Construction Project Management Overview

This assignment delves into the essential aspects of construction project management. It examines various project management methodologies, tools, and techniques relevant to the construction industry. The document discusses crucial topics such as earned value analysis, safety control measures, building information modeling (BIM), and integrated project delivery (IPD). It also explores the role of project documentation and workforce structure in successful construction projects.

Project Management

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
SECTION-1 Project management principles...................................................................................1
Project management...............................................................................................................1
Project management system...................................................................................................2
SECTION 2- PROJECT PLANNING.............................................................................................3
Project scope...........................................................................................................................3
Success and failure criteria for the project.............................................................................3
Preparing project plan.............................................................................................................6
Gantt Chart.............................................................................................................................7
Applying projects conducting and project cost control..........................................................9
The methods used to measure the performance...................................................................10
The project change control procedures.................................................................................10
The key elements involved in project termination...............................................................11
SECTION-3 Project human resource.............................................................................................12
The roles and responsibilities of participants in this project................................................12
Control and coordinate the project.......................................................................................13
Leadership requirements under the project..........................................................................13
Section-4 Project evaluation..........................................................................................................14
Evaluation of project............................................................................................................14
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Project management is the term that has been used in order to commence, plan, execute,
control and close the work (Nicholas and Steyn, 2017). This work is being done by a group of
people to achieve the particular goals of the company at a particular time period. The criteria of
success are also met at a specific time. To produce a product that is unique, different a project is
temporary endeavour. Within the given constraint, the primary challenge of project management
is to achieve all the goals of project. The scope, time, quantity and budget are the primary
constraints. The optimisation and allocation of input and applying them is the secondary
challenge that is being faced in order to achieve pre-defined objectives.
Scott Co Ltd. is one of the leading importers and distributors of fast moving consumer
goods, health care products and pharmaceutical products in Mauritius (Scott Co. Ltd, 2017). By
providing high-quality goods and services, this company focuses on improving the lives of
people. This report will represent the new computer software that will be implemented by this
company in assumed budgets and time period. All the details about managing this new software
will be given in this report. Furthermore, the roles of each department in the implementation of
the new computer software will also be discussed.
SECTION-1 Project management principles
Project management
Background – Since the early civilization, project management is being practiced. In this project,
basically a new computer software that is accounting software for the company Scott Co Ltd.
will be implemented (Rakos and et.al., 2015). The name of that accounting software will be fresh
books. In the organization in the billing department this software will be implemented through
this the billing system in this company will be made easier and efficient. A lot of time of the
company will be saved if this accounting software will be implemented in the company. The
tasks such as organizing expenses, tracking time and following up the clients etc. will be
automated and a much of the workload of the employees of staff will be reduced with use of this
fresh books accounting software. The client or customers will also be offered online payment
solutions.
Aims – To implement a new accounting software that is fresh tools in Scott Co LTD.
Objective
 To introduce a new computer software that is accounting software fresh books
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 To give the customers or clients with better payment options
 To generate more satisfaction among customers
 To reduce the burden of employees regarding billing system
 To implement this project within a time period of 123 days
 To keep the budget for the fresh book software to be around 10000 MUR
The major objective of this project is to develop a successful project. In order to make a
project successful, the project manager plays an indispensable role in it. To guide and monitor
the overall project is the responsibility and accountability of project managers. All the aspects of
the project that is planning, controlling as well as monitoring has been seen by them. There are
some of the principles of project management (Riol and Thuillier, 2015). They are as follows-:
The cultural environment – A helpful cultural environment need to be given by an informed
management that will help the project team to produce its best work. The project management
process is being understood by an informed management. A project is clearly backed by
management in a supportive environment and the best work is being produced by team members
without an uncertain hindrance.
The process principles- For the conduct of the project commitment effective and efficient
policies and procedures must be in place. At a minimum, clear roles and responsibilities such
policies and procedures must occur (Walker, 2015.).
The different phases are being there in the project as per the time that is been set for the
project. Support for this project that is introduction of new computer software the time estimated
is 123 days so during this period the planning, organizing, controlling, executing, monitoring,
closing etc. all these phases will take place.
Project management system
Both the humans and materials resources are need to be integrated to make a project
successful one. In order to execute the project successfully a project management information
system is the coherent organization of the information that is needed for an organization. With
this the methods or software application are being provided in order to gather and use
information of project (Mir and Pinnington, 2014). The project management goals are being
plan, execute and closed through these electronic systems. In order to do this project both human
and resources will be needed.
SECTION 2- PROJECT PLANNING
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Project scope
By introducing a new computer software in this company that is Scott Co LTD. The
customers will be given more satisfaction in the billing system and it will not be take much time
and also the online facility will be given to them through this. The workload of employee or staff
will also be reduced as much of the work will be handled by this accounting software. And fro
the company it is also affordable and not so costly also. In a secure and easy manner, the
company will able to deal with their finances (Lientz, 2012). A wide range of features will be
given by this from cloud-based invoicing to an online payment gateway. This project will make
user that communication is effective in the team members so that this project will be completed
as per the given time period and budget. The high-quality is needed during the implementation of
their project and the team should work in a group to achieve the desired results. The scope of the
project is wide enough because it involves a wide range of factors that will probably help in
increasing the success rate of the whole project. So, the scope of Scott Co Ltd. Is that the
involvement of an efficient software so that the overall workload can get reduced, thus helping
the company in achieving a better rate of productivity.
Success and failure criteria for the project
In order to further the aims of a business or organization a project is invariably
undertaken. With a range of stakeholder, the team need to be interact at various task who have
their concerns and agendas. The unrealistic expectations, requirements that are not defined
clearly and accurately, lack of leadership, poor communication, not proper managements of
resources are the some of the factors that contributes towards project failures.
A well - defined and well understood set of requirements, proper time scheduling,
effective channels of communication and accurate reporting procedures are some characteristics
of a successful project. The success and failure rate of the project depends on a variety of factors.
Some well-known examples of these factors include the level of cooperation from the employees
after involving the software, financial status etc. So, on the basis of these factors, the overall
success and failure rate may depend upon.
As per this project, it will be successful if it has been completed in the time period of 123
days and in the estimated budget that is 10000 MUR but if it is not being done in this time-
period, then it will not be successful one (Kubba, 2010).
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Product breakdown structure – It is a tool that is being used in order to evaluate documents and
communicate the requirements of a project and forms of the product planning technique. The
physical components of a particular product or system is being detailed by a product breakdown
structure. With the final product it begins with and is followed by the sub- categorizes elements
of the products.
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5
Illustration 1: Work force structure
(Source: Work force Structure, 2017)

Work breakdown stricture – In order to produce the product or deliverable the work breakdown
structure defines the work. Into the work areas it represents a hierarchical subdivision of a
project. For all project work that is planning, Estimation of cost and efforts etc. the WBS
provided the foundation of projects. In order to implement this project WBS will represent the
response that is allocated for this project that is humans, teams, software and the cost and time.
The role of project team – On one or more than one phases of the project, the project team will
be working. This may include the external consultants or in-house staff. In this project, team will
be contributing towards the entire project effectively. Keeping in mind the time and the cost,
they will be working in this project. The team members will be assigned the duties by the project
leader and based on that, they have to do their work (Ilozor and Kelly, 2012).
Investment appraisal – By using the concept of discount cash flow in this project the current of
time value of money can be valued for this project using the cost of capital in order to provide
their profit values all future cash flows are estimated. Also, by making use of Net profit value in
this project how much value does an investment or project adds to an organization will be
indicated. So, in this case the profit that is being earned by the company Scott Co Ltd can be
found by using NPV. Suppose, NPV>0, in this case, the project need to be accepted as the
investment would be adding value for the firm. And if NPV<0, the project need not be accepted
as from the firm, the investment would subtract value. And in case if NPV=0, then in this the
decision should be made based on criteria such as strategic positioning as the investment would
be neither gain nor loss for the company.
Figure 1: NPV of Scott Co Ltd.
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It is on interpreting the above assessed data where the NPV has shown positive results and
hence, Scott Ltd should opt for this project. It is based on an initial investment of 10000 MUR
that is apparent to give positive returns within a period of 5 years with a calculated NPV of 4770.
Preparing project plan
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Gantt Chart
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Applying projects conducting and project cost control
In order to meet out the desires required, almost all the projects need to be guided to get
an expected result at the end of the project. For the project, it is the team that is responsible and
the effective controlling of the cost need to be carried out by the project managers. For this
purpose, the several techniques can be sued by them. The project manager also has to oversee the
project goals and for any project the control of various costs is also very essential. In this respect,
if the project managers will fail then the project management will not be effective. This will
define whether the organization will gain profit or loss from the new computer system that is
being planned.
There are various cost control techniques that can be sued by project manager in this project
planning. They are as follows-:
Planning the project budget – At the starting of the planning session, the budget need to be made
with respect to the project at hand. For all the payments that need to be and estimated budget will
be helping in the project. During the project life cycle the cost that will incur it will be doe
through planning the project budget. A lot of research and critical thinking is being done by the
company Scott Co. Ltd in order to make this budget. Through the period of the project the costs
many not remain the same so for some adjustments there will be some space that will be made.
Keeping a track of costs – As any other technique keeping the track of all actual cost is also
equally essential. In this for this project a time-based budget will be made. In each of its phases it
will the company to keep the track of the budget. Against the periodic targets that are been set in
the budget the actual costs will be tracked. If the project is found on for a long period of time,
then these targets will be made on a monthly or weekly basis. Suppose if the fresh books
software will need to be taken 1-year period then the target will be made for a week, month etc.
Rather than having one complete budget for the overall period of project this is much simpler to
work. The estimations need to be made in any new work is been carried out and make sure that
in the final budget it can be accommodate.
Effective time management – With respect to the project control cost, this technique is very
essential. If the deadlines of the project will be not met, then the price of the project will be keep
on increasing. Suppose, the project is being stretched for longer time then the budget that is made
for the project will also increase. The important deadlines of the project need to be reminded by
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the project managers to its team members at regular period to make sure that work is completed
as per the given time.
Project change control – In this project, it will play an essential role. During the course of the
project change control systems are important to taken into consideration any potential changes.
There will be impact on time of the deliverable due to each change so the project cost and also
increases which may also increase the efforts required for the project (Janda and Killip, 2013).
The methods used to measure the performance
In order to measure the performance of project this company can make use of planned
value. In this the entire amount of money that is planned by team and project leader is compared
with total work that is being done with that money. The more money will mean that more value
is being received for the work. The actual cost can also be used in order to measure the project
performance. In this the actual money that is been spend versus the total work that was actually
done. The BCWP can also be known as earned value. In terms of approved budget that is been
given to the work is being expressed by BCWP. The cost performance index can also be sued in
order to measure the project performance. In this, the comparison is being made on the actual
cost or progress that is being made in the project with the work that is been done.
The project change control procedures
In the project management process, the change control is an essential part. During their
life, it is oblivious that project will face the demand for change. The unnecessary changes will be
neglected with the help of change control process that might disrupt the services and the use of
effect resources is ensured by change control process. The five stages are involved in the change
control. The two documents that is being used in this produce is change log and change requests
form. All the records of the changes that are requested and the decisions that are being made are
recorded in the change log. The details of the change are documented in the change request form.
In the first stage, the change is proposed. In this, the team members who are working on this new
project that is implementation of software package fresh books will be asked to suggest the ways
in which change can be brought (Hallowell and Wehle, 2013). The description of the change
need to be there in the proposal and to bring the change, the expected benefits and reason need to
be mentioned. By making use of change request from the change is been presented and to the
change log for the project it is been added. The next step is being carried out by project manager
and in this, the summary of impact is being made. The items such as impact on time scales, cost
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savings, the need of resources etc. will be covered in this. In the next step by an approved
authority, a change request will be recovered and entire information that is been given by project
manager will be considered by them. They will then accept or reject it. In the next step at a team
manager with the stakeholders a change that is been approved will be planned, scheduled and
executed. At last stage, on the change the requester checks and will be agreed and by the project
manager it will be closed in the change log.
The key elements involved in project termination
The objective of the project is to fulfill the project specific goals. A project is then
terminated of the objective has been met. In the form of checklist or automated system the
number of steps need to be taken when the project is terminated. These checklists are being
maintained in order to make sure that project team will be able to gain experience from this
project and this will help them to enhance their skills in the future projects. In the project plan
form the stray of the project this step should be included in the project plan. Due to number of
reason such as all the resources are being exhausted by the organization or due to external
environment changes the project aerial cannot be met a project may be terminated before the
completion. When the project is being completed as per the desired time and budget the
successful termination of the project starts. For the project manager post project evaluation is an
essential aspect (Griffith, Stephenson and Watson, 2014.). Meeting with clients, teams and
project manager etc. are included in this. The activities such as organizing and filling documents
of the project, doing post project evaluation will be included in this. When the performance of
the project is completed then termination phase of project starts.
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SECTION-3 Project human resource
The roles and responsibilities of participants in this project
Illustration 2: Roles and responsibility in project management
Activities
(Sources: Project Structure of team, 2017)
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This is on referring to the above organizational structure of this project that depicts a
functional assembly of the workers. A foremost advantage of this method is to segregate the
employees in accordance to their specialized skills with an increased operational speed as well as
clarity. Although, it together involves certain drawbacks where there may raise territorial
conflicts among the employees, resulting in lacking coordination.
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Project manager – In the project, the project manager will play an important role and it is the
duty of the project manager to complete the project successfully. Within the give time the project
need to be proceed. This is the duty of project managers. The resources requirements need to be
managed by project managers and also as per the plan the staff need to be hired by them. The
project manager will be responsible to manage the project office and will be working under the
project director who will be a part of executive and steering committee.
Project team member – They will work actively on the project. In order to establish and met the
needs of business they will be working with users. This will mainly involve the functional as
well as technical team leaders.
Financial department – They will be handle all the financial records that will be spent on this
project.
Project sponsor – They are the ones who are the in-house champion of the project. With the
project managers they will work closely. The objectives of the project are being legitimated by
them and in the high-level project planning they take part. And throughout the project if there are
any obstacles or conflict they will help to solve them. The decision for the project is made by
them and also the budget for project is also approved (Fleming and Koppelman, 2016,).
Executive sponsor – In the management they are ideally high-ranking members. The ultimate
responsibly of the project is been carried by them. The project deliverable is also being approved
by them.
Stakeholders- In the success of nay project the key stakeholders are pivotal role. The necessity of
their project need to be explained clearly by the stakeholders. They must be able to give a
detailed requirement and a financial plan.
Control and coordinate the project
The project management team carry out the duties and functions that is being assigned
them by the project manager (Dykstra, 2011). This is being so that coordination is being there in
the team and without nay defects the project is being implements in team project by them. In
order to make a project a successful one the project manager should see that in a team there
should be controls and coordination. All the team members are aware about their roles and there
should be no confusion among them regarding the work that need to be done. The
communication in a team need to be effective regarding the meetings, agendas, deadlines etc. All
these need to be seen by the project manager of this project.
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Leadership requirements under the project
In this project that will be implemented a project manager is the leader here. All the
motivation and encouragement to the team will be given by project managers. The duties of each
and every team member need to be clearly defined by project manager. They must also see that
in a given time period and budget that is within period of 123 days and budget the project should
be completed (De Bruijn and Ten Heuvelhof, 2010). All the resources that will be needed for this
implementation of new software such as fresh books will be conducted by team managers. If
there are any problems that have been arising in this project or in between team members, then
this is the duty of leader to solve them. They need to boost up the members of the team to
complete the project in a given time frame and budget.
Section-4 Project evaluation
Evaluation of project
A project can be evaluated where it is a success or not by taking into consideration the
schedule. For this project, the project manager set the schedule of 1-year time so if during this
deadline if the project is completed, it will be considered as a successful project. However, if due
to inadequate resources such as humans, capital etc. if it is not completed on time then it will be
considered as a failure. In order to evaluate a project quality also plays an essential role in it. A
review of quality can evaluate whether the standard that are been set out for the project are met
or not. The cost is also one factor that can be used to check whether a project is successful or not.
If the project is being done in the estimated budget that is devised by project manager and team,
then it will be a successful one else it will be not. The satisfaction of stakeholders also plays a
role in evaluation of project. If they are satisfied with the project, then it will be successful
project. The coordination in a team need to be effective so that to make this project successful
and all the resources also that is need for the project should be allocated such as human
resources, capital, material, etc., (Addis, 2012).
This is to discourse upon the practices adopted for evaluating the project in terms of
ensuring its success as well as effectiveness. For which, it is required that the project manager
looks onto the 5 vital parameters that involves checking the schedule to assure the completion of
project within a specified period of time. Another is in terms of quality where it should be
reviewed at the end phase of the project. Next is the assessment of cost to ensure whether the
project has been completed within a specified amount of budget or not. After which, there is a
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need of analyzing the satisfaction level of the stakeholders as a way of assuring that all specified
requirements of the stakeholders have been fulfilled in terms of satisfying their needs. This is
basically to ensure that the considerations of distinct stakeholders have been well identified and
sustained till the end of the project. Lastly, in regard to validate the business performance, a
significant evaluation will be done considering some vital tools that involves both quantitative
and qualitative measures. This involves surveys, case studies, interviews, observation and focus
groups, etc.
CONCLUSION
Thus, summing up the above report, it can be concluded that in the success of any new
project that is in initializing, planning, monitoring and closing, project management plays a vital
role in it. The new computer software that is fresh books has been implemented by the company
in order to make its billing system easier for its employees and generating more customer-
satisfaction. The project manager will make all the plans regarding this project. The team
members will be doing the work that is being assigned to them by the project manager. In this
project, the project manager is the leader who will encourage and motivate the members of team
to achieve the goals of this project.
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REFERENCES
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reuse and recycling. Routledge.
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in complex decision making processes. Springer Science & Business Media.
Dykstra, A., 2011. Construction project management: A complete introduction. Kirshner
Publishing Company.
Fleming, Q.W. and Koppelman, J.M., 2016, December. Earned value project management.
Project Management Institute.
Griffith, A., Stephenson, P. and Watson, P., 2014. Management systems for construction.
Routledge.
Hallowell, M.R. and Wehle, A., 2013. Proactive construction safety control: Measuring,
monitoring, and responding to safety leading indicators. Journal of Construction
Engineering and Management, 139(10), p.04013010.
Ilozor, B. D. and Kelly, D. J., 2012. Building information modeling and integrated project
delivery in the commercial construction industry: A conceptual study. Journal of
Engineering, Project, and Production Management. 2(1). p.23.
Janda, K. B. and Killip, G., 2013. Building expertise: renovation as professional
innovation. Constructing green: The social structures of sustainability. pp.35-55.
Kubba, S., 2010. Green construction project management and cost oversight. Butterworth-
Heinemann.
Lientz, B. P., 2012. Project Management: A problem-based approach. Palgrave Macmillan.
Mir, F.A. and Pinnington, A.H., 2014. Exploring the value of project management: linking
project management performance and project success. International journal of project
management, 32(2), pp.202-217.
Nicholas, J. M. and Steyn, H., 2017. Project management for engineering, business and
technology. Taylor & Francis.
Rakos, J. and et.al., 2015. The practical guide to project management documentation. John
Wiley & Sons.
Riol, H. and Thuillier, D., 2015. Project management for academic research projects: balancing
structure and flexibility. International Journal of Project Organisation and
Management, 7(3), pp.251-269.
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Walker, A., 2015. Project management in construction. John Wiley & Sons.
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