Successful Construction Project Managers and Effective Execution of Duties - Essay Example

Name: Course: Tutor: Date: Introduction Construction project management entails a wide range of responsibilities and activities. Civil engineering contracts, project management consultation, and construction consultation are examples of activities that consultation project managers undertake. In this regard, it is essential that necessary skills be applied to reciprocate effective and efficient service delivery. There is a diversity of career paths, which construction project managers can engage into (Pinto and Trailer 56). Dynamic forces in the industry require critical skills to meet industry demands. Leadership skills, in-depth knowledge of the construction industry, and decision-making skills are key skills in the construction industry. Business owners are well aware that construction project managers affect their businesses in one way or another. In addition, finance management is another aspect, which business owners consider when selecting these expertise. Successful construction project managers possess a wide range of traits, which reflect their achievements. Industry players consider qualities and factors in determining successful and potential construction project managers. In this regard, graduates are delving into understanding these qualities necessary in the industry. Essential attributes in this field include adaptive, flexible, and ability to cope with the rapid changing industry dynamics. Global competitiveness has created demand for highly educated and skillful construction project managers (Dinsmore and Cabanis-Brewin 76). Education and professionalism A good educational background prepares construction managers (CM) for industry needs. In-depth knowledge acquired from studies places managers on a position of solving technical problems. It is worth noting that construction management has formed part of civil engineering programs for a long period. In recent years, construction management has come out as a separate and distinct program of its own. Several bodies have accredited the course such as the Australian Institute of Building and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). Obtaining accreditation from such bodies boost academic qualifications of a CM. For starters, relevant degree programs are well suited in commencing a successful career path. These include building sciences, architecture, engineering, and construction management. Educational background provides students theoretical ideas in construction management. About education, training also cements educational qualifications. Construction managers’ job demands are in most cases heavy and complex, greatly relying on managerial skills (Dinsmore and Cabanis-Brewin 54). Training offers competence skills in graduates and employees, which consequently result in delivery of services. Training gives a piratical application of theoretical knowledge obtained from studies. In addition, it also enhances creativity, innovation, and fosters productivity. This is evident as some argue that educated people are less productive when first employed. On the other hand, training gives them necessary skills that supplement theoretical knowledge. Accepting responsibility Taking charge and responsibility of activities dictates accountability and transparency of a CM. Competent and successful CMs engage in coordinating and overseeing start and completion of an entire project. In addition, a CM takes responsibility of taking necessary precautions in order to minimize threats and risks involved. In this case, a CM stands out as a caretaker for the safety of the team working on the project. Adapting to a changing work environment It is evident that global competitiveness and technological advancements have changed the way people do work. Global projects are changing and becoming more and more complex as days go by. Cities such as Dubai are venturing into complex projects that require a high level of competence and expertise. In addition, the projects require integration of technology and high levels of creative and innovative skills. Technology is greatly attributed towards the change of guard from an industry-based approach towards a technology-based work environment. In some companies, some staff has suffered retrenchment because of not adapting with technological changes. Successful CMs are ready to learn and swiftly adapt to work environmental changes (Pinto and Trailer 12). Increased mechanization, technological changes, and high levels of expertise are the key factors attributing to changing work environments. Competent and successful CMs need to adapt and engage in high skills of expertise in productivity. Computer Literacy Technology has revolutionized the way we work and perform most of the day-to-day activities. In this regard, computers have comprehensively covered most of the activities. Computer literacy is an essential skill that stimulates productivity. Integration of machines, which provide high accurate results and creative ideas from CMs, contributes to greater achievements. Organizations all over the world are shifting towards a technological based way of performing activities. This has faced out manual ways of doing work. High levels of computer literacy sum up a competent and successful CM. In this case, calculations and simulations among other things are computerized thereby more simplified work. Computer applications have found a way into civil engineering activities. Measuring exact dimensions in regions which human cannot, providing accurate and reliable results are cases of technological advancements. Time management Time is an essential aspect in any project. Project time management entails recording of day-to-day activities in a project by reporting on the progress of particular and specific tasks. Successful CMs should possess a defined time track on various activities that comprise a project. With these type of details, it is possible to identify a specific individual working on a project, allocated time, exhausted time, and the remaining time for completion. It is essential that CMs possess time management skills. This knowledge enables CMs determine why the project is running out of time and the reasons behind it. In addition, this gives CMs necessary time to react and come up with solutions where necessary. This prevents the falling apart of a project (Dinsmore and Cabanis-Brewin 12). In addition, time management enables CMs measure their progress with the period allocated and determines the accuracy and progress of the project. Competent CMs should also determine working pace of their team. In this regard, supervise and coordinate the allocation of tasks to the working team. Skills involved in this category include: Definition of activities. Sequencing of activities. Time frame estimations. Schedule development. Schedule control. Effective application of the above skills ensures competence in time management. Exercise professional judgment Exercising professional judgment depends on the level of expertise and skills a manager possesses. The judgment refers to a technique in which specific set of criteria determine judgment of a particular case. In this case, construction management as a discipline itself possesses challenges that managers come across in day-to-day activities. Good judgment proves levels of expertise that a competent CM possesses. Engaging teammates is essential in coming up with a sound judgment. It is evident that humans make mistakes and thereby making consultations with others is essential. In addition, communicating with teammates solves other related problems because they are directly involved in undertaking the project. A competent CM should understand the responsibility attached in management of a project. Although discussions and consultations are made, the manager bears the sole authority of exercising final jurisdiction over cases. With this in mind, successful CMs analyze critically cases in order to come up with sound judgments. Practical Building Knowledge Practical building of knowledge is an essential aspect towards a project. Projects entail collective and purposeful activities that result into purposeful and constructive endings. They entail a wide range of aspects, which require high levels of expertise in conjunction with consultations made from various sectors (Dinsmore and Cabanis-Brewin 32). Competent CMs undertake application of theoretical knowledge into practical bases. Building knowledge also include learning from other project managers, performing benchmarking of other projects, just to mention a few. In addition, a competitive CM should be ready to learn and flexible in terms of discussing and arriving at conclusions with others. Rigid minds sometimes lock out venturing into greater possibilities. Successful CMs should possess knowledge of learning from others in order to achieve and succeed in respective projects. Interpersonal skills Strong interpersonal management skills are essential for any successful CM. The ability to communicate and supervise teammates is a stronghold in maintaining proper flow of activities in the project. Stimulating interpersonal communication enables a CM become influential. In addition, this fosters conflict resolution and application of ethical principles in the workplace. Assertiveness plays a major role in interpersonal communication. Competent CMs should be ready to speak their minds out without feeling guilty. This enables CMs take reasonable risks, express opinions freely, and talking to teammates without feeling offended. This trait can also consequently spread to teammates, as they are able to speak to the CM freely about their ideas and opinions freely. Talking freely but on a professional manner with teammates fosters communication between teammates. Consequently, managers can collect views, ideas, and opinions from teammates that prove useful. Professional relationships between teammates and the manager give way to effective communication without the feeling of guilt. Leadership Capability Teams depend on stewardship of the manager for the success of a project. Guidance and encouragement from project managers are essential in construction projects. Leadership skills delve into the following: Developing a structure for teams. Successful CMs outline project vision for each member of the team. This entails specific job given and the time allotted for its completion. Creation of a project-specific document enables new team members learn. This also encourages team bonding and cooperation (Pinto & Trailer, 1998). Clear communication between the CM and teams. Communication makes or breaks a project. Steady and consistent information flow between a CM and teams ensures a streamlined flow of activities. Successful CMs engage modern forms of communication platforms such as social networking. Availability of emails, twitter, and Facebook just to mention a few gives CMs an opportunity to come up with a communication plan. Leading by example. Successful CMs are role models of teams they work with. Having a positive attitude towards the project and availability of a CM are traits teams look into a manager. Being helpful and leading as an example means that team members will also respond accordingly. Encouraging trust. Trust is a vital component that cements verbal commitments made. CMs and teams should respond in a timely manner to requests made and provide assistances where necessary. Provision of motivation. A successful leader provides encouragement to team members. Along the way, at least each team member requires encouragement however small the project looks like (Dinsmore and Cabanis-Brewin 14). Be reliable. Offering assistance, encouragement, and resources leads to a successful project. Reliability is more like leading as others follow. It is essential that successful CMs are reliable. Numeracy Numeracy skills are essential in any project. Successful CMs are able to apply mathematical solutions in most aspects of a project. Diverse application of mathematics in a project includes data presentation in charts, graphs, and diagrams. These skills require reasoning and competence in confidence in solving these problems. Numeracy skills integrate mathematical aspects and the communication aspect. Oral communication Communication is an essential aspect in day-to-day activities. Successful CMs should be assertive when delivering information to teams. This gives an opportunity for others to respond by giving ideas or opinions for the same. Oral communication should be conveyed in such a way that it does not intimidate team members. This eliminates perceptions of underestimation, discrimination, and stigmatization. Competent CMs do not yell or shout at team members as others can take it as a sign of dictatorship. Consequently, this hampers effective communication in order to complete the project at the allotted time. In addition, oral communication is applied during meetings and discussions to foster cooperation and coordination between teams in the project. In noisy environments, CMs can apply non-verbal communication such as gestures and facial expressions. CMs should possess competent knowledge and skills on how to communicate with others effectively. Problem solving A project itself is a problem that requires a solution. Some problems are quickly manageable whereas others require competent skills and reasoning in order to solve them. Successful CMs are ready to tackle problems that may arise during the construction project. Using a systematic approach in tackling problems is essential in countering challenges. This approach incorporates the following: Identifying and defining the problem. Defining the problem enables CMs seek necessary solutions. Correctly defining the problem eliminates issues of allegations and counter allegations regarding the cause of the problem. For example, determining poor performance by a team member narrows down to dealing with a specific member and not stigmatizing the whole team. Determining cause of the problem. After identifying a problem, it is essential that a CM digs deeper to establish root causes if the problem. For example, after establishing poor performance by a team member it is necessary to find reasons behind the same. In this case, approaching the team member in order to establishing reasons for lagging behind. Generating ideas. After defining and determining causes for the problem, reasoning and ideas become useful at this point. Being creative in coming up with solutions is essential in problem solving. Brainstorming is an essential skill in establish solutions. Selecting the best solution. After brainstorming and establish relevant ideas, it becomes a task of identifying the best solution. In this case, CMs can apply trade-off analysis in which comparisons of the laid solutions are made. In addition, this implies ranking of the established solutions and selecting the highest of them all. Taking action. An action plan is essential in order to implement selected solution. In this case, establishing ways of implementing solutions. Successful CMs are able to maneuver challenges through consultations, reasoning, and effective communication. Environmental awareness Successful CMs are aware of the changing environmental dynamics in relation to climate change. Knowledge on environmental change heightens the necessary steps undertaken in conserving the environment. Organizations all over the world have focused on advocating for environmental policies, mitigating necessary measures, and promoting partnerships on climatic issues (Floyd and Matthew 65). In this regard, knowledge on key environmental issues comes in handy. They include global warming, acid rain; water pollution, resource usage, contaminated land, and air pollution just to mention a few. From these factors, CMs should seek ways of establishing solutions as regards to these key problems in connection with project management. Before selecting a construction site, environmental factors are given a key consideration as environmental bodies also intervene. Successful CMs should identify potential sites which meet recommendation of environmental bodies. Environmental policies and legislation are essential in coping up with the ever-changing environmental regulations. Competent CMs are able to update their knowledge as regards to the environment. Knowledge on environmental management enables CMs identify pros and cons of setting up structures in various spots. Climatic conditions such as winds, storms, and floods are essential in establishing a spot for a construction. Teamwork CMs imply different styles of action for successful projects. A successful CM chooses right people for particular tasks assigned to them. This stimulates accountability and transparency. CMs can effectively motivate team members to finish tasks within the allotted period. It is the responsibility of CMs to count every team member as part of the successful crew. CMs are held accountable to the smooth running of a project. Regular meetings and discussions improve communication and strategy building. Giving everyone an opportunity to participate in meetings and contributions in meetings fosters teamwork. It is much simpler having several people giving perspectives on related problems and suggested plans of action. A successful CM watches and ensures implementation of plans of actions. This is after delegating responsibilities to particular individuals and discussing the matter of what the project entails. Teamwork also ensures contingency plans are set up in order to counter challenges that may arise along the way in the project. Competent CMs are able to see the advantage of team bonding to foster cooperation and coordination between team members. Work Autonomously Successful CMs are able to work independently with minimal supervision. In this regard, once the project is given a CM should implement the authority of bringing the project to a success. Working autonomously enhances productivity, creativity, and innovation. Conclusion Successful construction project managers integrate essential skills for effective execution of duties with regard to the project. Integration of educational knowledge and practical aspects result to bringing success in a project. Works Cited Dinsmore, Paul and Jeannette Cabanis-Brewin. The AMA Handbook of Project Management. New York: AMACOM, 2010. Print. Floyd, Rita and Richard Matthew. Environmental Security: Approaches and Issues. London: Routledge, 2013. Print. Pinto, Jeffrey K. and Jeffrey W. Trailer. Leadership Skills for Project Managers. Boulevard Newtown Square: Project Management Institute, 1998. Read More

Technology is greatly attributed towards the change of guard from an industry-based approach towards a technology-based work environment. In some companies, some staff has suffered retrenchment because of not adapting with technological changes. Successful CMs are ready to learn and swiftly adapt to work environmental changes (Pinto and Trailer 12). Increased mechanization, technological changes, and high levels of expertise are the key factors attributing to changing work environments. Competent and successful CMs need to adapt and engage in high skills of expertise in productivity.

Computer Literacy Technology has revolutionized the way we work and perform most of the day-to-day activities. In this regard, computers have comprehensively covered most of the activities. Computer literacy is an essential skill that stimulates productivity. Integration of machines, which provide high accurate results and creative ideas from CMs, contributes to greater achievements. Organizations all over the world are shifting towards a technological based way of performing activities. This has faced out manual ways of doing work.

High levels of computer literacy sum up a competent and successful CM. In this case, calculations and simulations among other things are computerized thereby more simplified work. Computer applications have found a way into civil engineering activities. Measuring exact dimensions in regions which human cannot, providing accurate and reliable results are cases of technological advancements. Time management Time is an essential aspect in any project. Project time management entails recording of day-to-day activities in a project by reporting on the progress of particular and specific tasks.

Successful CMs should possess a defined time track on various activities that comprise a project. With these type of details, it is possible to identify a specific individual working on a project, allocated time, exhausted time, and the remaining time for completion. It is essential that CMs possess time management skills. This knowledge enables CMs determine why the project is running out of time and the reasons behind it. In addition, this gives CMs necessary time to react and come up with solutions where necessary.

This prevents the falling apart of a project (Dinsmore and Cabanis-Brewin 12). In addition, time management enables CMs measure their progress with the period allocated and determines the accuracy and progress of the project. Competent CMs should also determine working pace of their team. In this regard, supervise and coordinate the allocation of tasks to the working team. Skills involved in this category include: Definition of activities. Sequencing of activities. Time frame estimations. Schedule development.

Schedule control. Effective application of the above skills ensures competence in time management. Exercise professional judgment Exercising professional judgment depends on the level of expertise and skills a manager possesses. The judgment refers to a technique in which specific set of criteria determine judgment of a particular case. In this case, construction management as a discipline itself possesses challenges that managers come across in day-to-day activities. Good judgment proves levels of expertise that a competent CM possesses.

Engaging teammates is essential in coming up with a sound judgment. It is evident that humans make mistakes and thereby making consultations with others is essential. In addition, communicating with teammates solves other related problems because they are directly involved in undertaking the project. A competent CM should understand the responsibility attached in management of a project. Although discussions and consultations are made, the manager bears the sole authority of exercising final jurisdiction over cases.

With this in mind, successful CMs analyze critically cases in order to come up with sound judgments. Practical Building Knowledge Practical building of knowledge is an essential aspect towards a project.

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