What is Construction Management?

Construction management is a professional service that provides a project’s owner(s)

with effective management of the project's schedule, cost, quality, safety, scope, and
function. Construction management is compatible with all project delivery methods. No
matter the setting, a Construction Manager’s (CMs) responsibility is to the owner and to
a successful project.

At its core, a capital project is made up of three parties (excluding the CM):

The owner, who commissions the project and either funds the project directly or
finances it through a variety of methods.

The architect/engineer, who designs the project.

The general contractor, who oversees day-to-day operations and manages

subcontractors.

The CM represents the owner’s interest and provides oversight over the entire project
directly for the owner. His/her mandate is to work with all parties to deliver the project
on time, at or under budget, and to the owner’s expected standard of quality, scope, and
function.

CMs are uniquely qualified through combined education and experience to work with
the owner, architect, general contractor, and other stakeholders to determine the best
possible sequence of construction operations and develop a detailed schedule and
budget, while also establishing plans for project safety and security and helping the
owner manage risk. This requires using project management information systems
(PMISs) and complex planning techniques, like critical path method, as well as
knowledge of construction methods.

A 2013 study by McGraw-Hill Construction and supported by the CMAA Foundation

showed that using professional CMs saved money, avoided or mitigated problems, and
produced higher quality results for owners.

Professional CMs use industry-standard practices to manage projects successfully. The

CM Body of Knowledge and Standards of Practice address all six areas of construction
management services: schedule, cost, safety, quality, function, and scope.

What Is Construction Management?

Discover what a construction manager is, how they manage construction projects, the
skills for the role, and how much you can earn in the construction industry.

A construction manager works with a colleague at a construction site.

Construction management involves planning, budgeting, coordinating, and supervising

construction projects from start to finish. As a construction manager, you may work on
various construction projects, including buildings, roads, bridges, and other structures.

Construction management can be rewarding if you enjoy design, seeing a project grow
from beginning to end, and the prospect of partnering with builders, designers, and
clients throughout the construction lifecycle process.

What does a construction manager do?

Construction managers review proposals for projects to estimate timelines and

milestones, cash flow requirements, project protocols, resourcing needs, and
requirements for human resources, equipment, and resources at different stages of the
project. They work closely with clients, architects, subcontractors, and engineers to
ensure every project aspect runs smoothly. Construction managers may oversee a
single construction project or several at once.

Here are some core responsibilities found in construction manager roles:

Cost management: Maintain awareness of all costs associated with a project; budget
management; anticipate any changes to project scope that could impact cost.

Contract administration: Create contracts for subcontractors and suppliers; manage

payments to contractors; source materials and suppliers.

Health and safety management: Ensure everyone on-site follows health and safety
regulations; prepare health and safety documentation; implement suitable protocols for
ongoing practices and regular monitoring.

Quality management: Deliver projects that meet clients' specifications; ensure all work
complies with quality standards; facilitate regular checks throughout the project
lifecycle; use a total quality management approach (TQM) to help reduce costs in
remedial work; minimize delays; maintain relationships with clients, contractors, and
staff.
Construction manager key skills

Carrying out a construction project involves a lot of planning, organization, and problem-
solving. It requires a strong set of both workplace and technical skills. Here are some
skills you need to succeed as a construction manager.

Analytical and critical thinking skills

Construction managers must interpret designs, plans, and technical drawings. They
must also understand complex contracts and interpret building codes and regulations.
They'll need to translate all this information into easy-to-follow instructions for their on-
site workers.

Motivational skills

Construction managers must ensure their teams meet deadlines, stay within budget,
and produce quality work. To do so, they must motivate team members with guidance,
feedback, and recognition, as well as resolve conflicts and keep the team focused on its
goals. When engaging with subcontractors, construction managers may have less
positional power than when working with employees because they may be self-
employed or work for another company. Being fair and consistent is important to earn
their respect and loyalty.

Attention to detail

The construction manager is responsible for ensuring the quality of work on site is up to
standard with local building codes and regulations and meets client expectations. This
requires attention to detail throughout the entire process, including managing mistakes
and minimizing their impacts.

Communication skills

Communication is critical as construction managers interact with a range of people,

including the public, clients, and tradespeople, so they must have good interpersonal
skills, both orally and in writing. They may need to communicate changes to a team of
tradespeople in the morning, run through plans with an architect over lunch, and meet
with planning officers in the afternoon to sign off on building work. This requires a
confident and well-rounded communication skill set.

Contract management skills

A construction manager may need to negotiate contracts, manage budgets, and ensure
all parties involved in a building project are satisfied. This requires persuading,
compromising, and making mutually beneficial, binding agreements.

Health and safety knowledge

Construction managers must be aware of worksite health and safety issues and
understand relevant legislation and regulations. This is vital because of the risks
associated with construction work. They need to know best practices to minimize risks
to all project stakeholders.

Project management skills

Managing building projects requires coordinating a range of activities involving different

people and completing milestones on time and within budget. An understanding and
experience with project management methodologies can be important in complex
projects.

Reasons to become a construction manager

The construction management industry is broad, offering a wide range of career options.
The following are just a few of the reasons why you might want to consider becoming a
construction manager.

1. Job opportunities are growing.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that US employment for construction
managers will grow by 11 percent between 2020 and 2030 [1], faster than the 8 percent
average of occupations overall. This means more opportunities. New building
technologies are also facilitating new and exciting projects.

2. Global opportunities exist.

Thousands of construction projects are happening around the world at any given time.
Construction management professionals are needed everywhere to complete these
projects successfully, so there are plenty of options for those who like to work in
different parts of the world.

3. It can be financially rewarding.

According to Glassdoor, the average construction manager's salary in the US is $96,616

[2]. While salaries will vary depending on your experience level, location, and other
factors, this job has good earning potential.

4. You're interested in managing complex projects.

Construction managers have a lot of responsibilities, including:

Managing crews and subcontractors

Maintaining schedules

Ensuring projects meet quality standards

Providing detailed estimates

Overseeing compliance with building codes, zoning laws, and health regulations

The job is rewarding for those who enjoy challenge and complexity. No two days are the
same; no two projects are the same.

5. You love seeing things through to completion.

You get to see construction projects progress from the initial concept to built reality,
which can be satisfying. You’ll be involved in all aspects of the project and learn about
all areas of construction and stages of construction.
Types of projects that construction managers work on

Construction managers oversee and direct various construction projects, including

building roads and highways, bridges, hospitals, schools, factories, power plants, and
residential housing. As a construction manager, you might work for the federal
government, large corporations, private landowners, or property owners. Your career
can take you into different types of construction projects.

Civil construction projects

Civil construction is one of the oldest branches of the industry. This type of work
involves building infrastructures such as roads and bridges.

Industrial construction projects

Industrial construction is another traditional branch of the industry. It involves building

factories, warehouses, industrial facilities, and power plants. In this field, construction
managers may need to understand complex engineering principles related to electricity
generation and manufacturing processes.

Residential construction projects

Residential construction involves building homes and other buildings where people live.
Familiarity with a variety of architectural styles and techniques for building different
types of foundations and structures is beneficial in this field.

Agricultural construction projects

Agricultural construction includes barns, silos, and other structures related to farming
operations. Familiarity with agricultural techniques helps build facilities compatible with
current farming practices and the needs for future growth.
Institutional construction projects

Construction managers often work on institutional construction projects, such as

schools, universities, hospitals, and community centers. Institutional projects often
involve multiple contractors working together to complete the project. These projects
usually are highly complex.

Typical construction manager job titles

Construction management jobs and titles vary depending on the company hiring for the
position. Here are some of the job titles related to construction management you may
see during job searches, along with their average total pay, including base salary and
additional pay like commission and bonuses.

*All annual US salary data sourced from Glassdoor as of August 2022 [3].

Construction manager: $96,616

Construction project manager: $94,850

Construction consultant: $101,688

Project Manager, design and construction: $96,705

Chief construction inspector: $91,374

Senior construction manager: $111,968

Construction foreman: $68,909

How to become a construction manager

To become a construction manager, consider your education, certification, experience,

and business sense.

Relevant degree choices

A bachelor's degree is typically desired for construction managers. While the following
construction manager degrees are based in different fields, they all overlap in their core
curriculum and are valuable in the construction industry.

Construction management

Construction management is an obvious degree choice for an aspiring construction

manager. In this degree program, you'll learn about construction's legal, financial, and
business side. This may include surveys, cost estimation, construction law, software
programs, materials, the supply chain, and much more. Some programs offer
internships or hands-on experiences that allow you to apply what you've learned in real-
world situations.

Construction science

Construction science focuses on analyzing, planning, and managing building projects. A

construction science degree supports project management skills and knowledge of
construction methods, design, and contracts.

Architecture

An architecture degree also provides a solid foundation for a future career as a

construction manager. In addition to providing knowledge of building codes, zoning
regulations, and architectural design principles, architecture programs offer hands-on
experience through studio classes that teach drafting techniques.

Engineering

Engineering degrees can open the door to becoming a construction manager. You can
choose from several engineering degrees, including mechanical, civil, industrial, and
electrical engineering. Each degree type provides its own specialization level that could
make an engineer more attractive to specific types of employers.