Construction project management is a relatively young field. Construction projects are complex which makes project management in construction equally complex. Because of this, construction project managers must have a high degree of expertise and knowledge of the entirety of the construction process, including design, engineering, and physical construction. Once construction is completed, the project is finished and the owner begins utilizing the constructed space. Understanding the construction project management process is important for setting realistic expectations. The next stage of a construction project begins when the bidding is completed and the contractor has been chosen to do the work. This team will include an architectural and engineers that will work closely during the pre-construction stage, and later with the general contractor during the physical construction of the project. At this point, physical construction begins. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Figure 1: Project management in six phases, ... During the development of an educational video game, the users (young people) were involved in the project only at a later stage. These two processes are at once intertwined and distinct, for reasons that will become clear as we continue. The construction of a project has several stages of completion prior to the actual finishing point. The first is that construction projects are completed through a collection of knowledge, labor, and resources that are brought together for that specific project. Depending upon the owner's expertise and experience in administering construction contracts, the owner may engage a professional engineer, an architect or a project manager during this pre-project phase to advise on these important decisions. This is why early involvement of trade partners and subcontractors is critical. 3.2 Sustainable Procurement. During this stage the aim is to hash out the high-level goals that must be met for you to consider the project a success. If you are familiar with construction management, the stages of a construction project and the role of a construction project manager in bringing about the successful completion of that project may be well known. Traditionally, there are 5 stages of project management. The decisions, in this stag… This is critical information that can be used to improve future bids. Therefore, understanding the different construction project phases helps to ensure the process is much easier and efficient. Construction projects are a balancing act between different but related aspects like the people, the budget, and the equipment. Once the pre-project administration stage is completed the construction project manager will quickly begin assembling the team required to complete the project. Once the bids are accepted, but before ground is broken, you’ll have these three steps to work on. At this point, physical construction begins. While there are some broad similarities between the construction project management process and the general flow that a construction project follows in general, there are some differences as well. 3. Copyright © 2019 eSUB Inc. All Rights Reserved. The second thing to consider is that construction projects are almost always completed in a linear fashion. If an issue surfaces, the construction manager will work with the general contractor or any subcontractor involved to ensure that remediation efforts are put in place to address the issue. Land-use entitlements are required when projects fall outside of the boundaries covered by the normal permitting process, such as when a project needs a variance or zoning amendment. It may surprise most people that aren’t familiar with the construction management process to find out that a large portion of the work required to successfully complete a project occurs during the administration and early stages before construction begins. Valuable team members are rewarded and recognized, contractors are terminated, and project successes and failures are identified. This stage of a construction project includes four major sub-steps as defined below: Programming & feasibility: To start with the actual designing of the project, the desires, objectives and goals are ought to be decided for the project/building. This. Procurement is one of the key management processes in construction project management, which involves contractual agreement, technical performance system, culture, procedures, environmental sustainability, organization, conflicts, and building economies (Rowlinson, and McDermott, 2005). Construction project management is a relatively young field. The ultimate customer is the owner, and their satisfaction determines the overall success of the project. Developed by the Project Management Institute (PMI), the five phases of project management include conception and initiation, planning, execution, performance/monitoring, and project close. It’s the responsibility of the project manager to make... Preconstruction. The Project Life Cycle (Phases) The project manager and project team have one shared goal: to carry out the work of the project for the purpose of meeting the project’s objectives. At the beginning is an idea, which is tested for its viability. These 5 stages create what is known as a project life cycle. In order to close out a project with success, a construction manager will first tour the completed building, usually accompanied by someone from the architectural team, to identify any areas that don’t meet the project’s requirements. Construction Management involves the overall planning, coordination, and control of a project from beginning to completion. There is any number of reasons that a project can experience delays or cost increases, and most often these occur during physical construction. Each of the entities that the construction manager is working with may be moving forward on the project in a linear fashion, but the project manager is coordinating all of their activities. PMI, which began in 1969, is the world’s largest nonprofit membership association for the project management profession. Tips For Working With Sustainable Concrete. It provides the reader with the main knowledge to manage a construction project from preliminary stages to handover. However, if you are just beginning to explore the role of project managers in construction projects, this outline will serve as a useful starting place for further research. The project plans also includes establishing baselines or performance measures. For some projects, securing permitting is largely a formality where the required forms are submitted, fees are paid, and the permits are issued. In contrast to the progression of a construction project, the stages of construction project management often overlap. and control of a project from beginning to completion. For some projects, securing permitting is largely a formality where the required forms are submitted, fees are paid, and the permits are issued. 3. Feasibility Study: You need to evaluate what the project’s goals are, the timeline to completion and how m… If not, make sure they receive the proper training! The easiest way to visualize this is by picturing an electrician that is brought onto a project as a subcontractor. Project performance and control goes hand in hand with the previous step because they occur simultaneously. The 5 Phases of Project Management (PMP) The 5 phases of project management include initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and project closure. The design stage involves four steps: programming and feasibility, schematic design, design development, and contract documents. Their role is at once integrally tied to the stages of the construction process, yet much broader and expansive at the same time. Project Initiation. Design. Once a project is approved and given the thumbs-up, a plan needs to be outlined and put into writing. Project management, then, is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet the project requirements. The first of the project management stages is all about giving the project a relatively broad definition and establishing whether or not it is feasible. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. In fact, throughout this process, the construction manager will stay involved by monitoring construction progress to ensure adherence to the schedule. Issues, topics, and news relevant to trade contractors, In-person training with eSUB product experts, Discover the time and money you could save using eSUB, Insights and best practices delivered by thought-leaders, Short, educational videos on trade contractor best practices, One-on-one consulting session with trade experts, In-depth guides to improve and grow your organization, Useful articles on navigating the construction industry, FAQs regarding eSUB software and services, The Project Life Cycle – Understanding the 5 Stages of Project Management in Construction, The 5 Stages of Project Management – Understanding a Construction Project’s Life Cycle. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Regular visual inspection and touring of the site is essential for the construction manager to identify any irregularities or issues before they become larger problems. A project undergoes mainly five stages to be achieved fully, and these are described below in detail: Design. The broad responsibilities of a construction project manager highlight the importance of choosing a project manager that understands their role and has demonstrated experience and expertise in successfully guiding projects to completion. Contact. It will guide decisions that will impact both the budget and timeline for completion, so having a firm understanding of the client’s wishes and ensuring their feasibility from the outset of the project is essential. Without project management tools, you’ll be scrambling to gather actionable data, track progress and meet deadlines. However, in situations where entitlements are required, this process can take substantially longer and require greater resources. Villanova University | Construction Management. However, if you are just beginning to explore the role of project managers in construction projects, this outline will serve as a useful starting place for further research. Remember that construction projects largely occur linearly, so one small hiccup in the process can lead to larger delays down the road. A building inspector must be involved at various construction stages in order to verify that the project is being constructed according to municipal code. Feasibility and style involve four steps: programming and feasibility, schematic style, style development, and contract documents. These two processes are at once intertwined and distinct, for reasons that will become clear as we continue. This stage of the project life cycle is all about monitoring. If securing entitlements is necessary for your project, you will be working closely with your project manager throughout the process so it is important to work with a construction manager that you trust and that clearly communicates all relevant information about the process to you. Construction project management coordinates and oversees the activities of each entity required to bring about project completion, from assembling a team of designers, engineers, architects, and contractors, to securing the permitting, materials, and equipment necessary to physically construct the project. An important part of the pre-construction stage is securing the building permits required to actually complete the project. Construction project management is a highly skilled career path. The procedure should only be carried out retrospectively, and then only during the construction phase of the project, when it can be demonstrated that otherwise significant delay, cost or danger would have been incurred by awaiting responses. A business case document defines the reasoning for starting a new project and the financial benefits. Do they have the skills required to carry out the role? The broad responsibilities of a construction project manager highlight the importance of choosing a project manager that understands their role and has demonstrated experience and expertise in successfully guiding projects to completion. The wants, goals, and objectives should be determined for the building. Successful project managers know how to adapt and modify. The Project Management Institute (PMI) originally developed these five phases. In discussing these stages, we will also touch on the responsibilities that construction project managers have. This article explains why construction project managers must devote more of their attention to planning their projects. The more issues that the team can address during the planning phase will save time and money during the execution phase. A project needs to be managed in order to get the desired result. Throughout these project phases there is a need to constantly monitor and report, which is where project management tools come in. Adapted from HBR Guide to Project Management; content originally published in Pocket Mentor: Managing Projects, Harvard Business Review Press, 2006. The first of the project management stages is all about giving the project a relatively broad definition and establishing whether or not it is feasible. Stages of Construction Management. Also important is understanding the site itself, including whether the construction manager can identify any potential environmental issues with the site, or related to that project on that specific site. As soon as the contractor is chosen, the project team is put together. There are a couple of things about the general flow of a construction project that is worth considering. Progress is continuously monitored and appropriate adjustments are made and recorded as variances from the original plan. Returning to the example of the electrician, they aren’t able to complete their piece of the project before a foundation is poured and a frame erected. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. This will include a design team that will begin working on a preliminary design. How does construction project management work? Specifically, you may be wondering what the, are, and how those stages relate to the construction process, in general. The second thing to consider is that construction projects are almost always completed in a linear fashion. Project managers serve an important function by helping to guide the construction … Project Scope Management (PSM) is vital in defining the success or failure of a project, so as to deliver products/services of high quality. Cheng Siew Goh, in Sustainable Construction Technologies, 2019. Project Initiation Phase – a project is formally started, named, and defined at a broad level during this phase. The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) states the most common responsibilities of a Construction Manager fall into the following 7 categories: Project Management Planning, Cost Management, Time Management, Quality Management, Contract Administration, Safety Management, and CM Professional Practice. The project management coordinator must juggle a variety of issues. While there are some broad similarities between the. . Project Execution. Next stage in the project cycle is actual implementation of the project for its construction and operation. These differences highlight the important role that construction managers have in overseeing the construction process. There are a couple of things about the general flow of a construction project that is worth considering. Nearly all construction projects consist of a variety of different entities working together to complete the project. During this period, the owner and construction manager will explore the project itself, working towards getting a firm understanding of the scope of the project, the budget for the project, and the desired occupancy date. During this phase, the scope of the project is defined and a project management plan is developed. However, it is the part of the cost under the control of the construction project manager. Once physical construction of a project has been completed, the job of a construction manager isn’t finished. 5 phases of project management 1. Approval for entitlements must occur before building permits can be issued and often must include one or more public hearings and numerous meetings with relevant decision-making entities. It’s throughout the planning stage that the bidding method takes place. Assuming that all necessary permitting for the project has been secured, the construction manager will secure a general contractor and any specialized labor required to complete the project. The first construction project phase is building conception and initiation. Tip: Consider using a cloud-based construction software so that you can track and share every aspect of the project’s life cycle. Stages of Construction Management vs. the Construction Process. of the large field of project management. The planning stage is where the project plans are documented, the project deliverables and requirements are defined, and the project schedule is created. The Project Management Institute (PMI) originally developed these five phases. Construction management (CM) is a professional service that uses specialized, project management techniques to oversee the planning, design, and construction of a project, from its beginning to its end. Project document closeout will require the construction manager to gather documents generated during the course of the project from all of the entities involved in it. If all issues have been resolved, the construction manager will work with the general contractor to train the owner on the operation of all systems installed during construction. Once a project is finished, this project team then moves onto other projects. As a rule, it consists of the following specialties: 1. Project Closeout Phase 2 2. Chapter 4 is dedicated for This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. In simple words, a project produces product or service that is different from the existing one at the end. Understanding the construction project management process is important for setting realistic expectations. This is where the project’s value and feasibility are measured. It is an extremely demanding job but it also can be very rewarding to see a project through from… Construction management . During this step in the construction project’s life cycle, many of the fundamental best practices for project management in construction are utilized in this phase. The value of the project is determined, as well as its feasibility. A solid project initiation will not only set your project up for success, but it will also lay the groundwork for all future stages. A site is selected, a design is drawn up, and resources are gathered. The electrician receives their work order, completes the work required of them, and then moves on to another project. Copyright © 2020 eSUB Inc. All Rights Reserved. The purpose of CM is to control a project's time / delivery, cost and quality—sometimes referred to as a project management triangle or "triple constraints." Of course, now that we say that, the first step is ALWAYS the one that will happen first. Bachelor of Science in Construction Project Management. Also, project managers must create a final project budget and report to close out the project. Main Stages of Construction Projects. A site is selected, a design is drawn up, and resources are gathered. It involves identifying the cost, quality, available resources, and a realistic timetable. Green Concrete? At the same time they must understand the permitting and entitlements process, and since they are responsible for handling the project accounting, they must have knowledge of accounting principles and best practices. If any such issues are identified during this walkthrough, the construction project manager will work with the general contractor or subcontractors to ensure that the issue is resolved. Project management process is usually broken down into separate phases that take the project from the beginning to the end. The... 2. It is during … Hitting on each of these areas gives the team a well-rounded idea of what will go into a project and address any possible risks proactively. Nearly all construction projects consist of a variety of different entities working together to complete the project. The design stage is the preliminary stage of a construction project, and the bidding process comes to pass during this project stage. A site is select… The construction manager will then assemble these documents and forward them to the project owner for their records. If you are considering using a project manager for your next project, you probably have some questions about the process. As a project manager you need to be very clear in your own mind what the project development stages are that you will have to go through. Stage Four: Construction With the start of the construction stage, the building begins. As this outline illustrates, construction managers exercise a high level of responsibility and coordination over all facets of a construction project. Having a written plan helps ensure that everyone on the team is on the same page and understands the steps that they must take to complete the project effectively. When the team officially completes the project, we move into the final stage of the construction project life cycle. Although the stages of construction itself follow a linear path, the construction project management process requires working with entities involved in different stages simultaneously. During the third phase, the implementation phase, the project plan is put into motion and the work of the project is performed. Build a project team and identify stakeholders (initiation) It is important to note that building a team and defining a project goes hand in hand and are done at the same time. It is the responsibility of the design team to ensure that the design meets all building codes and regulations. coordination. Land-use entitlements are required when projects fall outside of the boundaries covered by the normal permitting process, such as when a project needs a variance or zoning amendment. another can be started. Planning and Design Phase Collectively, the team decides whether or not a project is feasible and if they can realistically complete it within the desired timeframe. Once construction is completed, the project is finished and the owner begins utilizing the constructed space. Project manager 3. The planning phase involves further development of the project in detail to... 3. Tip: Give some thought to who you want on your team. If you are familiar with construction management, the stages of a construction project and the role of a construction project manager in bringing about the successful completion of that project may be well known. It is the responsibility of the design team to ensure that the design meets all building codes and regulations. These two processes are at once intertwined and distinct, for reasons that will become clear as we continue. This stage includes a lot of to and fro and brainstorming meetings between project team members and stakeholders. One of the most important things produced during the pre-project administration stage is a strategic plan. The 4 Stages of Construction Project Management Design.