The Functions of Construction Management

Construction and project managers play a huge role in the overall success and development of any project, leading a project from start to finish. But what steps do they take to ensure a project has been adequately completed? For those working in this field, there are six functions of construction management that need to be taken care of to ensure the success and quality of a project. Without these six functions of construction management, finishing a project would be extremely difficult.

Project Management Planning

Although it is only one of the six functions of construction management, planning out the entire project is an essential task as it lays out the stepping stones for completing a project. Before a project can even be started, the project manager must plan out each step of the project.

Project managers must define workers’ tasks, and estimate the duration of each activity. This information is necessary when planning out a project thoroughly. Without a great construction plan, it is challenging to develop a budget and work schedule.

Cost Management

Understanding the costs of a project is a necessary part of managing construction. The second in the six functions of construction management is creating a budget. Project managers use the budget to determine the total costs and returns expected from a particular project.

Understanding one’s budget can help build the payment table. Project managers use the budget and plan to determine when steps are complete. Sometimes project managers request payment at the completion of each step. This can keep projects more affordable since subcontractors aren’t saddled with the entire cost at the start. Along with the budget comes a cost plan which will outline all the costs of the construction and the costs of the entire project. The budget shows the limit of expenses, while the cost plan shows where and when project managers can spend the money, although they seem quite similar.

Time Management

Time is something you can never get back once you lose it, thus people make use of their time wisely. In construction, the more time spent on a project equates to higher expenses. The ability to use time wisely and efficiently is an important skill needed for someone in construction management and is the reason that it is considered one of the key functions of construction management.

A manager must have these skills: clear and effective communication, delegation, and prioritization. It is even more critical in the field of construction because any single mistake due to miscommunication or any form of time lag can build up the project expenses. Increasing expenses burden subcontractors when they lack proper scheduling and documentation.

Quality Management

Project managers are also responsible for project quality, which is why it is one of the functions of construction management. In order to ensure that quality is excellent, construction management will need to analyze their work practices to see if they are up to par, determine if the material used is standard quality, and ensure that the finished product is protected from any potential harm or damage that may come to it. Without quality management it is harder to win bids from other

Contract Administration

Contract administration usually begins when the other functions of construction management, such as cost and time management, have already been taken care of. Contract administration is conducted between the owner and the construction management team.

All parties exchange information and make decisions for the overall success and completion of the project. The management team completes the project to contract, and can ensure this by using the original contract documents, and analyzing and observing the overall progress of the construction project. This allows a final opportunity to correct any inaccuracies, doubts, or deviations from the initial design. This final check between the owner and management is crucial. It ensures that both parties are happy with the development of the project.

Safety Management

Construction is an industry where the smallest mistake could lead to injury or even worse, death. This is why safety management is considered a huge part of the functions of construction management. In order to safely start a project, a manager must first plan ahead and determine all the potential safety hazards for each job. By implementing safety protocols such as personal protective equipment and zoning, managers can prevent injury to both workers and bystanders.

One of the most overlooked safety issues in the construction workplace is exhaustion. Exhausted workers are more likely to cut corners to finish a project faster, and often don’t follow the safety protocol. In order to prevent exhaustion, management should make sure that workers are not working too many overtime shifts.

Conclusion

A construction manager’s job is going through each function carefully and ensuring that everything is done correctly. By following these six functions of construction management, companies see an increase in the quality and efficiency of their projects.

How eSUB Can Help

eSUB is a cloud-based project management platform built especially for subcontractors. eSUB organizes all of your project information in one place, allows for smooth collaboration, and streamlines communication through its intuitive interface. It also works on your mobile, so you can track projects on the go—no matter where or when—and stay up-to-date.