20 Tips and Best Practices for Managing Construction Projects

Article originally published by Appfluence

Managing construction projects requires a technical skill set that is typically used in conjunction with a set of software tools that help things run more efficiently. Appfluence surveyed 20 construction project managers along with a five senior-level and VP-level managers from construction firms across the country to get their advice on how they manage. When asked for their tips and best practices, construction managers we surveyed left technicalities aside and offered up the following.

1. That the best way to achieve schedule and maintain budget is a strict adherence to quality and business procedures, and only working with subcontractors who adhere to the same values. — Dominic Santos, CDM Smith
2. Get the most experienced craftsmen you can. — Ike, AECOM
3. Plan ahead. —Nick Sleboda, Wight Construction
4. Stay calm and in your element! Always take any education that is offered. Check your work before you send out bids. Talk to the general and the subs as there is always something you can learn. — Jim Peacock, O’Connor Construction Management
5. It takes a TEAM to accomplish anything. We all have to work together toward the end goal or else it is a disaster. — Quinn, Brahma Group
6. Balance expectations with ability, and seek to understand and develop people instead of change them. — Cory, Company Not Given
7. Communication is the key to a successful project and project team. — Cyle Coles
8. Be flexible and never take yourself too seriously. — Chris Burun, Stahl Companies
9. It’s important to know your drawings and specs. — Stacy, AECOM
10. Relationships are everything. — John Walls, Shea Homes
11. Construction management is all about knowing who to ask for help. You cannot know everything about construction. — Carolyn Bonaventura, CDM Smith
12. People are your greatest asset. -Steve Bergeron, Jacobs Field Services
13. Detail, detail, detail. Things don’t just magically happen, although sometimes it seems that way. It’s the little things that can make or break the success of your project. It’s the little things that seem to fall through the cracks. So, don’t lose sight of the little things and be sure to communicate those little things to your team. “Many hands make light work”. Same thing applies to managing the little things. Do it as a team. Makes it easier to manage that way and engages others. — John Golly, AdvanceTEC
14. Every issue one encounters may have a cost and schedule impact that needs to be monitored and managed in order to have a successful project. — Ken Rock, Tishman Speyer
15. Treat contractors the way you want to be treated. Be firm but fair with them. — Dennie Ashby, Site Manager
16. Projects that are truly successful to all parties are built by people who have placed significant focus on creating good relationships with each other and who foster positive constructive and proactive communication. — Brett Brenize, Gannett Fleming
17. Your plan should be your gospel. Never throw away your plan when you hit a bump in the road. Figure out the detour, get around the bump, and get back on your plan! — Roger George, AECOM
18. No one person builds a project, it takes a lot of people who need to be able to communicate, collaborate to solve problems and make the best informed decisions.  As a GC, we rely on our trade partners to make the process successful.  Building a solid plan and sticking to the plan is key. -Ricardo Khan, Mortenson Construction
19. Time is of the essence, and the partnering process works. — Don, STV, Inc.
20. Listen more and talk less. This works well in life as well. — Alex Ray, Smith, Seckman, Reid, Inc.

Kari is the content marketing manager at Appfluence. Appfluence builds Priority Matrix, a software solution that teams collaborate more effectively by providing a platform that centralizes project documents, action items and communication all in one place.