It Project Management Vs Construction Project Management

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This document serves the purpose of critically analysing the differences that exist between managing construction projects and I.T Projects

INTRODUCTION

Over the past few years, project managers and Project management has shown tremendous growth. Project management has evolved over the past several years from an activity in an organization to a discipline in its own right. Many professional bodies exist today to represent project management as a discipline, Some of which include, PMI, Prince2 Foundation, PM Bok.

According to A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOKÐ'® Guide), - Third Edition,

“Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to a broad range of activities in order to meet the requirements of a particular project. Project management is comprised of five Project Management Process Groups вЂ" Initiating Processes, Planning Processes, Executing Processes, Monitoring and Controlling Processes, and Closing Processes вЂ" as well as nine Knowledge Areas. These nine Knowledge Areas center on management expertise in Project Integration Management, Project Scope Management, Project Time Management, Project Cost Management, Project Quality Management, Project Human Resources Management, Project Communications Management, Project Risk Management and Project Procurement Management.”

According to the Prince 2 Project Management Methodology, project management is “The planning, monitoring and control of all aspects of the project and the motivation of all those involved in to achieve the project objectives on time and to the specified cost, quality and performance”

Although these two definitions provide a truly generic approach to any project orientated task. However across a multitude of industries, the discipline of project management or the managing of projects differ. More specifically the differences that exist between Information Technology project management and Construction Project Management.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

The goal of this assignment is to critically discuss the similarities and differences between managing construction projects and Information Technology projects. This paper will outline the similarities and differences between managing a construction project and IT project, take into account the different variables and environments that a Project manager will face in order to ensure success of their projects on time, within schedule at the best quality.

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

Construction managers are salaried managers who oversee construction. They often go by the job titles program manager, constructor, construction superintendent, project engineer, project manager, construction supervisor, general contractor or other similar designations

Construction managers plan, direct, and coordinate a wide variety of construction projects, including the building of all types of residential, commercial, and industrial structures, roads, bridges, wastewater treatment plants, and schools and hospitals. Construction managers may oversee an entire project or just part of a project and, although they usually play no direct role in the actual construction of a structure, they typically schedule and coordinate all design and construction processes, including the selection, hiring of contractors.

Construction managers coordinate and supervise the construction process from the conceptual development stage through final construction, making sure that the project gets done on time and within budget. They often work with owners, engineers, architects, and others who are involved in the construction process. Given the designs for buildings, roads, bridges, or other projects, construction managers oversee the planning, scheduling, and implementation of the project to execute those designs.

Construction managers evaluate and help determine the most cost-effective plan and schedule for completing the project. They divide all required construction site activities into logical steps, budgeting the time required to meet established deadlines.

Construction managers oversee the selection of general contractors and trade contractors to complete specific pieces of the projectвЂ"which could include plumbing to painting and carpet installation. Construction managers also determine the labor requirements. They also oversee the performance of all trade contractors and are responsible for ensuring that all work is completed on schedule.

Construction managers direct and monitor the progress of construction activities. They oversee the delivery and use of materials, tools, and equipment; and the quality of construction, worker productivity, and safety. They are responsible for obtaining all necessary permits and licenses and, depending upon the contractual arrangements, direct or monitor compliance with building and safety codes and other regulations. And they continually track and control construction costs to avoid cost overruns.

For the purpose of this paper I will discuss the typical PM activities inside the construction project’s lifecycle.

SEE APPENDIX B FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT LIFECYLE

пÑ"? Project Initiation

During project initiation, the client plans how the authorized project is to be implemented. Planning begins by identifying what the project is to deliver and documenting the result in the “Project Requirements Definition”. The client then considers what approach to take to manage and carry out the work to implement the project, selects the project delivery method, assesses the type and size of resources needed for the project, and documents these in the Project Management Plan.

Key outputs in this phase are the Projects Requirements definition, the capability and capacity assessment, project delivery strategy and the Project Management plan. The role of the construction/ project manager in this phase is, once project authorized, it is the project manager’s responsibility to implement the project. In terms of the Project Requirements Definition the, the project manager refines and details the project authorization and details what the project is required to accomplish in terms of the products/services the project will deliver and the scope of work that needs to be done. The project