The Construction Industry is composed of projects. Project management is a fundamental skill for anyone in the industry, whether they work in project development, architectural design, engineering design, construction, or facilities management. According to the PMBOK Guide from 2000, project management is “the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements.” Projects are not unique to construction. For example, some other industries are also very project-focused, e. g. , aircraft, computer software, shipbuilding, etc. The Project Management Institute (PMI) has created the Project Management Body of Knowledge Guide (PMBOK) as a general body of knowledge for managing a project. The following are some of the core management areas listed in PMBOK (taken from the PMBOK Guide and the Construction Extension of the PMBOK Guide):
Construction Project Life Cycle
Construction project life cycle phases
The stages of the construction project life cycle can differ depending on the industry or the particular project. However, the construction project life cycle generally consists of five phases. These phases are:
Initiation
Finding a project goal or need, such as a business opportunity or a problem, and documenting the need are the first steps in the initiation phase. After establishing the project’s goal, those involved create a list of potential solutions and research the viability of each one. Based on their research, they determine the final recommended solution.
Stakeholders and construction experts assess the project’s viability based on the solution. If stakeholders approve the solution, they appoint a project manager. Additionally, during this phase, a project team must be assembled, and the deliverables and workgroups necessary for the project must be determined. When the team and deliverables are approved by the project manager, the project may advance to the following stage.
Planning
In the planning stage, the project is developed further to determine how to achieve the project’s goal. The group determines the tasks and materials needed to complete the work. Additionally, they create a plan for completing the tasks and assign each particular activity and resource. The finished item is a project plan that describes specific elements of the project, including its:
The project manager creates the project budget and offers cost estimates for materials, labor, and equipment. They could create schedules to monitor every phase of the project. The project manager will create a document that details the project’s quality plan and contains the following information:
Once the team and project manager are done creating these documents, the project will have been fully planned. They may begin to execute the project.
Execution
The execution phase includes the implementation stages of the project. The majority of the project’s work is completed on-site by the team, and the project manager maintains oversight and communication throughout each phase of implementation. Tasks are completed and progress is shared in team meetings. Project managers track the progress and evaluate it in comparison to the project plans to determine performance.
While teams work to adhere to project plans to the letter, there may be some deviations or adjustments. The project manager keeps track of any changes or deviations and takes necessary corrective action to ensure the project proceeds as intended. The first step should be to fix the problem so that the original plan can be followed. In the event that this is not feasible, the project manager should document any variations and modifications in project documents.
Performance and monitoring
Concurrent with the execution phase is the performance and monitoring phase. It includes all measurements of progress and performance. Making sure everything tracks and adheres to the project manager’s schedule is the goal.
Information sharing with project stakeholders is crucial for performance and monitoring. Regular status reports should be provided by project managers in the previously decided-upon format. The majority of status reports highlight the likely ultimate goals for the deliverables:
The completes all project deliverables. Each deliverable is examined by the project manager in light of the customer acceptance criteria, and they are then approved. The client accepts the chosen course of action, and the project is prepared for completion.
Closure
The project manager delivers all of the final deliverables to the client during the closure phase. They might also deliver project documentation and inform all stakeholders when the project is finished. The project manager also ends supplier contracts and releases project resources.
The project manager and team can assess the project’s success. They could note both successful and unsuccessful events. The project manager will apply this criticism to enhance upcoming group projects.
What is the construction project life cycle?
The order in which tasks are completed in a construction project is known as the “construction project life cycle.” It serves as a manual for the entire process of finishing a process, from the very beginning of the idea to the very last details of project completion. It ensures that building projects are well-managed and finished quickly and effectively.
Jobs that use the construction project life cycle
Numerous jobs in the construction sector and associated fields are involved in the construction project life cycle. Some examples of these jobs include:
A constructor’s main responsibilities include carrying out a variety of tasks to build or destroy structures. They prepare and operate various machinery and tools. Constructors follow blueprints and safety protocols to complete their work.
Fabricators’ main responsibilities are similar to those of assemblers in that they assemble parts or work on finished goods. To assemble things properly, they must understand blueprints or schematics. They could also help with inventory management or quality check finished products.
A financial analyst’s main responsibilities are to analyze financial data and provide business or investment recommendations. They might assess trends, as well as the advantages, disadvantages, and value of a company. Financial analysts can also examine how a project or operation might fare financially.
Primary duties: A contractor plans construction projects. They manage various renovation and construction projects. Contractors frequently oversee the various parties involved in a project and help them communicate.
A construction project manager’s main responsibilities include supervising all construction projects. They make sure the project stays on schedule and adheres to the previously established plans. They frequently manage time, monitor the budget, allocate resources, and communicate with the construction teams.
A real estate developer’s main responsibilities include purchasing land and developing it. They are in charge of completely creating new real estate properties. Additionally, some developers of real estate buy houses to remodel.
Main responsibilities: A construction planner creates a plan to finish a construction based on the desired outcome specified by another person. This includes planning the budget, resources and work schedule. The choice of whether to use a subcontractor for the project is one of many organizational decisions that construction planners must make.
An architect’s main responsibilities are to plan and create various types of structures. They make sketches, plan where crucial components go in a structure, and spot and address any potential safety concerns or other issues. Architects may also obtain permits or bid to complete projects.
FAQ
What are the 5 phases of a construction project?
- Project Initiation and Conception. The construction life cycle’s first step is to simply get started, as with everything else.
- Project Planning and Definition. …
- Project Execution and Launch. …
- Project Performance. …
- Project Close.
What are the six phases of the construction project?
The new seven SDLC phases are planning, analysis, design, development, testing, implementation, and maintenance.
What are the steps in a construction project?
- Feasibility Study. You must determine a project’s viability before starting it.
- Design Phase. …
- The Bid. …
- Pre-construction. …
- Construction. …
- Project Closeout.
