Project Cost Estimating Tools & Techniques Project cost estimating  scares a lot of people. They don't know how much something will cost, but they know whatever value they give, they will be held to it by their manager. The challenge with estimating is that it always involves some uncertainty. Some of the factors that contribute to this uncertainty include... Experience with Similar Projects: The less experience you have with similar projects, the greater the uncertainty. If you've managed similar projects, you will be able to better estimate the costs of the project. Planning Horizon: The longer the planning horizon, the greater the uncertainty. The planning horizon you are considering may be the whole project or just a certain phase. Either way, you will be able to better estimate costs for the time periods that are closer to the present. Project Duration: The longer the project, the greater the uncertainty. This is similar to planning horizon in the sense th...

Structural Engineers: Roles and Responsibilities The role of the structural engineer is a key component in the construction process. Part of the wider discipline of civil engineering, structural engineering is concerned with the design and physical integrity of buildings and other large structures, like tunnels and bridges. Structural engineers have wide range of responsibilities - not least a duty to ensure the safety and durability of the project on which they are working. Unlike architects, who must focus on the appearance, shape, size and use of the building, structural engineers must solve technical problems - and help the architect achieve his or her vision for the project. What do structural engineers do? Structural engineers work in offices and on construction sites - or may split their time between both contexts. Locations can be varied, including work in metropolitan and rural environments. Depending on the size of the project, structural engineers may also be r...

Terminology and Acronym List A&E: architectural and engineering CA: contract administrator CIP: capital improvement plan CM: construction manager CPI: cost performance index CPM: critical path method D/B: design/build D/B/B: design/bid/build EA: environmental assessment EIS: environmental impact statement FEIS: final environmental impact statement FONSI: finding of no significant impact GEC: general engineering consultant GM: general manager LEED: Leadership in Enegery and Environmental Design MPO: metropolitan planning organization OFE: owner furnished equipment OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration O&M: operations and maintenance PM: project manager PMC: project management consultant PMO: project management oversight PMP: project management plan PRD: project requirements definition RE: resident engineer RFC: request for change RFI: request for information RFP: request for proposal SOW: scope of work SPI: schedule performance...

Getting a Job as a Construction Project Manager Do you like building and design, but think architecture involves too much drawing? Or that civil engineering involves too much math and carpentry involves too much manual labor? Then construction project management is for you. Here’s a list of the necessary skills and possible job titles in construction management: Skills and Abilities Successful construction project managers should have a wide range of skills and abilities to help them manage diverse teams and projects. A solid education is a great place to start, and certainly prepares you for the construction industry. However, there is no substitute for real-life, hands-on work experience. Here are the skills, abilities, and required knowledge for construction management: Understanding of the building process Problem solving  Leadership skills Strong communication skills and the ability to work with different groups of people, from project owners to tra...

Construction PM Software A new wave of web and cloud apps are streamlining communication, simplifying document management, and improving efficiency in construction management.  Here are some of top construction management tools: Smartsheet Smartsheet  is a spreadsheet-inspired work management tool with robust collaboration and communication features. With pre-built construction templates, it’s easy to create a timeline, track progress, manage documents, and organize the details. Gantt charts are automatically created and auto-adjust every time a change is made, so you can share the most up-to-date timeline with team members or stakeholders. You can upload files from your computer, Google Drive, Box, Dropbox, Evernote, or add a web URL, creating a central repository for all project documentation and contracts. Team members can have discussions directly in the sheet and set reminders and alerts, so everyone is on the same page. And lastly, Smartsheet inte...

Problems, Issues & Legal in a Construction Project Construction projects are always changing, and the constant level of uncertainty can often bring conflict to project teams. Construction project managers are often tasked with resolving disputes, identifying and mitigating risks, and understanding legal ramifications.  Here’s what construction project managers should know: Resolve Disputes Conflicts will inevitably arise in any project and it’s your job as the project manager to resolve the disputes so your team can stay productive and work well together. Possible conflicts in a project could include poor communication, lack of clarity, conflicts of interest, limited resources, or power struggles. While every conflict is different, there are a couple different resolution strategies that you may have to employ: Mediation:  A third-party mediator will be hired to resolve the disputes between the two parties. This strategy is the cheapest and least time-consuming....