In today’s competitive environment, it has become absolutely essential for construction professionals to manage their operations efficiently and effectively. This means that they must invest time and resources into developing and implementing effective strategies and processes to streamline their operations and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. As such, it is critical that construction companies develop strong internal controls to prevent errors and fraud.
Construction projects are complex undertakings that involve multiple tradespeople, contractors, and sub-contractors. They require careful coordination between the various parties involved.
This is where construction management comes into play.
So, what exactly is construction management? And why is it so important for construction managers to have the right tools and resources on their side?
Simply put, construction management is a process that entails effectively managing all aspects of a building project like quality, schedule, cost, scope, and safety – from design through completion.
At the end of the day construction management needs to align with all project delivery methods. It is up to the construction manager to deliver a successful project that meets the expectations of the owner of the project. This is the party who funds the project.
The great news is that construction management software is available to help with the many deliverables that fall under each project. Whether it’s managing materials, contractors, accounting, or documents, there is little robust construction management software can’t do (more on this later!)
Construction Management (CM) is a field that requires highly skilled professionals who possess knowledge of project scheduling, cost estimation, budget control, quality assurance, safety, risk analysis and much more. The CM profession has become increasingly complex over the years due to changes in regulations, policies, and standards.
A good CM should be able to manage the entire scope of the project, from start to finish. They should also ensure the project meets or exceeds client expectations. If you want to pursue a career in Construction Management, you’ll need to take some specialized courses.
In order to manage a construction project, you’ll need to consider several aspects of the job, such as budget, time frame, quality standards, safety, and other important considerations.
As the manager of a construction project, you should be able to identify risks, understand them, and then take appropriate measures to mitigate them.
Now that you know a bit more about what construction management is, it’s time to look at its significance. Here are five specific examples outlining the consequences of construction mismanagement.
When it comes to construction, your budget is everything. Without construction management, keeping your budget at bay becomes a lot more difficult.
Construction management allows for pre-planning around your budget. You can map out exactly what materials are necessary and how many hours you’ll need to get the job done efficiently.
Effective planning means you can have the exact number of tools and resources – not too many or too little which could result in wasted budget.
When you’re on the job and trying to meet a deadline the last thing you want to deal with is complications in communication. There’s a lot to consider on the job after all!
Rather than growing frustrated with a lack of communication between workers, contractors, and yourself, it’s important to have it covered before you even hit the job site. That’s where construction management comes in! You can consider the best ways for everyone to communicate depending on their area of expertise and the resources available to you.
Great communication will also be essential to everyone’s safety while on the job.
Timeline is a major part of construction management. Ordering parts needs to be timed with the schedule and workers need certain materials on time in order to do their jobs efficiently. If tools or materials aren’t delivered on time the entire project can be delayed.
This means you could end up paying for more expenses and more employee hours without construction management, resulting in lost profits. Construction management helps to keep this from happening as you effectively plan and make sure deliveries align with your project schedule.
Regulations are a big part of just about every construction site. Whether it be basic building regulations or Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) regulations, there’s plenty to take into consideration.
As nice as it would be to pick up your tools and get to work, navigating these regulations is something that should be done carefully. Without planning ahead, you could find yourself in a lawsuit.
Forget going with the flow and hoping for the best. Construction management is always there to help you take the necessary steps in best protecting your company, your contractors, and your job site.
One of the best things about construction management is it allows you to properly maintain your equipment. Without ongoing maintenance your equipment can break down or malfunction which could end up costing you. Not only in the equipment itself but in the wasted hours for workers who won’t be able to get their jobs done.
Construction management software can be especially helpful for these types of situations as it keeps an eye on your equipment so you don’t have to. You spend time tackling the many other tasks on your plate and only need to divert your attention when the software tells you it’s time for maintenance.
Without construction management processes in place there’s evidently a lot that can go wrong. So, how can you ensure you do it right?
Imagine being able to seamlessly manage the time and attendance of all your construction contractors and keep your work site safe, secure, and compliant all from one mobile platform.
Sine offers a contractor management solution that allows you to do everything from managing contractor time and attendance to keeping your entire work site safe. By geofencing the perimeter of your construction site, you can check in contractors from a site iPad or smartphone.
This is also where you can track everything to do with your contractors, give them induction information, and get a look at the overall health and safety of the location you’re working on.
