Endless works in the field of construction have time limits and fixed resources to build on. The construction business is a high risk, high cost, long term business demanding good performance to usher in a more vibrant economy. That is where the 'Project Manager' has to come in. A construction project manager's responsibilities are not different from those of an ordinary PM, although certain specifications are apt to make them fit for the task. British academy for training development offers construction management courses by which you can learn more about and be an excellent project manager in construction.
What is the role of a project manager?
A project manager should ensure that a project travels smoothly from planning to successful completion. Offer a general oversight of all aspects of the project and that it remains within its allocated budget and meets all the specified requirements of quality. Their responsibility also includes a timeline and resource management that prevents from going into delays or unforeseen changes in the scope of the project.
This article goes into detail regarding the major jobs and the responsibility of a project manager and how he stands to make such significant contributions with the methods by which such a person will be able to create success in projects.
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A Project Manager VS Construction Project Manager
Before heading straight to the point, construction is a process that never happens without a construction manager (CM). A CM could be an architect or a civil engineer dealing with building trades with which he has contact general construction, plumbing, carpentry, and electrical work. They supervise daily activities running from before the construction and continue during all the end wrapping of the project. CM thus becomes a project manager uniquely qualified with specific experience.
However, it is said that the role of the project manager in a construction setting sets in before the stroke of a pen in signing a contract. Initial plans and site selection and analysis, risk analysis, design, budget, and procurement, construction, and finally giving the green light to physical mover shall be undertaken. Both CM and PM work until the project punch period but PM closely monitors CM for everything. That sounds right for any CM after some years experience to come out as a PM.
Responsibilities of a project manager
The 10 roles and responsibilities of project managers in construction include
1. Planning
Planning is one of the primary duties of a project manager where they create a plan for the project to meet the project's objectives within the set budget and defined timeframe. This roadmap has to carry the project from its conception to manifestation. The project plan usually contains the scope of the project, the resources needed, time and financial estimates, communication plan, execution and documentation plan, and post-implementation and maintenance proposals. If the project is still in its proposal stage and has not been approved yet, then this document will serve as a major component of the presentation for key decision makers.
2. Setting a Benchmark
For project managers, benchmarks are vintage gates in a construction project used to assess its performance. A benchmark is a formal halt at which observations on the welfare of the project are made, and proper judgments taken. Benchmarking techniques allow construction managers to remain concerned and aware of the project's condition.
Regarding the labor timeline, benchmarks help evaluate project performance. A project may be compared against the standard on time, budget, and effort. The absence of benchmarks complicates any honest assessment of when the project will finish or how budget disbursement is progressing.
3. Time Allocation Print Scheduling
If a construction project manager wants to be successful, he/she should always practice time management. A realistic timeline and consistent achievement of all benchmarking goals can get an entire construction project completed before the deadline.
Every work in progress and future works should always have a prepared time horizon. An effective construction project manager must know the different time charts like the gantt chart and how they are applied in real time.
4. Risk Management
There are two types of risk management. The first one is pre-project risk analysis, while the second one is risk analysis within an ongoing project. Pre-project risk analysis is highly important for a construction project manager to determine if a project is a 'go/no go'. Current project risk analysis covers employee and site safety issues, construction element safety issues, and economic and geopolitical issues.
The risk factors are always better put down on paper and precautions taken ahead of their supposedly unfortunate occurrence because they may appear as losses in terms of money resources but actually, they save the life of a company, of you and most importantly of innocents.
5. Budget Management
Budgets can be a key constraint for a construction project manager. When budgeting for a skyscraper, very high expenditures are involved. Poor budget management on the other hand could bring the whole project to its knees just at construction of the last two floors of the building. Everything that goes into the project, labor, employee management, and availability of resources stems from the budget allocated to it. Properly planning work structures, employee management, and resources without giving full attention to budgets will cost even more money than usual-or will simply lose the job.
6. Managing Stakeholder Relationships
Stakeholders are those who affect the project clients, the government, the company, investors, resource suppliers, etc. Different stakeholder entities may have different priorities from project to project. But a construction project manager needs to maintain a liaison with all relevant stakeholder entities.
7.Resource Optimisation
You are a leader and you must know what your employees can do. A limited resource is one of the most definite characteristics of a project. Therefore, a construction project manager cannot use the resources as they want. So correct and optimised distribution of resources is one among the many major requirements of a construction manager. You need to manage availability and exact allocation of resources to the proper section of employees.
8. Managing and Communicating with Employees
It's an undisclosed yet blindingly progressive element of the powers and skills of a construction project manager. The managing and communicating technique differs from PM to PM but the purpose is to bring everyone under the same umbrella. You are a born PM if you communicate repeatedly with employees but never allow them to run amok fully. Sometimes motivation is the weapon, sometimes it is ruthless words. Whatever it is, managing the staff and engaging them in the project is all that involves a construction project manager in the project.
9. Project Appraisal
Projects are formulated, not assigned. But you should check if a project is feasible before committing anything to it. Generally, the construction project manager helps to analyse economic, financial, market, technical feasibility, and management competency to validate the project.
10. Periodic Report on the Work Progress
Periodic Work Progress Reporting is closely related to benchmark management, where the reports are submitted and reviewed after set periods. This creates a living and evolving environment for the project under consideration. A key task of the construction project manager would be to see to the timely issuance of these reports.