Construction Management Overview

Pre-Construction

• The pre-construction stage begins when the owner issues a notice to proceed to the contractor.
• The project team is assigned, including the project manager (PM), contract administrator, superintendent, and field engineer.
• A site investigation takes place to identify any necessary steps for site preparation.
• Unforeseen conditions, such as historical artifacts or environmental problems, are assessed.
• A soil test is conducted to determine the soil's suitability for construction.

Procurement

• Procurement involves purchasing labor, materials, and equipment needed for the project.
• General contractors may handle procurement if they perform all construction work themselves.
• Subcontractors, specializing in specific construction aspects, are hired through bidding processes.
• Purchase orders are used as agreements between buyers and sellers, ensuring product specifications and price adherence.

Construction Stage

• A pre-construction meeting, led by the superintendent, establishes decisions on work hours, material storage, quality control, and site access.
• The construction site is set up with necessary equipment and materials.
• A contractor progress payment schedule outlines payments to contractors and suppliers based on project milestones or set dates.
• Progress payments are made on a monthly basis or adjusted for specific milestones.

Owner Occupancy

• A warranty period begins when the owner occupies the building, ensuring materials, equipment, and quality meet contractual expectations.

Issues Resulting from Construction

• Dust and mud are created by construction vehicles, especially during dry months.
• Water trucks are used for dust control by spraying water on dry dirt.
• Mud created by water can be removed by street sweepers.
• Storm water pollution can result from soil displacement, potentially contaminating water bodies.
• Endangered species discovered on a construction site necessitate site closure until authorities assess the situation.
• Protective measures are needed for vegetation and wetlands to prevent damage.
• Historical or cultural artifacts require work stoppage until examination and removal.

Construction Activity Documentation

• Project meetings are held to discuss construction progress, concerns, and issues.
• Meeting discussions and decisions are documented.
• Diaries, logs, and daily field reports record daily job site activities.
• Project team members are expected to maintain diaries detailing daily work, conversations, observations, and relevant information.
• Logs track various job site activities, including phone calls, transmissions, deliveries, and requests for information (RFIs).
• Daily field reports are formal records of construction activities.

Design, Bid, Build Contracts

• Design, bid, build is a prevalent construction management model where the general contractor is selected through a tender process following design completion.

Design-Build Contracts

• In design-build contracts, the construction team, known as the design-builder, is responsible for design and construction.
• Virtual design and construction technologies are used to optimize construction timelines.

Architect and Engineers

• Architects and engineers perform work inspections, handle change orders, review payments, manage materials and samples, review shop drawings, and create 3D images.

Agency CM (Construction Manager)

• Construction cost management is a fee-based service where the CM represents the owner's interests at every project stage.
• Benefits of agency CM include:
  • Optimal fund usage
  • Work scope control
  • Project scheduling
  • Design and construction firm talent utilization
  • Delay, change, and dispute prevention
  • Enhanced project design and construction quality
  • Flexibility in contracting and procurement
  • Cash flow management
  • Comprehensive project management starting from the initial concept.
• The agency CM supports the owner in selecting design and construction teams, managing design, and staying within a pre-determined budget.

CM at Risk

• CM at-risk involves a construction manager's guarantee to complete a project within a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP).
• The construction manager acts as a consultant during design development and preconstruction phases and as a general contractor during construction.
• The CM's focus shifts beyond representing the owner to controlling construction costs within the GMP.
• CM at-risk aims for budget management before design completion and project mobilization.
• Advantages include incentive for the CM to efficiently manage construction costs and handle design or scope changes.
• Drawbacks include potential financial burden on the CM in case of cost overruns and potential reduction in work scope to fit the GMP.

CM at Risk: Bottom Line

• CM at-risk is suited for large, complex projects with changing scope or tight deadlines.