The role of a Project Manager                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Project management is described as ‘the skills, tools and management processes required to undertake a project successfully’; a Project Manager, therefore, being the individual responsible for overseeing the completion of said project. Here, we’ll discuss the role of a project manager and the intricacies of what this entails, with a focus on construction projects.

The role of a Project Manager

In the broadest of terms, Project Managers lead the planning, executing, monitoring, risk management & mitigation, and completion/handover of a project - key deliverables - or  Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) - often being:

• Cost/Budget

• Time

I.e. is the project running to the expected budget, and are key project milestones being reached within the expected time/timeline?

Within this, and particularly pertinent to construction and industrial projects, is the quality of the project delivered; as construction projects must be delivered to exacting specifications and require technical solutions.

Risk management and Project Managers

All projects carry risks in various forms and, none so less than large scale construction and industrial projects.

Identifying risks and potential risks in a timely manner; as early in the process as is possible, is vital to the successful delivery of a project.

And, in order to adequately manage and mitigate risk, Project Managers must have a clear view of the project in its entirety, as well as the desired objective(s) which allow the PM to plan appropriately and act proactively instead of reactively when risk events emerge.

Project management & construction projects

Within the context of construction projects, Project Managers plan meticulously - with each deliverable stage of the processes sectioned into ‘Phases’ which are clearly defined.

Also of note is the complexity of the role of project management in construction and the importance of the development phase - the development process being crucial in ensuring a construction project has the appropriate and necessary funding, planning permission, council backing; the project is feasible and the budget & timeline is achievable; all of which must be in place and/or agreed upon before the construction phase begins.

Phase 1 is Project Planning: developing an initial concept study to determine the viability of the project, which is then followed by a feasibility study, containing further analysis of the project; once this study has been completed roles are defined, a project team is appointed and resources determined, and then a project office is set up.

Phase 2 is Project Execution: Once the project has been analysed, planned and the project team & resources defined, construction can begin.

It is here that the PM is required to monitor and control the process - with particular attention paid to -

• Time management

• Cost control

• Quality management

• Change management

• Risk management

• Procurement

• Communications

Phase 3 is project handover: completing and handing over the project to the client, with the documentation required.

Essentially, the role of a project manager is to ensure the project in question runs to a desired timeline and budget and all work is performed to a high standard, and that everyone involved - especially the client - is communicated with clearly and regularly.

Project managers and the EPCM approach

Due to the fact the EPCM approach involves a construction contract with a main process contractor, and then a series of other contracts, the package contractors, the role of a project manager within this context is to provide the client with one main point of contact (the PM); the PM being well-placed to communicate and report back to the client, whilst expertly managing multiple contractors, and ensuring the project is running to time & to budget.

Project Managers and the EPC Wrap approach

The EPC Wrap approach involves a single construction contract with a single contractor. In this role the Project Manager will coordinate and manage a single construction package.

Project Management at PWCL

Here at PWCL, our Project Managers cover the whole project, from inception to completion; helps clients to maintain control of every aspect — quality, cost, programme, delivery and safety.

Our team provides a single point of contact for clients and contractors.

What’s more, our focus on pre-construction services - planning and feasibility - help to drive down project costs; using our knowledge of key markets whilst establishing a detailed understanding of the client’s brief.