5 Construction Management Tips

January 23, 2021
Construction plan on a table

What are some good construction management tips?

  1. Communicate
  2. Choose the right tools
  3. Prioritize safety
  4. Make sure finances are on track
  5. Use technology

A construction manager is one of the most important individuals of any project. They ensure that the project meets all the demands regarding scheduling, design, budgeting, buildability, and many more. More than that, they also see to it that they understand all the most effective construction management tips for the success of any project — be it small or large. Aside from the presence of skilled workers and using the right equipment, a construction project will only be successful if it is well-organized by the right people with the right know-how.

For effective management, everyone must communicate, use the right machines, prioritize safety, and generally ensure that everything is in order. Continue reading to learn more.

Communicate

Communication is key to every project. When people are all on the same page, there is less confusion about expectations and a focus on completing the project on time. An effective site manager sees to it that every person involved in the project — whether it be architects, designers, electrical contractors, drywaller, utility personnel, and the like — have the right information to do their jobs.

Without communication, a project can be difficult to complete satisfactorily. Many issues can occur throughout the process. For example, there may be miscommunications on the design of the building or the kind of materials that need to be used. Resolving these issues might cause major delays on the project and further cost blowouts that could have been avoided in the first place with proper communication.

Choose The Right Tools

Construction tools on a table

The expertise of any project’s manpower is just as good as the tools, machines, and equipment they’re using. If they’re not using the appropriate materials to conduct any form of manual work, it can cause damage to the design and the need to rework certain portions of the project.

To prevent this from happening, the role of those involved in construction management is to procure, transport, and ensure that everyone is equipped with what they need for their tasks. These can include heavy machinery, pallets, pipes, power tools, concrete, sections, rebars, and many more.

If site personnel and workers have access to these tools, they can do their job more efficiently and productively. No time is wasted and no equipment is damaged in the process.

Prioritize Safety

Construction management is all about prioritizing the safety of everyone present on the site. This is because the location is a hotspot for potential issues without the right regulations in place. Workers may endanger themselves due to poor safety implementation that causes problems to both the project and the personnel.

Safety is observed in every construction project with the assistance of effective managers. They see to it that everyone is wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), every scaffolding/platform is stable for use, and that there are no structural and environmental hazards that can compromise lives.

Part of improving the safety of a site has to do with keeping it physically organized. As such, managers direct the flow and outflow of materials for proper storage to avoid physical obstacles in the area.

Make Sure Finances Are On Track

A construction manager looking at a construction plan

Costs are inevitable in every construction project, plain and simple. While owners may want to keep the budget as planned, there are unexpected circumstances that may lead to cost increases and other kinds of expenses.

Making sure that finances are on track is another responsibility for construction managers. This can be done in a number of ways like consistently recording and keeping up-to-date records of financial activities, billings, revenue reports, and the like. Oftentimes, however, these administrative activities are done by a bookkeeper or an accountant. It’s still a good habit for managers to oversee them for consistency.

Other expenses may also arise as a result of construction activities. To give an example, materials like cement, concrete, paint, timber, or structural sections may not be in the right quantity, which demands the need for more purchasing. It’s the role of the manager to get these materials from the right sources, making sure that all financial records are accurately logged.

Use Technology

Every industry benefits from technology, even construction. Engaging in automated practices can make a construction site much more efficient and productive, due to lower reliance on manual activities that may cause even more issues to the project.

With this in mind, construction managers should also invest in technology that can speed up processes without sacrificing the quality of the work. For example, instead of just using cloud-based spreadsheets or word processing apps for information management, managers can use software instead. Any errors or redundancies are minimized and all reports at the end of the day more accurately reflect the activities that took place.

When it comes to site inspections, on the other hand, managers can invest in devices like drones that can help them conduct better mapping of the site and reach narrow areas that might be difficult to identify on foot.

Key Takeaway

In this guide, you’ve learned about several construction management tips that can make any site safer and more productive. Site management is all about prioritizing the safety of everyone and making sure that clear communication is practiced.

Management also demands the need for efficient strategies such as investing in technology, overseeing administrative work, making sure everyone is using the best tools for the job, and keeping finances in check.

Need to hire a construction manager for your project? Cross-Link Electric & Construction Corporation have the right people. Click here to learn more about our services. For more inquiries, you may also contact us on this page.