With the construction industry evolving constantly, balancing everything in construction project management becomes a challenge. Established professionals obviously have many stories of completing several construction project management Toronto projects, and even some projects that went off the mark. What sets apart efficient construction management from the ordinary is skill sets and follow-through of the projects managed.
Let us, therefore, examine these skill sets
You need a bunch of skills to efficiently manage construction projects and these include:-
- Efficient time management
- Cost management
- Business management
- Organization
- Leadership
- Research and planning
- Critical thinking
- Risk assessment
- Detail orientation
- Technical skills
- Quality management
- Patience
Having understood the skills required for efficient and effective construction project management Toronto, let us also examine some useful tips to understand how these skills play out in construction projects.
Planning ahead
Careful planning is essential to manage large as well as small projects and such planning should be well ahead of the start of the project. Those involved with construction project managementshould also have the required foresight for foreseeing the needs and resolving potential issues that might impact the project. Planning also involves detail orientation, particularly while reviewing specifications, and project plans for a complete understanding of the scope of work involved.
In-depth reviews by construction project management team Toronto are essential to arrive at the resources necessary for the execution of the project. These resources will include finance, equipment, materials, manpower, and tools. Drawings and blues prints may not be perfect every time and conflicts should be anticipated as well as the measures to resolve potential conflicts should be in place. The use of 3D software to examine the blueprints and drawings in greater detail and make necessary additions, deletions or corrections would be very much desirable.
Budgeting
This is perhaps a crucial part of construction project management. Cost escalation is a perennial problem that affects most projects, particularly the larger ones. Costs can escalate for a variety of reasons, but lapses in planning and time overrun are generally the main culprits. In modern times, project managers have the ability to track every aspect of the project on a daily basis and launch corrective action whenever needed using multiple software tools.
Every member of the construction project management team should scrutinize the construction contract document with particular reference to the escalation team. The team should also collectively discuss the escalation clauses and arrive at a consensus on managing potential cost escalation. Some contracts may also have the carrots and sticks clause that provides for rewards and penalties in relation to the escalation clause.
Adaptability
As the construction progresses, revisions are nearly inevitable and therefore construction project managers should be adaptable to evolving new plans for the smooth transition of the project. At the same time, they should also be rigid to keep the project within budget and on schedule.
Time Management
Construction project managers often have plenty on their plate between co-coordinating, designing, reviewing, managing, and more. Construction projects also tend to evolve constantly with new problems cropping up at regular intervals. Effectively managing time, prioritizing, and delegating skills come to the fore in leading a successful project. Time management should also encompass the entire team rather than being limited to the construction project manager. In modern times, there are many tools and digital apps to help project managers with this task but finding them and putting them to the best use is another aspect.
Keep track of everything
Every construction project will have a constant flow of information. Construction managers are the focal center of the project and therefore they should stay on top of everything keeping in mind that nearly every component of a construction project is covered by contracts and contracts mean financial obligations. When the project progress and information are not tracked properly with appropriate documentation, the project will be exposed to many uncertainties.
Role of construction project management service providers
Most project owners irrespective of whether they are in the commercial or residential segment are often busy with their own core businesses or other occupations and often lack quality time and competence to oversee construction projects effectively. As many of you would also know, construction projects involve significant technical expertise and experience to ensure that the final deliverables are picture-perfect.
Larger projects can consume several months or even years and that is another area where quality time is often difficult to find. Professional construction project management fills this gap effectively taking on the ownership of the project to meet the defined objectives.
What are the Responsibilities of construction project management teams?
Professional construction project management companies Toronto will assume the following responsibilities on your behalf for projects entrusted to them.
Serve as an experienced and objective representative of the project owner to protect his/their best interests as their primary objective. They will focus on the following specific areas to achieve this objective.
Reduction in overall project cost
Experienced construction project managers can employ several methods to achieve cost reduction.
Centralized communication
The construction project manager will centralize all communication liaising with all participants and integrate them seamlessly.