Construction Project Management (CPM) Complete Guide

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Construction project management is the supervision of the execution of a construction project, from conception to completion.
• A construction project manager oversees the project with the goal of meeting client requirements and produce a functionally and economically viable project.
• Specific functions of a construction project manager include strategic planning, resource allocation, task management, and establishing communication with team members and other major stakeholders.

What is Construction Project Management?

Construction project management is a type of project management that focuses on overseeing the implementation of a construction project from start to finish. The main goal of managing construction projects is to deliver results that meet the requirements set forth by clients—within the agreed-upon timeline, scope, and budget. The responsibility of managing a construction project falls on the construction project manager, who supervises the project throughout its life cycle.

What Does a Construction Project Manager Do?

A construction project manager (CPM) formulates the construction project with a finite time-frame and desired outome. It is a strategic process that involves careful planning and execution. To be able to succeed, one needs to have a complete understanding of the designing and construction process, along with the knowledge of modern business management and project management concepts.

Construction project management, in general, aims at meeting the client’s requirement so as to produce a functionally and economically viable project. At the beginning of the project, construction project managers have to make sure that specific objectives of the construction project are clearly defined. There could be changes in these objectives during the course of the project due to resource constraints and other conflicts, and project managers are expected to be well-equipped to manage and adapt to these changes.

Project management in construction is a very challenging and complex task because construction projects are dynamic and unpredictable. There are many tasks, stages, and procedures involved—all of which may change during the course of the project. A construction project manager should be able to implement project management communication strategies, possess problem-solving skills, and have knowledge of the construction process in order to effectively carry out their job.

Essential Skills of a Successful Construction Project Manager

If you are new to construction project management, you have to learn about budgeting, financing, scheduling, handling conflicts and legal issues, etc. The CPM should also be skilled to handle various aspects of construction such as public safety, quality management, time management, material management, cost management, calculations, and working drawings. A CPM in one sector is differentiated from a CPM in another sector on the basis of the knowledge of the construction site, which could be residential, institutional, commercial, industrial, etc.

Functions of a Construction Project Manager

Here are some of the responsibilities and functions of a construction project manager:

1. Specifying project goals and defining the scope, budget, schedule, and deadline of the project.
2. Strategic planning for the tasks to be completed and other aspects of the project. The CPM organizes the tasks in the following ways:
   • Sequential: The project is segregated into stages, in a consecutive sequence of tasks.
   • Parallel: Independent tasks happen simultaneously.
   • Staggered: Different tasks may overlap each other.
3. Setting performance requirements and selecting project participants.
4. Maximizing efficient use of resources through procurement of skilled labor, materials, and equipment.
5. Implementing project tasks as per the plan and schedule and controlling every possible element of the project.
6. Creating a communication system to keep all stakeholders and team members well-informed about the progress of the project so as to avoid potential conflicts.

Bottom Line

Management of a construction project involves the tasks of a traditional project manager along with adequate skills and knowledge of the construction industry. Strategic planning, strong leadership, a well-defined scope, a responsible team and healthy work relationships can make any project a success. And with the right tools such as construction project management software, one can efficiently manage and successfully close a construction project.