Great project managers are masters at turning a vision into reality. Not to mention, completing that reality on schedule, under budget, and with spectacular quality.
But, according to a recent report, only 1/3 of all projects started are actually completed on time and within their allotted budget. A project management Institute report found that only “56% of strategic initiatives meet their original goals and business intent.”
Despite these numbers, more than 97% of companies believe project management is “imperative for business performance and organizational success.”
That’s why fantastic construction project management is key for staying out of the woods and ahead of your competition.
So if you’re sick and tired of spinning your wheels on construction projects, keep reading, because we’re spilling the secrets every great construction project manager knows.
Construction Project Management Depends on Stellar Communication
A project cannot successfully close, let alone get off the ground if team members don’t know what they’re doing.
Moreover, team members and investors alike need a way to express feedback, request clarification, and even express their displeasure with current lines of communication.
It’s the job of the project manager to make sure their entire team, outsourcing partners, stakeholders, and any other involved parties are on the same respective pages. Yet, 45% of project managers still aren’t taking advantage of technology to successfully communicate, despite clear evidence that such technologies improve project performance.
This will become a huge disadvantage as more companies turn to remote teams and professionals for outsourcing, consulting, marketing, IT, and other work that can be completed from anywhere around the world.
Today’s Project Managers Exist In The Cloud
Tech savvy construction project managers don’t get left behind or lost in a stack of paperwork.
They use the following tools to maintain a constant flow of communication between work teams, senior managers, and stakeholders:
Live Video Conferencing Tools
Use web-based conferencing to avoid canceling or postponing meetings because on proximity. Cloud-based conferencing tools like Skype and Google Hangouts allows you to hold meetings regardless of location. Plus, you can record your meetings and email them to upper management or investors.
Enterprise Mobility Strategy
A corporate mobility strategy keeps teams and managers connected through a secure server while providing access to the same project files and data. You also have the peace of mind that all team members have access to a functioning device and data plan.
Social Media
Social media provides an easily accessible way for all team members and parties to connect. For example, you can start a secret Facebook group for your construction project and use Facebook messenger as a free alternative to text messaging.
Cloud File Sharing
We don’t have to tell you how much paperwork is involved with construction projects. Free cloud-based tools like Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive allows construction team management members to easily store, share, comment, and pick up paperwork.
Tip: To solicit and obtain paperwork signatures more quickly, try using a digital document tool like DocuSign. It will also greatly cut down on your paper use!
Great Project Managers Value Quality Work
There’s nothing better than completing a construction project on time, but you don’t want to unnecessarily waste resources or sacrifice potential revenue along the way for the sake of a deadline.
Remember that every structure you build is really a long-term investment in the end. If it doesn’t live up to its promise, that building will only lose profits, and eventually, property value over time. That’s why it’s crucial for construction project management to include the best resources, production team, and outsourcing partners to produce a high-quality product.
For example, poor construction materials may seem like a short-term solution in the moment, but it will lead to expensive repair costs down the road. To avoid this, your purchaser should develop and nurture strong vendor relationships with reputable suppliers of steel, cement, electrical infrastructure, and other services.
Great vendor relationships can also lead to exclusive deals on cost!
Successful Project Managers Stay Ahead of the Pack with Education
It’s time to start thinking of construction project management as an industry that’s constantly growing and adapting new technologies and strategies.
To stay one-step ahead of their competition, successful project managers stay updated on the latest best practices in construction project management and emerging materials and technologies.
The best way to do this is to consistently research best practices, seek out educational opportunities, and obtain up-to-date certifications in the project management industry.
First and foremost, all aspiring construction project managers should obtain a bachelor’s degree in project management.
Key courses in a project management bachelor’s program typically include:
- Leadership skills and principles
- Introduction to project management
- Procurement
- Quality management
- Contract management
- Risk management and assessment
To stay on the cutting edge of construction project management, managers can go a step further and obtain the following industry-standard certifications:
- To acknowledge professional skills and knowledge in green building methods, project managers can take the U.S. Green Building Council’s “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” program, otherwise known as LEED. Upon completion, project managers will receive a professional certificate.
- The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) administers their own certification program for construction managers.
- The Project Management Institute currently offers eight different certification tracks for project managers.
Efficient Construction Project Managers Evaluate Their Progress
Starting a new construction project without evaluating the performance of the last project is a recipe for disaster.
Successful construction project managers understand this. That’s why they use various methods to evaluate project performance every step of the way.
Points of evaluation include, but are not limited to:
- Overhead: Did the construction project under or over hire?
- Resources: How much was spent on resources throughout the project? How much was left over?
- Timetable: Did the project adhere to the timetable set before production started?
- Budget: Did the project come in under or over budget by the time of completion? What was the daily total cost for building resources, overhead, and other business expenses?
One of the most important roles of a construction project manager is to keep a watchful eye on their budget and scheduling.
To consistently monitor their budget and timetable, top project managers use digital calendars, Excel spreadsheets, and construction project management applications like Twello to visualize and analyze their progress and make changes as needed.
Effective construction project management assures investors that they don’t have to settle for second best.
Successful project managers embrace communication, technology, quality, education, and project evaluation.
Ready to supercharge those project management skills?
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