Project Management

Project managers are involved in projects from inception to completion. They are responsible for managing technical projects in a manner that results in meeting project objectives. The major disciplines that they have to be familiar with are engineering, cost management, contract law, negotiations, planning and scheduling, and estimating. Project managers are involved with organizing, planning, and scheduling; coordinating with other departments; expediting materials, drawings, and approvals; coordinating with clients; securing permits and licenses; negotiating claims; writing management reports; and conducting meetings.

When a project first starts if there are existing structures they have to be demolished to clear the site for new construction and this requires many different permits and the coordination of how a structure will be demolished by the contractor.

After demolition project managers determine the methods and processes that will be used to optimize resources and manpower such as scheduling the delivery of materials or the excavation of earth.

Site layout is an important part of project management as it allows for the maximization of productivity at job sites when they are properly laid out.

As a structure rises project managers are responsible for coordinating all of the activities on site and for monitoring construction processes, schedules, and budgets.

As projects near completion project managers are involved in project close out activities and in negotiating claims for change orders that reflect additional work.

Project managers have to also manage field supervisors, monitor quality control, insure a safe working environment, provide site security, record daily activities in logs, manage payrolls, work with members of unions and vendors, and provide field designs and redesigns when contracts are changed during construction.