Construction management (CM) is a professional service that applies project management techniques to the planning, design, and construction of a project, from its beginning to its completion. The goal of CM is to control a project's scope, time, cost, and quality (sometimes called the project management triangle or "triple constraints") to achieve the owner’s objectives.[1][2]
Construction management focuses on integrating cost, schedule, quality, safety, and scope throughout the project lifecycle. Unlike a general contractor, a CM firm or professional may be engaged as an owner’s representative to advise during feasibility, design, procurement, and construction.
Roles and responsibilities
A construction manager’s responsibilities typically include:
Planning and scheduling
Budgeting and cost control
Contract administration
Quality and safety management
Communication and stakeholder coordination
Documentation and claims management
According to the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA), the seven common categories of responsibility are: Project Management Planning, Cost Management, Time Management, Quality Management, Contract Administration, Safety Management, and CM Professional Practice.[5][failed verification]
Functions
Core functions of construction management include:
Specifying project objectives and plans, including scope, budgeting, scheduling, performance requirements, and selecting participants
Maximizing resource efficiency through procurement of labor, materials, and equipment
Coordinating design, estimating, contracting, and construction
Establishing communication systems and conflict-resolution mechanisms[6]
Procurement
Bids
Open bid: Any contractor can submit a bid (common in public projects).
Closed bid: Only invited contractors can submit (common in private projects).[7]
Selection methods
Low-bid selection: Chooses the lowest price.
Best-value selection: Considers price and qualifications.
Qualifications-based selection: Considers qualifications only. Often used in early design stages.[7]
Contract types
Lump sum – Fixed price for project delivery
Cost plus fee – Owner pays cost plus a fee/percentage
Guaranteed maximum price – Cost-plus contract with a cap
Unit price – Used when scope is uncertain, priced per unit[7]
Environmental protection (stormwater, endangered species, vegetation, wetlands, cultural artifacts)[7]
Documentation
Project documentation may include diaries, logs, and daily field reports. These records are important for dispute resolution and can be used as evidence in legal proceedings.[7]
Dispute resolution
Methods include mediation, minitrial, and arbitration. Arbitration is binding and typically more costly than mediation.[7]
Education and practice
CM is taught in associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. Accreditation bodies include ABET, the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE), and the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC). Programs cover management, construction methods, and law.[10][11]
Software
Construction and capital project management software (CPMS) help manage budgets, schedules, documents, and collaboration. Increasingly, cloud platforms allow owners, contractors, and consultants to work together in real time.
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