What should be a Construction Manager's expertise in Construction Project ManagementThe construction team concentrates all efforts to accomplish the goals of a construction project by successfully organizing the following.
Coordinating site safety in compliance with local safety codes, experience and good working practice.
Finding, recruiting and managing the proper manpower to supervise and coordinate all site activities and the contractors.
To have the most effective work planning to perform construction work and assure client of the quality of work.
Keeping close relations with contractors through a contract administrator, answering their requests in a time frame that will not affect overall progress of their work.
Controlling construction site costs according to project objectives.
Keeping up to date with planning and scheduling and reacting in time to any adverse situation.
Reporting actual construction progress to provide accurate information to client.
Organizing an efficient start-up and commissioning team to complete construction with a smooth start-up of the client operations.
Hence required expertise in short: Site Safety Site Supervision and Coordination Contract Administration Cost Control Planning and Scheduling Progress Reporting Start-up and Commissioning
Activities involved in Construction Management in detail
Early in the project, the construction manager analyses the manpower requirements, the site's working conditions and safety regulations, local manpower availability, local material availability and equipment availability, labor relations and rates of items to be executed. Then he prepares his/her mobilization plan.
The construction team, under the direction of the construction (project) manager, takes all necessary action to complete the construction work on time and within budget.
The construction team acts on all adverse situations and adapts the construction strategy in order to achieve the original objectives.
The construction team has to develop that has a well renowned experience in every aspect of a project such as management skills, safety, contract administration, site related activities and coordination, quality assurance, cost control, scheduling and start-up.
Technical assistance in the operation of client's facilities after the construction is completed to help understand the new plant and assist in training new employees of the plant.
Summary of Construction Management Activity - Site Safety
Understand the importance of site safety, placing site safety as top priority on the construction site.
So, early in the project, the construction manager analyses the local working conditions and safety regulations.
He/she reviews the client's own regulations and includes them in the construction site safety manual and he/she ensures that the site safety manual is available to all workers.
This site safety manual usually includes references to local regulations, specific site regulations, and directives to the workers.
The directives to the workers are how to prevent accidents, what to do in case of accident and what are the personal protective gear required to perform a particular task.
The construction manager or his/her safety representative usually is the person in contact with local safety authorities and assures the site safety conditions.
It is the responsibility of each employee to insure that the safety rules and regulations are followed and report any safety risks to the construction manager.
Summary of Construction Management Activity - Site Supervision and Coordination
Early in the project, the construction manager analyses the manpower requirements for his/her construction team.
The manpower requirement is based on the project size and complexity.
The construction manager, under the direction of the project manager, establishes the areas of work that need supervision.
The construction team is responsible to supervise and coordinate all aspects of site activities under -mandate, and to ensure that they are completed according to ISO 9001 procedures.
A typical construction management team, for a medium to large project includes: Construction Manager, Contract Administrator Expediter, Cost Controller, Scheduler, Project Engineers, General Supervisors, Civil Supervisor(s), Mechanical Supervisor(s), Piping Supervisor(s), Electrical Supervisor(s), Instrumentation Supervisor(s), Warehouse Clerk, Clerical assistant(s), Document Clerk.
For a smaller size project some of the previous responsibilities would be combined to one team member; therefore, manpower requirements are reduced.
Summary of Construction Management Activity - Contract Administration
Early in the project, the contract administrator starts preparing contract documents for site work. He/she familiarizes with local site conditions and contractors.
The contract administrator is responsible for the preparation of the bidding lists and the bidding process.
He/she is the only contact between the bidders and -for technical and commercial correspondence during the bidding process.
After the contract is awarded, he/she still remains in control of the correspondence although site supervisors and other managers will correspond with the contractor.
A copy of the correspondence will be sent to contract administration for filing.
The contract administrator will be responsible to verify and approve or reject any potential claim of the contractors.
The contract administrator will verify all contractual documents before rendering its decision.
He/she will submit his/her recommendations to the construction manager for final approval or rejection.
The contract administrator is one of the last construction team members to leave the site at the end of construction.
He/she must ensure that the contractor has met all contractual requirements, final reception of work is acceptable to -and client, and final payment to contractor is made.
Summary of Construction Management Activity - Cost Control
Early in the project, the project management team establishes the project work breakdown structure (WBS) including site activities accounts.
The WBS will be the reference for all future reporting included in the cost report.
The cost report lists all activities and references them to the project budget, the commitments, the actual progress and forecast to complete.
The site cost control manager will follow all site activity costs and report them on the cost report for the project cost controller.
The site cost control manager's role is very important in controlling the site activity costs in order to analyse budget comparisons and cost to complete estimates.
He/she will provide explanations on current overruns or under-runs and non-budgeted items for progress reports and project meetings.
The site cost control manager will assist the contract administrator in preparing forecasts, progress, estimation of particular work and verify contractor's estimates.
He/she will also provide cost analysis for alternative designs or contract strategies to correct potential cost overruns.
Summary of Construction Management Activity - Planning and Scheduling
In controlling the successful completion of a construction project, Planning and Scheduling works hand in hand with cost control.
To ensure that this is achieved, -uses scheduling program such as Primavera Project Planner to aid in the time analysis process.
The work breakdown structure, as developed by the estimating group, is used to develop the major elements of the construction schedule.
With input from key construction team members, experienced planning and scheduling personnel prepare the construction schedule taking into account engineering, procurement and construction requirements.
The construction schedule is then incorporated in the project schedule, executes the following tasks in establishing and controlling the construction schedule: establishment of the work breakdown structure; co-ordination of information with design, procurement, and construction; development of overall construction schedule; development of detailed schedules; monitor and analyse of advancement of the construction activities; production of reports to management utilizing schedule outputs in the form of networks, bar charts and tabular activity listings; highlight of critical activities and schedule upsets; analyse and simulation of possible corrective and remedial actions and preparation of recommendations to project manager; revision of schedules to incorporate actual progress of activities as required.
Summary of Construction Management Activity - Progress Reporting
Provides clients with periodic progress reports.
The exact documentation and report formats vary and are tailored to meet client's specifications and requirements.
The construction progress report is sent to the project manager and is included in the project progress report.
The content of construction progress reports and documentation would generally consist of the following:
General Summary of major site and construction activities achievements during the period. Construction progress summary of achievements by area and awarded contracts during the period; progress report by area and awarded contracts during the period; construction hours-used and projected. Material Control list of equipment purchased by client received during the period; list of equipment purchased by -received during the period.
Cost Control construction cost control report and explanations to be incorporated in project cost control report; Planning summary of major achievements during the period; up-to-date construction schedule to be incorporated to project master schedule.
Summary of Construction Management Activity - Start-up and Commissioning
As part of the construction management services, -offers facility start-up and commissioning services as well the development of acceptance documentation including pre-start-up site preparation, acceptance documentation for facility installation, start-up and performance testing. -employs a "design for start-up" philosophy during facility design process.
This philosophy aims to minimize the problems encountered during start-up by taking into account the following considerations: Design concepts for access and ease of use; Integration of owners operations and maintenance personnel in design and testing; Extensive testing and simulation off-site; Careful and detailed planning of start-ups. In addition, -offers technical assistance after construction for operations and training.
NOTE - CONSTRUCTION MANAGER IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST PAID JOBS IN THE WORLD, SO FINALLY, AGAIN A SUMMARY OF JOB , DUTIES , RESPONSIBILITIES, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE IS MENTIONED BELOW. FOR YOUR PRACTICE AND DEVELOPING EXPERTISE.
Construction Manager Job Summary: Coordinates with Project Manager, studying specifications and procedures for construction, and exercises functional authority for all site construction activities.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Leads the construction teams, in close cooperation with the Project Manager, in assembling and controlling the required manpower, equipment, materials and tools required to complete the project.
2. Advises the Project Manager in determining and procuring tools and materials to be delivered at specific times to conform to the work loads and schedule.
3. Coordinates with his construction discipline managers in directing and supervising site personnel engaged in construction activities.
4.Discusses and reviews with Project Manager the project Key Performance Indicators to determine accurate status of project, making tactical decisions for allocating resources, and assigning staff requirements, to maintain project on target.
5. Receives reports from subordinates, and forwards to Project Manager for corrective actions if project becomes behind schedule or overspends budget.
6. Inspects work in progress to ensure conformity with specifications and quality requirements, and provides technical advice to resolve problems.
7. Department on-boarding and induction (procedures, guidelines, policies, etc). Collaborates with his construction team in directing and supervising personnel.
8. Champions staff on the job training with skills training programs, with the aim of increasing worker skills and personnel development.
9. Ensures all his departments have effective resources and perform with expected efficiency and productivity.
Qualifications and Experience Academic: Civil Engineering Bachelor's Degree from a reputable college or university. Post Graduate in Construction Management. A PMP certificate will be added advantage.
Skills and Competencies: Must have actual and varied experience in construction of major projects, and be able to control a multi-national workforce dynamic situations. An experienced leader, motivated and able to motivate others, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. A creative thinker and excellent organizer.
Work Experience: With 12 to 20 years experience in the civil construction industry. Has been responsible for major construction projects in excess of at least 500 million. Sometimes Middle East work experience is added advantage.
This Article : Inspired from my current and ex-bosses. I acknowledge what I learnt from them.
