What is the Project Management Process in Construction Management?
Stakeholders in the construction business pay as much attention to the project management process as professionals do in other fields. In the project management process, there are basically five stages which are the:
- Initiation stage
- Planning stage
- Execution stage
- Controlling stage
- Closing stage
Throughout these stages, managers track and monitor progress with the management tools at their disposal. Without further ado, let us explain each of these stages.
Project Management Stages
#1 Initiation Stage: At this stage, the project springs to life, and its value is determined by the parties involved. Before investors make a final decision on whether to move ahead or to shut it down, these components under the initiation stage are reviewed.
Business Case: The investment is analyzed holistically to see if it will provide the value promised. Managers and investors ask themselves, “Will the final utility or outcome justify the cost”?
Feasibility Study: This component covers the goals of the project, the work completion timeline, and the total cost of the project. The resources required to get the job done (labor and materials), as well as their cost, will be taken into account.
#2 Planning Stage: At this stage, the investors must have agreed that it makes business sense to invest in the project, so they approve it and assemble a team. This team is responsible for planning the project from start to finish. The component of the planning stage is as follows.
Scope: This spells out the vision, mission, and objectives which the project aims to achieve.
Definition: The objectives are broken down into smaller ones for easier management.
Task: The tasks necessary are identified.
Schedule: The timeline for completing tasks are reviewed, and deadlines are set.
Cost: The estimated cost for completing the entire project is reviewed, and a budget is drawn out.
Quality: The quality objectives are set
Organization: The organization of man, material, and equipment is set in motion with a model for progress report chosen.
Staff: The role and responsibilities of all involved.
Communication: The inflow and outflow of information dissemination are reviewed.
Risk: The potential risks of the project and the effect it will have on executors is identified. A template for risk management provides a clear course of action that should perceive potential risk surface.
Procurement: The terms of the contract and who handles what part of the contract.
#3 Execution Stage: At this stage, the project is set to begin.
Execute the plan: The plan that has already been created is followed through. Tasks are assigned, and progress is monitored to ensure that work does not stray away from the already established goals and objectives.
Administration: This involves contract management
#4 Monitor and Control Stage: This is an all-important stage and is performed in real-time as work in ongoing.
Reporting: A metric for measuring progress as well as a viable communication tool for disseminating information. This is usually done by tracking a KPI (Key Performance Indicator), which is a quantitative summary of data.
Scope: Control changes and monitor project scope
Quality: Ensuring that work is completed with set quality standards approved by team leaders during the planning stage.
Schedule: Tracking of work according to the work schedule and how they impact the project timeline for each phase.
Cost: Expenses monitoring and evaluation of cost changes
Risk: Identifying changes to expected risks and evaluating these changes as well as drawing up a quick solution.
#5 Closing Stage: This is the last phase of the project. It involves work evaluation.
Scope: Analyzing every phase of the project and ensuring that the quality meets approved standards.
Administration: Closing out all paperwork, closing contracts, and signing off on administrative matters.
This concludes a basic outline of what a project management process in construction looks like.
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