What is Construction Management?

 

What Does Construction Management Entail?:  Construction Management is the overall planning, coordination, and control of a project from inception to completion aimed at meeting a client’s requirements in order to produce a functionally and financially viable project.

According to the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) the 120 most common responsibilities of a Construction Manager fall into 7 categories:

1) Project Management Planning;

2) Cost Management;

3) Time Management;

4) Quality Management;

5) Contract Administration;

6) Safety Management; and

7) CM Professional Practice.

CM Functions on a Project: The functions of construction project 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 resource efficiency through procurement of labor, materials and equipment; 3) Implementing operations through proper coordination and control of planning, design, estimating, contracting and construction; and, 4) Resolving conflicts.

How to Become a Construction Manager:  To become a seasoned constrcution manager, a combination of education and work experience is necessary.  Construction Management education comes in a variety of formats including formal degree programs, on-the-job-training, and continuing education / professional development. According to the American Council for Construction Education, the academic field of construction management encompasses a wide range of topics. These range from general management skills, to management skills specifically related to construction, to technical knowledge of construction methods and practices.