What makes a construction manager successful? In short, this role requires overseeing and coordinating multiple aspects of a project, including planning and takeoff all the way to building completion. The construction project manager must ensure that the construction work progresses according to the set timelines and within the estimated budget.
Construction projects also involve handling permits, documentation, contracts, and safety measures. Construction managers need to ensure that the necessary materials and human resources are available and on time for each phase of the work to be performed on the project.
Managing construction projects requires leadership skills, coordination, and problem-solving abilities. Below, we will look at four essential tips for becoming a successful construction manager and how to achieve them.
Monitoring and analyzing project progress
As important as proper planning for a construction project is the ability to control its development and work progress. Nowadays, project tracking platforms allow for real-time reporting on the status of tasks, document updates, and resource availability.
In the building and construction industry, up-to-date real-time reports on the work progress enable the detection and analysis of project variances, safeguarding time and costs. Preventive or corrective measures are crucial to keeping the project within the established schedule and budget.
How can you achieve effective analysis and progress tracking? By facilitating the generation of reports that can be shared with relevant teams. Updated and accurate information allows for understanding the development and correcting deviations even before they materialize.
Communication with collaborators and work teams
Effective communication is key throughout the project management process. The various teams of collaborators, contractors, and other workers need to be connected to update the status of their tasks. Communication channels should be established in advance with collaborators to optimize response times and coordination effectiveness.
The construction manager must be connected with other project collaborators, both on-site to receive updates and with administrative office personnel. Good project management depends on agile and organized remote communications.
That’s why a construction project management application facilitates the connection between management and the rest of the collaborators. Through written and voice messages, both from the office and the construction site, team communication is fluid and detailed. Additionally, the ability to upload photos and videos of the construction work allows for progressive and easy updating of the project’s progress, quickly and effectively.
Maintaining organized documentation and information
One of the greatest challenges faced by those leading construction projects is keeping all the information organized and up to date. Whether it’s contracting, plans, authorizations, or certifications, all documentation must be complete and ready on time. Efficient document organization is key to saving time and money.
How can construction managers quickly and easily check if the documentation is compliant? They need to do this without having to track papers or make office calls. The solution is to use a digital platform that allows for uploading, updating, and sharing files in an orderly, secure, and simple manner.
Having a document management system with cloud connectivity has countless benefits. Perhaps one of the main ones is the ability to efficiently organize key documentation, making it easy to update and share with collaborators and clients as needed.
Learning and reusing information from all projects
The experience from one project can be really useful for the next construction work you build. For example, how well a contractor from a previous project performed. Has the price and service of a particular material supplier been optimal? How have payments been managed with the client? All that historical information can be intelligently reused in a new project to reduce costs and time.
Having clear and quick access to information from all projects is crucial for construction businesses. Having a software solution that preserves billing information, price lists, as well as work history records generate great value for construction businesses.
By managing historical information in one unique platform, costs are optimized, strong supplier networks are built, and the foundation is laid for fruitful relationships with clients for multiple projects. May the previous work serve for more business and better jobs in the future.
In conclusion, carrying out a construction project requires coordinating multiple parts while maintaining fluid communication and detailed monitoring. Equally important is being able to carry out these tasks in an agile, organized, and connected manner.
Our software, BrickControl, allows for working on these four keys to successful construction projects, assisting not only construction managers but also contractors and clients. Would you like to learn more about managing successful construction projects? Take a look at the quick BrickControl video demo right here.
