Why Project Management Skill Matters
Imagine a system that brings leadership, quality, and direction to projects while align those efforts with a BUSINESS STRATEGY.
This system is project management, in a nutshell. All projects are a temporary endeavor where a unique product, service, or result is delivered. Construction projects are no different. There are more than 16.5 million project managers scattered across the globe in nearly every industry whose job it is to get things done and show progress, every single day.
While successful project delivery is important to all industries, there are some industries - like construction - where the entire volume of all services rendered is comprised exlusively of projects. For that reason alone, it’s easy to see why having exceptional project management skills in construction is crucial.
In the current climate, technology and software advances are often mistakenly substituted in lieu of project management skill. While technology and tools are undoubtedly important, expert project managers (like those who are PMI Certified Project Management Professionals) also know how to ensure:
Business requirements have been weighed, measured, and incorporated into the project
Long-term strategic goals are met through project delivery
Risks are adequately mitigated, and opportunities are properly exploited during the project lifecycle
The correct project scope is delivered within budget, and on-time.
So how can you complete your construction project without compromising the iron triangle of project management (Budget, Scope, and Schedule), while integrating project management principles which result in controlled cost, and drastically improving project results and outcomes?
Use these strategies to help you align your project with the goals of the business organization:
Capture Requirements
This is a critical skill to master, and so important to develop a needs assessment early on in planning and maintain throughout the lifecycle of your project. Not only does it allow you to capture the features and functions of the proposed project, but it also allows you to see the ‘Gaps’ and or ‘Discrepancies’ between a current condition versus a proposed condition.
Did you know that according to PMI, a whopping 52% of projects in 2017-2018 underwent uncontrolled changes and scope creep? The number one reason for this is a failure to capture and monitor requirements throughout the project’s lifecycle.
Adopt a Structured System
Utilizing effective project management software could be one of the leading contributors to project success. Generally speaking, there are several ways to structure your PM software. For example, a more rigid approach would be a waterfall or predictive structure, while Agile which is much more-fast paced and adaptive to constant change. Which ever system is being used make sure it is tailored for your project to ensure success.
Most construction projects initiate in a waterfall, or predictive lifecycle, but quickly hybridize to a blended approach once the project gains momentum.
Communicate Effectively
According to Forbes article “How to stop wasting 2.5 hours on email everyday” the average worker receives approximately 200 messengers a day, which requires a whooping 2.5 hours of reading / replying to emails - an astonishing 31.25% of your day.
Choosing the correct modality and frequency of communication is an important decision point when structuring your project management system. For example, how are project reports being delivered to project stakeholders? Are they daily, weekly, or monthly? Taking the time to map this out and clearly defining prior to starting any project is critical.
Details like these are especially important to team communication. We highly recommend weekly team meetings where the project lead walks the team through a retrospective to discuss and support the team through successes and opportunities together- greatly enhancing team cohesion and performance
Clients hire project managers with an expectation of performance and expert guidance. As project management professionals, we have a duty of care to successfully complete projects by delivering the right scope, the right way, in budget, and on-time. It’s time to elevate the construction industry by highlighting the importance of formal project management education and skill development.
Given the same set of constraints and circumstances, the #1 differentiator of success in a projectized environment is project management skill.
Construction Simplified offers construction management services for commercial and residential real estate projects, along with expert guidance on how to strategically navigate improvements to realize business goals. As a consulting firm, we streamline project delivery by providing strategic direction, consolidated communication, and fully transparent controls to our clients and teams - to dramatically improve not only project outcomes, but also the entire construction experience. Whether you’re starting from the planning stage, or facing challenges on a project already underway, let us help you bring your construction project across the finish line, comfortably and successfully.