Construction Project Management the Focus Research Proposal

(in its turn, the financial environment must be understood with reference to the wider economic situation.) Cost control is the activity which compares cost performance against the cost plan, adjusting one or the other dynamically by reference to the changing circumstances in the project's financial environment. (Hughes, 1991, p.1)

2. Time Control -. Timing is influenced by many environmental factors, but the client's attitude to the timing of the project is an issue of policy. Therefore, when considering time, the policy of the client needs to be unambiguous. (Hughes, 1991, p.1)

3. Functional Control - the physical environment dictates the technology which is available. Technology includes the physical resources being utilized in the provisions of the built facility. This also ties in the ecological issues about the effect that the construction project has upon the physical environment. In terms of a control system, it is functional control which forms the strongest link here. The function of the building, and its parts, is a direct result of the technological task environment. This environmental factor is concerned not only with the technology of construction, but also the technology of the client's organization. Therefore, the function of the building, and the way in which the client's requirements are achieved, are essential elements of functional control. (Hughes, 1991, p.1)

4. Conflict Control - the legal environment influences the development, or avoidance, of conflict. The control of conflict is an essential part of project management, but is often neglected. There seems to be unwillingness by many people to even consider conflict; almost as if they were being asked to contemplate divorce when planning a marriage! However, construction projects are not marriages, and the purpose of contracts and conditions of engagement is to make clear and unambiguous enforceable promises. A certain amount of conflict between the members of the team is a healthy source of new ideas. Therefore, just like cost, it needs to be controlled, not eliminated. (Hughes, 1991, p.1)

5. Quality control - the aesthetic environment is a particularly subjective aspect. As such, previous studies have tended to avoid dealing with it. If a model is to be widely applicable, it cannot consist only of objective phenomena. There are two aspects to the definition of quality. First, it is a word used to describe the characteristics that something or someone has. It is this sense that has been used by quality assurance schemes, where it refers to characteristics which can be specified and quantified. The second meaning of quality refers to a subjective reaction to something which is good. This is a lot more difficult to define, and very difficult to control or assure. The quality that something has when it is good does not reside in its measurable characteristics. (Hughes, 1991, p.1)

Summary and Conclusion

Construction project management requires a diversity of management skills and involves many processes all that must be viewed in relationship to the environment of the construction project. This work has identified best practice areas for construction project management as well as the necessary controls to ensure effectiveness and quality in the outcome of the construction project. As noted in this study construction projects are complex and time-consuming and involve many aspects of management including management of time, resources, and labor. There are several environmental considerations that must be addressed in construction project management including those of cultural, economic, political, social and physical environmental considerations.

Lastly, communication in and among construction project managers and other individuals involved in the construction project cannot be emphasized enough due to its integral importance in ensuring that the project is completely effectively and timely. These communications take place within each initiative…