Project management is the process of efficient management of construction projects. It should be noted that effectiveness (ability to achieve the desired or expected effect) is not the same as efficiency (ability to have someone or something to achieve a certain effect). Being effective we will achieve what we set out to do, but being efficient we will achieve it faster and better. That being said, when talking about managing a construction project in comparison with other types of projects, the distinction is above all that the construction has a clear and defined objective. That means that the organization of the project ends with the end of the construction of the project. And this whole organization is taken care of by the project manager.
The Project Manager is a profession that with time is increasingly in demand in different sectors. This is because everything can be planned, and if planned well, goals can be achieved more efficiently by using only the resources available. The job of the Project Manager is to optimize resources, thus achieving better results at the lowest possible cost. That is why a Project Manager must be a professional with training, specialized, experienced, skilled, with technical skills and languages.
To better understand the role of a Project Manager in the construction field we will look at some of the most important tasks they are asked to perform when hiring their services:
- He will be responsible for the design, writing, planning and execution of the projects. He will direct, manage and coordinate from the design phase to the execution phase, guaranteeing transparency in time, cost and quality.
- Management of documentation associated with the project, preparation of offers, budgets, reports, preparation and definition of contractual clauses and agreements.
- Establish the planning of the work. To control and supervise the implementation of the project. Responsible for the economic follow-up of the project, and for controlling possible deviations.
- Manage all types of incidents that may arise, monitoring the completion of work with contractors, as well as the economic closure; make the transfer of information, documentation and guarantees to end users.
- Negotiation skills and strategic vision, communication skills. Very dynamic person, with leadership skills, used to work in teams and in situations that involve prioritizing tasks.
- Create and develop a policy of continuous improvement.
As we can see, he participates very actively in the whole process, from beginning to end. He plans, controls and supervises the entire construction process in collaboration with the construction manager (who is responsible for controlling the work on site). He even takes part in the selection of contractors and the drafting of contracts.
There are a variety of different types of construction projects, depending on the different construction sectors. There are two main sectors in construction: residential and commercial. Depending on the sector, there can be up to four different types of projects:
- Construction and renovation of residential houses
- Heavy industrial construction
- Commercial and institutional construction
- Engineering construction
This means that there are a variety of types of construction projects that require construction management to be successful. Construction management may be required for a single house or a large bridge, from engineering the construction of a dam to an airport seismic retrofit project. Construction project managers manage the beginning and end of a project’s construction, often managing it on site to ensure the safety and success of the construction.
1. DESIGN
There are four parts to designing a construction project. It is the responsibility of the project manager to ensure that your design complies with building codes and other regulations.
- The concept. What are the needs, goals and objectives of the project? He will make decisions based on the size of the project, the assigned construction site and the actual design of what is built. This consists of a list for each room or space under consideration, including all critical data.
- The schematic design. It is a sketch that identifies the different parts, materials, sizes, colors, textures, etc. It includes the floor plan, elevations, etc., including a site plan.
- Developing the design. This requires research. What are the materials to be used? What equipment will be needed? How much are the materials? He will refine the original drawings from the previous stage to reflect these decisions. Knowing and adhering to local building codes will be important at this stage.
- Gather the contract documents. These are the final drawings and construction specifications. These will be used by the outside contractors to bid on the job.
2. PRE-CONSTRUCTION
Once the offers are accepted, but before the ground is broken, the project manager will have these two steps to work with.
- Determine the rest of the staff. Find a contract administrator: this is the person who helps the project manager. A supervisor is also needed to keep everything on time in terms of materials, deliveries, and equipment. These are on site to handle construction activities. Finally, you want to have a field engineer, which is more of an entry level position to handle the paperwork.
- Research the site. Check if anything is needed. The site must be ready for construction, which could mean dealing with environmental issues such as the suitability of the land for construction.
3. ACQUISITION AND PAYMENTS
Once the people have been hired and the construction and materials needed to complete it have been planned, now is the time to purchase those materials and equipment. This may be the responsibility of the general contractor or subcontractors, depending on the organization of the company doing the construction.
This is the stage where you will work with purchase orders, which are used as an agreement between the buyer and the seller.
4. CONSTRUCTION
Finally, everything is ready for construction! But first a pre-construction meeting must be held to discuss work hours, material storage, quality control and access to the site. Then, he takes everyone to the site and prepares everything.
A payment schedule and process for construction delivery will be created. This information must be transparent, not only to meet financial obligations, but to maintain a satisfactory and productive workforce and environment.
The last part of the project is after the construction is completed and the occupants move in or take possession of the site. You should make sure that all your requirements have been met, and usually provide a warranty period to make that agreement official and binding.
In Arcostec – Architecture & Engineering we have more than 12 years of experience in the sector. We have had the opportunity to carry out and manage projects of all types: from the construction of residential housing to the opening of commercial premises. We have enough people and resources to be able to carry out your projects in the most efficient way, reducing the economic cost and the delivery time to a minimum. And that is why we offer an integral service of Project Management, in which we will help you design and direct your projects so that they adapt and comply not only with all the regulations, but also with what you want.
We invite you to learn about some of the architectural projects carried out by the group of professionals who are part of Arcostec. The dedication and personal dedication during the elaboration and execution of each project guarantees the exclusivity and tranquility of our clients.
Contact Arcostec’s team of specialists for any information you may require. We will answer you as soon as possible. Our commitment is to provide professional and personalized advice to our clients.
