How To Manage Construction Projects Like an Industry Pro

Let’s Consider The 5 Phases of Construction Project Management:

The five phases of the construction management process reflect those in traditional PM: project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and, once the team meets all completion goals, project closeout.

1. Initiation

Before the project starts, a project manager must develop and evaluate the business case to determine if the project is feasible and worth undertaking. Stakeholders may be asked to do their due diligence and to conduct feasibility testing if needed. When all parties agree to proceed with the project, the project manager writes a project charter or project initiation document (PID), which includes both the business needs and the business case.

2. Planning

Next, the project team develops a road map for all involved. This includes the project management plan (PMP), a formal, approved document created by the project manager to guide execution and control, as well as set baselines for scope, cost, and schedule. You can also expect to see these documents in the planning phase:

• Scope statement and scope documentation: This defines the project’s business need, benefits, objectives, deliverables, and key milestones.
• Work breakdown structure: The (work breakdown structure) breaks down the scope of the project into visual, manageable chunks.
• Communication plan: This outlines all aspects of communication, from goals and objectives to roles the tools required and methods. The communication plan creates a common framework that everyone can work from to avoid misunderstandings or conflict.
• Risk management plan: This helps project managers identify risks beforehand, including time and cost estimates that may not be met, potential budget cuts, shifting requirements, and a shortage of committed resources.

3. Execution

Now the work begins. Typically, all parties hold a kickoff meeting, then the project team begins the crucial work of assigning resources, implementing project management plans, setting up tracking systems, completing tasks, updating the project schedule, and if necessary, modifying the project plan.

4. Performance and Monitoring

The monitoring phase often happens concurrently with the execution phase. This phase is necessary to measure progress and performance and to ensure that items are in line with the overall project management plan.

5. Closure

This final phase marks the project’s completion. To mark the conclusion, project managers may hold a (post-mortem) meeting to discuss what parts of the project did and didn’t meet objectives. The project team then creates a punch list of any lingering tasks, performs a final budget, and issues a project report.

If you found this information useful, Follow Me on LinkedIn or visit Hamilton Mayer International’s website www.hamiltonmayer.com for more insights into the global network of Construction.