Project manager’s checklist and construction project participants

The Project Manager’s Checklist

• Assign one person to be responsible for: scope, budget, and schedule
• Have a signed contract (do not start before having that)
• Confirm that there are approved: scope, budget, and schedule
• Scope should be understood by all parties, including the owner
• Ensure there is no scope change without approval
• The budget and schedule should be linked to the scope
• Have an operational work plan to guide the entire project
• Establish a work breakdown structure (WBS)
• Establish a project organization structure (POS) for authority and responsibilities
• Build the project staff into an effective team
• Emphasize that quality is a must (regardless of time & money)
• Budget all tasks
• Develop a project schedule
• Establish a control system so corrective actions can be taken
• Document all work
• Prepare a formal agreement with appropriate parties
• Always keep the client informed

 

The Construction Industry

The Success of the construction project depends on the people: 

Well-organized;                 ↘

Skilled; and                       →            with an effective communication system

Motivated                          ↗ 

• Poorly managed construction projects, on the other hand, are good candidates of being a failure. Many projects exhibit cost overruns, time extensions, and conflicts among parties. The reasons for these problems can generally be attributed to three main factors:
• The high uncertain nature of construction projects;
• The fragmented and high competitive nature of the construction industry; and
• The ever-increasing challenges facing the industry

The objective of construction project management is to control three main aspects of construction

Time;

Quality; and

Money

 

Construction Project Participants

Owner (Client): An individual or organization owns & finances the project

Architect: Plans, programs, and designs buildings (may be asked to supervise construction):

• Architectural
• Civil
• Structural
• Electrical
• Mechanical (HVAC & Plumbing)
• Environmental
• Landscaping
• Interior design

Engineer: Firm or individual who prepares the designs:

• Civil
• Structural
• Electrical
• Mechanical (HVAC & Plumbing)
• Environmental

 

Architect/Engineer (A/E): also known as the design professional: Plans, designs, and may be do construction management services

Construction Manager (CM):

Provides the management and consulting services for the owner of the project, mainly for the operations associated with the contractor:

➤ Responsible for:

• Design coordination
• Participation in the selection of materials & methods of construction
• Contracts preparation for award by the owner
• Cost and schedule information & control
• Quality

Engineering-Construction Firm: Combines both A/E & construction (design-build)

General (Prime/Main) Contractor: performs all or the major portion of the project (some of the following may be done by subcontractors but general contractor is responsible):

• Site preparation
• Excavation & backfilling
• Concrete placement
• Mechanical work
• Electrical work
• Finishes
• Landscaping
• Hardscaping
• External work

Project Manager: Responsible (for the owner) for overall coordination among all stages:

• Planning
• Design
• Procurement; and
• Construction

Project Engineer:

• Supervises and coordinates the work of all the engineers working on the project.
• Performs these services for the owner, construction manager, or the contractor

Subcontractor:

Performs a portion of the contract’s work

Subcontractors may engage other subcontractors

Specialty Contractor: For specialized construction such as;

• Painting
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• HVAC