What is Project Management?...................

 

The Project Managers Role

  • To manage the clients interests completely.

  • To embrace the complete project or self build from conception to completion ensuring that it is properly considered and evaluated at all stages.

  • To ensure that all the clients statutory obligations are met.

  • To ensure that Health, Safety and the Environment are considered and minimum statutory obligations are met.

  • To ensure that the budget is properly managed and that realistic prices and quantities are included and agreed at the earliest possible stage.

  • To ensure that the client is aware of all contingency requirements in the budget. 

  • To ensure that all parties buy into the contract and programme.             

  • To anticipate and manage delays and mitigate their effect at the earliest opportunity. 

  • To establish benchmarks and quality assurance.

  • Careful value engineering ensures that the client has the best possible value for money.

All of the above ensure that the clients interests are paramount and that a successful Project is handed over on time and on budget.

The alternatives are:

  • Take on the role yourselves. This is understandably attractive if you genuinely have the time and feel that you are brave enough to do so. Note however that historically the focus then tends to be on the day to day build itself and budget and planning are ignored the more the project progresses. A Project Manager ALWAYS has the complete Project in mind and constantly re-evaluates it against the original programme, principles and budget.

  • You could get your architect or designer to embrace this role but this rarely happens as they will not have the hands on managerial and planning experience required. They will normally be reluctant to do so but should they agree then their fees will increase appropriately. This usually means that you pay for the additional involvement but not for the focus, drive and experience an independent Project Manager brings.

  • You could ask your builder to take on this role (after all he is probably the main contractor) but where do his interests lie?

For more detailed information on how you will benefit from a dedicated Project Manager click here.

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