Importance of project management

1.1. Describes a Construction Projects

The construction project is defined as all other projects by the following characteristics:
 Defined goal or objective;
 Specific tasks to be performed;
 Defined beginning and end;
 Resources being consumed.
The goal of construction project is to build something. The difference of the construction industry’s
projects from other industries’ projects is that its projects are large, built on-site, and generally
unique. Time, money, labor, equipment, and, materials are all examples of the kinds of resources
that are consumed by the construction project. Projects begin with a stated goal established by the
owner/investor and accomplished by the project team. As the team begins to design, estimate, and
plan out the project, the members learn more about the project than was known when the goal was
first established. This often leads to a redefinition of the stated project goals.

1.2. Lists the phases of Construction Project.

Preconstruction phase
The preconstruction phase of a project can be broken into conceptual planning, schematic
design, design development, and contract documents.
Conceptual design:
Very important for the owner.
- During this stage the owner hires key consultants including the designer and project
manager, selects the project site, and establish a conceptual estimate, schedule, and
program.
- The owner must gather as much information as possible about the project.
- The most important decision is to proceed with the project or not.
Schematic design:
- During this phase, the project team investigates alternate design solutions, materials and
systems.
- Completion of this stage represents about 30% of the design completion for the project.
Design development:
- Designing the main systems and components of the project.
- Good communication between owner, designer, and construction manager is critical
during this stage because selections during this design stage affect project appearance,
construction and cost. - This stage takes the project from 30% design to 60% design.
Contract documents:
- Final preparation of the documents necessary for the bid package such as the drawings,
specifications, general conditions, and bill of quantities.
- All documents need to be closely reviewed by the construction manager and appropriate
owner personnel to decrease conflicts, and changes
. - With the contract documents are almost complete; a detailed and complete cost estimate
for the project can be done.
Procurement phase (Bidding and award phase)
- The project formally transits from design into construction.
- This stage begins with a public advertisement for all interested bidders or an invitation for
specific bidders.
- In fast-track projects, this phase overlaps with the design phase.
- If the project is phased, each work package will be advertised and bid out individually.
- It is very important stage to select highly qualified contractors. It is not wise to select the
under-bid contractors.
Construction phase
- The actual physical construction of the project stage.
- This stage takes the project from procurement through the final completion.
- It is the time where the bulk of the owner’s funds will be spent.
- It is the outcome of all previous stages (i.e., good preparation means smooth
construction)
- The consultant will be deployed for contract administration and construction supervision.
- Changes during construction may hinder the progress of the project.
Closeout phase
- Transition from design and construction to the actual use of the constructed facility.
- In this stage, the management team must provide documentation, shop drawings, as-
built drawings, and operation manuals to the owner organization.
 - The as-built drawings are the original contract drawings adjusted to reflect all the
changes that occurred.
- Assessment of the project team’s performance is crucial in this stage for avoiding
mistakes in the future.
- Actual activity costs and durations should be recorded and compared with that was
planned. This updated costs and durations will serve as the basis for the estimating and
scheduling of future projects.

1.3. State the Importance of Construction and Construction

Industry
Construction Industry is one of the cannonading industries of today that has a great impact on the
economy of any nation. Any piece of infrastructure or real estate erected around us is undertaken
by segments under Construction Industry. The scope of Construction Industry is too broad and
HHI Lifting is making its valuable contribution for expanding it further.
Role of Construction Industry
Any kind of alterations in structuring properties is done by a professional construction Industry.
Construction can be generic or based on civil engineering. Building of a dam, road, monument,
wooden structure, real estate assets, etc. is done by Construction Industry with proper
calculations.
Contribution of Construction Industry in Economic Growth
Construction is an important sector that contributes greatly in the economic growth of a nation.
The Construction Industry is an investment-led sector where government shows high interest.
Government contracts with Construction Industry to develop infrastructure related to health,
transport as well as education sector. For prosperity of any nation, Construction Industry is
quintessential.
Diversified Clients Act in Construction Deal
The Construction Industry is diversified. It involves numerous clients like property builders,
property developers, material suppliers and contractors. The Construction Industry brings cost-
effective building solutions where in all these clients play an active role to make the contract a
success. Also, attractive construction of the infrastructure attracts many inward investors for
business deals. Well constructed infrastructure creates a healthy environment to work in, thereby
increasing productivity and flexibility of the labour force.
Pollution Control
Construction industry works with calculations and within the framework of carbon credits. Their
input of resources is precise by implementing optimum use with minimum wastage.
Logistics
Logistics contributes greatly to the construction industry. It teaches effective management of
product transport, product handling, delivery of material, storage etc. Executing logistics on
Construction Industry reduces cost by up to 2.5%.
Tools and Machines
With the competitive times, many construction equipments have been introduced that make
construction work easy, quick as well as safe. Certain common construction equipments are:
 Aerial Lifts
 Concrete Mixture
 Backhoe Loaders
 Cranes
 Excavators
 Generators
 Engines
 Light Towers
 Scrapers
 Trailers
 Welders and many more.
Based on the type of construction, construction tools and machines can be categorised as:
EARTH-MOVING EQUIPMENTS
These equipments help in digging foundations and landscape areas.
CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES
These are heavy duty vehicles for conducting civil engineering tasks.
MATERIAL HANDLING EQUIPMENTS
These equipments lift or move construction materials. E.g., Crane- It is the most common
construction machine seen at the construction site. Construction activity is incomplete without
the use of cranes, and crane rigging is one of its specialties.
CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENTS
These equipments are mixtures and conveyors used during construction.
Hence, as mentioned above the construction industry plays a significant role in the success of the
economy. The government, and other regulatory authorities, need to consider these points
seriously in order to ensure that the industry receives the importance that it deserves.

1.4. Defines Management.

Project management in construction is the overall planning, coordination, and control of
a project from beginning to completion. It is aimed to produce functionally and
financially liable project meeting a client’s requirements. The construction industry is
composed of five sectors: residential, commercial, heavy civil, industrial, and
environmental. A construction manager holds the same responsibilities and completes
the same processes in each sector. For completion of a project we use different types of
equipment, materials, Sub-contractors, to complete the project within the given time.
Here, we deal with government and private projects, contracts, organizational aspects of
a construction industry and entrepreneurship in construction industry. It also explains
about human relations and behavioral aspects of an employee in construction industry.

Construction : It is a process of converting basic materials into civil engineering product.

Here, the basic civil engineering materials are handled, cut, finished, polished, mixed and
finally forms a civil engineering product.

Project : A project is composed of jobs, activities, functions or tasks that are related
one another in some manner, and all of these should be completed in order to complete
the project.

It is a mission or a goal undertaken to create a unique product or service or result with in

specified limitations.

(or)

Project can also be defined as a set of interrelated tasks to be executed in a fixed period and
within certain cost and many other limitations.

Any project has to be completed within a specified time and cost, and other limitations
meeting all the requirements. In Construction field a project may be defined as the planning,
design and construction of a structure meeting all the desired requirements within the
specified limits.
Management is the process of reaching organizational goals by working with and through
people and other organizational resources.

Management has the following 3 characteristics :

1. It is a process or series of continuing and related activities.

2. It involves and concentrates on reaching organizational goals.
3. It reaches these goals by working with and through people and other organizational
resources.

1.5 States the functions of Management.

The management process can be seen as a circular continuous movement as shown :

Planning

Controlling Organising

Directing Staffing

According to the functions approach managers perform certain activities to efficiently and
effectively coordinate the work of others. They can be classified as,

1. Planning : Involves defining goals, establishing strategies for

achieving those goals, and developing plans to integrate and
coordinate activities.

2. Organizing : Involves arranging and structuring work to

accomplish the organization’s goals.

3. Directing : Involves give direction to the staff and how to do their

jobs.

4. Leading : Involves working with and through people to

accomplish organizational goals.
5. Controlling : Involves monitoring, comparing, and correcting
work performance. Since these four management functions are
integrated into the activities of managers throughout the workday,
they should be viewed as an ongoing process and they need not the
done in the above sequence.