The importance of Project Management in Construction

The role of project management in construction

Project Management in Construction is the key to a smoothly run build site. Project Managers are involved in the contract at all stages. They take on several different roles throughout the project and what they do is vital to the whole process.

Not only do they oversee keeping the project on target and on budget, but they will manage every aspect of the project including the small details you don’t see. They take the lead in the several stages, planning execution, monitoring, control, and closure. They are also responsible for managing day to day business on the site and client relations. A big part of their job is communication, they’ll report back to management and clients on the progress and to employees on any messages from employers.

Why are Project Managers so important?

• Planning

Probably the biggest part of the project manager’s job is planning the project. A good, detailed plan will prevent scope creep (Scope creep happens when a project’s completion requirements increase past the planned project requirements). At this stage,  the Project Manager needs to plan the scope, the timeline, the resources required, the budget and key performance indicators (KPI). This will also help you plan for the personnel the project will need. This plan should also be presented to key stakeholders in advance of beginning the project. Invite feedback to avoid any issues further down the line.

• Time Management and efficiency

One of the major aspects of the Project Manager’s job is time management. They are responsible for making sure the project is completed on time. To do this they must have in-depth knowledge of the building process as this has a knock-on effect on what construction processes are used which in turn affects the schedule. This is important because any delay in construction will result in added costs. They will also look after the efficiency of the build e.g., making sure both labour and material are present at the same time

• Communication

Communication is vital for any role but is of particular importance in project management on the construction site. The client relationship is key. Project Managers are the direct line of communication between the construction company and the client. They make sure expectations are managed and the client is updated on the progress of the project. Ensuring this good relationship can only benefit the company in the future. This can lead to favour on future tenders and referrals.

• Planning Execution

You can prepare an incredibly detailed plan with everything accounted for and things will still go wrong. It’s the project manager’s role to mitigate disruption as much as possible. They do this by measuring and tracking progress once the project has started. This is why it’s so important to have comprehensive, and correct, KPIs, updated in real-time. They can provide you with valuable insight into the performance. Making sure you have the right KPIs will make sure you can efficiently monitor the project at a glance. Having data on budget, procurement and other key aspects of the project allows you to control the project costs and ensure you’re meeting deadlines.

Summary

There are many more parts of the project that the project manager will be involved in like quality control or mediation. They play a key role in the success of a construction project, keeping everything running smoothly, on time and within budget. They bring together multidisciplinary teams, who work together as one cohesive unit. Without them as a central point for communication, budget and mediation plans can quickly fall apart and your project could end up over budget and running late.