Construction Project Management: Comprehensive Planning & Review

This report provides a comprehensive overview of construction management, covering key aspects such as scope, time, cost, quality, human resources, communication, risk, procurement, and integration. It details the processes involved in planning, managing, and reviewing each of these areas within a project lifecycle. The report emphasizes the importance of effective scope management, time management techniques including acceleration strategies, cost estimation and control methods, quality assurance and control processes, human resource management for team building and conflict resolution, communication strategies for stakeholder engagement, risk management planning, procurement processes, and the integration of all these elements to ensure project success. Techniques such as Gantt charts, work breakdown structures, and earned value management are discussed, highlighting their role in achieving project objectives and maintaining control over project variables.

Running head: CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Construction Management
Name of Student
Name of University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
Unit 1: Plan, Manage and Review Scope............................................................................2
Unit 2: Plan, Manage and Review Time..............................................................................4
Unit 3: Plan, Manage and Review Cost...............................................................................6
Unit 4: Plan, Manage Quality..............................................................................................8
Unit 5: Plan, Manage and Review Human Resources.........................................................9
Unit 6: Plan, Manage and Review Communication..........................................................11
Unit 7: Plan, Manage and review Project Risk..................................................................13
Unit 8: Plan, Manage and Review Procurement................................................................16
Unit 9: Plan, Manage and review Integration....................................................................18
References..........................................................................................................................19

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Unit 1: Plan, Manage and Review Scope
The scope management process in project life cycle includes management of the changes
in the project in such a way that the important deliverables of the project are delivered within the
time (Kerzner and Kerzner 2017). Since scope cannot be restricted in a project, management of
the scope generally requires addressing the key challenges of the project. The organizational
process involves planning of the project works that are needed to be delivered. Determination of
the work that are needed to be completed is a part of the organizational process that is related to
project authorization, start up and role of the project manager (Kerzner and Kerzner 2017). In the
project, its scope is mainly described as a segment of planning a project involving the
determination and accurate documentation of the major project goals, its deliverables and the set
deadlines within the project. Therefore, it is needed essential to accurately identify and define the
scope of the project at project start up so that the project plan is set up accordingly (Crawford
2014). In order to incorporate the changes in the project during the project lifecycle, it is quite
vital to define and determine the project scope during implementation of undertaken project.
It is important to define and agree to the project objectives and the success criteria of the
project as the project plan is set accordingly. The success criteria is measurable in terms of the
outcome of the project and therefore, it is important to define and agree to the objectives and
success criteria in project implementation. There are a number of processes of defining the
products and the activities associated with the project. This includes appropriate scheduling in
form of Gantt chart, development of the work breakdown structure and financial planning of the
project. The process of defining the work, organization and the product breakdown structure
involves understanding the requirements and the objectives of the project development of the
project plan according to the specifications. The components of a scope statement are as follows-

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1. Project Objectives
2. Project Justification
3. Product Descriptions
4. The expected outcomes of the project
5. Assumptions and the Project Limitations
The scope change control process is a systematic approach that involves effective
planning of the change process and implementation of the change in a planned manner.
Ineffective scope change control process result in project failure or delay in project delivery.

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Unit 2: Plan, Manage and Review Time
The time management process undertaken in each phase of project lifecycle in the
undertaken project includes planning the implementation of the task according to the urgency
and time available for the delivery of the product. Time management is a process that enables a
team member to complete a project within a specific time (Harrison and Lock 2017). The
management of time in a particular project therefore involves, proper definition of the major
activities undertaken in a project, sequencing of the major activities, estimating the resources of
the project and accordingly enforcing appropriate control on the project schedule (Kerzner and
Kerzner 2017). The scope, cost, risk, quality and human resources have significant impact on the
schedule of the undertaken project. The change in scope of a project can result in increase in
project cost, thus leading to project delay or project going over budget. Risks in a project can led
to schedule change and delay. The unavailability of the human resources can result in delay in
the project work leading to change in schedule. Delivery of a below quality product can result in
change of the schedule, as it involves making the necessary amendments. Time management is
an important aspect of project management and it is essential for the project manager and team
members to arrange all the project activities as per the priority and time required for project
implementation. The project scheduling is an important aspect of project management. Prior to
project scheduling, the activities associated with a project is identified and certain scheduling
tools such as MS project is used for development of the project schedule. The internal factors
that influence the schedule of a project involves availability of personnel, types of machines
available and the availability of the materialistic resources of a project (Schwalbe 2015). The
external factors that influence the project schedule includes, demand of the customers, dealers
and retailers associated with the project and delivery dates as set by the customers.

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Schedule can be used as control mechanism as it provides an idea of the most significant
tasks that are needed to be completed in a high priority. Completion of a specific task within the
scheduled time act as an effective control mechanism of a project.
The five ways of accelerating the project completions are as follows-
1. Early acceleration: The advantage of this process is that, in this method, an early
buffer is developed in a project that helps in protecting against the future delays. However, the
disadvantage is that, in this process, there are chances of resource shortages as resources are
added earlier than planned.
2. Fast tracking the dependent activities: The advantage is that, it helps in cutting down
the overall time required for project completion. The disadvantage is that, this approach is quite
risky and as fast forwarding a dependent task can hamper the project quality.
3. Removing the activities that are not needed: The advantage is that the schedule of the
project can be shorter with this approach. The disadvantage is that removing these activities can
have a negative impact project’s quality.
4. Adding Resources to the Critical Path: The advantage of this method is that that
project is fast forwarded with this activity; however, the disadvantage is that adding resources in
the critical path can result in resource shortage for the other tasks.
5. Optimizing the Project Processes: The advantage is that, optimization of the project
process helps in saving time, while the disadvantage is that the project manager might need to
reschedule the project.

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Unit 3: Plan, Manage and Review Cost
The cost management process in project life cycle involves choosing an appropriate cost
estimation technique to estimate the money required for completing each activities in a project.
The responsibility of the cost management is mainly given to the project manager and resource
manager (Smith 2014). The cost is estimated on basis of the work that is needed to be completed
in a project. Cost estimation is a process that involves quantification of each and every resources
in a project needed for project completion. The budgeting on the other hand involves
identification of sources of funds in consideration to the cost estimate. The five techniques of
cost estimation are as follows-
1. Expert Judgment: Taking help from experienced people is an example of expert
Judgment.
2. Analogous Estimation: The cost estimation data is taken from similar past projects
(Fleming and Koppelman 2016).
3. Top Down Estimation: Development of cost estimate from a high level work
breakdown structure.
4. Bottom up: A detailed work break down structure is used on cost estimation.
5. Parametric Modelling: It is a scientific method of auto calculation of the cost of a
project from previous activities.
Development of project budget and the expenditure forecast is an important aspect of
project management and is to be done at the beginning of the undertaken project (Kerzner and
Kerzner 2017). The authority of development of a budget is generally undertaken by the finance

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manager of a project. The main focus of earned value management is in the value of the work
that is completed. The value of must be equal to the amount of the budgeted funds for
completion of the undertaken project.
The cost control techniques for recovering budget in event of cost overrun and
undesirable forecast are as follows-
1. Reviewing the project tasks that are needed to be completed and discarding the
unimportant tasks.
2. The project team is needed to be kept informed about the budget overrun.
3. Rescheduling the tasks so that it can be completed as soon as possible.
4. Project re-planning for identification of short term deliverables.
5. Effective communication with the stakeholders regarding reducing the cost of
implementation of the project.

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Unit 4: Plan, Manage Quality
The quality management process in each phase involves identification of the quality
measurement criteria and implementation of the project according to those criteria. The quality
management systems are used in the project in order to ensure that appropriate project quality is
achieved while implementing a project (Papke-Shields and Boyer-Wright 2017.). The tools
include change control, management of the project suppliers and document control in a project.
The process of developing a quality plan involves identification of the quality objectives, key
deliverables and quality standards of the project (Kerzner 2019). The quality plan involves
identifying the quality roles and associated responsibilities of the project team and drafting the
same in the quality management plan. There is a striking difference between quality assurance
and quality control. The quality assurance is mainly process oriented while that of quality control
is product oriented.
The responsibility of quality management is mainly undertaken by the quality control
supervisor in a project. The main standards that are applicable in a project includes quality
assurance standard, safety standards and quality control (Kerzner and Kerzner 2017). Continuous
improvement can be described as an ongoing effort of improving the products, services and the
processes in a project. The continuous improvement methodology involves identification of the
processes that can help in improving the products that is to be developed.

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Unit 5: Plan, Manage and Review Human Resources
Management of human resource in a project is associated with the organization and
management of the project team (Hornstein 2015). In each phase of project life cycle, the HRM
is managed by effective human resource planning, acquiring the human resources to develop a
team and managing g the developed team. HRM is important in project management
environment particularly because it helps in aligning the human resources of the project with the
project needs and the project activities. Appropriate HRM planning is necessary for ensuring
success of a project. Human resources are the major needs of a project (Kerzner and Kerzner
2017). Effective management of the human resources involves effective mentoring and coaching.
Effective mentoring and coaching can enable the members of a project team in understanding the
basic of project management and project implementation process.
Since HRM selection is one vital aspect of development of a project team, it is quite
essential to establish certain policies and procedures for HRM selection, performance, training,
evaluation assignment and motivation. The policies and procedures generally voices the skills
and knowledge required by a project team member, the availability of the team member and the
interpersonal skills that is required to be a part of the team. Organization stress can result in
development of a below average product (Kerzner and Kerzner 2017). There are certain conflict
and stress issues associated with the management and implementation of a project and therefore,
it is quite essential to address the same. Effective communication among the project team can
help in effective resolution of the stress and issues associated with a project. Application of the
interpersonal skills is management of a project is quite essential to ensure that uniqueness of a
project is maintained (Heagney 2016). These interpersonal skills include appropriate
communication skill, leadership and negotiation. This will help in effective management of a

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project. The HRM requirements in each phase of a project life cycle is affected by certain
factors. These factors involve work content, risk and certain legal factors. Appropriate
management of each of these factors are necessary to ensure successful project implementation.

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Unit 6: Plan, Manage and Review Communication
The project communication management in each phase of a project life cycle ensures
appropriate and timely planning, collection, creation, storage and ultimate disposition of the
required project information. Communication management is important in a project mainly
because it helps in effective disposition of the vital information associated with the management
and execution of a project (Zulch 2014). Lack of effective communication might result in
inaccurate identification of the project needs and improper communication of the project issues
resulting in project delays. The responsibilities of effective communication management is given
to the team members along with the manager of the project. As a part of communication
management, it is essential for the team members to develop a communication plan that will be
followed by the team members while project implementation. A project management information
system is associated with appropriate organization of the information related to the
implementation of a project (Todorović et al. 2015). A project management information system
therefore helps in better management of the information systems and the communication
networks associated with the project.
The higher authorities in a project is needed to be kept informed about the project works
and the project processes associated with a project. Thus, all the project reports associated with
the project implementation process contributes to approving the project activities. Thus the
process of drafting, approving, vetting and acquiring the endorsements to forward the reports to
higher authorities is essential (Kerzner and Kerzner 2017). An ongoing project involves
generation of a huge number of information. Appropriate security protocols are therefore needed
to be enforced in order to ensure no information loss. The protection of sensitive, private and
confidential data can involve encryption and password protection. There are a number of

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technologies related to communication management. This include the use of email, video
conferencing and messaging. The advantage is that it helps in effective transfer of the project
information. However, the disadvantage is that these communication technologies require regular
maintenance.

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Unit 7: Plan, Manage and review Project Risk
Risk management is a technique of effective forecasting, evaluation and control of the
major risks and issues in a project. It is quite essential to identify the risks associated with a
project, so as to eliminate the chances of project failure (Marcelino-Sádaba et al. 2014). The risk
management process undertaken in each phase of project life cycle involves identification of the
project risks, analysis of the identified risks and identification of the risk mitigation approaches
A project risk can involve a negative impact on the project scope, time and project cost. The
scope of a project can change as a result of an identified risk (Kerzner and Kerzner 2017). The
risks can have a major effect on the project time and project cost. If a risk is not managed in
appropriate time, it might result in delays in a project, which in turn can result in increase in cost
of implementation of the project. There are a number of techniques of risk identification. These
techniques are as follows-
1. SWOT analysis
2. Development of a probability and impact matrix
3. Basic identification of the major risks
4. Development of risk matrix.
The above discussed points represents the major processes of identification of risks in a
project. The risks in a project can be described as the factors that can negatively affect the
management and implementation of a project. Therefore, each and every project involves a
compulsory process of risk identification and management. There are certain differences between
the qualitative and quantitative risk analysis process. The qualitative risk analysis process is a

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technique that is used for quantification of a risk associated with a particular hazard. The
qualitative analysis of the risk is mainly performed by identifying the severity and the impact of
the project. Quantitative risk analysis on the other hand mainly considers those risks in the
project that is marked for further analysis after qualitative risk analysis (Pritchard and PMP
2014). The quantitative risk analysis make use of probability distribution technique to
characterize the probability of a particular risk. The five risk response strategies are as follows-
1. Risk Avoidance: It is one of the easiest ways of removing a project risk as it involves
the removal of the entire task that contain a risk (Fleming 2019). For example, if a task can result
in project delay, the entire task is removed from the schedule.
2. Risk Acceptance: Risk acceptance involves planning the risks into a project.
Accepting a risk in a project involves planning the project in such a way that the project is
implemented with the risk. For example, accepting that a project might involve a scope creep.
3. Risk Monitoring and Preparation: After accepting the risk in a project, it is quite
essential to monitor that risk so that its effect can be reduced.
4. Risk Mitigation: The risks which are severe are needed to be mitigated. Prior to the
mitigation of a risk, it is essential to scrutinize the severity and the probability of occurrence of a
risk in a project.
5. Risk Transfer: The risks which cannot be mitigated or accepted can be transferred to a
third party who is willing to take up the risk, for example, insuring a part of a project.
Personal attitudes to risk and uncertainty can have a significant impact on approach of
risk management. Having a positive attitude towards mitigation of the risks and uncertainties is

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essential in order to eliminate the same from project lifecycle. The risks and issues in a project
are needed to be well documented as it can be a part of lesson learnt. Appropriate documentation
of the risks and issues in a project is essential in order to enforce a planned project monitoring
process in project management.

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Unit 8: Plan, Manage and Review Procurement
Procurement management in project management is associated with the management of
the methods of purchasing and selling of goods in a project. A procurement manager is mainly
responsible for selling of goods. There are a number of reasons behind the increase of
outsourcing or subcontracting in project management. These are as follows (Fleming 2019)-
1. Cost efficiency
2. Reduced project risks
3. Increase in productivity of the project
4. Absence of long term commitment
5. Less legal obligations
Legal requirements associated with the development of valid contract are as follows-
1. Acceptance of the contract
2. Legal intent of each party associated with the contract
3. Competencies of each parties in the project
4. Considering the legality of an object
5. Consideration of the capacity
A legal contract generally involves two elements, which are agreement of all the parties
involved and exchanging a particular value of a contract. Other elements of a legal contract
involves offer, acceptance, consideration and mutual obligation in a project. Thus a contract

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contains information about the parties involved, acceptance and terms that the contract will
cover. A fixed price contract involves setting up of a price for particular goods and services and
it does not allow any sort of bargaining. The cost plus contract on the other hand can be
considered as a reimbursement contract where the contractor is paid for the expenses (Heldman
2018). The advantage of fixed price contract is that it helps in setting up of an exact budget in a
project. The advantage of cost plus contract is that it helps in effective calculation of the project
works. A project manager needs to possess effective negotiation skills (Kerzner and Kerzner
2017). The negotiation skills involves problem analysis, verbal communication and collaboration
and teamwork. Contract negotiation skills helps in effective problem solving and therefore it is
needed in a project. The contract finalization process involves abiding by the terms of the
contract and acceptance of the terms by both the parties. It is mainly done by the project owner.

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Unit 9: Plan, Manage and review Integration
There are a range of tools that are available to project managers. These tools include
various scheduling tools, tools of cost estimation, tools for assessing the project progress and
tools for quality management. A project life cycle mainly involves four phases, which are
initiation, planning, execution and closure. All these phases are interlinked in such a manner that
successful completion of one leads to start of another phase. The project planning process
involves collection and analysis of all the major activities in a project (Heldman 2018). The
control process in a project involves appointment of a quality control manager who is responsible
for controlling the project execution and implementation. Project leaders in an important part of
project management as they motivate the team members to complete a task within the scheduled
time. Therefore, application of leadership and management is important in project environment.
The internal factors that can affect a project include the human resources, unskilled
project team and budget. The external factors on the other hand includes issues with contractors,
legal issues and technological changes. Integration management helps in effective coordination
of all the project activities (Kerzner and Kerzner 2017). The output of each phase is needed to be
coordinated with the next phase of project life cycle in order to ensure that the link between the
project activities are maintained. The project closure phase involves documentation of the project
processes, the major achievement, and the details of the lesson learnt and project evaluation.
These documentations are important for payment completion and successful project closure.

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