How relevant is it to have a Construction Manager?

Today we are going to talk about one of the ironically most undervalued professionals in the construction industry, the Construction Manager (CM). Doubts? Easy, let’s go.

What is a Construction Manager?

Construction Management is a service that uses processes and strategies for the direction, management, planning, design and execution of projects directly focused on the construction area.

In this way, the Construction Manager (CM) is the professional in charge of directing and managing the hiring of personnel and the materials necessary to carry out the work from start to finish, as well as ensuring that all the objectives set out in planning, from costs and delivery times to quality of work.

We can say that he is a Project Manager, but in the construction area. Of course, a very specialized one.

But what does a Construction Manager do?

The main functions of a Construction Manager (CM) are:

→ Serve the client: The CM must know in detail the needs and requests of the client and the company in order to negotiate with him and draw up an action plan;

→ Plan and design the project: Define and limit each part of the process, establish time frames to complete each one and identify the necessary resources to carry out each step;

→ Prepare a budget: Once the budget is accepted by the client, the CM will have to ensure that it does not exceed the budgeted amount;

→ Coordinate the work teams: Once the instrumental, industrial, economic and human materials required for the project have been identified, the CM will have to obtain and control them to ensure a good individual and joint operation;

→ Assess risks: In addition to the usual risks in any project, such as failure to meet deadlines or budget, another risk factor is added here: the safety of workers and end customers. In addition to knowing these risks, the CM must develop plans and strategies to prevent them or at least minimize their consequences;

→ Project monitoring and control: The CM must carry out the necessary tests to ensure that each stage of the project proceeds without any unforeseen events; and

→ Finalize the negotiation: At the end of the work, the CM manages the delivery together with the final documentation, certifications and other important documents. In addition, the CM must offer after-sales assistance in case of any incident or claim.

Importance of having a Construction Manager (CM)

Every CM must have a certain profile that enables them to carry out projects with a level of risk and complexity as high as those that exist in the construction sector. Having vast knowledge and experience in projects in this same area is vital. And it is only in this way, a CM can guarantee the best results for your company, your project and, of course, your future clients.

In any case, the Construction Manager is a trusted professional in charge of monitoring and ensuring the success of a project. And this is how this figure takes on significant relevance, since, thanks to it, we can count on the support of a professional at each stage of your project, which is even more important when there is a weakness in your knowledge of construction or management.