FREE Construction Project Management Template

Master construction project management timelines with our intuitive construction project management Gantt chart template.

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Gantt chart template

What Is Construction Project Management (CPM)?

What is project management in construction? At its core, construction project management (CPM) is really just the combination of planning, coordinating, and overseeing construction activities to achieve specific goals. Think of them as construction management basics, or CPM 101.

Whether you’re managing a skyscraper build or renovating a residential home, building project management gives you the framework to make sure projects are completed on time, within budget, and up to quality standards.

This area combines technical knowledge, strong leadership, and organizational skills. There’s more to construction management projects than managing resources, however. It’s about handling complexities, mitigating risks, and delivering measurable results that meet client expectations and regulatory requirements.

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Why Gantt Charts Are a Vital Part of Construction Project Management

Construction requires the right tools: saws, drills, nail guns, and so much more. However, that need extends far beyond the physical construction process. You also need to use the right tools in your construction management process. And while there are plenty of options out there that will help you tame your construction project management workflow, one of the must-haves is the Gantt chart.

Why should you use a Gantt chart in building construction project management? There are plenty of reasons to make one central to the phases of construction project management. Here are just a few:

  • Gantt charts give you at 10,000-foot-view of the entire project, from beginning to end.
  • A Gantt chart like Tom’s Planner’s helps you communicate with team members and stakeholders throughout the project.
  • Your Gantt chart makes it easy to allocate, assign, and manage resources, whether that’s payroll or boxes of nails.
  • Gantt charts are easy to customize so you can assign roles to people, track task progress, and set specific timelines.

As you can see, a Gantt chart is an important item in your construction project management toolbox.

What Does Project Management in the Construction Industry Cover?

In an industry as multifaceted as construction, effective construction and project management is essential. Without a structured approach, delays, cost overruns, and quality problems can quickly derail even the best plans. It’s surprisingly easy to go from having an on-track project to finding that things have gone off the rails while you weren’t looking and now your construction project is in danger of failing.

Project management for construction projects helps guarantee a few important things, including:

  • Your resources are correctly allocated.
  • Teams are aligned with the project’s goals.
  • You’ve identified risks and proactively addressed them.
  • You’ve planned for ongoing communication with project stakeholders.

It’s really all about making sure that you know what resources are needed, where and when, that you know the challenges you face and how you’ll overcome them, that your teams are up to the task, and that you have a plan to keep everyone in the loop.

How does a construction project manager balance all those things? It comes down to using the right tools at the right time. A Gantt chart gives you the flexibility and visibility necessary even with very complex construction projects.

Whether managing construction projects at a large scale or working on building construction project management for smaller developments, CPM provides the guidance and structure required.

Construction Project Management: 5 Pro Tips

Want to make sure your construction project goes to plan? Just follow these five tips.

  1. Create a Comprehensive Plan

    Outline every phase of your project. That includes timelines, your budget, and resource allocation for teams. A Gantt chart helps you get the visibility you need for accurate management of construction projects.

  2. Assemble Your Team

    Bring together skilled professionals, from architects to subcontractors, and clarify what each person’s role will be, and how those roles help manage the construction project.

  3. Implement Effective Tools

    The right tools make a big difference in your project’s success. Use Tom’s Planner’s Gantt chart to manage construction workflows, assign tasks, and track progress in real-time.

  4. Don’t Skimp on Communication

    Hold regular meetings and use collaboration platforms so everyone stays on the same page.

  5. Track, Review, and Adjust as Needed

    Track milestones, review KPIs, and make adjustments to keep the project aligned with its goals.

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FAQ

How to manage a construction project step by step?

Managing a construction project requires understanding the steps involved. These include:

  • Preconstruction: Creating the plan, getting permits, gathering resources, etc.
  • Design: Creating the plans for the project.
  • Procurement: Getting construction materials and supplies.
  • Construction: This is the actual build process.
  • Commissioning: Checking that the building and all systems are up to par.
  • Owner Occupancy: The owner takes up occupancy in the property.
  • Project Closeout: The contract is closed out.

What are the principles of CPM?

For a construction project to be successful, it must be managed correctly. That means understanding and following a handful of core ideas.

  • Clearly Define Project Goals
  • Develop a Detailed Plan
  • Decide on Your Communication Channels
  • Prioritize Safety
  • Monitor Progress Continuously
  • Adapt to Changes
  • Deliver Quality

What are different construction project delivery methods?

You’ll need to choose a project delivery method specific to your needs. Each method has its own pros and cons, but here’s a brief breakdown to help you understand the landscape here:

  • Design-bid-Build: This is the most common construction project delivery method and involves the owner hiring an architect and choosing a contractor.
  • Design-Build: In this method, the contractor handles the design and build aspects without an architect being directly involved. The owner has little input.
  • Integrated Project Delivery: This method focuses on reducing waste, improving quality, and eliminating scheduling issues.
  • Construction Management: This method adds a construction manager to the design team to help manage variables like costs and scheduling.

You’ll find other methods, too. Examples of those include construction management multi-prime and public-private partnerships.

What are the 5 stages of the construction project management process?

You can break the construction project management process down into several key stages. Let’s take a closer look at them.

  • Stage 1: Initiation | Define the project scope, establish objectives, and secure funding. This is also when you assemble your project team.
  • Stage 2: Pre-construction | Develop detailed plans, conduct site surveys, and get any needed permits. This phase lays the groundwork for a smooth project with minimal hurdles.
  • Stage 3: Project Execution | Construction begins! Make sure to monitor progress, manage your resources, and make sure everything aligns with the project plan.
  • Stage 4: Commissioning | Inspect and test the completed work to make sure it meets all specifications and standards.
  • Stage 5: Closure | Finalize documentation, release resources, and hand over the completed project to the client. Conduct a post-project review to identify lessons learned.

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