Construction management encompasses the performance of a number of activities specifically in management, which include planning, overseeing, finishing construction within the set time frames, and even designing. Construction management is quite arguably the most challenging aspect for the engineer because they require a great deal of experience in order to be able to execute fully the construction works as envisaged.
In particular, construction projects are undergoing several challenges and probably the most pronounced one is the unavailability of good and proper research work on the economic viability of the construction project because the management processes have not been well developed or even planned in the first place.
Construction management is the supervision and control of the development of a building or an infrastructure project. It is usually handled by a construction manager (CM), who is responsible for all aspects of the construction process, including the schedule, cost, quality, and function, as well as the safety of the workflow. This type of service is most applicable in major construction projects such as those involving the building of an industrial complex, commercial enterprises, transport infrastructure development, and other investment projects.
Construction management is the direction of activities related to the planning, coordination, and supervision of the construction process. There are different types of construction management approaches depending on the scope and complexity of the project and other parameters. Here are the major ones:
In this type, a construction manager (CM) is appointed for the project. The client undertakes the individual contractor hire and the CM coordinates with all of them to ensure that all is on time and within budget and that the quality is as expected.
In this case, the construction manager is a consultant at the design phase and takes the risk of building afterwards. The CM agrees to execute the project for a predefined price that does not exceed its guaranteed maximum price (GMP). In this way, the owner incurs less financial risk but surrenders more cost and schedule control to the CM.
In agency construction management, the CM is an agent of the owner and takes a supportive role, management, and administration of the project. The CM does not bear the construction cost or schedule related risks but only ensures proper interaction with contractors and suppliers to accomplish the owner’s goals.
This approach is characterised by having a single firm that undertakes both the design work and the construction. The long standing design-build team begins their work at the earliest period of the projects which encourages efficiency and enhances the interaction of designers and contractors. This approach is mostly completed in a shorter period than the classical practices and has the potential to save money due to sound coordination of activities.
An owner’s representative (OR) is the person occupying this space with the owner during the course of construction activity. They may undertake project management duties throughout all stages or just focus on a few segments if the case demands. The services of ORs are largely geared towards the general aim of mitigating risks on behalf of the owner, which include controlling costs, timing as well as construction standards.
Every type of construction management has its own pros and cons, and the preferences differ primarily based on the scale and scope and the desired control of the client, respectively. Master the skills to manage complex construction projects and streamline site operations with our Advanced Construction Management, Site Operation, and Supervising Multiple Projects course.
The effectiveness of construction management lies in the ability to break down and manage processes in a manner that the different tasks and activities are well executed. This encourages an orderly way of doing things and avoids unnecessary fragmentation. The latter, as stated in the latest McKinsey Global Construction Productivity Survey, is among the leading causes of inefficiency in construction projects. It can therefore be concluded that construction management enhances productivity and performance of the project.
The benefits of construction management are not only limited to the above, but also extend to other related activities in the construction process. More specifically, it enables construction teams to:
Reduce Project Duration and Costs
Resource reallocation for better project implementation
Control processes and eliminate or lessen construction challenges
Create better and safer buildings
In construction management, effective time and cost management is essential to the success of a project. Here are key strategies:
Make a step-by-step plan with specific goals, stages, and time limits for each task. Report on the progress made and the rate of work done against the schedule with the help of project monitoring techniques like Gantt charts. Make a safe estimation of time for each task to avoid under or over time prediction.
Make provision for the costs of constructing and putting up the building; labour, raw materials, and equipment costs should all be provided for. Reports showing the expenditures in the respective categories ought to be prepared and expenditure controlled to ensure that the project does not go out of budget. Manage the expenditure by using budget management applications to compare the actual expenses to the budget in real time.
Sometimes it means making sure these components arrive ‘just in time’ to be used as and when they are required. Do not over-extend resources as this can cause delays and do not under-utilise them as this can increase expenses. Make effective arrangements for the transportation and supply of items in order to avoid any hold-ups.
Evaluate the actual progress of the work in the project by looking at the time and cost incurred and the value of work done in relation to the target. Discuss and resolve potential problems within the team as required during routine meetings and progress reviews.
You should also employ lean construction strategies for project execution. These include cutting down on waste regarding the use of materials, effort on processes, and ensuring each workforce is engaged in activities that add value such as reducing expenses and saving time.
Aspects such as effective construction management is paramount in any project as it guarantees that the projects are completed within the set timeframe, in the right budget, and to the required standards. Different management practices may promote and enhance project achievement by emphasising on time, cost and resource efficiency among others.
The British Academy for Training and Development offers professional training programmes in Advanced Construction Management that will equip you with the knowledge necessary to handle complex construction works with ease.