Best practices in contracting projects,
The construction industry is under increasing pressure amid pandemic-era regulations, widespread economic instability, supply chain disruptions, and a shortage of skilled trade professionals.
Project managers are among the most sought after jobs in construction, but it’s not nearly enough to hire.
In order to make a positive impression on builders and stakeholders and gain credibility as a project manager, it is important to follow these construction management best practices.
Best practices for managing construction projects
Construction management is evolving, and companies around the world are turning to digital and mobile solutions for long-running issues in communications, material ordering, and project schedules.
If you are currently a project manager with an interest in construction, a foreman or construction professional looking to enhance your skills, or you are currently working in another industry looking to make a lucrative career move,
These best practices for construction project management are essential skills to add to your toolkit.
Each project manager will have their own workflows and preferences when it comes to their process.
But there are some best practices that all construction project managers should follow.
Managing expectations
According to industry reports, about half of all construction projects fail for a number of avoidable reasons.
One of the number one reasons construction projects fail is the failure of project managers to manage the expectations of builders, clients, and contractors.
These three groups of people often have very different expectations about how the project will go and what the outcome will be.
Construction expectations can quickly become unrealistic if project managers do not manage expectations appropriately.
Clearly defining the expectations of builders, contractors, employees, customers, stakeholders, and anyone else involved in the project should be among the highest priorities of the construction project manager.
Accurately document plans
Your project plan is the most important set of documents for any project. Creating your plan with realistic and measurable goals is critical.
But documenting and demonstrating these plans is even more important to ensure successful project completion by your project team.
The outcome of the planning and documentation determines the focus of the project work, defines the scope of the project,
It creates a source of knowledge for trade contractors and other interested construction professionals.
By accurately documenting and communicating project plans throughout the job, you can develop trust among contractors and benefit from managing construction projects more easily.
Construction companies can prevent scale creep, keep project activities on budget and schedule,
maintaining change control, ensuring contractor safety,
Efficiently track job progress, improve quality control, and more by documenting key details in their plans.
Communicate effectively
Part of managing expectations across teams is using effective communication to do so. Communicating quickly and effectively is crucial in the world of construction management.
Even small delays can push back schedules and incur additional costs.
Construction project managers are also tasked with keeping detailed notes on every aspect of the project.
If the construction company or contractors have questions about a project or work the teams are scheduled to do,
Project managers must be able to provide answers promptly and accurately.
This not only instills confidence in those involved in the project,
but also helps project members anticipate and resolve issues before they become a problem.
Construction project managers are often responsible for communicating with many teams and getting everyone on the same page can be challenging.
The rise in the already high usage of independent contractors on construction projects provides plenty of opportunity for a breakdown in communications.
In fact, 36% of Americans now make a living through freelance contracting,
and your teams should be ready to adapt.
Keeping all members of the construction team on the same page is made possible with project management software.
Project managers can also use this software to document hours and materials as well as track,
manage, and record any other information about the construction process.
The benefits of effective communication as a construction project manager are far-reaching,
impacting client and cost management.
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