The Client Role in Successful Construction Projects is a practical guide for clients on how to initiate, procure and manage construction projects and developments. This book is written from the perspective of the client initiating a construction project as part of a business venture and differs from most available construction literature which can externalise the client as a risk to be managed by the design team. The book provides a practical framework for new and novice clients undertaking construction, giving them a voice and enabling them to: Understand the challenges that they and the project are likely to face. Communicate and interact effectively with key stakeholders and professionals within the industry. Understand in straightforward terms where they can have a positive impact on the project. Put in place a client-side due diligence process. Reduce their institutional risk and the risk of project failure. Discover how their standard models are able to co-exist and even transfer to a common client-side procedure for managing a construction project. Written by clients, for clients, this book is highly recommended not only for clients, but for construction industry professionals who want to develop their own skills and enhance their working relationship with their clients. A supporting website for the book will be available, which will give practical examples of the points illustrated in the book and practical advice from specialists in the field.
International Arbitration Law Library, Volume Number 57 Collaboration between multiple parties from different countries is one of the main challenges of almost every international undertaking, and this is especially true in the case of large and complex construction projects, such as airport terminals, interchange subway stations, distribution centers, industrial processing and manufacturing facilities or hydropower plants. This comprehensive analysis of key legal issues arising from interdependencies between multiple contracts methodically lays out, from a Swiss law perspective, the way in which coordination of works in construction projects could or should occur. It also examines the legal consequences of coordination failure and various related aspects of dispute resolution. Topics covered include the following: interfaces and interdependencies across the system boundaries of multiple contracts coordination responsibilities derived from the principle of good faith and from a contextual interpretation of interdependence-related FIDIC Red Book provisions; delegation scenarios; liability for breach of contract and legal remedies in case of delay, disruption, defects, destruction and performance impossibility; direct claims against third parties; taking of evidence under substantively intertwined contracts; and coordination of interrelated arbitration proceedings. The detailed analysis draws on numerous specific real-life examples as well as illustrative Swiss and Unites States case law. An appendix offers very useful practice pointers. Although considering Swiss law, which is a frequent choice for the law governing international construction contracts, the analysis deals with an array of conceptual aspects of multiple contracts and coordination, thereby addressing a great number of issues beyond the limits of national law. With its practical examples, the book is sure to be welcomed by those seeking to avoid or resolve disputes to which project coordination may give rise. It will prove of particular value to practitioners negotiating international construction contracts, arbitrators, in-house counsel representing owners and contractors involved in international construction projects, members of dispute review boards and project managers.
Unique among construction project management textbooks, Management of Construction Projects, third edition, takes the constructor’s perspective, carefully analyzing a complex, real-world construction case study from multiple angles to demonstrate the skills, knowledge, and techniques students require to become successful project managers. Popular as an undergraduate text and as a contractor resource, the book identifies key stages of the project-management process, such as delivery methods and contracts; estimating, planning, and scheduling; preconstruction services; subcontracting and material management; documentation, communications, and payment; controls, quality, and safety; leadership and ethics; and claims, disputes, and close-out. This third edition includes a novel case study, a new chapter on preconstruction services, updated contract forms and figures, and additional student exercises, and integrates use of project management technology. Topics include building information models, sustainable construction, environmental compliance, lean construction, and off-site construction. Boxed examples, or short case studies, have been included with each chapter. These examples correspond directly to the chapters in which they are included and give the reader an applied approach to learning the concepts presented. While primarily focused on the management of commercial projects, the principles and techniques in Management of Construction Projects also apply to residential, industrial, and heavy construction. Written in straightforward language from a constructor’s perspective, this textbook prepares upcoming construction project managers with everything they need to see a successful project through from start to finish.
Complications arising from poor collaboration are the source of a variety of the construction industry's biggest problems. This book provides clear explanations of how to successfully devise and implement a collaboration strategy.
The audience for this book in the United States alone is well over half a million: construction managers (389,000), architects (113,000), engineers (228,000), and urban planners (32,000)
Project management is of critical importance in construction, yetits execution poses major challenges. In order to keep a project ontrack, decisions often have to be made before all the necessaryinformation is available. Drawing on a wide range of research, Managing ConstructionProjects proposes new ways of thinking about project managementin construction, exploring the skills required to manageuncertainty and offering techniques for thinking about thechallenges involved. The second edition takes the informationprocessing perspective introduced in the first edition and developsit further. In particular, this approach deepens the reader’sunderstanding of the dynamics in the construction project process– from the value proposition inherent in the project mission,to the functioning asset that generates value for its owners andusers. Managing Construction Projects is a unique andindispensible contribution to the available literature onconstruction project management. It will be of particular benefitto advanced students of construction and construction projectmanagement, as well as contractors and quantity surveyors. Reviews of the First edition: "A massive review of the art and science of the management ofprojects that has the great virtue of being a good read wherever itis touched. It spills the dirt on things that went wrong,elucidates the history so you can understand the industry's currentstance, draws on other countries experience and explains the latestmanagement processes. Throughout it is liberally sprinkled withanecdotes and case histories which amply illustrate the dos anddon't for practitioners wishing to deliver projects on time toexpected quality and price. A valuable book for students andpractitioners alike." —John D Findlay, Director, Stent "This is a valuable source for practitioners and students. Itcovers the A-Z of project management in a confident contemporarymanner, and provides a powerful and much needed conceptualperspective in place of a purely prescriptive approach. Theengaging presentation introduces a range of challenges toestablished thinking about project management, often by makingcomparisons between practices in the UK and those of othercountries." —Peter Lansley, Professor of Construction Management,University of Reading "A refreshing and unique study of information management and itsimpact upon international construction project management.... Thebook is well presented and written, logical and succinct and isflexible enough to allow readers to either read from start tofinish or to dip into selected chapters. This book deserves to bean established text for any construction or civil engineering under- and/or postgraduate course." —CNBR, 25th November 2003 "Generous use is made of anecdotes andc case historiesthroughout to support the theory. the book illustrates the mistakesmade by others, and the means to deliver projects on time and tocost." —Building Services Journal, April 2004
A guide to effective corporate and project management in the construction industry with a focus on the role that people play in the process Global Construction Success explores the importance that human dynamics play in risk management of construction projects. Every time a project is structured, designed and built, personal behaviours and inputs can either lead to success or be the cause of failure. With contributions from noted experts on the topic, the book offers insight into stakeholders' reactions in a variety of situations, provides expert analyses of risk management and proposes potential solutions and recommendations in order to ensure effective construction management. The book explores common causes of project failure, outlines the key factors of successful projects, shows how to implement Public Private Partnerships, explores the different stages of structuring projects and reveals what it takes to manage difficult client/contractor relationships. International case studies of major projects clearly illustrate how communications and relationships can lead to helpful solutions to commonly encountered challenges to achieve positive results. Offers a comprehensive review of the impact human dynamics play in the success or failure of construction projects Stresses the importance of the leadership of senior management Offers a chapter on managing and resolving conflicts Shows why the industry needs better risk management Includes new information for managing communications and relationships Explores new areas of technology that are being embraced by the construction industry Written for construction industry senior management in both the corporate and government sectors, project management professionals, consultants and supply chain participants, Global Construction Success includes material for minimizing risk and improving management quality and profitability when working with international construction projects.
The role of the project manager continues to evolve, presenting new challenges to established practitioners and those entering the field for the first time. This second edition of Peter Fewings' groundbreaking textbook has been thoroughly revised to recognise the increasing importance of sustainability and lean construction in the construction industry. It also tackles the significance of design management, changing health and safety regulation, leadership and quality for continuous improvement of the service and the product. Using an integrated project management approach, emphasis is placed on the importance of effectively handling external factors in order to best achieve an on-schedule, on-budget result, as well as good negotiation with clients and skilled team leadership. Its holistic approach provides readers with a thorough guide in how to increase efficiency and communication at all stages while reducing costs, time and risk. Short case studies are used throughout the book to illustrate different tools and techniques. Combining the theories underpinning best practice in construction project management, with a wealth of practical examples, this book is uniquely valuable for practitioners and clients as well as undergraduate and graduate students for construction project management.
It is no secret that problems in the construction industry canquickly escalate into full-fledged conflicts; adversarial positionstaken by the various parties involved in a project routinely leadto disrupted schedules and costly litigation. It doesn't have to bethat way. Project Partnering for the Design and Construction Industryprovides powerful tools for improving working relationships amongcontractors, designers, clients, and suppliers. Speaking directlyto the construction professional, author Ralph J. Stephensondemonstrates numerous ways to avoid conflict and ensure successful,on-time project deliveries by promoting teamwork, establishingnoncontract ground rules for ethical and responsible behavior, andemploying a variety of conflict-resolution techniques. This thoroughly practical handbook describes all the steps,procedures, and guidelines you need to make project partnering workfor you. You'll discover how to identify possible sources ofconflict before the work begins and learn to plan and write aproject partnering charter. You'll develop the ability to identifycommonly encountered problem-types and avoid miscommunications anddisputes that may arise from incompatible personalities andmanagement styles. Using real-world case studies, examples, and his own personalobservations, the author examines construction projects of allsizes and types, from inception and design through completion andbeyond. He offers a historical overview of the constructionindustry, comments on its nature as a business, analyzes itsvarious components, and offers helpful tips on management methodsfor specific projects and organizational structures. This comprehensive and enthusiastic book demonstrates how effectiveproject partnering fosters competent, high-quality work throughoutthe entire life cycle of a project. It also enables constructionprofessionals to make each project more profitable and lessstressful, while finding renewed job satisfaction in a revitalizedworking environment How to manage construction projects on time, within budget--andwithout major conflicts . . . To many contractors, architects, design engineers, and suppliers, aconflict-free construction project may seem like an impossibledream. Not so. Project Partnering for the Design and ConstructionIndustry provides step-by-step instructions on how to conduct ahigh-quality, on-time, profitable construction project, whileavoiding strife, adversarial behavior, or debilitating legalaction. Written in plain English and spiced with humor, this enormouslyuseful guide: * Examines all practical methods and procedures needed to createsuccessful partnering systems for a wide range of projects * Shows how project partnering dispute resolution techniques candefuse problems and disagreements quickly and inexpensively beforethey get out of hand * Describes a variety of preventative measures to help containliability and reduce time spent on nonconstruction activities * Helps establish productive relationships among all participantsin a construction project, including designers, contractors,clients, and suppliers * Provides numerous case studies where project partnering has beenapplied successfully, as well as real-world examples, charts,illustrations, and actual partnering charters * Offers alternative dispute resolution techniques for situationswhere project partnering is inappropriate * Discusses background, history, and the general organizationalstructure of the construction industry For contractors, engineers, architects, subcontractors, suppliersand owners, and anyone involved in the decision-making process onconstruction projects, this book provides the key to undertakingprojects with confidence and building a solid reputation in themarketplace.
