What is construction management?

Management of construction projects is a key aspect of the construction industry. It involves the planning, organisation and control of all the resources necessary to carry out a project, from its conception to its final delivery. 

The aim of this discipline is to guarantee that construction projects are of the required quality and comply with established budgets and deadlines. So, what is construction management? Construction management not only focuses on the physical execution of the work, but also encompasses the coordination of work teams, the administration of financial and material resources, and the management of associated risks.

If you have a background in engineering or architecture and want to work in this field, you can study the master in Architecture at Universidad Europea. It is a specialised MBA with a curriculum adapted to international markets and interesting internship and networking opportunities.

What is the purpose of construction management?

Construction management is essential to guarantee the success of construction projects. It allows for the control of all aspects of construction, from the acquisition of materials to the coordination of the work team. In addition, proper management helps to reduce the risks that may arise during the execution of the work, such as delays, cost overruns or quality problems Construction managers anticipate potential setbacks and propose quick solutions so that each stage of the project is completed according to plan.

On the other hand, construction management is also very important to ensure good communication between the actors involved in the project, such as architects, engineers and suppliers. This ensures that everyone is aligned with the established objectives and allows for more efficient decision-making.

Stages of construction management

Construction management processes are divided into three key stages that cover the entire life of the project.

• Planning: this is where the project objectives are established, the budget is determined, and a detailed schedule is created. This stage is crucial for anticipating possible obstacles and organising the necessary resources
• Execution: the planned tasks are carried out at this stage. During this phase, the project manager coordinates the teams, supervises progress and ensures that everything is carried out according to plan.
• Closure: the process ends with a review of the finished project to check that all the requirements and standards established prior to delivery have been met.

Importance of project management

In the highly competitive construction industry, proper construction management can mean the difference between the success and failure of a project. Today's market demands that projects be delivered on time and on budget, without sacrificing quality. To achieve this, it is essential to have proper planning and constant monitoring of every aspect of the project.

Construction management also plays a key role in risk management in construction, as it allows for the identification of factors that can negatively affect the project and prevent delays, contractual problems, accidents and other common complications.

In addition, good management ensures compliance with safety regulations and standards, which is essential on any construction site.

What does a construction manager do?

The responsibilities of construction managers are very complex and range from administrative to technical and organisational tasks. Among the most important, we can find the following:

• Supervision of the project, to ensure that deadlines, budget and established quality standards are met.
• Recruitment and personnel management, to select and coordinate the right workers for each stage of the project
• Negotiating with suppliers, to get the best prices and conditions for common materials, sustainable materials and necessary services.
• Reviewing plans, to verify that they meet technical requirements and are aligned with project objectives.
• Coordinating with architects and engineers, to facilitate communication between the different professionals involved in the work.
• Managing risks, to identify potential problems and apply solutions to mitigate their impact.
• Ensuring safety on site, implementing safety measures to protect both workers and people near the construction site

As you can see, construction management is a very complex task that requires technical knowledge, organisational skills and leadership abilities. These abilities are acquired with experience and with specialised, high-quality training. If you are interested in the field of construction, Universidad Europea offers a wide variety of Master's degrees in Architecture where you can train in this sector.