What is building project management?

Building project management is the process of organising and supervising every aspect of a building project, from the design through to completion. The aim is to deliver the project on time and within budget while satisfying the client’s demands.

Although other people are involved, such as the project owner, contractor and contract administrator, the project manager has primary responsibility for keeping the construction on track. They oversee the project from start to finish, ensuring the technical aspects of the project are met and handling an array of scheduling, cost control, procurement and risk assessment tasks.

The project manager will coordinate and interact with all members of the construction team, including the architects, engineers, contractors and other stakeholders. The role of project manager can be filled by someone working in-house for the project owner, a contractor or a dedicated building project management team.

Many project managers are accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). That gives clients confidence that the project manager has undergone thorough training and works to the highest professional standards.

What tasks are involved in building project management?

Building project management is multi-faceted and involves a wide variety of tasks, including:

Planning - Creating a project plan that defines the project’s scope, outlines how it will be executed and monitored and provides a detailed timeline for completion.
Quality control - Overseeing the work, creating work orders and liaising with on-site teams and construction and regulatory specialists on technical details.
Budgeting - Estimating and negotiating project costs and creating a construction budget.
Communication - Liasing with the project owner, contractor and regulatory teams to provide progress and budgetary updates.
Risk management - Identifying and preventing scope creep, anticipating risks and challenges and putting contingencies in place.
Leadership - Setting and communicating the vision and keeping the project team motivated to execute it.

Although this is not an exhaustive list, it provides some insight into the key elements involved.

What are the different stages of construction project management?

The construction process differs from project to project. For example, in some projects, the design and build phases may be completed by the same party, while others may appoint a general contractor for the build once the design phase has been completed. However, the stages involved remain the same.

Design

The project manager will liaise with the client and other construction leaders to outline the project’s needs, goals and objectives. Once a feasibility study has been performed to establish a budget and timeline for the project, the construction project manager can move ahead with a site plan that determines the actual design of the building along with the required construction specifications and final drawings.

Once they ensure the design meets the relevant building codes and regulations, they can specify the materials, equipment and labour and issue construction specs that third-party contractors can use to bid on the job.

Pre Construction

Once you have a general contractor, you can appoint a contract administrator and cost consultant to perform other vital project management roles. The project manager can then create a roadmap to lead you through the construction process. It should include details of what everyone involved in the project needs to do, how they should do it and what it should cost.

The tasks involved in this process include defining and allocating resources, creating timelines and deadlines, mapping out the work and distributing the tasks. This should all be finalised before the ground is broken. Other things to think about at this stage include risk assessment and contingency planning to overcome the hiccups that will inevitably occur.

Procurement

This stage is all about sourcing, purchasing and transporting the materials and equipment to do the job. Procurement and supply chain managers will be heavily involved in the process, with project managers keeping a close eye on budgets and cost overruns.

In some construction projects, the procurement is completed before the construction begins, while others may obtain resources as and when they’re needed to meet changing requirements. Both strategies have benefits and downsides that project managers must consider.

Construction

Once a plan is in place and you have the resources you need, the construction work can begin. Regular monitoring and evaluation is required to ensure each task is completed as specified. Project managers should be prepared to adapt to changes in circumstances or goals and organise regular meetings to communicate progress. There must also be a clear process for making payments.

Post Construction

This part of the process consists of systems tests, final building inspections and walkthroughs before presenting the finished building to your client. You’ll have to train the client how to operate the relevant systems, such as plumbing and heating, before you leave, and finalise documentation such as warranties, notice of completion and inspection reports.

What project management methodology is used in construction?

Choosing the right methodology for your construction project can help you streamline the process, manage workflows and improve communication. Three of the most common project management methodologies in construction include:

Kanban - Kanban is a highly visual project management approach that uses a Kanban board to display workflow and progress clearly to all team members. It can be effective at reducing inefficiencies and identifying bottlenecks that may hinder progress.
Critical Path - The Critical Path methodology is well suited to planning and scheduling large, complex projects with many interdependent tasks. It enables project managers to prioritise critical tasks to reduce resource constraints and identify potential risks that could impact the project schedule.
Waterfall - This is the most common project management methodology in construction. It takes a linear approach, with each project phase being completed before the next can begin. It’s well suited to projects with detailed plans and a single timeline, although it can be limited where multiple tasks are performed simultaneously.

Building project management that adds real value

At Eddisons, we manage large and small construction projects for public and private sector clients throughout the UK. Find out more about our project management and building consultancy services or get in touch to discuss your project with our team.

What is project management in construction?