Construction Management: All You Need to Know but Were Afraid to Ask
In the building and construction world, construction management is a familiar term, but its definition is broad and sometimes a bit complicated. So why is it so important and how can it impact your project’s success and save you money?
What is Construction Management?
Construction management is a professional service that applies construction expertise and processes to assist in delivering a project in accordance with the contract documents. Engaging an experienced construction management team adds value by managing project communication, quality control, budget oversight, and adherence to timeline.
The role of the construction manager is to ensure proper interaction of key project stakeholders such as owners, designers, and contractors. However, the specific role of the construction manager can vary by project as the contract will dictate their specific responsibilities and interaction with the other stakeholders.
When to Apply Construction Management
A construction manager can be used during the following project phases:
- Concept Development
- Help establish a realistic budget when setting project goals.
- Project Design
- Provide alternate solutions to align the clients goal with the budget.
- Provide constructability reviews to ensure the design is buildable.
- Perform design reviews to identify risks, minimize challenges, and reduce delays during construction.
- Construction
- Manage a fair and thorough bidding process.
- Collect all required insurance documentation, inspections, and permits.
- Plan, manage, and document meetings and communications with project stakeholders.
- Ensure standard construction files are utilized and documented.
- Monitor quality, cost, timeline, and changes during construction.
- Project Closeout
- Manage the closeout process to ensure the owner can effectively use and occupy the investment.
- Collect operations and maintenance materials for the owner’s use after the project is turned over.
Selecting the Right Team
Once you have determined that you need a construction manager, how do you engage the right team for your project?
Not all construction managers are the same, so it is important to select a team whose expertise aligns with the scope of the project. You can ascertain their qualifications by requesting the resumes of the team members to ensure they have experience with your project type. It is also typical to conduct interviews with the team and request a proposed organizational chart and staffing plan. In the interview process ask about previous projects they have worked on, challenges they encountered, and how those challenges were managed. If still unsure, request the team submit references from projects of similar scope to verify reputation and relationships.
Choose the Right Construction Manager
Selecting the right construction manager to partner with is a critical step at the beginning of your project. It is wise to take time in choosing the right firm but also to do this early in the process to reap the benefit of what their expertise can bring to the table.
EDG has the experience and the reputation to assist in many types of projects, providing services including design and constructability review, bidding services, construction administration and oversight, document control, quality assurance, construction inspection, and dispute resolution.
Contact us for more information about our Construction Management services and get your next project off on the right foot.