Construction project management is an important aspect of any project. It plays a key role when it comes to the success of any project. That’s why construction managers should be extremely strategic. Otherwise, it will be hard to realize real results from construction projects. Here are key strategies a construction project manager should embrace and hone to succeed in running a project.
Communication Flow
Every phase of construction requires effective communication. Thus, consider establishing a clear flow of information with all the involved parties. Your flow of information should encompass all people involved on the ground. From stakeholders to suppliers, all parties should be included in the final plan. Remember, the key to communication is transparency. With transparency, you make the processes smooth, reduce communication failures, and solve problems in real-time. So, develop an elaborate work execution platform. For instance, try to synch comments, project photos, budgets, as well as scheduling changes in real-time.
With a robust platform, you have an effective tool for relaying all changes to managers, accounting officers, and other partners in your project. Plus, these platforms will relay all these changes in real-time. Features such as instant alerts, dashboards, as well as automated actions make these platforms highly valuable in any construction project.
Continuous Project Planning
Construction project planning can make or break your project. With proper planning, you have a chance to avoid surprises. Plus, planning will help you meet your explicit targets. Thus, make it a habit to plan continuously throughout the project execution time. Thus, as a construction manager, be sure to plan your project before it even starts. Revise the project plans. Take into consideration stages like design, pre-construction, as well as procurement.
Remember, anything is possible in a construction site. Thus, you should plan well. Things like environmental problems and accidents should be planned for in advance. This will reduce losses, time wastage, and improve project progress.
Be Observant. Be Inquisitive
Any construction project can be affected by different field elements. Thus, you need to pay close attention to any issues arising in a site. It’s also important to note that construction managers are required to familiarize themselves with the construction site. From understanding different duties to workstation arrangement, a construction manager should understand all the operations in a site. Also, consider asking questions. Seek clarifications. Plus, the construction industry is highly dynamic. This means that construction equipment, practices, as well as safety requirements keep on changing. Thus, familiarize yourself with all construction project aspects. Improve. Learn more. Streamline all communication processes.
Use a Good Work Execution Platform to Budget Project
A successful construction project should have clear guidelines when it comes to working permits, employee wages, materials to be used, as well as the needed equipment. You must exchange these aspects with different financial sources as well as vendors. As a construction manager, you should know how to track and monitor costs, which can be done using the proper construction estimating services. (i.e. from the bidding process to project closure). Remember, any construction project must have moving parts. Each of these parts comes with costs. Therefore, it’s important to track and manage these costs through a reliable software platform.
Do your research first. You can also ask friends for referrals. Don’t forget to read the reviews of that software before investing in it. Ask industry experts to give you some recommendations. Also, ask the software providers to give you a free trial to ascertain the dependability of that software.
Use an Automated Reporting System
With new technologies, it seems that the construction industry is headed for the future. With technology, you have numerous possibilities as far as what you can achieve is concerned. In particular, automated reporting systems will streamline operations in the project and save time. For instance, an automated reporting system helps you reply to thousands of emails on your behalf. The same applies to phone calls. So, ditch those traditional methods and embrace automated based reporting systems. An automated reporting system will help you concentrate comments and schedules.
It’s also important to note that construction project management entails the weekly distribution of different spreadsheets, status reports, and work schedules. Accomplishing these tasks manually can be time-consuming and cumbersome. However, an automated reporting system can cut down the cost to improve efficiency, and, save time. Plus, it will ensure that all documents and communication schedules reach the right people. Even more, reporting systems can prevent accidents and streamline site analysis. Also, project managers, subcontractors, partners, as well as stakeholders can hugely benefit from Smartsheet.
Why Project Planning Is Important
Project planning is the art of using schedules to plan and issue project progress reports. It is aimed at improving efficiency, cutting down costs, and reducing time spent on a project. Here are the key benefits of project planning.
Sets Clear Project Objectives
Project planning sets out clear objectives. This ensures that your project is within the scope. It also helps the project team to focus on delivering project objectives and goals.
Hit Milestones
One of the main challenges facing project managers is hitting milestones. New managers find it difficult to attain milestones, which can negatively affect the delivery of any project. Project planning helps you schedule milestones. With clear milestones, you can prioritize tasks and evaluate project direction. A milestone helps you allocate project completion time. It also a good way to schedule your tasks.
Better Risk Assessment
Any construction project must have risks. Your success depends on how you asses and mitigate these risks. With proper risk assessment, you can easily monitor and manage different project risks. It also helps you develop a working contingency plan to cushion the project against things like resource shortages, budget reallocations, as well as scope creep.
Other Benefits
The following are additional benefits of project planning:
- Efficiency in project resource allocation
- Identify task dependencies
- Improves project communication
The Bottom-Line
Construction management isn’t that easy. It involves a lot of phases. From managing manpower, resources, to time, a construction project manager should be extremely organized and strategic. The above are key strategies and skills any construction project manager should cultivate to succeed.