The Difference Between a Project Manager and a

Construction Manager

All building construction projects require various forms of leadership and

management and deciding the type of leadership required for a project is an
important task. The best decision can make a huge difference in the
efficiency of a construction project, from inception to completion. Project
managers (PM) handle all management responsibilities from a project’s
inception to completion, whereas construction managers (CM) manage only
the construction of a project. But what’s the difference between the two
regarding each of their roles in a new project?

 Construction managers are more involved in the

details
Project managers typically don’t deal with construction workers, equipment,
and materials, except to sign off on them. It’s the construction manager’s job to
determine what their needs are in those areas, develop a proposal, and submit it to
the project manager for approval.

The project manager will weigh the costs against the budget and may ask the
construction manager for justification of the expenses, but ultimately, they rely on
the construction manager to figure those things out.

Common construction manager activities include:

 Managing subcontractors
 Managing workers
 Supervising day-to-day construction operations
 Ensuring compliance with building codes and regulations
 Ordering materials
 Maintaining equipment
 Planning work schedules
 Preparing estimates
Construction Management Duties
 
Primary focus: overseeing the actual construction of a project.
 
Even though the CM manages almost all aspects of a project during the
construction phase, he/she must still report to the PM. It’s easy to think of the
CM as having expert knowledge and responsibility on the hands-on trades in
the field. These include the electrical, plumbing, and mechanical inceptions.
Oftentimes, CMs are known as handling the “subordinate” aspects of the
construction phase. This means the CM:
 
●        Manages all subcontractors and other parties involved with the
construction.
●        Signs a contract and is liable for subcontractors he/she hired.
●        Ensures all building materials are delivered to the worksite on time.
●        Administers the construction budget.

1.  Construction managers will manage only the construction portion of the product. The CM
is an expert in building trades including electrical, carpentry, plumbing and general construction.
They oversee day-to-day operations from pre-construction through the project punch list.
Essentially, a CM is a project manager with a specific area of knowledge.
2. A construction manager is involved in personnel management at the construction
site. The CM will ensure that materials are delivered on time, that tools are available and that
resources are properly allocated.

Throughout the construction process, the CM has the authority to request

work order changes and decide best building practices in compliance with
city, state, and/or federal codes. He/she may also be responsible for meeting
with any consultants, clients, inspectors, and engineers during construction.

Project management is broader

The main difference between project managers and construction managers is the
scope. Project managers typically are higher up the food chain in an organization
and have broader responsibilities.

For example, a construction manager may only oversee the construction of the
building itself, whereas a project manager will run all aspects of the project, from
selecting the site to land procurement to, well, hiring the construction manager.
A project manager’s job is to give the construction manager and everyone else on
the project the tools and support they need to get the work done.

Common project manager activities include:

 Site analysis
 Land procurement
 Marketing and public relations
 Budget management
 Timeline and deadline management
 Staffing (including the construction manager)

A project manager runs all aspects of the real estate project. This includes everything from the
initial planning, site selection and analysis, design, procurement, construction and the physical
move. Because the PM is responsible for the project budget and schedule, it is beneficial to have an
independent resource. The PM will be keenly aware of anything that will extend the project schedule
and inflate the project budget and aims to mitigate those risks.

A project manager is brought on at the inception of a real estate project and therefore has a
comprehensive understanding of the client’s goals. A project manager works very closely with
the client to gain a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of the real estate project. More than
knowing what the client needs out of their physical space, a project manager has the knowledge
from the client to understand the specific needs so that the end result is precisely what the client
wants.
The main difference is the level of authority. A CM oversees all construction activities. A PM
supervises the CM. The project manager has greater responsibility to the project, as he/she
oversees more than the construction process. Therefore, a project manager will often supervise a
construction manager.