Construction Management Courses

The availability of construction management courses and construction management training offer a pathway to an interesting and lucrative career. The US Bureau of Labour Statistics predicts that the demand for such managers will exceed qualified individuals for years to come. Many institutions offer degrees in this program, and some have online construction management courses which make up a large percentage of class time. This opens the door to these programs to a larger number of interested students, who can adjust the program to fit their schedule.

Degree programs involving construction management courses build a foundation in management, building techniques and related legal issues. Graduates can pursue careers in project estimating, safety, project management and code compliance. Jobs may be obtained through general building contractors, specialty contractors, government contractors and architectural and engineering firms. Local governments may also need individuals with this set of skills. This brings to mind the Scripture which says, Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. (Proverbs 22:29)

Previously, a person who obtained a job as a manager usually had worked his way up through the industry, from years of experience in some aspect of the field such as masonry, electrical, or carpentry work. Later, he may have worked as a supervisor or become owner of a building company. Eventually, he earned the reputation to be considered for positions as construction manager. Now, those who seek to hire a manager generally look for both extensive experience and the possession of a degree in some aspect related to the industry, such as architecture or engineering. Further complexity (such as more extensive building codes, safety requirements and environmental concerns) makes a familiarity with computer software and programs which help establish budgets, timelines and communication aspects a necessity.

When one considers the many aspects involved in management, an individual can understand why such extensive construction management training is desirable. Construction managers must apply management principles to all aspects of the project, from conceptual stages to final completion. She needs to be able to control the cost and timeline of the project, as well as ensure the quality of the work. Along the way, she must be able to obtain results from a variety of people, with differing personalities and levels of experience and education. Knowledge of management techniques, technology, and financial and regulatory issues are essential aspects of this job as well as the subjects of construction management training.

Along with the complexity of the project, a manager must be able to be available twenty-four hours a day. Work can go on around the clock, and it is reasonable to assume that jobsite emergencies will occur as readily at 2 a.m. as at 2 p.m. A certain amount of stamina is necessary to operate under these conditions for the duration of a building project. Upcoming deadlines and cost overruns can add a factor of additional stress to the equation. Decisiveness and flexibility, and the ability to oversee many activities at once while retaining the presence of mind to resolve current problems, are all marks of a competent project manager.

The growing demand for construction management training is understandable. A manager may coordinate an astonishingly wide variety of projects. Buildings for commercial, public, and residential use, and the building of roads and bridges all have their unique challenges. A manager may coordinate all aspects or, in sizeable projects, cooperate with several other managers to accomplish a number of objectives: site preparation, sewage, roads and landscaping, as well as integrating systems for safety, plumbing and electricity, heating and air conditioning. She may also need to interact with designers and those who install carpeting or provide painting services. Although the manager does not generally participate in a hands-on way in any of these areas, he or she is responsible for their successful, timely and cost-efficient completion. To accomplish this mission, the manager must have a schedule which breaks all activities into a series of logical steps. Budgeting and time factors may require the use of estimating and scheduling software. Next, he will need to select contractors to complete designated parts of the project. Each aspect must be monitored for progress and to ensure that costs and time elements are on track. At times, managers may utilize worksite supervisors to assist them in their duties. Fluency in other languages may also be helpful under certain conditions, in order to successfully interact with workers on a jobsite. Good communication skills and the ability to lead others are essential traits which construction management courses should seek to develop.

Many advocate the practice of credentialing construction managers. Even though careful interviewing techniques may disclose gaps in a potential employee's abilities, or reveal personality traits which could sabotage prospects for successful teamwork, it is difficult to get a real grasp of the individual's experience. Faults which are overlooked become everyone's problem once a team is assembled for a project. Although credentialing does not guarantee success, it may provide a benchmark for establishing competency. Of course some may be fully competent without such evidence, but the refusal to be credentialed is, for some employers, an indication of a possible shortcoming in some aspect of the industry. Currently, there are two types of credentials which are recognized. A Project Management Professional (PMP) is mostly seen in the computer software industry and used by those not directly managing construction project teams, but involved in support of such projects. A Certified Construction Manager (CCM), however, requires an individual to offer proof that he or she has been educated as an architect, engineer, or other related field and has extensive experience in both design and building phases of a project. Construction management courses help assure owners looking for competent site managers that the individual has both the education and experience to succeed in a construction project.

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