5 tips for construction project managers

Construction project managers are responsible for supervising and supervising construction projects from start to finish. They have the task of ensuring that projects are delivered on time and within budget. Work tasks differ from company to company, but construction project managers are generally responsible for overseeing the budget, working with owners, architects and engineers, hiring subcontractors, scheduling and planning jobs and ensuring that materials and equipment are delivered. to the project site on time.

 

Successful construction project managers should be able to see the overall picture of the project and ensure that the project is completed within budget and on time, while delivering a quality product to the customer that meets all construction codes and standards. of security.

 

Here are some tips that make an excellent construction project management:

 

Plan and schedule

 

If you want your next project to be successful, you should spend a good amount of time planning and programming. Review the plans and specifications carefully to get a true understanding of the scope of project work. Work with your project team to coordinate and organize tasks in the most logical and efficient way possible.

Make sure you have the necessary resources to properly execute your plan and keep the project on time. This includes labor, materials, tools and equipment. Be sure to work with your subcontractors and suppliers to ensure you set realistic expectations regarding your schedule and project milestones.

 

Be prepared to make adjustments to your plan as problems arise. You want to be rigid enough to keep your project on time and within budget, but flexible enough to adjust your plans to keep the project moving and avoid delays.

win to communicate

Being able to communicate effectively is probably the most important skill that a construction project manager needs to learn. A good construction project manager must be an expert in both written and oral communication. All communication must be clear and concise. Sometimes, a quick email or text is all that is needed to convey your message, while other instances may require you to pick up the phone or schedule a quick face-to-face meeting.

 

Establish a communication plan to determine what type of communications should be used for different circumstances and a chain of command for what information is shared and with whom that information is shared.

 

For example, elements such as RFI and change orders should always be done through some form of written communication to establish a paper trail. When meeting with interested parties and project team members, it is a good idea to take notes and follow up with an email to make sure everyone is on the same page.

 

The flow of communication affects the flow of a construction project. Problems and delays can occur when people stop communicating or answering questions. When everyone communicates effectively and efficiently, this leads to better collaboration and projects tend to work better.

Address one problem at a time

 

Whether you're managing a project or multiple projects, it's easy to get bogged down with everything you need to your attention. Do not try to do everything at once. Multitasking is not a skill that no one can master. Trying to juggle too many things at once will often lead to errors or errors in judgment that will lead to even greater problems.

 

Instead, prioritize problems and problems in a way that makes sense and works for you. For some, it might be easier to address smaller problems first and then focus on larger problems. Others may decide to address the problems that will have the greatest impact on the project, be it financial, loss of productivity or something else. Take time to work with your project team to develop a game plan to address the problem and avoid downtime or unnecessary delays. If you are constantly running trying to put out fires, you will not be able to properly manage your project.

 

Manage your time wisely

 Construction project managers are dragged in many directions every day. Project managers are involved in almost every aspect of a project, so it is vital to be able to effectively manage their time. If you cannot manage your time effectively, it is unlikely that you will be better at managing a construction project.

 Prioritize your day by determining the items that need immediate attention and those that can be handled later. Do not waste time on things that do not need to be addressed immediately if there are more urgent tasks that require your attention. Remember, not all emails must be answered at the time you receive them.

 

Learn to delegate tasks to other members of the project team. If you have the right people in your team, you don't need micro-management every little thing. While communicating with your team, you must rely on their experience to make decisions and manage what you have been assigned to do.

Learn from your mistakes (and successes)

Once the project is complete, gather your team to perform an autopsy to evaluate the performance of your team. There is always room for improvement, so be sure to discuss any areas of concern and how to improve on the next project. Be sure to highlight your successes as well and determine how you can apply that to your next project.

Discuss what problems arose in the project and how it solved them. Was it the best way, or was there anything else that could have been done that would have resulted in a better result? Did you deliver the project on time and on budget? Could you execute the plan and schedule as expected? If not, what adjustments had to be made? Was the productivity at an acceptable level or could it have done better?