Construction project management is best thought of as a long and arduous journey yet a necessary one if the building project under consideration is to have a reasonable opportunity for success. Fundamentally, it is designed as a means to closely monitor and control the basic issues of quality, cost and time. At Primior, we understand the necessity to cover a wide range of responsibilities that cut across a wide range of disciplines, and in implementing the highest standards to achieve the best possible result for each project based on our core principles behind construction project management.
Key aspects
Every project can be broken down into central components. Although there is not necessarily a definitive delineation among these key aspects and, in fact, more typically a great deal of overlap among the objectives of each, it is useful to focus on:
- Scope – Project initiation begins with the overall feasibility of the endeavor: Is it a good idea? Can it work? Will it work? If there is general agreement that the answers are yes, a project initiation document can be developed to address the scope of the project in general terms of scheduling, performance standards, budget and participants.
- Timeline – There is nothing that can derail a potentially successful project as quickly as delays in meeting established timelines. A failure to deliver on time will be costly and place the project under extreme pressure.
- Cost – Cost control begins with the payment model desired or negotiated at the start of the project. Four common models are lump sum, unit price, cost plus fee and guaranteed maximum price. Each addresses the risk and liability for cost overruns differently.
- Finished product – Ultimately, a construction project will be judged by its adherence to the original plan and the delivery of a high-quality final product.
Key processes
- Communication – The ability to maintain open and effective lines of communication between and among the various parties during a project is essential. Despite the interrelated nature of construction, many of the players are set in their own established ways of doing business so it’s imperative that we are constantly advocating for our clients.
- Procurement – Procurement involves a good deal of market knowledge and industry experience and expertise. Sourcing the right services and goods for the project and coordinating the logistics of the delivery between facilities and sites can make or break a project.
- Documents – The contractual aspect of a project will depend on its nature and size but every project will include plans and specs, bids and estimates, general and subcontractor contracts, building permits, construction diaries, code inspection documents and financial logs.
Manage change
Change is all but inevitable in a construction project and must be dealt with effectively. The best way to manage change is to minimize its potential by prudent planning as the scope of the project is being developed. Are unforeseen conditions or unexpected delays just that or would a greater level of due diligence have anticipated and addressed the issue? Material delays or request for time extensions can be legitimate, but every change need not necessarily impact the budget, timeline or scope of the project.
Manage issues and disputes
Disputes will always be a part of construction projects, and it is necessary to be able to provide the various stakeholders with viable solutions to whatever issues may arise. The ability to keep open lines of communication alive to informally facilitate discussion coupled with the more formal avenues of mediation and arbitration are all tools in the arsenal.
Manage and balance the relationship between the construction project and the business of the construction project
It’s easy to consider the final output of a construction project as the building itself and nothing else. And while absent a successful build there can be no victory to be had, aspectssuch as regulatory compliance, risk management, financing, and human resources are all measuring sticks of success.
At Primior, we aim to meet the highest standards for all of our projects, and to employ all disciplines to achieve the best results for our stakeholders. Contact us to get started on your next construction management strategy.
