage of work , the PM provides all construction data weather report and the like , delivery , inspection and test report for the quality assurance of the project . At this phase of work the Project Manager tasks is more of construction management . During this phase not only the daily record of construction is listed but more so for the change s . The project manager leads the weekly coordination meetings for all the team players

5 . Engineering Services

The building envelope also includes utility like the electrical and mechanical works in building . The General Contractor may choose his sub-contractors in this specialized business or the Project Manager assist his /her client in the selection of these additional project team players . Though most of the time they are not the General Contractor it is important that this team players communicate on site as early as possible

6 . Completion /Handover

Other statutory inspections from the local electric companies and utility service providers will be taken cared of by the Project Manager to ensure the timely commissioning of the building services . In the case of the building prior to use , an occupancy permit is given by the City Planner before a structure can be used by end-users for public safety . Upon commissioning the systems and utilities of buildings , the project manager acts as the building manager because he handed down to users and clients keys and the building manuals . This also includes the as-built-plans and operational system of the building which includes safety training , guarantees and warranties

Upon final acceptance of the project the entire team with the Project Manager make up a rectification list wherein all the defects in the quality of work needs to be repaired before a final acceptance is issued . It is important that at this point corrective works are completed on time by way of religiously inspecting the work from the beginning of the layout to the finishing of the building

7 . Clients Commissioning / Pre-occupancy

The Project Close-out is not a closing but a launching of the project Final accounts or audit management is prepared by the Project Manager together with his final report . This may also include post construction evaluation or the post occupancy report for the facility or the project which was successfully completed

The standard procedure or the development stages in construction project management can be divided into three (3 ) major phases . As the development prosper changes in the function of the Project Manager during the various stages of the development process follows

Design Development Phase

CIOB defines project management as the overall planning , coordination and control of a project from inception to completion aimed at meeting a Client 's requirements in to produce a functionally and financially viable project that will be completed on time , within authorized cost and to the required quality standards

The development phase can be summarized into three stages namely pre-design , design phase , and the construction and post construction phase . As mentioned above he is the co-maker of his Client . At the initial stage of the project the PM take on the responsibility in risk management that is to build or not to build or to make a redesign on the client 's project brief . However risk does not only entail financial loses but it could also be an opportunity

In to assist the Client in managing risks , the PM must be capable in identifying risks and must be able to know who is in the best position to solve them . With this intuition the PM must understand the following important concepts namely : power (who has it , capability (team player resources , responsibility (leadership , and exposure (effects and consequences . These can be put to use in allocating project responsibilities , negotiating contracts , and settling project disputes

For the building success the rubrics of risk management should be evaluated as follows

What is the cause and effect inherent in this duty

Who is most capable of handling that cause of action

Who has the responsibility for that consequence

Who should make sure that responsibility is carried out timely

Managing risk has five ways : Retain it , abate it , allocate it , transfer it , and or avoid it . Using insurance is another way of transferring risk while retaining it is on the capacity of the project manager to handle the risk

Project Construction Phase

Moving on to the next phase is the preparation of the design , on which a Project Manager sees to it that the project brief is being followed by the client 's designer . He acts as the consultant of the Client in to make a right choice in choosing who is capable to implement the project

During the construction Phase the project manager moved to a more day to day work load during the project implementation in construction supervision and that phase of work for him or she is acting as the CM or the Construction Manager . This includes quality management and the determination to finish the goal on the set construction chart to aid schedule is a very important tool in making the project time limits attainable . Some examples are the Gantt chart and the Pert CPM

Post Construction Phase

The last or the third phase of the development process is the post construction phase and this includes the project close-outs . From a construction manager the PM functions as the Building Manager , someone who determines if the project is constructed as it should be used

To summarize , the project manager is at the top of four right techniques in managing construction projects namely : time , cost , risk and , quality management

The important role of a Project Manager

The role of the project manager is leading the project team to ensure a quality project within time cost and scope constraints . A project is complex and unique therefore its outcome can never be predicted with absolute confidence . Throughout a project there are numerous obstacles that must be overcome . As a project manager , the drive to achieve must always be present and he must achieve the end results despite all the risks and difficulties that may be encounter in the life of the project

Project Managers must manage everyday project happenings : tasks meetings , communications , decisions , and REFERENCES

An Annual Report of the Construction Industry of China Hong Kong (2002 - 2003 , the 9th Asia Construct Conference , 8-9 December 2003 Sydney , Australia

Project Management in Building , the Chartered Institute of Building [TH 438 .P76 1988]

The Architect 's Handbook of Professional Practice Vol . 2 The Project Mc Graw Hill Publications

Planning to Build ? - A Practical Introduction to the Construction Process , by Malcolm Potter , Construction Industry Research and Information Association (Special Publication 113

Planning for Quality on Site - Guidance Notes , June 1989 , British Cement Association

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