Understanding Effective Project Management for Building Design and Construction is Essential in the Real Estate Market
By: Christina Hoehn, M.Ed., Assoc. AIA, A4LE
According to the Project Management Institute, “project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to a broad range of activities to meet the requirements of a particular project.” There are five phases of project management: project charter; scope and budget; status and tracking; objectives; a project closeout. If the lifecycle provides a high-level view of the project, the phases are the roadmap to accomplishing it.
Many of your owners will want to enter into contracts with designers and builders to remodel a current property or build a new one. Understanding how to work with a Professional Project Manager is essential to project success.
Critical Responsibilities of the Project Manager
- Planning
- Scheduling
- Coordination
- Communication
- Documentation
- Management
- Team Leadership
Project Planning
This phase is key to successful project management and focuses on developing a roadmap that everyone will follow. This phase typically begins with setting goals. Two of the more popular methods for setting goals are S.M.A.R.T. and CLEAR:
S.M.A.R.T. Goals – This method helps ensure that the goals have been thoroughly vetted. It also provides a way to understand the implications of the goal-setting process clearly.
Specific – To set specific goals, answer the following questions: who, what, where, when, which, and why.
Measurable – Create criteria that you can use to measure the success of a goal.
Attainable – Identify the most important goals and what it will take to achieve them.
Realistic – You should be willing and able to work toward a particular goal.
Timely – Create a timeframe to achieve the goal.
Working with a professional project manager will ensure your success and that of the owners you represent