Construction management
Nina Ndichu
Nina
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PROJECT MANAGEMENT VERSUS CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Project management is the conventional method of construction administration. The owner has direct contract with both the consultants and the contractor. The owner is able to retain direct control over all aspects and the quality of the project. This process allows the owner more flexibility in decision making. The owner ultimately makes the final decisions. In addition, the owner may realize the benefit of competitive bidding. Disadvantages are the owner can become overwhelmed with the minute details of the project and the owners account payable has to deal with multiple companies.
Construction management is a progressive more ‘convenient’ method of construction project administration. The owner has only one direct contract with the construction manager. The contractor becomes a subcontractor to the construction manager (consultant). The owner is not bothered by having to make every decision and may realize a time reduction in the completion of the job. Also, the owner’s accounts payable department only has to deal with one company. Disadvantages are the owner looses a level of interface with all companies except construction manager and that the owner could invest more money than with conventional process (benefit and need weighted per project).
Similarities
They both involve the same three parties; owner, consultant, contractor. Consultant represents the owner under both contracts. All communication between the owner and the contractor flows through the consultant. The contractor, along with any subcontractors, still performs all the construction work. The consultant will still be responsible for developing and interpreting the construction documents, observing the work, performing inspections and reviewing submittals.
Differences
Firstly is the relationship between the parties. In project management, the consultant and the contractor have no formal contract between them. They do have a third party relationship which stipulates how they are to work together. They rely on each other to perform certain duties which affect each other’s work, but their contracts are only with the owner. In construction management, the contractor has a direct contract with the consultant and does not have any direct agreement with the owner. The contractor now has a third party relationship with the owner and is paid by the consultant, not directly by the owner.
Secondly, is in the manner of contractor selection. Under project management agreement, the owner selects the contractor. He can use competitive bidding or negotiate a price with a specific contractor. The consultant can advise but do not have direct responsibility for this decision, the owner makes it. Under construction management agreement, the consultant has greater responsibility for selecting the contractor. The consultant and owner make the decision about competitive bidding or negotiating a price once a project budget has been established. The owner may not realize the most competitive price with this process. The owner has delegated that responsibility to the consultant under the framework of the contract budget.
Thirdly, is in the matter of liability. Under project management, the consultant has liability only for the design. The contractor has liability for the actual work and its conformance to the construction documents. Under this agreement for any decision which the owner makes without the consultants approval, the owner assumes responsibility and liability. Under construction management, the consultant assumes responsibility for the design and also for the work. If an issue where to arise, the owner only has one entity with whom to deal. The consultant is responsible to the owner for any part of their contract which is not met. The contractor is responsible to the consultant for their work. The final liability will be shared by the consultant and the contractor if the contractor fails to perform. The owner’s direct liability under this management system is less than under project management.
Conclusion
Both project management and construction management have advantages and disadvantages. Each project is unique and needs to be evaluated as to which method will be the best fit for the owner to achieve his objectives and realize the greatest return on investment.
Nina Ndichu
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Nina Ndichu
Graduate Architect
tel: +254 775 563 525
