July 18, 2023 Tips to Know for Project Managers

Being a new project manager is a big job, and knowing how to do your job effectively is important. Be sure to remember these tips for your next project.

Project management cuts across several sectors. The goal is to see a project from its inception to the end of the project, and this is no different in project management on a construction site. As a construction site project manager, you should understand how the project will be implemented and what expertise and tools are needed for the specific project inception and completion.

One of the major roles of a project manager at a construction site is to subcontract service providers and create a human resource team for the project. There are some technical issues you must also understand. Skyline Crane Rental states that a crane operator’s certification only lasts five years. This helps the manager hire or contract the right certified crane operators, and it should be noted that the operator should apply for a retest 12 months before the current license’s expiration date. Listed below are five basic insights to put into consideration before taking up a role as a project manager on a construction site.

1. Time Management

Most construction work, be it residential or commercial, has timelines by the project owners, which have to be implemented by the construction manager. Good time management is one of the fundamental qualities every construction manager should have. You can achieve this by having a day planner with the team onboard to ensure that the delegated tasks to each team member are completed within the stipulated timelines. By having efficient time management, you can successfully manage your team to get necessary tasks done on time.

2. Coordination of Materials and Equipment

During the inception of the construction process, the project manager is to coordinate how the construction materials and equipment are to be procured under the stipulated budget and have them delivered from the supplier’s warehouse to the construction site. As a manager, one should be able to have basic knowledge of the kind of materials and equipment needed for a specific project. Concrete is used in construction twice as much as all other building materials combined, including aluminum, plastic, steel, and wood, according to the Cement Association of Canada. Below is some basic knowledge a construction manager should have at their fingertips.

3. Human Resource

A project manager is a human resource manager. They understand the project inside out and know who the right people are to bring on board for its success. Every construction project creates a job opportunity for hundreds of U.S. citizens drawn from different professions, from engineers, architects, field teams, plumbers, in-office staff, and many others. It’s important to understand that Zippia confirms that approximately 7.8 million people were working in the construction sector as of January 2023 (about 2.9% of the U.S. workforce) hence the need for a good project manager on the construction site.

4. Communication Is Key

Communication can either break or build a project. In this regard, every communication from the construction site manager should be clear and concise. This is because, as the team leader, every word from you is considered the final word.

Different communication tools can be used to pass a message to different team members. Use communication software, emails, text messages, calls, and in-person meetings. Through the communication chain, the manager should be able to prioritize tasks and have a smooth flow of the construction process.

Every construction owner believes that the construction manager should have a clear vision of their client’s vision. Hence, he or she is seen as the vision bearer in the owner’s absence. For a manager to do their job well, they need the above-listed qualities and skills to bring them out as a team player. Being a team player can give you, the manager, more respect from the employees and encourage them to work harder.

For a successful construction project, there should be smooth coordination between the office team and the on-site project team. Software like Trimble Construction One and PM One, which enable the smooth running of the process, can be of great help. Construction projects are always a big undertaking and being a project manager is a big responsibility. This article highlights what you need to know as a project manager so you execute your tasks professionally and efficiently and deliver a project on time and on budget.

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