Authored by Phil Cohen
Are you a successful construction manager? Do you want to become one? Managing a construction project is difficult and it’s definitely not for everyone. But for those who are considering tackling the job of running a construction site, consider these five skills to be essential.
- Strong Communication
- Leadership
- Organization
- Risk Management
- Adaptability
Characteristics of a Successful Construction Manager
Strong Communication
The first must-have project manager skill is strong communication. You’re in control of a group of people working together to get a project done. If you don’t take the time to instruct your employees and confirm directions with them often, something is going to go wrong. In addition to communicating with your team, you will also have to interact with all other parties involved with the project.
Some managers take their communication to the next level by incorporating technology into how they speak with others. Consider using web-based tools to chat, share files and create schedules. .
Leadership
Communication and leadership go hand-in-hand – both characteristics of a strong construction manager. Managers need to understand their plan of action, then be able to convey its steps in parts that their employees can complete on time.
Successful construction managers understand they’re managing more than just a project, they’re managing the people that go along with it. They know how to motivate a group and point them in the right direction without coming off as overbearing.
Organization
Another essential habit of good project managers? They’re organized.
It’s one thing to keep papers in order, but it’s another to run a team project. A successful manager gently guides their employees through the hoops of creating a project while also informing those that put the project in place.
If a construction manager forgets to update a client, tell a certain worker to move to a new phase or loses the project blueprints, the operation is not going to be successful. Thinking ahead and staying as organized as possible keeps the project moving forward smoothly.
Without organizational skills, construction managers end up not completing the project on time. This costs their company extra money and hurts their relationship with clients. You will want to keep your work materials as organized as possible to keep the project moving smoothly and quickly.
Risk Management
The construction industry involves some risky work. There are plenty of things that can go wrong in the field that could injure someone working on site. Successful construction managers need to understand that risk and know how to prevent work-related injuries in the first place.
To be a good project manager, know what goes into each part of a project from beginning to end. You should also understand the risks during each stage. Managers that prep their team mentally and physically reduce the change of problems occurring in the field. They lay out safety protocols and explain what secure working conditions look like.
The fewer accidents while working, the more likely it is your project will be delivered to the client on time. Your workers are safe, your project is done. It’s a win-win.
Adaptability
The last must-have project manager skill is adaptability. You need to be organized and have a plan. When something comes up, you need to know how to optimally navigate the situation.
If it’s not handled correctly at the start, a small diversion in a plan can turn into a catastrophe. Successful project managers understand the need to tackle problems or issues that may arise early on so they don’t impact the completion time of the project. As a leader, don’t be afraid to take on new methods and approaches. For example, construction is becoming more technically advanced.
Takeaways
While these skills are valuable on their own, a great construction manager knows how to use them together as a unit. You must understand a project fully in order to organize its completion. If you can’t communicate those thoughts and guide the team along through their leadership, the project will not be done in time.
If there are some bumps along the way, a strong project manager will know how to adapt to them to avoid issues. And if the work site isn’t kept safe or the workers aren’t educated on construction safety, they’re more likely to get hurt.
The construction manager will also be aware of the finances and know when it’s time to contact a construction factoring company so that the project can move along. Hundreds of construction managers turn to construction factoring in order to fund the costs associated with completing jobs. In the end, the project manager has a lot to worry about, but finances shouldn’t be one of them.
If you don’t think being a construction manager is right for you, that’s okay. there are plenty of other high-paying skilled worker jobs out there!