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Key Considerations for Effective Construction Project Management

Natalie Akins

Updated: Feb 2

Effective Construction Project Management

Construction can easily be pigeonholed as a “throwback” industry, a field that requires some elbow grease and dirt under the fingernails. While this hands-on nature is real, the industry is far more all-encompassing. The “soft” side of construction is crucial for success, with a project’s profitability often hanging on the quality of management.

 Statistics reveal that effective project management best practices can yield a 92% success rate for meeting objectives, far outstripping poorly managed enterprises. To help guarantee that your next project is a success, keep reading as we explore some of the most important considerations for effective project management in construction.

Set Clear Project Goals

Effective Construction Project Management

Clear goals are the top priority for project management success. They serve as a road map for the project and limit the risk of scope creep. They keep team members focused and aligned. They facilitate decision-making and productivity.

 The best goals should be SMART. Specific. Measurable. Achievable. Relevant. Time constrained.

They have to be consistent with client expectations. They must mesh with an overarching goal and be broken down into a series of smaller objectives to keep stakeholders motivated and offer a clear tracking of progress.

Effective Communication

Effective Construction Project Management
“The quality of our communication affects the quality of our outcomes.” This is a maxim that construction management professionals would do well to follow.

 In an exhaustive “Pulse of the Profession” global study, Project Management Institute (PMI) found that 68% of leaders in the industry identified communication as the most essential “power skill” for project management success.

 There are many reasons for its importance. Communication fosters collaboration. It helps guarantee motivation. Communication keeps all stakeholders of a project on the same page. These factors are crucial when navigating the various moving parts of a construction project.

 Modern construction project management software is designed to facilitate communication. It provides instant updates to all parties, reducing the need for redundant in-person meetings. It provides a central repository for key project documents. It has tools for scheduling and equipment usage to limit downtime on the job site.


 

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Budgeting

Modern construction projects are notorious for going over budget. In the face of rising costs, many project managers create a budget through rose-colored glasses to make quotes more palatable for clients. Unfortunately, the costs of going over budget are more debilitating than offering a realistic quote upfront. Projects will sit in a state of partial completion as funds run dry.

 A general rule is to budget 20% more than expected costs when building a quote. While this may sound exorbitant, there are a number of reasons to build this type of flexibility into the budget:

  • Material prices can fluctuate. Steel is a common example. The market rate on everything from brake metal panels to roofing girders may be drastically higher six months from when the project breaks ground.

  • Labor sourcing. The construction industry has faced an acute labor shortage in recent years. It may be necessary to offer higher wages down the road to attract talent.

  • Rework scenarios. Everything from inclement weather to quality issues may require additional work that causes costs to increase.

 By having sufficient funds in place to cover the unexpected over the life of the project, project managers can guarantee the success and satisfaction of all stakeholders.


 

 

Risk Assessment

Planning for risks is no project manager’s favorite task. Nonetheless, it is crucial for guaranteeing success. Unexpected risks manifesting into full-scale problems can derail budgets, wreck timelines, and result in substandard deliverables.

There are numerous steps to take when creating a top-notch risk assessment plan:

  • Brainstorm. Include stakeholders at all levels to review past projects and come up with a comprehensive list of any and everything that may rear its head.

  • Perform a SWOT analysis. Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as they pertain to each possible risk.

  • Assess the probability of each risk occurring, assigning a score to each.

  • Prioritize risks with the highest score, finding ways to mitigate and avoid these risks altogether.

 It is also crucial to leverage technology to the highest degree when performing a risk assessment. Advanced software can quickly crunch the probabilities and determine how the project is likely to respond in the face of diverse inputs.

Augmented and virtual reality software can assist team members in getting a sneak peak of how their structures will perform when introduced to stressors and disaster events.

Compliance with Safety Standards

Effective Construction Project Management

Safety is of the utmost concern at the construction site. A catastrophic accident exposes the project to financial loss and potential litigation. Make sure that the site is well-equipped with all necessary PPE.

Source the highest quality scaffolding and event guards to protect workers performing dangerous tasks. Guarantee timely waste removal to keep the site clean and reduce the risk of toxic buildup. Partner with professional inspection agencies to have trained eyes identify safety issues that may have flown under the radar.

Prioritize Project Management Best Practices for Construction Success

Although the physical side of a construction project is what most people see, it is the management behind the scenes that ultimately drives success. From establishing clear project goals to ensuring compliance with all safety standards, consider any of the points listed above for effective project management in construction.

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