A Complete Guide for Construction Task Management
Oded Ran, CEO and Co-Founder of Clue since 2019, expertly integrates AI and data tools to revolutionize construction equipment management and maintenance, positioning Clue as a premier software choice in the construction industry.
Good management is crucial for successfully scaling up a business. Managing construction projects can often leave project managers scratching their heads due to their complexity.
However, this complexity can be simplified significantly if effective leadership practices are followed.
Knowledge forms the foundation for excelling in leadership roles. One must possess comprehensive industry knowledge to thrive in the construction business and manage it like a pro.
Let's delve deeper into the article to understand what it takes to excel in project construction management.
What is the Job of a Construction Task Manager?
A construction task manager oversees all the phases of construction management projects.
Project management involves tracking deadlines, monitoring asset use, maintenance, and expenses, and ensuring that the project is completed on time according to the requirements.
Managers collaborate with architects, engineers, and clients throughout the project. Hence, they need to understand each team and how stakeholders are contributing.
A daily construction task manager must ensure that everyone works as a team and that the process is smooth.
How To Do Construction Task Management Effectively?
Here are some valuable tips and strategies to succeed in the field of construction management.
Influential Communication
Team leaders must communicate with each team member, whether an engineer or an investor. Construction managers' daily tasks must include tailoring their messages and making complex topics easier for non-industry experts.
For instance, when explaining the progress of a construction project to stakeholders who aren't familiar with technical terminology, a construction manager might use layman's terms and visual aids such as diagrams or progress reports to ensure clear understanding.
Industry Knowledge
28% of UK construction businesses claim that lack of information affects their efficiency. You must know about construction regulations, build requirements, and vendor agreements.
If you want to learn about the construction industry, arrange meetings with architectural and engineering experts.
Moreover, stay in touch with investors, business executives, and subcontractors. Strong industry knowledge will allow daily task managers to lead diverse groups effectively.
Thorough Risk Management
Good construction managers must look for potential risks associated with complex builds.
For instance, they must prepare for scheduling conflicts, check where the material waste is going, and conduct fiscal acrobatics to avoid unexpected expenses.
Expert Negotiating Skills
Construction project managers need to improve their negotiating skills. Whether sourcing materials or deciding deadlines, they need to negotiate over the price and set flexible deadlines.
Emotional intelligence is also necessary when directing subcontractors to extend their schedules, work more to meet strict deadlines and update them about the project.
Stages in Construction Task Management
Step 1: Start with Your Project's Conception and Basic Preparation
Before starting planning, investigate your project's feasibility. Initiating a task with a clear understanding of completing it is a significant error.
Before considering outputs and estimating costs, you must complete a project feasibility report and a business case. In this step, determine the goals and highlight the reasons behind starting the project.
Also, identify potential risks and hindrances. The initial step sets the stage for the subsequent phases, which is why PMI states that high-performing organizations complete 89% of projects, while low performers only complete 36%.
Step 2: Hire Professionals
Hiring responsible and ambitious people is essential in construction task management.
A solid and high-performing team will improve your workflow and construction task management.
AGC claims that 91% of construction companies find hiring professional workers difficult, leading to delays and extra costs.
Whether your employees work on the construction site or in your office, they must know their work.
Define everyone's role and responsibilities and create an environment of trust and transparency. It will help you begin with the next step.
Step 3: Choose a Professional Project Management Software
Selecting the right construction task management software can be challenging. This is because construction task management software automates various activities, including planning, estimating, organizing, assigning resources, and overseeing the construction project.
Project managers can utilize these software such as Clue to enhance their team's productivity. Clue can make a huge difference by providing detailed reports and analytics.
These software facilitate collaboration, decision-making, and team administration. Moreover, having several platforms for organizing work is crucial.
Step 4: Make Planning a Routine
The subsequent step involves ensuring that your team completes their work punctually. Typically, planning is considered an activity towards the conclusion of your project. However, before planning, grasp the scope of work for your future construction projects.
Consider critical priorities such as cost, project duration planning, and resource allocation. Subsequently, formulate a project strategy in collaboration with your team.
Develop an online project roadmap to simplify the visualization of your project plans. This will provide an overview that aids in understanding the necessary steps to prepare effective work schedules.
Furthermore, the roadmap will assist in determining performance metrics and evaluating whether your project is progressing according to schedule.
Step 5: Start with the Physical Work
Once your visual plan is ready, it's time to commence your construction project. Throughout this phase, you'll undertake various tasks, including team development, resource allocation, scheduling meetings to review progress, updating as necessary, and maintaining regular communication.
Take the plan and begin its implementation, addressing any work management issues. Maintain transparency in project management, encompassing tasks, timelines, team dynamics, resource allocation, budget, and risk management.
Step 6: Maintain Control of Your Project and Track Changes
Flexibility is essential when working on a construction project. A proficient project manager must effectively balance budgetary constraints with scheduling, material procurement, team coordination, and equipment management.
When changes occur, assess performance metrics, identify reasons for deviations, and take appropriate action.
Utilize the platform's auto-scheduling feature to track project changes, enabling automatic recalculation of dates.
Step 7: Address the Legal Aspects of Your Project
Project managers must not overlook legal considerations. Regardless of your experience level, you must be prepared to address potential risks or legal disputes.
Critical areas for consideration include:
- Utilization of fixed contract forms for the construction project, with potential agreement changes.
- Engagement of a legal manager to ensure compliance with regulations and legislation.
- Oversight of insurance agreements details by the project manager.
- Regulation of the procurement process for machinery, tools, or services from a legal standpoint.
Step 8: Conclude Your Project and Generate Reports
Upon completing your construction project, reflect on its positive outcomes. Acknowledge the challenges faced during the project from an objective perspective.
Conduct final meetings with partners and stakeholders to review successes, failures, and opportunities for improving project workflows in the future.
Utilize your construction project checklist to verify the completion of all tasks. Request your team to compile a project report detailing the time invested in each task.
These reports are invaluable for enhancing future construction task management effectiveness.
Wrap Up
Effective construction task management requires a combination of communication, industry knowledge, risk management, and negotiation skills.
Adhering to a structured approach—beginning with project conception, hiring skilled professionals, utilizing appropriate management tools, implementing routine planning, and maintaining project control—you can ensure success.
Don't overlook legal considerations and take time to reflect on project outcomes for learning and improvement.
Embracing these strategies will enable you to efficiently manage your construction projects, leading to timely and successful completions.
FAQs
How many stages are there in a construction project?
There are a total of eight stages in a construction project, as discussed above.
What are the five principles of construction project management?
The five principles are economy, safety, environmental protection, speed, and aesthetics.
What is the construction project lifecycle?
The construction project lifecycle refers to the detailed steps necessary for a business to complete its construction project.
What is basic construction management?
Its service is designed to make sure that project owners get expert help with managing their projects in terms of timing, expenses, quality, safety, goals, and overall effectiveness. It provides a complete and professional solution for project management.
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