Having a dependable project manager is one of the keys to a successful construction project. A construction manager’s responsibilities are vast, ranging from monitoring the day-to-day activities of co-workers on a construction site to ensuring the project is completed on time and on budget. A project manager must not only manage the project but also report on its progress to the client and other stakeholders on a regular basis.
Not everyone is qualified to work as a construction project manager. As a result, it is critical that business owners select and hire the correct project manager.
Here are ten qualities and skills that make a good construction project manager.
1. Knowledge of the Industry
Every day, new materials and construction processes are researched and produced in the construction industry. Top construction project managers have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of project management while also being aware of creative methods and processes that can help them achieve their objectives.
In short, a construction project manager is a lifelong learner who will seek out new industry information in every way possible.
2. Planning that is adaptable
Things don’t always go according to plan during a building job. Small adjustments might quickly escalate into major ones. As a result, it’s critical for managers to be able to adapt to changes and plan appropriately to prepare for them. They must have a thorough understanding of the project as well as the foresight to anticipate changes that may affect the timeframe and overall plan.
A skilled construction project manager understands that planning does not stop with the pre-construction phase, and that they should continue to revise and improve plans until the project is completed. That’s why most construction project managers use Gantt charts to keep track of all the project’s moving pieces.
3. Communication
The client, outsourced suppliers, subcontractors, and others are all stakeholders in any construction project. It’s critical that everyone is on the same page. The involvement of all parties is required to ensure that a project runs smoothly.
From the back office functions in charge of securing the necessary paperwork, such as contracts, notices to preserve the right to file mechanics liens if necessary, and change orders, to the day-to-day field operations personnel on the job site, it is the construction project manager’s responsibility to communicate with these individuals, keep them informed about the project’s status, and ensure that tasks are completed. Because many construction mistakes are caused by misunderstandings, a construction project manager must have excellent communication skills and be able to articulate oneself properly in order to avoid issues.
4. Organization
Construction projects can and will overlap at times, and any construction project manager will soon find themselves juggling multiple projects. To keep up and stay on top of things, a smart construction project manager maintains a high level of organization. They have a talent for recognizing which tasks are most important and which can be deferred, allowing the project to run smoothly and on time.
5. Risk Assessment and Management
Murphy’s Law argues that anything that may go wrong will go wrong, and construction projects are no exception. A construction project manager recognizes that there is always the possibility that certain aspects of the original design will change. Even before a project begins, the project manager and their team should be able to identify potential risks and establish a plan to address them.
6. Negotiation
Negotiation is a big part of talking with stakeholders, especially when it comes to budgeting and other resources, personnel scheduling, change orders, and scope creeps. One of the most important abilities a construction project manager must have is the ability to bargain effectively. They must be able to say no to unreasonable customer demands, disagree with proposals that they believe will harm the project, and, if necessary, compromise.
7. Accounting and Finance
Without a good budget plan/cost planning for a construction project, the project is not able to begin. One of the most important roles of a construction project manager is to control the project’s finances, as every slight adjustment might cause the project to run over budget. They must be able to track project expenses, generate estimates, and even look into other financing options.
8. Avoid micromanagement at all costs.
Micromanagement is a waste of time in an industry where tasks are huge and complex. The greatest construction project managers have faith in the abilities of their coworkers and team members to perform their tasks. They avoid getting caught up in the project’s detail by delegating jobs and explicitly expressing the job to be done by distributing duties and clearly expressing the job to be done.
9. Affinity for Technology
While the construction business is still one of the least computerized, it is catching up to the latest technological developments. As a result, construction project managers must be interested in new technologies that can help them improve efficiency, collaboration, and success rates.
10. Receptiveness to feedback
A skilled project manager may have extensive industry experience, but that does not eliminate the need for input. Even the finest construction project managers may miss things that experienced field workers notice. As a result, a project manager should be open to feedback from coworkers and team members as well as clients and superiors.
Because the work comprises significant obligations, being a construction project manager necessitates a wide range of abilities and characteristics. As construction projects grow in size and complexity, it’s on to business owners to find qualified people and train them to acquire these abilities.
