MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

CM 650 PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT

1st Semester, SY 2020-2021

ASSIGNMENT #2

MARY JADE C. ANIÑON, RCE

December 20, 2020
 CM 650 Principles of Construction Management
Assignment #2

1. What is a construction project manager? Define the role of the construction project manager in
the project types and each of the five stages of the construction project life cycle.

Construction Management is the approach applied only on the construction phase of a

project, basically a subset/part of project management. It focuses on all aspects of construction -
from schedule, budget, safety, quality and the execution of the actual work on site. You need to be
equipped with right knowledge and skills and proper tools and technique in order to attain your
project objectives and goals and it can only be achieved through different process groups and
knowledge areas. Also, learning The Five Process Groups discussed in PMBOK namely Initiating,
Planning, Monitoring, Controlling and Close Out would be easy to start with.
It was Henri Fayol who put an argument that management carry out five basic functions,
and these are following - planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and controlling (Fayol, 1917).
Planning is a key management function. After planning the next step is to organize the
team and resources so that action plans can be implemented. Organizing is focusing on the "how"
to achieve objectives. Leading involves articulating a vision, energizing employees, inspiring and
motivating people using vision, influence, persuasion, and effective communication skills. Staffing
refers to recruiting and selecting employees for positions within the company (within teams and
departments). And lastly, controlling is how well you are achieving your goals, improving
performance, taking actions. Put processes in place to help you establish standards, so you can
measure, compare, and make decisions. (Wren, Bedeian, & Breeze, 2002)
All these five functions of management are closely interrelated. However, these functions
are highly indistinguishable and virtually unrecognizable on the job. It is necessary, though, to put
each function separately into focus and deal with it.

2. What are some of the issues and concerns presently affecting the following?
• Construction Project Managers – Construction Project Managers are faced with direct
construction operations problems such as time constraints, safety, work force consideration
and the nature of construction work. Only those skilled and well-trained managers can handle
a very complex problem like what mentioned above. Yet, most of today’s construction project
managers don’t have the required skills to be in the position. There are those who rose to the
position due to what we called backer or based on what school you came from and other stuff.
• Contractors - Many contractors have problems finding reliable subcontractors for the jobs.
Another issue is the cashflow. You have payments due to your subcontractors, employees,
vendors, materials suppliers, and equipment renters but you don’t get paid until the project is
complete. And unless you have enough available cash flow, this can be a major problem.
• Engineering and design professionals - lot of construction companies are still operating with
traditional methods. Apart from machines and heavy equipment, they don’t seem to consider
using new innovations that can help keep them on top of the computation. Lack of equipped
professionals.
• Construction workers – Technology advancement poses a threat to construction workers in
term of productivity. Construction workers are not appreciated enough and are underpaid. They
 work hard but are paid less and some contractors don’t pay the Government mandated benefits.
Some are not properly trained or given training to improve their skills.
• Construction materials and manufacturers - Despite the increasing demand for construction
projects, the industry still suffers from a lack of new blood that are interested in starting a
career in construction. Employee turnovers also happen all the time in the construction
industry. Just when you think you have trained enough valuable people under your wing; they
suddenly decide to seek better opportunities at another company or they pursue a different job
in a completely different industry. And these labor management issues particularly challenge
material suppliers because the materials industry isn’t something that can be learned within
just a few months of working. However, it is rather crucial for material suppliers to provide
their employees with proper training and mentorship and to encourage career growth because
they are also guarded with how can they let them stay long. It is one thing to hire people who
are willing to learn the ropes of the industry, but it is an entirely different thing to keep them
and have them onboard to help the company grow and adapt to changes. Also, high cost of raw
materials and fabrication has been the driving force why some of construction materials have
higher cost.
• Equipment suppliers and lessors - There are a lot of equipment suppliers and lessors though
the problem is most of the equipment are old and have a high maintenance cost and in turn low
productivity rate. Some lessors charge higher rate per hour even though units are not brand
new or of new model and operator often times lacks the skills and training to do the job
efficiently. Owning an equipment requires regular maintenance which also requires a big
amount of cashflow.
• Engineering and construction educators – I guess we are getting the same old things in our
graduates, despite the fact that the industry and technology have moved on and only increased
their rate of change. Sadly, the academic community does not usually proactively seek industry
input. Not referring generally, but there is an overall attitude of “we are smart and know what
is best to teach.” And maybe to an extent that is true.

3. What are some of the challenges faced by the following in this new century?
• Construction project managers – Inadequate Risk Management. Often, project managers
put safeguards in place for long-term risk. Short-term issues, however, often are left out of
the equation. These issues can snowball quickly and start to have a real impact on the
bottom line. Or investing on natural disaster risk management since these are the risk that
rarely happens in real life such as this century’s pandemic. We didn’t expect it all and it is
taking a toll on everyone. Therefore, it’s important to have contingency plans. Build some
wiggle room into schedules, and make investments in programs like safety training to avoid
any of those potential issues.
• Contractors – Considering today’s hot issue – Covid19 pandemic, Contractors should
upgrade the operational standards from safety, quality and professional ethics to better the
services to be rendered.
• Engineering and design professionals – Some companies are downsizing their employees
due to the pandemic. There are employees having one or more work added to their job
description yet no increase in salary. Or companies no longer rendering overtime which
 some of the personnel referred to because of the overtime pay which greatly help especially
in times like this.
• Construction workers - construction companies must take a closer look at their current
compensation and benefits packages in order to retain and attract new talent.
• Construction materials and manufacturers - Being a material supplier means having to
adapt to innovations in multiple aspects of the industry. Also, newly imposed tariffs are
raising the base price of common construction materials. These new tariffs could impact
the overall cost of construction, making it more difficult for contractors to guarantee
material cost, thus losing a lot of potential for profit.
• Equipment suppliers and lessors – Equipment lessors are forced to have their equipment
rented lower than the usual price. If not, equipment being kept on because some of the
construction company are closed down and stopped working due to pandemic. Lessing
would be less profitable in the next years. Also, company now a days are gearing on owning
its own fleet because of the rising cost of renting. Rather than paying a huge some to rent
an equipment companies are now acquiring their own.
• Engineering and construction educators - Technology in education is also a challenge
wrought about this pandemic. School funding on more trainings and technology
advancement is still would be challenge for educators. Now that we have a new school set
up, it is difficult to learn engineering curriculum in an online set up.