A construction project manager can be construed as the conductor of an orchestra. They direct fellow workers and provide instructions so that all team members can work together harmoniously to create a flawless, high-rise marvel in the form of Burj Khalifa.
While the project manager is responsible for ensuring the success of a project, this job cannot be done alone. Without ample planning, resource management, budget management, communication and proper teamwork, a project cannot see the light of day. When we talk about the construction business, more important than a great team mentality is a great manager who leads everyone in the right direction.
Traditionally, construction managers are responsible for overseeing resources for various construction projects. Projects can vary from skyscrapers and bridges to industrial, commercial, and residential buildings. Construction project managers are involved in the building process from the start of the project, working hand in hand with architects and engineers to determine material and labor costs, gather permits, manage and hire employees and subcontractors, and make sure that everything is going according to the plan. Here are the roles of a construction project manager.
Planning
The construction project manager is responsible for ensuring that the project is completed within budget and on time. They also need to make sure that the construction project complies with all legal and regulatory requirements, as well as follows all the current building codes. They diligently plan out every stage of the project so that nothing is left to chance. A construction project cannot move forward unless you have a valid plan of action.
Planning a Toronto condos construction project is one of the biggest duties of a project manager. Workers will be lost without a concrete plan of action, detailing what they need to do in every stage of the construction process, with precious time wasted figuring out what needs to be done. Be it any project, having a solid plan reduces the amount of time spent. For a construction project to go smoothly, a construction manager needs to be a farsighted planner.
Distributing Resources
Materials are the core of every construction project, without which, the project cannot progress. The construction project manager is responsible for allocating resources so that there are no shortages on any project. They need to get to grips with what materials are needed to complete the projects, anticipate any future needs, and make sure to never run short on materials.
A construction project manager who hasn’t done enough research comprehending the resources needed will inevitably cause a delay in the project. While unforeseen circumstances can cause a project to deviate from its path, if the delay is due to the poor decision-making skills of the project manager, it can waste worker’s time and hurt the budget. The proper allocation of resources to each project in advance will keep such troubles at bay, and keeps the project running without a hitch.
Managing Staff
Managing existing staff and hiring new one is one of the most important duties of a construction project manager. However, a project manager can’t always wear all the hats.
They need to hire some reliable hands to manage construction workers and take on other tasks. When hiring, a project manager should only hire people who seem reliable; people they can count on. This comes down to the ability to recognize capable contractors at a glance!
Creating Benchmarks
Akin to planning a construction project, a construction project manager also needs to create benchmarks. These benchmarks are checkpoints that you incorporate throughout the path of your construction project to help you visualize how you are progressing, or to determine the health of the project. Benchmarking plays a vital role since it keeps you on your toes regarding the progress and status of your projects at all times.
A construction project manager needs to be able to estimate a project’s completion time, it’s budget, and determine if the project is progressing as planned. Without benchmarks in place, a construction project manager cannot understand how much of the budget has been used or how far a project is to completion.
Managing the Budget
A construction project is backed by adequate budget. A construction project manager needs to manage the financial plan and budget of a project. To stay within the budget, a project manager needs to forecast changes to the budget and keep track of spendings.
A project manager needs to keep tabs on the budget, inform their team about forecasts, and be prepared to tackle unplanned costs. The more prepared they are, the fewer problems they will have to contend with. The better you anticipate the unexpected, the more smoothly the project will progress.
Communication
Strong communication is the forte of a good construction project manager. You can’t just expect your team members to anticipate what is in your mind or what needs to be done without concise and clear communication. Amongst all the duties of a construction project manager, honing your communication skills should top the list.
As a project manager, you need to inform your staff of the project details and how you want to move forward with the project. In addition to communication between the project manager and workers, there should also be clear communication within workers. Not to mention, project managers also need to communicate the progress of the project to all the stakeholders. A lack of communication with them can lead to some unnecessary problems.
