Project Management is already hard enough. And if you throw construction into the mix, you’re bound to face more demanding tasks and exhausting schedules. The Construction Management Association of America or CMAA mentions that construction project managers average around 120 responsibilities. This means they have to be strategic and thoughtful about working in an environment impacted by constant change.
Project managers in construction oversee the works of many people, such as architects, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. An effective construction project manager should ensure that everyone remains on schedule and budget through utilizing specific tools and construction strategies.
Thanks to the technological revolution, construction project management has become more accessible through new software platforms. But simply buying a construction project management software is not enough — project managers must also know the best ways to implement such tools and sustain them.
Here are three strategies to help construction PMs become even more organized and successful:
Projects that are meant to be completed in two years are planned differently than projects with a duration of three months. The 2-year project of building a mall, for example, requires larger crews, tools, and equipment than renovating a garden in three months. That’s why it’s crucial to determine what equipment and how much labor you will need and coordinate your contractors to ensure the smooth running of the building schedule.
During the planning phase, you need to establish other factors: conducting a risk assessment and safety plan and developing a communication and response plan.
Construction workers need to be sure that their safety at the various job sites is guaranteed. Sudden accidents at a construction site might occur, or natural disasters might hit the region. Hence, a successful construction project manager needs to conduct a risk assessment to ensure the health and safety of their workers.
A risk assessment typically includes the “three principles of prevention”:
According to the Construction Design and Management Regulations or CDM, assessments for specific hazards include work at height, hazardous substances, manual handling, noise, vibration, and lead.
Assessing risks should not be a one-time process. After identifying, evaluating existing and potential risks, construction managers should record significant findings, review the assessments and update if necessary.
Good communication improves teamwork and heightens the spirits of team members, which results in a successful construction project.
Poor communication can cause misunderstandings, project delays, and issues during project phases. Methods of communication between project teams should be established early on during project planning.
A construction manager must ensure that drawings, specifications, progress reports, and requests for information (RFIs) mentioned on contract documents are continuously monitored. Any direct communication that is not outlined in the contract document must receive proper authorization. Any changes related to the schedule or project scope are documented and reported through appropriate channels.
One of the simplest ways to achieve a proper flow of communication is by using a construction project management schedule tracking software. MobiClocks built-in chat feature allows accessible communication among your workers. Through a system dashboard, workers can quickly reach out to HR concerning any changes to their job site schedules.
Implementing such platforms for your construction projects will enhance communication and reduce response time. It will also ensure your crew is available at the remote job sites.
In the construction industry, permits, wages, materials, and equipment needed for projects are often exchanged between various financial sources and vendors. From the initial bidding process to project completion, construction PMs are responsible for tracking and monitoring all costs related to the construction project.
Even if your project is relatively small, it still includes many moving parts and individual costs. For effective project management, you need to use construction management software to help you control costs and achieve project efficiency.
A best-in-class work execution platform can enable both you and your stakeholders to input all project data: cost estimates, budget changes to prevent budget overruns, and other calculations to keep track of your project’s finances.
For PMs, cost coding labor for remote workers can be difficult and time-consuming. MobiClocks advanced cost coding feature is one of the construction project management tools that help you cost code labor accurately while keeping your project well within budget.
Sometimes reading worker reports and analyzing graphs is not enough to solve all issues of the construction business. That’s why you need to familiarize yourself with the construction site and observe the tasks of every stakeholder. Overall, if you are more involved in managing projects, you can become a better construction manager.
Construction technology is constantly evolving, and new equipment, practices, and safety requirements are changing over time. Construction project management requires continuous improvement and learning. Though construction management software helps a great deal in streamlining your projects, you still need to visit the site regularly and meet with contractors who are more in tune with what happens on the ground.
For any project manager, planning is highly crucial for successful project completion. Managers in construction should be extra attentive when planning their construction projects. Contractors, subcontractors, and other professionals need guidance and monitoring throughout the project life cycle.
Having a risk management plan is also essential and implementing simple communication platforms for the entire team. Using project management software will let you estimate costs and help you stay within your budget.
Heading to the site and observing the construction work from time to time is essential for any construction manager who seeks to improve their management skills. Read our article on quality control in construction projects if you want to know more about best construction practices.
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