5 Qualities of an Effective Construction Project Manager
Construction project managers are often tasked with balancing a variety of duties at once. They are often responsible for overseeing the entire jobsite, but most importantly, must be able to manage and supervise a unique combination of individuals. These projects, whether big or small, rely on construction project managers to provide leadership, coordinate tasks and oversee the completion of the entire project. For a construction manager to be successful, these five qualities below will ensure that each task on the jobsite runs effectively and efficiently.
Excellent Communication
An effective construction project manager should possess excellent communication skills. They must be able to communicate clearly and confidently, to create stronger relationships between workers and managers. This will enable skilled workers, employees and construction personnel to perform their tasks to the best of their abilities. Also, project managers must communicate with team members frequently and on a consistent basis to ensure everyone is on the same page and working towards a common goal. This may help in preventing unnecessary delays in the project so that each task is completed on time.
Ability to Delegate Tasks
An effective construction manager should be able to assign tasks to different workers based on their specific capabilities and specialized skills. This will ensure that everyone on the jobsite is given work that best aligns with their particular skill set, not only benefiting the worker, but the entire project as well. A good project manager is also capable of delegating leadership and supervisory roles to others, which helps them oversee specific areas on the jobsite. Great managers acknowledge that they cannot do the entire job on their own, and entrusting other capable leaders will help facilitate the project. In addition to delegating tasks to skilled workers, managers must provide the appropriate timeframe for a given project, which allows employees to maximize their productivity.
Ability to Prioritize Activities
Construction projects are multi-faceted and complex processes that involve a number of different activities and specialized workers. Understanding the importance of these activities is essential for the success of any given project. An effective construction manager must lay out the most optimal work schedule and execute the plan to the best of their abilities. In many instances however, unforeseen circumstances, like unpredictable weather or logistical issues may arise. In these cases, project managers must assess their new situation and be able to re-prioritize their activities to ensure the project stays on track. Failure to adjust to these circumstances may derail the progress already made.
Value Teamwork
In most large scale projects, an entire team is necessary for its completion, and construction is no different. A good project manager acknowledges this, and regards teamwork as an integral part of the construction process. Not only does this include managing the specific tasks, but also ensures that the entire jobsite operates with values of collaboration and cooperation in mind. By doing this, a more positive atmosphere will be achieved, which boosts team morale and increases productivity among all workers.
Problem Solving Skills
In the course of any construction project, problems and obstacles are bound to occur. An effective construction manager should be equipped with excellent problem solving skills to properly address any issue that may arise. More importantly, project managers will be able to predict and forecast what problems a project may encounter, and have multiple options and solutions ready. These problems include everything from weather issues, delivery delays and even personal issues amongst team members. A good construction manager is able to devise strategies that are specific to a particular project and tailored to a unique group of individuals.
Final Thoughts
The work of a construction project manager is extremely complex and multi-dimensional. Not only are these five skills good to keep in mind, they are essential for the success of any project. Apart from the technical capabilities and skills associated with construction, a project manager must be welcoming and approachable to create an atmosphere that workers enjoy being a part of. Dedication to both work-related and personal development is an integral part of what makes a good construction manager. These five qualities will provide a superior work experience and positive environment for not only managers but for all working on the jobsite as well.
Credits for Article: Construction World
Keeping Job Site Dust Free
It becomes difficult to breathe while you are inside a construction site. The amount of dust that you can see all around the site will make you wonder how the employees are working in such a perilous zone. They might contact any air borne disease which could be quite fatal to them. Also comes into the mind the necessary steps the company is taking to keep the dust under control. Well, frankly where construction is in full swing, dust is bound to flow in the environment and nothing much can be done by anybody to contain it. However, there is one step that can be taken to contain dust and it is to sprinkle water at regular intervals so that the water pulls the dust on the ground and allows fresh air to breathe. But there are places where there is water scarcity in that particular area. In such places, even sprinkling water can be a problem.
In order to bring dust under control, there is no other medium other than spraying water on the ground and if at all there is any other way to contain this problem then that will be very expensive, probably out of the reach of many construction companies. They will certainly not want to invest a good chunk of money to keep the dust level under control. Though it is a must to equip and implement whatever process you can to keep the construction site dust free, construction companies would not want to adopt any expensive modes. So this leaves them with the option of spraying water.
For places where there is water in abundance, construction companies can store gallons of water in a storage tank and then later fill it up in a truck that has a pipe attached to it and then use the truck to spray water all over the site. By doing this, you make the process portable; which means you need not have a large pipe that goes across the entire corner of the jobsite. One can only imagine this and wonder how tedious it will be for the person who moves around the jobsite with the pipe spraying water. For a big construction site, using a water tanker that can move while spraying water is the best option. Please do not make use of fresh drinking water for this purpose.
Credits for Article: Heavy Equipment Articles
What Do Excavating Contractors Do?
Credits for article: By Ralph Heibutzki – Career Trend
Excavating contractors are part of the construction equipment industry, which employed 409,700 people as of 2012, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. However, excavators do more than just move dirt. Excavators also are involved in preparing the site, ensuring its suitability for construction and seeing that the work meets safety and code requirements. Careful attention to details and deadlines are prerequisites for success in this industry.
Construction Preparation
Once a building project starts, excavators get the site ready for construction. He must dig soils to the required depth, plus the trenches needed for electrical, gas, sewer and water connections, the Alberta Builder Connect website states. Using lasers and tape measures, he confirms the excavation’s size and depth, and then backfills around the new trenches and foundation.
Heavy Equipment Operation
Construction work typically requires moving earth, gravel and sand, as well as building materials. To complete those tasks, excavators must operate bulldozers, road graders, trench excavators and other heavy equipment outfitted with buckets, scoops or shovels, the BLS indicates. If the job requires it, excavators also run air compressors, pumps and similar power equipment at job sites.
Site and Business Management
Many organizations impose extremely specific site management requirements on excavating contractors. For example, the city of Chicago requires notice of 48 hours to 14 days for any excavating or demolition job, while protecting utility markings and avoiding damage to underground facilities. The excavator also is responsible for ensuring a safe work site and that employees follow regulatory and code requirements.
