How to Become a Better Construction Project Manager

Construction project management refers to a series of activities fashioned to bring forth a development at a defined schedule with outlined goals and resources.

Ordinarily, project management begins with a feasibility study that defines the scope of the project, schedule, costs, financing, selling price (in the case of development) and profitability.

As a project manager, one is required to have the ability to perform numerous tasks at once, from creating a budget, scheduling subcontractors, dealing with suppliers and ensuring that a project is completed effectively.

Here are tips to help you become a better construction project manager.

1.) Obtaining approvals

A construction project involves land and other geographical elements, and it is therefore necessary to obtain all relevant approvals. Check with your local building department to find out what is required of projects in your area and what restrictions apply to your project.

You should also check if you need to obtain approvals from authorities such as the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).

2.) Hiring subcontractors

Once you obtain all the required approvals, you should go ahead and invite bids from subcontractors.

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During your meeting with pre-qualified subcontractors, go through the blueprints with each of them and get their ideas on how to handle specific parts of the project.

3.) Creating a budget and schedule

This is one of the most important roles of a construction manager. Creating a tentative budget and construction schedule requires you to be flexible as management risks can affect both the costs and the schedule.

Keep some amount aside for unforeseen costs or additional requirements and modifications.

4.) Allocating resources

At this stage, you should purchase building materials and arrange for construction equipment. This should be done according to the tentative budget.

You should also hire all workers and assign duties for the entire project. Teach your workers how to use the resources properly.

5.) Site inspection

This is one of the greatest tasks of a construction project manager. You need to inspect your project regularly to ensure that it adheres to the safety standards.

The workers also need to be inspected to check if they are working according to the requirements of the project.

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