Construction project managers experience an extraordinary level of intricacies and complexities on a construction project, with hundreds or even thousands of activities being conducted by numerous stakeholders.
Not to mention the often significant budget at stake, as well as the various divergent interests that need to be coordinated in order for projects to come into fruition. Savvy construction managers understand the complexity of this process, and recognize that a comprehensive checklist is the key to making sure everything goes according to plan. Therefore, they often count on their project checklists as an invaluable tool throughout their journey.
Why should businesses have a construction project management checklist?
Construction project management checklists can be essential across multiple stages of a project. Without this type of review, you may miss out on issues that will become more costly to address later on down the line. Your checklist should provide an opportunity for thorough and decisive planning, which is key to establishing a successful timeline, as well as laying the groundwork for your construction plans.
Every construction project is unique and has inherent structures that can benefit from the use of a checklist. The most important advantage of using a checklist here is consistency – with each project manager or superintendent having their own work style, checklists ensure you adhere to these methods with precision every single time. No two checklists are ever alike; if you review scope before delving into contracts, your checklist will reflect this preference. Ultimately, this tool proves invaluable for guaranteeing successful projects are completed efficiently and effectively.
An additional perk of using a checklist is that it aids you in remembering the fine details during your reviews. With an organized list highlighting what to look for, you won’t miss any essential points. Moreover, breaking down tasks into smaller steps allows one to carefully consider each element without losing focus on the big picture. For example, not only will “reviewing contract” be much less exact than multiple subtasks such as inspecting clauses and deadlines involved; but also help promote greater productivity and success overall.
Leveraging a checklist helps you to guarantee that all possible variables that could interfere with the construction timeline are identified and addressed.
1. Risk review
Managing a construction project requires the accurate discovery, management and resolution of any potential risk issues. This is mainly due to the fact that constructing buildings carries many risks. If you conduct an honest review of what’s included in your plan, as well as current conditions, you’ve already undertaken part of this risk analysis process. By listing out these factors, it becomes possible for you to develop plans that help reduce or eliminate them or even obtain insurance coverage against them.
While planning any construction project, there are always multiple risks to consider. Labor and materials availability, weather conditions, or even the macroeconomic environment can all present a challenge. Crafting an effective risk plan is essential for success – the more potential dangers you identify in advance, the better your chances of avoiding issues down the line.
Ultimately, you should consider your checklist to be constantly evolving! When unexpected surprises arise, add in a new item. If you find yourself using an alternative tool or process that negates the need for one of the items on your list, take it off and make sure everything is up-to-date. A checklist will become pointless if not frequently used – so ensure its current relevance at all times.
2. Scope review
It is essential to remember that the project’s scope, which involves all of the necessary work, must be included in any successful construction management checklist. Furthermore, it is imperative to review both the drawings and scope side-by-side in order for them to align correctly. If there are features present within either the drawings or scope that are not found in its counterpart, this could cause issues down the line during construction time. So, a thorough review should always take place before commencing with building works.
As the scope of construction projects grow in complexity, there is a similar conundrum when an owner fails to provide a clear-cut scope – for instance, if you are attempting to build in provisions for future use but leave out information on how it will be constructed precisely. Not having this knowledge can lead you down dark and winding paths that could have been easily avoided had the initial requirements been established with clarity.
3. Contract review
It is essential for a project manager or superintendent to know the contract inside and out, as even minor mistakes can put the whole project at risk. Project management in construction requires specific skills due to its unique demands; contracts reflect this distinction by allocating responsibility among parties, apportioning risk appropriately, and establishing procedures for accountability. Make sure you are aware of your company’s interests before signing up – it could be a costly mistake.
As a project manager, it is imperative that teams are familiar with the methods and protocols related to claims in order to recover costs associated with errors. In addition to being familiar with contractual work, payments, and dispute resolution, it is important to be aware of the general conditions governing your relationship with owners and designers.
Apart from the contract between the owner and general contractor, most projects involve contracts among prime contractors and subcontractors. Both general contractor project managers as well as specialty contractor project managers should be aware of how to effectively work with these agreements.
4. Existing conditions review
Prior to the commencement of any construction project, taking stock of both existing conditions and potential problems needs to be included in your management checklist. This not only provides a clear starting point for new builds or renovations, but also helps you identify unexpected issues that may arise during the process. By accounting for these unforeseen factors early on, you can effectively plan ahead and ensure successful completion.
Does your construction site require extra preparation to gain access to utilities? Are special provisions necessary due to the rugged landscape or climate? Does previous usage of the site complicate matters and leave behind any issues that must be addressed before commencing with building operations?
When rebuilding for example, it is important to understand the existing structure. You need to be aware of where the utility lines are and what components support the load. Furthermore, any modifications made by past occupants should also be known before starting your project. For this reason, connecting your existing conditions review with your scope review will yield positive results for both aspects.
Conclusion
As construction project managers, there are a number of crucial elements that need to be taken into account when planning, organizing and executing construction projects. From identifying stakeholders and securing resources to allocating tasks and delivering the final product on schedule, construction project management is an intricate process requiring strategic oversight.
When ensuring successful construction project management, it is essential to have a comprehensive checklist that includes all the various elements of construction project management. This checklist should cover everything from pre-construction planning, budgeting and scheduling to construction materials, labour contracts and site safety protocols. By having this detailed list of items at hand, construction project managers can reduce their risk of errors and omissions while ensuring that construction projects are completed on time and within budget.
To guarantee successful completion of a construction project, the management checklist should encompass all aspects from quality assurance to customer satisfaction and post-construction review. Possessing an extensive list allows managers to save time and money while remaining organized – leading them on their path towards prosperity in every endeavour they undertake. By proactively considering these components of construction project management, you can ensure that each one is properly executed with outstanding results.
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