How To Manage A Construction Project Effectively And Efficiently

Three out of five construction projects are completed late, according to the latest KPI’s published by BIS and even fewer are completed within budget. This statistic can be vastly improved upon by using construction software. Keep reading to discover how to manage a construction project effectively.

There are many different moving parts to a construction project, which makes managing the project a challenging task. However, the success of any construction project comes down to project management. This provides the basis of all the work that follows.

Having clear guidelines in place will help to enhance the project efficiency and keep everyone on the right track. There are numerous solutions that can be used to help manage this as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Construction Project Management

Construction Project management is the art of directing and coordinating human and material resources throughout the life of a project by using modern management techniques to achieve predetermined objectives of scope, cost, time, quality and participation satisfaction.

This process starts from the early development of a project and evolves with it to the final stages. It involves directing and regulating the workflow of the project and offering supervision to complete the project on time and within budget.

Accurate and easy to use construction software is paramount in managing a construction project as efficiently as possible. As the role covers a variety of tasks, from budget planning to construction strategies, construction software is essential to optimise the process.

How to Manage a Construction Project – Step by Step

To effectively run construction management on projects, understanding the various steps involved is critical. Below is a basic guide on how to manage a construction project.

• Budgeting and Estimation

Before any construction projects can get underway, construction estimation and bidding need to take place. Project managers cannot run a construction operation efficiently without understanding the cost estimates and budget. These processes need to be accurate in order to mitigate losses during the construction phase.

The role of the estimator is to accurately calculate the cost of all Resources required in the project including Indirect items, Labour, Plant, Equipment, Materials and Subcontractors arriving at a construction cost and by using a good construction estimation software, such as Candy, is a great start to achieve this goal.

• Start With a Plan

The role of the project manager is to make sure that all tasks are clearly defined and followed throughout the project.

These include:

• Project integration management to ensure that the various project elements are effectively coordinated.
• Project scope management to ensure that all the work required (and only the required work) is included.
• Project time management to provide an effective project schedule.
• Project cost management to identify needed resources and maintain budget control.
• Project quality management to ensure functional requirements are met.
• Project human resource management to development and effectively employ project personnel.
• Project communications management to ensure effective internal and external communications.
• Project risk management to analyze and mitigate potential risks.
• Project procurement management to obtain necessary resources from external sources.

It is important to draw up a clear plan before starting a project. The plan needs to address all the client’s expectations, lay out the different processes, and outline how the different tasks will roll out.

• Flexibility for Changes

A clear organisational plan is vital to manage a construction project with maximum efficiency. It is equally important that there is room for flexibility in any plan in the event of any changes to requirements. Construction managers should have processes in place on how they will deal with these should they occur.

• Final Review

Before commencing construction, it is important to review all the planning to ensure that everything is on track. Conduct a final review by checking the estimates and make sure that all processes and plans are in line with the budget and client requirements.

• Start Construction

Construction can only commence once the planning is complete. Construction management needs to continue over the actual building process, requiring constant following up on the brief and key performance metrics.

The construction manager needs to make sure that the plan is being implemented and that their team completes all tasks and targets.

• Finalise the Project

Upon completion of the construction, a debrief with the clients is good practice. Finalisation of project documentation is necessary and a review of the construction process, highlighting any issues or setbacks that occurred will assist with future construction project management planning.

Final Thoughts on How to Manage a Construction Project

Managing a construction project as efficiently as possible involves a number of widespread duties. Construction management happens throughout the planning phase all the way through to the last brick being laid down.

Having clear operating systems and fit-for-purpose software in place is key to the success of any construction project.