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What is the biggest challenge of being a construction manager?
#construction #management
I want to work somewhere in the building/construction industry as a future job.
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Glen’s Answer
There are a couple of types of construction managers that can get confused and I will try to separate the difference. There is a construction manager which works for the ultimate owner of the property/building and they are usually called owner's representative. The other construction manager is usually call a project manager, senior project manager or project executive. These individuals work for the general contractor and actually are responsible for completion of building the project. Both of these, the owner's representative and the project manager look at the same things to track the performance of the construction team related to budget, schedule, quality, safety, etc.
The project manager who works for the general contractor is ultimately responsible for managing/leading the construction team until the project is complete. The project managers are the hands on decision makers to see that the project team is performing as planned and make changes to keep the project on track until it is complete and all of the bills are paid. The project manager greatest challenge is to get the job done, give orders if needed to make changes to the project and see that quality and safety are maintained at the required level.
The owner's representative is responsible to see that the owner of the project understands where the project is as far as ahead or behind budget, schedule and will point out risks that the owner many not be familiar with as much as a construction professional. So the owner's representative is most challenged by clearly communicating where the project is at any point in time and making sure that they understand what their options are to make corrections on a timely basis.
The project manager who works for the general contractor is ultimately responsible for managing/leading the construction team until the project is complete. The project managers are the hands on decision makers to see that the project team is performing as planned and make changes to keep the project on track until it is complete and all of the bills are paid. The project manager greatest challenge is to get the job done, give orders if needed to make changes to the project and see that quality and safety are maintained at the required level.
The owner's representative is responsible to see that the owner of the project understands where the project is as far as ahead or behind budget, schedule and will point out risks that the owner many not be familiar with as much as a construction professional. So the owner's representative is most challenged by clearly communicating where the project is at any point in time and making sure that they understand what their options are to make corrections on a timely basis.
Great answer!!
Teresa Heinrich
Updated
Shawn’s Answer
There are of course many fields within the "Constructions Management" scope. I would engourage those interested to identify a specialized field of construction management that appeals to you. In my experience of pole and line construction (telecom) the biggest challenges can be coordinating/partnering with the other organizations (FCC, Local governments, other utilities, etc.) with a vested interest in the project being completed. There challenges are best dealt with through specialized experience and education that will provide the foresight to understand these types of challenges that the project might present. Once the challenges are identified, the "specialized" construction manager can best position the project for success.
Having the specialized knowledge in a specific field of construction will help you become specilized and a leader in the specialized field you're focused on. Although being specialized in a particular field can narrow the field of career opportunities available to you, the specialized experience/education will make you stand out from other candidates at specialized companies and provide opportunitiy for higher salaries.
Having the specialized knowledge in a specific field of construction will help you become specilized and a leader in the specialized field you're focused on. Although being specialized in a particular field can narrow the field of career opportunities available to you, the specialized experience/education will make you stand out from other candidates at specialized companies and provide opportunitiy for higher salaries.