The following is a guest post. Enjoy!
Meet Jim. Jim is a construction manager at a local construction company, and he loves it. The field of construction management is booming, and with the recent demand for both commercial and residential construction, he finds his job both stressful at times, yet rewarding.
What is construction management?
Construction management is the process of running and reacting to all aspects of a construction project, including resources, workforce, and correspondence tasks. A great construction manager seeks to streamline communications on a project from the bottom up--through the subcontractor, the superintendent, project manager, and executive. Jim is an effective construction manager because he is organized, detail-oriented, and he possesses leadership qualities and skills that inspire those who work with him.
A day in the life of Jim
Construction management is not for those who fancy sleeping in; Jim's day begins as the sun comes up. He pours himself a stiff cup of joe, grabs the necessary safety gear and equipment for his time on the job, and heads to his latest project site. Depending on the demand for his services, he may have one project happening at a time, or he may have several irons in the fire. His ability to multitask and manage staff, resources, and time will be what separates him from the rest of the pack.
What does Jim do on a typical day?
While no day is quite the same for a construction manager, Jim will likely have a number of these tasks to complete while overseeing daily operations, maintaining a staffing schedule, and taking responsibility for every aspect of what happens on the job site. Some of his daily duties could include:
- Planning all aspects of his construction firm's latest projects
- Hiring and managing subcontractors, laborers, and other staff
- Preparing, balancing, and submitting budgets for approval
- Maximizing and controlling available resources, whether material or human
- Working with architects and engineers to design the final project
- Negotiating contracts; representing a construction firm at meetings
- Keeping construction workers safe and accounted for
- Ensuring compliance with state and local construction laws
This extensive list of qualifications has no doubt been gained in a combination of a specialized college curriculum, extracurricular activities, and on-the-job experience. Jim knows his stuff, and he has his hands in virtually all aspects of a successful construction project, right down to the last nail.
A typical day would include visiting a job site, checking in with subcontractors, and conducting a walkthrough to ensure that work was proceeding as planned. Additionally, Jim might be called upon to attend meetings with executives and stakeholders, complete documents and sign purchase agreements, and answer to officials for safety and compliance checks on his watch. His responsibilities are hefty, his knowledge is extensive, and he loves every aspect of the creative construction process from start to finish.
What kind of qualifications make Jim great at his job?
A number of natural and acquired traits make Jim a great construction manager. For instance:
1. He possesses the leadership skills needed to direct people, manage resources, and make decisions based on the vision and scope of the project. He feels comfortable taking this role and is inspiring to others as he gives a bit of direction and lets others work independently as well.
2. Jim has great communication skills. He is comfortable holding in-person meetings with others, as well as making phone calls and keeping up with written and email correspondence. He is thoughtful, thorough, and diplomatic in his affairs, and people appreciate being kept in the loop, for Jim knows how important communication is to the successful completion of a job.
3. Jim is accessible. People know where to find him if they need him, and he is available to his staff and superiors any time of day or night, depending on when work is being done. He understands that it's part of the job, and it is his responsibility to be on call when decisions need to be made.
4. Jim is competent and knowledgeable. He knows every aspect of construction, from materials to staffing to paperwork and legal issues. He has earned the respect of his subordinates, and people enjoy working for him and dealing with him. He keeps up to date on the latest trends in construction, and he participates in continuing education to sharpen his skills both as a trade master and a leader.
Things don't always go Jim's way
There are times when Jim's job is just plain stressful. People don't show up, construction gets delayed, accidents happen. Jim may feel stressed, but he doesn't let it get to him. He is able to think through and find solutions to problems that allow him and his staff to overcome these challenges.
Sound appealing? Check it out!
Jim's education had to start somewhere, as does yours. If you think the field of construction management is for you, consider checking out your local trade school to see what your options are for training. The field of construction management is steadily growing, and you can land a lucrative career should you decide to take on these challenges. Check it out....your natural aptitude may surprise even you!
