Construction management

Construction management or construction project management (CPM) is the overall

planning, coordination, and control of a project from beginning to completion. CPM is aimed at
meeting a client's requirement in order to produce a functionally and financially viable project.

CPM is project management that applies to the construction sector. The construction industry is
composed of five sectors: residential, commercial, heavy civil, industrial, and environmental. A
construction manager holds the same responsibilities and completes the same processes in each
sector. All that separates a construction manager in one sector from one in another is the
knowledge of the construction site. This may include different types of equipment, materials,
subcontractors, and possibly locations.

A contractor is assigned to a construction project once the design has been completed by the
architect or is still in progress. This is done by going through a bidding process with different
contractors. The contractor is selected by using one of the three selection methods: low-bid
selection, best-value selection, or qualifications-based selection.

A construction manager should have the ability to handle public safety, time management,
decision making, mathematics, and human resources.[2]

Functions

The functions of Construction management typically include the following:

1. Specifying project objectives and plans including delineation of scope, budgeting, scheduling,
setting performance requirements, and selecting project participants.
2. Maximizing the resource efficiency through procurement of labor, materials and equipment.

3. Implementing various operations through proper coordination and control of planning, design,
estimating, contracting and construction in the entire process.

4. Developing effective communications and mechanisms for resolving conflicts.:[3]

The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) (a US construction

management certification and advocacy body) says the 120 most common responsibilities of a
Construction Manager fall into the following 7 categories: Project Management Planning, Cost
Management, Time Management, Quality Management, Contract Administration, Safety
Management, and CM Professional Practice. CM professional practice includes specific
activities, such as defining the responsibilities and management structure of the project
management team, organizing and leading by implementing project controls, defining roles and
responsibilities, developing communication protocols, and identifying elements of project design
and construction likely to give rise to disputes and claims.

The Five Types of Construction


Residential: Residential house is for society including individual homes, apartments,
condominiums, and townhouses.[2]

Commercial: This refers to construction dealing with the needs of commerce, trade, and
government. Some examples may be schools, banks, hospitals, theaters, and government
buildings.

Heavy Civil: This type of construction greatly impacts society since it deals with transportation.
Some examples are roads, bridges, railroads, dams, tunnels, and airports. [2]

Industrial: Industrial is connected with buildings that are used for different types of production.
Some are chemical plants, steel mills, oil refineries, manufacturing plants, and pipelines.

Environmental: Environmental used to be part of heavy civil, but it now has its own section since
it deals with projects that improve the environment. Some examples are sanitary sewers, waste
management, and clean water. [2]
Construction management jobs
1. Planning Engineer
o The planning engineer determines the best possible method and sequence of
engineering a particular project, whether it be a civil engineering project or a new
type of machinery.
o Planning engineers oversee the operation of a particular project along with the project
manager. This could be either at site or in an office depending on the stage of the
project. The largest projects are carried out on behalf of oil companies, construction
companies, governments and the rail network. Planning engineers are responsible for
working out a sequence of activities that are required to complete a project and linking
them all together using the resources to the best possible effect.
o The tasks undertaken on a regular basis by planning engineers include:
 Understanding the scope of the project

 Constructing a network of work appropriate for the specific project

 Identifying the best series of events in the correct order for the project to
finish on time and on budget
 Presenting the schedule of work to others in the company and the client
organisation involved with the project
 Developing detailed yet simple to understand schedules and graphs
 Producing visual aids to help explain the schedule of work, including bar
charts and network diagrams
 Using specialist computer software to help keep the project on course
 Monitoring the progress of the project at different stages of its
development
 Making sure the achieved progress on the project fits the progress
anticipated in the schedule
 Keeping in contact with the project manager
 Making adjustments to schedules if necessary
 Liaising with individuals on the project (who may be in another country)
via video conference
 Providing advice to people involved in the project
 Ensuring that all the separate elements of the project fit together and are
working towards a common aim
o Employers

 The oil and gas sector, for example Shell, BP, and Exxon Mobil

 Oil Rich Governments, for example Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Russia, and Kazakhstan

 The transport sector, for example the rail network and the Highways Agency

 The construction industry

 Companies involved with one-off events, for example the London Olympic
Games

2. Project coordinator

o The main duty is to lead and manage the projects effectively and to ensure they
are delivered on time, on budget, and to agreed quality standards. Duties of a
coordinator include managing standards, procedures and practices of record-
keeping of all the agreements and contracts of the company. Since there are
multiple aspects in a project on which work is going on, it is the duty of a project
coordinator to be a member of all teams and participate actively in the working of
 all. Team-building and ensuring the work is properly organized comes under his
purview. He primarily acts as an assistant of the project manager or director.
o Construction Project Coordinator
 This job is a challenging one, given the dynamic work schedule and
changing work environment. The coordinator needs to juggle between and
manage both the official work and the construction site work. He
coordinates the construction efforts through in-house and contract labor
for new construction and rebuilding projects. He is also responsible for
construction personnel safety and the quality of work performed. He acts
as a medium between contractors, workers and senior project managers.
He carries out the inspection of construction site and material, keeps a tab
on the documentation, generates and updates the project files and reports.
He also needs to supervise and control all the financial aspects, contracts
and agreements relating to the multiple construction activities.
3. Field Engineer

o Job purpose of Construction field engineer is to assists in supervising field

employees assigned to a particular construction discipline work area, i.e.,
electrical, piping, erection of structural steel, rebar, duct work, etc

o Key duties/responsibilities of Construction field engineer:

 Monitor installation of rebar for conformance to structural drawings.

 Assist Project Superintendent by enforcing quality control, expediting

subcontractors.

 Continually update drawings with changes as issued by Consultants.

 Continually find solutions to conflicts in drawings and specifications by

conferring with the Consultants. Coordinate these solutions with the
various sub-trades.

 Report accurate quantities for labor cost reports, accurately monitor

material ledgers to determine if quantities remaining in the estimate are
sufficient to complete the project in the field.

 Coordinate inspections with consultants and authorities as required by the

contract.

 Inspect falsework for conformance to design drawings.

 Review shop drawings for conformance with the contract and ensure
information is communicated to Foreman and Superintendent.

 Identify contract document conflicts and recommend solutions.

 Ensure construction work complies with all engineering standards, codes,

specifications and design instruction.

 Present oneself as a candidate for promotion by learning and

understanding construction methods and developing good construction
management skills.

 Provide technical engineering information and interpretation of plans,

detail sheets and specifications for contractors.

4. Office Engineer

o Job Description The Office Engineer provides technical & administrative information to
the others working on a project to ensure that the work complies with all engineering
standards, codes, specifications, and design instruction; trouble-shoots engineering
related installation problems. Job responsibilities include but are not limited to:
 Processing submittals Processing RFIs Keeping up daily work tickets Posting RFIs and
change orders Tracking and managing change orders Maintaining as-builts as work is
completed. Documenting project issues/conditions Maintaining organized and detailed
project records Submitting hours and cost codes Obtaining permits, badges and access
requests in advance Assists with preparing change orders. Manage project library.
Participates in KPR (Key Project Review).

5. Quantity Surveyor

o Employed by the construction industry to analyze a construction project's overall cost

regarding material goods and other budgetary concerns, a quantity surveyor also helps
minimize the project's budget. Working on a construction site or in the contractor's main
offices, the quantity surveyor performs other job duties, including preparing legal
contract documents and creating detailed progress reports about the construction
project.

o Duties of Quantity Surveyor

 The preparation of Bills and Schedules of Quantities of materials, labour

and services required in the construction and equipment of building, or
engineering works,

 Visit building sites to monitor progress.

 Preparing tender and contract documents, including bills of quantities

with the architect and/or the client;

 Preparation of specifications when required so to do, and;

 Undertaking costs analysis for repair and maintenance project work;

 Assisting in establishing a client’s requirements and undertaking

feasibility studies;

 Performing risk and value management and cost control;

 Preparing and analysing costings for tenders;

 Advising on procurement strategy;

 Identifying, analysing and developing responses to commercial risks;

 Allocating work to subcontractors;

 Providing advice on contractual claims;

 Analysing outcomes and writing detailed progress reports;

 Valuing completed work and arranging payments;

 Maintaining awareness of the different building contracts in current use;

 Understanding the implications of health and safety regulations.

6. Project Engineer

o Project Engineering bridges the boundaries between engineering and project

management, leading the technical workers who contribute to the building of structures
or products. In some cases, the project engineer is the same as a project manager but in
most cases these two professionals have joint responsibility for leading a project. It is
generally not acceptable to use P.E. as an abbreviation for project engineer, as the P.E.
designation refers to a licensed professional engineer.
 o The role of the project engineer can often be described as that of a liaison between
the project manager and the technical disciplines involved in a project. The
project engineer is also often the primary technical point of contact for the
customer.

o A project engineer's responsibilities include schedule preparation, pre-planning

and resource forecasting for engineering and other technical activities relating to
the project. They may also be in charge of performance management of vendors.
They assure the accuracy of financial forecasts, which tie-in to project schedules.
They ensure projects are completed according to project plans. Project engineers
manage project team resources and training and develop extensive project
management experience and expertise. When project teams are structured so that
multiple specialty disciplines report to the project engineer, then two important
responsibilities of the project engineer are inter-discipline coordination and
overall quality control of the work

o Project engineers do not do design work, but instead represent the contractor out
in the field, help tradespeople interpret the job's designs, ensure the job is
constructed according to the project plans, and assist project controls, including
budgeting, scheduling, and planning. In some cases a project engineer is
responsible for assisting the assigned project manager with regard to design and a
project and with the execution of one or more simultaneous projects in accordance
with a valid, executed contract, per company policies and procedures and work
instructions for customized and standardized plants.

o Typical responsibilities may include: daily operations of field work activities and
organization of subcontractors; coordination of the implementation of a project,
ensuring it is being built correctly; project schedules and forecasts; interpretation
of drawings for tradesmen; review of engineering deliverables; redlining
drawings; regular project status reports; budget monitoring and trend tracking; bill
of materials creation and maintenance; effective communications between
engineering, technical, construction, and project controls groups; and assistance to
the project manager.

7. Area Superintendent

o The Area Construction Superintendent will plan, organize, and supervise specific
portions of construction work for an assigned area of a construction project including
Mechanical and Piping systems . He/She will also schedule major construction
tasks, engage the services of local subcontractors (including the authorization of
overtime and the approval of payment) and coordinate the activities of craft
supervisors, foremen, and subcontractors. The Area Construction Superintendent
will be responsible for ensuring continuity of job progress and maximizing
efficiencies related to the assigned area. He/She will serve as the primary point of
contact with the client and the subcontractors.
o The Area Construction Superintendent will perform all or some of the following Job
description:

 The Area Construction Superintendent will make recommendations and

participate in the planning of construction operations and make decisions on
manpower requirements and the type and size of equipment to be used

 Plan the sequence and number of construction activities to be placed in

progress in the operational program

 He/She will supervise the daily activities of craft supervisors, foremen, and
subcontractors. This includes supervising, directing, and designating work
assignments

 The Area Construction Superintendent will maintain surveillance of labor

performance, manpower allocation, and effective use of tools and equipment
  Ensure the use of sound construction practices to attain required quality control
at the maximum efficiency and minimum cost

 The Area Construction Superintendent will monitor subcontractor operations

including enforcement of all contractual obligations

 Initiate and obtain acceptance of appropriate back charges to subcontractors

 He/She will supervise direct hire craft on fabrication and installation of piping
materials on large NQA1/nuclear construction project and or a NQA1/nuclear
fabrication shop environment

 Interface with piping engineers and ensure current revision documents are
utilized for fabrication/installation

 The Area Construction Superintendent will understand and apply the company
labor relations policies, and perform other responsibilities associated with this
position as may be appropriate.

8. Project Superintendent

o A construction Superintendent is the person who plans and makes certain the
functions of the construction site works. The responsibility of the construction
Superintendent involves administration of the project keeping in mind the
deadline, budget as well as quality.

o He is the one who is responsible for the whole operation at the construction spot.
The most tedious task is while considering both timing and scheduling factors.

o Construction Superintendent Job Responsibilities

 Ensures that the safety and health project plans are put into practice.
 Oversee the whole construction process.
 Ensures that the wages and purchases are within the budget.
 Organize the workers to make certain that they are all performing well to
satisfy the construction requirement.
 Record the total expenditure for the resources bought and the payments
given for workers.
 Common inspection on the safety and performance of the workers.
 Mediate with inspectors of the government on the customary requirements
of the site with respect to its safety and licenses.
 Track the construction process to make sure that it is completed on time.
 Take charge of the subcontractors and see to it that they are punctual.
 Ensure that the budget is maintained. At the same time quality is also
preserved.
 Records the progress of the project in association with the foreman.
9. Project Manager

o is responsible for overall project planning and scheduling, resource allocation,

project accounting, and control, while providing technical direction and ensuring
compliance with quality standards. The construction project manager
responsibilities span a broad spectrum, covering all the areas of project
management like - Project Planning, Cost Management, Time Management,
Quality Management, Contract Administration, and Safety Management.
o Responsibilities:
 Oversee the construction project from start to finish.
  Perform a key role in project planning, budgeting, and identification of
resources needed.
 Create the teams, develop the objectives/goals of each and assign
individual responsibilities.
 Project accounting functions including managing the budget, tracking if
team expenses and minimizing exposure and risk in the project
 Ensure that construction activities move according to predetermined
schedule.
 Devise the project work plans and make revisions as and when need
arises.
 Communicate effectively with the contractors responsible for completing
various phases of the project.
 Co-ordinate the efforts of all parties involved in the project, which include
the architects, consultants, contractors, sub-contractors and laborers.
 Monitor the progress of the construction activities on a regular basis and
hold regular status meetings with all the sub-teams.
 Maintain strict adherence to the budgetary guidelines, quality and safety
standards.
 Periodic inspection of construction sites.
 Ensure project documents are complete.
 Identify the elements of project design and construction likely to give rise
to disputes and claims.
 Serve as a key link with the clients and review the deliverable prepared by
the team before passing onto client.
10. Estimator

o A construction estimator is an individual who prepares cost estimates for

residential, commercial and municipal building projects. An estimator must rely
on the use of construction plans and his own experience in the industry to prepare
and analyze project budgets and spending
o Main job responsibilities of a construction estimator include reviewing preliminary
drawings and specifications while visiting the site before the project begins. Also known
as cost estimators, construction estimators have other job duties that entail analyzing
how long it will take for the project to be completed and checking on how much money
each contractor will need to finish the job.

11. Lead Estimator

12. Senior Estimator

13. Chief Estimator

14. Project Executive

o Job nature of Construction project executive related to determine requirements for

project and deliver projects in a highly interactive and flexible manner. Construction
project executive also promote a project management process that encourages objective
metrics, stakeholder involvement, feedback and effective controls.

o You can ref some functions as follows (we are updating key tasks in details for

o this position).

 Answer inquiries regarding checking and savings accounts and other bank

 related products.

 Attempt to resolve issues and problems with customer’s accounts.

 Initiate and open new bank accounts.

 Explain, advise on and promote bank products and services to customers

  Responsible for bringing in new customers and boosting the bank’s
profits.

 Create and analyze management information and reports, which are sent to
branch staff and also to the head office

 Interact with local chambers of commerce, development agencies,

solicitors, accountants etc

 Receive and count working cash at beginning of shift.

 Identify bank customers, validate and cash checks.

 Accept cash and cheques for deposit and check accuracy of deposit slip.

 Process cash withdrawals.

 Perform specialized tasks such as preparing cashier’s checks, personal

 money orders, issuing traveler’s checks and exchanging foreign currency.

 Perform services for customers such as ordering bank cards and checks.

 Receive and verify loan payments, mortgage payments and utility bill
payments.

 Record all transactions promptly, accurately and in compliance with bank

procedures.

 Balance currency, cash and checks in cash drawer at end of each shift.

Obtaining the Project

Bids

A bid is given to the owner by construction managers that are willing to complete their
construction project. A bid tells the owner how much money they should expect to pay the
construction management company in order for them to complete the project.[2]

Open Bid: An open bid is used for public projects. Any and all contractors are allowed to submit
their bid due to public advertising.

Closed Bid: A closed bid is used for private projects. A selection of contractors are sent an
invitation for bid so only they can submit a bid for the specified project. [2]

Selection Methods

Low-bid selection: This selection focuses on the price of a project. Multiple construction
management companies submit a bid to the owner that is the lowest amount they are willing to
do the job for. Then the owner usually chooses the company with the lowest bid to complete the
job for them.[2]

Best-value selection: This selection focuses on both the price and qualifications of the
contractors submitting bids. This means that the owner chooses the contractor with the best
price and the best qualifications. The owner decides by using a request for proposal (RFP), which
provides the owner with the contractor's exact form of scheduling and budgeting that the
contractor expects to use for the project. [2]

Qualifications-based selection: This selection is used when the owner decides to choose the
contractor only on the basis of their qualifications. The owner then uses a request for
qualifications (RFQ), which provides the owner with the contractor's experience, management
plans, project organization, and budget and schedule performance. The owner may also ask for
safety records and individual credentials of their members. [2]
Payment Contracts

Lump-sum: This is the most common type of contract. The construction manager and the owner
agree on the overall cost of the construction project and the owner is responsible for paying that
amount whether the construction project exceeds or falls below the agreed price of payment. [2]

Cost-Plus-Fee: This contract provides payment for the contractor including the total cost of the
project as well as a fixed fee or percentage of the total cost. This contract is beneficial to the
contractor since any additional costs will be paid for even though they were unexpected for the
owner.[2]

Guaranteed Maximum Price: This contract is the same as the cost-plus-fee contract although
there is a set price that the overall cost and fee do not go above. [2]

Unit-Price: This contract is used when the cost cannot be determined ahead of time. The owner
provides materials with a specific unit price to limit spending. [2]

Project stages

Design

The design stage contains a lot of steps: programming and feasibility, schematic design, design
development, and contract documents. It is the responsibility of the design team to ensure that
the design meets all building codes and regulations. It is during the design stage that the bidding
process takes place.[2]

Programming and feasibility: The needs, goals, and objectives must be determined for the
building. Decisions must be made on the building size, number of rooms, how the space will be
used, and who will be using the space. This must all be considered to begin the actual designing
of the building.

Schematic design: Schematic designs are sketches used to identify spaces, shapes, and patterns.
Materials, sizes, colors, and textures must be considered in the sketches. [2]

Design development (DD): This step requires research and investigation into what materials and
equipment will be used as well as their cost.

Contract documents (CDs): Contract documents are the final drawings and specifications of the
construction project. They are used by contractors to determine their bid while builders use
them for the construction process. Contract documents can also be called working drawings. [2]

Pre-Construction

The pre-construction stage begins when the owner gives a notice to proceed to the contractor that
they have chosen through the bidding process. A notice to proceed is when the owner gives
permission to the contractor to begin their work on the project. The first step is to assign the
project team which includes the project manager (PM), contract administrator, superintendent,
and field engineer.[2]

Project manager: The project manager is in charge of the project team.

Contract administrator: The contract administrator assists the project manager as well as the
superintendent with the details of the construction contract.

Superintendent: It is the superintendent's job to make sure everything is on schedule including
flow of materials, deliveries, and equipment. They are also in charge of coordinating on-site
construction activities.[2]

Field Engineer: A field engineer is considered an entry-level position and is responsible for
paperwork.

During the pre-construction stage, a site investigation must take place. A site investigation takes
place to discover if any steps need to be implemented on the job site. This is in order to get the
site ready before the actual construction begins. This also includes any unforeseen conditions
such as historical artifacts or environment problems. A soil test must be done to determine if the
soil is in good condition to be built upon.[2]
Procurement

The procurement stage is when labor, materials and equipment needed to complete the project
are purchased. This can be done by the general contractor if the company does all their own
construction work. If the contractor does not do their own work, they obtain it through
subcontractors. Subcontractors are contractors who specialize in one particular aspect of the
construction work such as concrete, melding, glass, or carpentry. Subcontractors are hired the
same way a general contractor would be, which is through the bidding process. Purchase orders
are also part of the procurement stage.[2]

Purchase orders: A purchase order is used in various types of businesses. In this case, a purchase
order is an agreement between a buyer and seller that the products purchased meet the
required specifications for the agreed price. [2]

Construction

The construction stage begins with a pre-construction meeting brought together by the
superintendent. The pre-construction meeting is meant to make decisions dealing with work
hours, material storage, quality control, and site access. The next step is to move everything onto
the construction site and set it all up.[2]

At this stage, construction monitoring[4] and supervision is of great importance to ensure that a
project is completed on time and on budget, while meeting all relevant regulations and quality
standards.[5]

Contractor progress payment schedule

A Contractor progress payment schedule is a schedule of when (according to project

milestones or specified dates) contractors and suppliers will be paid for the current progress of
installed work.

Progress payments are partial payments for work completed during a portion, usually a month,
during a construction period. Progress payments are made to general contractors, subcontractors,
and suppliers as construction projects progress. Payments are typically made on a monthly basis
but could be modified to meet certain milestones. Progress payments are an important part of
contract administration for the contractor. Proper preparation of the information necessary for
payment processing can help the contractor financially complete the project. [6]

Post-Construction

Once the construction has been completed there are specific steps that must be taken to prepare
the building for occupancy.

Project punchout: A project punchout means that the project must be looked at for any issues
before it is considered completely finished. Issues may include replacing a cracked tile on the
floor or changing the color of paint. A list is created containing these issues and it is known as a
punch list or a snag list.[2]

Substantial completion: The architect for the project determines if the building meets every
requirement and issues a certificate of substantial completion. This certificate announces the
official completion of the project.

Final inspection: A final inspection is done by the building official once the certificate of
substantial completion has been issued.[2]

Certificate of Occupancy: A certificate of occupancy is issued by the building official which
informs the owner that it is now safe to occupy. This is issued by the building official after the
final inspection.

Commissioning: This is the process of testing systems and equipment to ensure that they are
working correctly. Then the owner must be trained to properly operate the systems and
equipment in the building.[2]
 
Final documentation: This provides information on the building to the owner for future
references. This includes warranties, operation manuals, inspection and testing reports, and
record drawings.

Final completion: Final completion occurs when all required paperwork and documentation is
completed, including payments to the contractor. [2]

Owner Occupancy

Once the owner moves into the building, a warranty period begins. This is to ensure that all
materials, equipment, and quality meet the expectations of the owner that are included within the
contract.[2]

Issues Resulting from Construction

Noise Control

Dust and Mud

Environmental Protections

Storm water pollution: As a result of construction, the soil is displaced from its original location
which can possibly cause environmental problems in the future. Runoff can occur during storms
which can possibly transfer harmful pollutants through the soil to rivers, lakes, wetlands, and
coastal waters.

Endangered species: If endangered species have been found on the construction site, the site
must be shut down for some time. The construction site must be shut down for as long as it
takes for authorities to make a decision on the situation. Once the situation has been assessed,
the contractor makes the appropriate accommodations to not disturb the species.

Vegetation: There may often be particular trees or other vegetation that must be protected on
the job site. This may require fences or security tape to warn builders that they must not be
harmed.

Wetlands: The contractor must make accommodations so that erosion and water flow are not
affected by construction. Any liquid spills must be maintained due to contaminants that may
enter the wetland.

Historical or Cultural artifacts: Artifacts may include arrowheads, pottery shards, and bones. All
work comes to a halt if any artifacts are found and will not resume until they can be properly
examined and removed from the area.[2]

Construction Activity Documentation

Project Meetings

Project meetings take place at scheduled intervals to discuss the progress on the construction site
and any concerns or issues. The discussion and any decisions made at the meeting must be
documented.[2]

Diaries, Logs, and Daily Field Reports

Diaries, logs, and daily field reports keep track of the daily activities on a job site each day.

Diaries: Each member of the project team is expected to keep a project diary. The diary contains
summaries of the day's events in the member's own words. They are used to keep track of any
daily work activity, conversations, observations, or any other relevant information regarding the
construction activities. Diaries can be referred to when disputes arise and a diary happens to
contain information connected with the disagreement. Diaries that are handwritten can be used
as evidence in court.

Logs: Logs keep track of the regular activities on the job site such as phone logs, transmittal logs,
delivery logs, and RFI (Request for Information) logs.
 
Daily Field Reports: Daily field reports are a more formal way of recording information on the
job site. They contain information that includes the day's activities, temperature and weather
conditions, delivered equipment or materials, visitors on the site, and equipment used that day.
[2]

Labor Records

Visual Records

Web Cameras

Resolving Disputes

Mediation: Mediation uses a third party mediator to resolve any disputes. The mediator helps
both disputing parties to come to a mutual agreement. This process ensures that no attorneys
become involved in the dispute and is less time-consuming.

Minitrial: A minitrial takes more time and money than a mediation. The minitrial takes place in
an informal setting and involves some type of advisor or attorney that must be paid. The
disputing parties may come to an agreement or the third party advisor may offer their advice.
The agreement is nonbinding and can be broken.

Arbitration: Arbitration is the most costly and time-consuming way to resolve a dispute. Each
party is represented by an attorney while witnesses and evidence are presented. Once all
information is provided on the issue, the arbitrator makes a ruling which provides the final
decision. The arbitrator provides the final decision on what must be done and it is a binding
agreement between each of the disputing parties. [2]

Terminology

Berlin Brandenburg Airport, an example of poor construction management [7]

The following terms are commonly used in the industry:


Construction management (CM) refers to form of delivery [8] and (in the UK) management of the
site.

Real estate management (REM) is professional property advice (a continuous process, as
opposed to a process).
o
Corporate real estate management (CREM) is a company-focused variant.

Management contracting (MC):
o
UK: form of delivery[9]
o
US: CM at risk

Programme management (ProgM) is concerned with management of a client’s portfolio (the
programme, in this sense, is equivalent to a client’s brief) or (in the UK) managing time in a
project.

Project control (PC) is the tracking and reporting of the progress, time, cost and quality of a
project. This function can be characterized as passive, whereas construction project
management (CPM) is active.
 
Project leader (PL): The person responsible for achieving the project’s objectives; acts as a
manager "in-line".

Project director (PD): The leader of a large project that can be broken down into sub-projects
(e.g. the Channel tunnel) or the head of a PM organization

Owner representative (OR): The representative of the owner; may be internal or external to the
company

Document Control (DC): Key function of a project manager

Build operate transfer (BOT)[clarification needed]
o
Finance build operate transfer (FBOT)[clarification needed]
o
Design build operate transfer (DBOT)[clarification needed]

Build own operate (BOO)[clarification needed]

Engineering procurement construction (EPC)[clarification needed]

Private finance initiative (PFI)[clarification needed]

General contract (GC)[clarification needed]

Joint Venture (JV): A collaboration between two or more companies from the same or different
backgrounds and/or fields to complete a common project. Joint Ventures typically have a lead
contractor that deals with most of the business aspects. The lead will usually have a bigger stake
in the partnership (ie. the lead will have a 65% stake while the second contractor might have
30% and a third might have 5%).

Guaranteed maximum price (GMP): A contract-specified upper limit to the project's final price

Multiple prime contracts (MPC)
o
UK: One contractor takes responsibility for the development (package deal).
o
US: A client may have five or six prime contractors.

Study and practice

Construction Management education comes in a variety of formats: formal degree programs

(one-year associate degree; four-year baccalaureate degree, masters degree, project management,
operations management engineer degree, doctor of philosophy degree, postdoctoral researcher);
on-the-job-training; and continuing education and professional development. Information on
degree programs is available from the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) or
the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC).

According to the American Council for Construction Education (the academic accrediting body
of construction management educational programs in the U.S.), the academic field of
construction management encompasses a wide range of topics. These range from general
management skills, through management skills specifically related to construction, to technical
knowledge of construction methods and practices. There are many schools offering Construction
Management programs, including some offering a Masters degree.[10][11]

Required knowledge
 Construction and Building
 Technology

 Public Safety

 Customer Service

 Human Resources

 Mathematics
[12]

Skills and abilities

 Time Management
 Negotiation

 Decision Making

 Problem Solving

[12]

Business model

Skyscrapers under construction in Panama City, Panama

The construction industry typically includes three parties: an owner, a designer (architect or
engineer) and a builder (usually known as a general contractor). There are traditionally two
contracts between these parties as they work together to plan, design and construct the project. [13]
The first contract is the owner-designer contract, which involves planning, design and
construction administration. The second contract is the owner-contractor contract, which
involves construction. An indirect third-party relationship exists between the designer and the
contractor, due to these two contracts.

An owner may also contract with a construction project management company as an advisor,
creating a third contract relationship in the project. The construction manager's role is to provide
construction advice to the designer, design advice to the constructor on the owner's behalf and
other advice as necessary.

Design, bid, build contracts

The phrase "design, bid, build" describes the prevailing model of construction management, in
which the general contractor is engaged through a tender process after designs have been
completed by the architect or engineer.

Design-build contracts
Main article: Design-build

Many owners – particularly government agencies – let out contracts known as design-build
contracts. In this type of contract, the construction team (known as the design-builder) is
responsible for taking the owner's concept and completing a detailed design before (following
the owner's approval of the design) proceeding with construction. Virtual design and construction
technology may be used by contractors to maintain a tight construction time.
There are three main advantages to a design-build contract. First, the construction team is
motivated to work with the design team to develop a practical design. The team can find creative
ways to reduce construction costs without reducing the function of the final product. The second
major advantage involves the schedule. Many projects are commissioned within a tight time
frame. Under a traditional contract, construction cannot begin until after the design is finished
and the project has been awarded to a bidder. In a design-build contract the contractor is
established at the outset, and construction activities can proceed concurrently with the design.
The third major advantage is that the design-build contractor has an incentive to keep the
combined design and construction costs within the owner's budget.

The major problem[14] with design-build contracts is an inherent conflict of interest. In a standard
contract the designer is responsible to the owner to review the builder's work, ensuring that the
products and methods meet specifications and codes. An independent builder may pick up design
flaws which might go unnoticed (or unmentioned) if the builder is also the designer. The owner
may get a building that is over-designed to increase profits for the design-builder, or a building
built with lesser-grade products to maximize profits. If speed is important, design and
construction contracts can be awarded separately; bidding takes place on preliminary plans in a
not-to-exceed contract instead of a single, firm design-build contract.

Planning and scheduling

Project-management methodology is as follows:

 Work breakdown structure

 Project network of activities

o Critical path method (CPM)

o Resource management

o Resource leveling

Architecture–engineer
 Work inspection
 Change orders

 Review payments

 Materials and samples

 Shop drawings

 Three-dimensional image

Agency CM

Construction cost management is a fee-based service in which the construction manager (CM) is
responsible exclusively to the owner, acting in the owner's interests at every stage of the project.
The construction manager offers impartial advice on matters such as:

 Optimum use of available funds

 Control of the scope of the work

 Project scheduling

 Optimum use of design and construction firms' skills and talents

 Avoidance of delays, changes and disputes

 Enhancing project design and construction quality

 Optimum flexibility in contracting and procurement

 Cash-flow management
Comprehensive management of every stage of the project, beginning with the original concept
and project definition, yields the greatest benefit to owners. As time progresses beyond the pre-
design phase, the CM's ability to effect cost savings diminishes. The agency CM can represent
the owner by helping select the design and construction teams and managing the design
(preventing scope creep), helping the owner stay within a predetermined budget with value
engineering, cost-benefit analysis and best-value comparisons. The software-application field of
construction collaboration technology has been developed to apply information technology to
construction management.

CM at-risk

CM at-risk is a delivery method which entails a commitment by the construction manager to

deliver the project within a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). The construction manager acts
as a consultant to the owner in the development and design phases (preconstruction services),
and as a general contractor during construction. When a construction manager is bound to a
GMP, the fundamental character of the relationship is changed. In addition to acting in the
owner's interest, the construction manager must control construction costs to stay within the
GMP.

CM at-risk is a global term referring to the business relationship of a construction contractor,

owner and architect (or designer). Typically, a CM at-risk arrangement eliminates a "low-bid"
construction project. A GMP agreement is a typical part of the CM-and-owner agreement
(comparable to a "low-bid" contract), but with adjustments in responsibility for the CM. The
advantage of a CM at-risk arrangement is budget management. Before a project's design is
completed (six to eighteen months of coordination between designer and owner), the CM is
involved with estimating the cost of constructing a project based on the goals of the designer and
owner (design concept) and the project's scope. In balancing the costs, schedule, quality and
scope of the project, the design may be modified instead of redesigned; if the owner decides to
expand the project, adjustments can be made before pricing. To manage the budget before design
is complete and construction crews mobilized, the CM conducts site management and purchases
major items to efficiently manage time and cost.

Regulation

In the UK the industry is regulated though Construction Design Management regulations, which
prevent incidents on construction sites and civil engineering structures once they are completed.