1.

INTRODUCTION
Building construction is the process of adding structure to real property. All building
construction projects include some elements in common design, nancial, estimating and
legal considerations. Construction starts with planning, design, and financing and continues
until the structure is ready for occupancy.
In construction project there are several parties involved in the completion of the
project. These parties can be from either the public sector or the private sector. The key
parties are the owner/client, the architect /engineer and the general contractor. Between these
parties there are business agreements in the form of contract to complete the work in the
project, such as; design, engineering, construction, management and maintenance.
The effective planning and control of construction projects requires the application of
systematic and logical methods and tried and tested techniques aimed at ensuring successful
project outcomes for the client, the contractor and all other project participants. Control is not
possible without a plan, and without a program there is no effective means of exercising
control.

2. OBJECTIVE
i.
ii.

Identify parties involved in construction industry

Identify the jobs specification of the building team

3. PARTIES INVOLVES IN CONSTRUCTION (BUILDING TEAM)

i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

Building Owner/Clients
Contractor
Designers
Architects
Interior Designers And Landscape Architect
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vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
xi.

Engineers (Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical)

Quantity Surveyor
Site Engineer
Building Surveyor
Town Planning
Construction Management/Project Manager

4. JOB SPECIFICATIONS OF BUILDING TEAM

4.1 BUILDING OWNER
The client; the person or organization who finances and commissions the work.
They directly or indirectly employ all other consultants, with particular responsibility
for appointing the planning supervisor (usually the architect) and nominating the
main contractor. The Client must cooperate with the Project Supervisors to allow
them to carry out their duties. This means providing them with any information
available to the Client that they need and allowing them sufcient time to perform
their role.
4.2 CONTRACTOR
The Contractor is a person or company engaged in work related to the
construction of a project. This also means someone who manages or carries out the
construction work or even a person who supplies labor or materials for a project.
Employed by the client on the advice of the architect, by nomination or competitive
tendering. They are required to administer the construction program within the
architects direction. Usually, in large scale project, main contractor are responsible
for selecting a sub-contractor (for a particular works).
The Contractor should be appointed as soon as the Client has the relevant
information to make a suitable appointment. The earlier this is done the more the
Contractor will be able to assist in the design and planning process. This will also
reduce the lead-time that the Contractor needs to mobilize for a project. Clients
should also be aware of the duties of the Contractor when considering the assessment
process of a Contractor. The Contractor should be adequately resourced and have the
necessary competence to fulll their duties. To be competent an organization needs to
have sufcient experience, knowledge and suitable skills to carry out their duties
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satisfactorily. The Client must make reasonable enquiries to ensure the Contractor is
competent to do the relevant work and can allocate resources to it. The extent of
enquiries will depend on the scale and complexity of the project.
4.2.1 General Contractors
The function of a general contractor is to coordinate all tasks in a
construction project. A good general contractor who has worked with a
team of superintendents, specialty contractors or subcontractors together
for a number of projects in the past can be most effective in inspiring
loyalty and cooperation. The general contractor is also knowledgeable
4.2.2

about the labor force employed in construction.

Specialty Contractors
Specialty contractors include mechanical,

electrical,

foundation,

excavation, and demolition contractors among others. They usually serve

as subcontractors to the general contractor of a project. In some cases,
legal statutes may require an owner to deal with various specialty
contractors directly. In some special cases, an owner will hold the general
contractor responsible for negotiating and fulfilling the contractual
agreements with the subcontractors.

4.3 DESIGNERS
The Designer is a person or company engaged in work related to the design of
a project. The term design, means the preparation of drawings, particulars,
specications, calculations, bills of quantities in so far as they contain specications
or other expressions of purpose according to which a project, or any part or
component of a project is to be executed. The Designer is therefore any person who is
engaged to do such work. Examples of Designers would include Architects,
Engineers, Surveyors, Contractors carrying out design work (Design, Build and
Operate), and Specialist suppliers.
Designs develop from initial concepts through to detailed specication, involving
different teams and disciplines at various stages throughout the life of the project. At
the start of a project, the Designer is one of the rst points of contact for the Client.
The Client may arrange for the appointment of a number of different Designers or one

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Designer, such as a rm of multidisciplinary consultants, to carry out the design of

the proposed project. Clients should also be aware of the duties of the Designer when
considering the assessment process of a Designer. The Designer can have a positive
inuence on the health and safety of a project. The decisions they make at the start of
the design process will have a bearing on the types of risks and hazards that will be
involved at the construction stage. There may also be a reduced nancial impact on
the cost of the project, if problems are designed out, rather than rectify them at a later
date when more work has been done. It is important that the Client takes this into
account when assessing and appointing the Designer.
4.4 ARCHITECTS
The career overview of architects include architect plan and design houses, office
buildings, and other structures. The duties of the architect include meet with clients to
determine objectives and requirements for structures, estimate the amount of required
materials, equipment, and construction time prepare structure specifications, direct
workers who prepare drawings and documents, prepare scaled drawings with
computer software and by hand, prepare contract documents for building contractors,
manage construction contracts, visit worksites to ensure that construction adheres to
architectural plans and seek new work by marketing and giving presentations.
People need places to live, work, play, learn, shop, and eat. Architects are
responsible for designing these places. They work on public or private projects and
design both indoor and outdoor spaces. Architects can be commissioned to design
anything from a single room to an entire complex of buildings.
Architects discuss the objectives, requirements, and budget of a project with
clients. In some cases, architects provide various predesign services, such as
feasibility and environmental impact studies, site selection, cost analyses, and design
requirements.
After discussing and agreeing on the initial proposal with clients, architects
develop final construction plans that show the buildings appearance and details for
its construction. Accompanying these plans are drawings of the structural system; airconditioning, heating, and ventilating systems; electrical systems; communications
systems; plumbing; and, possibly, site and landscape plans. In developing designs,
architects must follow state and local building codes, zoning laws, fire regulations,
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and other ordinances, such as those requiring easy building access for people who are
disabled.
Computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) and building information modeling
(BIM) have replaced traditional drafting paper and pencil as the most common
methods for creating designs and construction drawings. However, hand-drawing
skills are still used, especially during the conceptual stages of a project.
As construction proceeds, architects may visit building sites to ensure that
contractors follow the design, keep to the schedule, use the specified materials, and
meet work-quality standards. The job is not complete until all construction is finished,
required tests are conducted, and construction costs are paid.
Architects also may help clients get construction bids, select contractors, and
negotiate construction contracts. Architects often collaborate with workers in related
occupations, such as civil engineers, urban and regional planners, interior designers,
and landscape architects.
4.5 INTERIOR DESIGNERS AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Landscape Architect engaged to prepare a landscape design for any building
project. This may include hardscape and softscape.
Interior Designer are responsible for any interior decoration (furniture
arrangement) for the proposed building. Usually the design will follow the client
requirements.
4.6 ENGINEERS
4.6.1 CIVIL ENGINEERS
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals
with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and
naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals,
dams, and buildings.
Civil engineering is the second-oldest engineering discipline after
military engineering, and it is defined to distinguish non-military
engineering from military engineering. It is traditionally broken into
several sub-disciplines including architectural engineering, environmental
engineering, geotechnical engineering, control engineering, structural
engineering, earthquake engineering, transportation engineering, forensic
engineering, municipal or urban engineering, water resources engineering,
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materials engineering, offshore engineering, aerospace engineering,

quantity surveying, coastal engineering, construction surveying, and
construction engineering.
Civil engineering takes place in the public sector from municipal
through to national governments, and in the private sector from individual
homeowners through to international companies.
i.
Structural Engineer
A structural engineer is responsible for designing any kind
of structure so that it can fulfill a specific purpose, and remain safe,
economic and functioning throughout its intended lifetime.
Structural engineering is about investigating both the immediate
loads and demands on the structure, as well as any likely future
changes, and ensuring a structure is designed to withstand those
loads. As well as designing new builds, structural engineers also
ensure older structures remain safe, and often design refurbishment
schemes to ensure long life for existing structures.
As a structural engineer, you could be working on many
areas of construction, including building design, construction,
repairs, conversions and extensions. Projects could range from a
simple, single building like a house, school or shop, to major
schemes including hospitals, sports arenas, offshore oilrigs and
bridges. Often working closely with architects, structural engineers
are involved at every stage of a project as they use their creativity
and innovation to come up with sustainable solutions to some of
the greatest challenges we face, including climate change.
4.6.2

MECHANICAL ENGINEERS
Mechanical engineers plan and design machines, engines,
refrigeration systems, and other mechanical equipment. Once the
equipment is built, they often oversee the maintenance, repair and
installation of the equipment. Mechanical engineers design many of the
tools that we rely on each day. These were all are designed in part by a
mechanical engineer.

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Projects that mechanical engineers work on can vary significantly,

from researching and developing medical products (such as mechanical
hearts), to improving production processes in large oil refineries or
designing services within buildings.
Across all sectors, tasks generally include designing and
implementing cost-effective equipment modifications to help improve
safety and reliability; developing a project specification with colleagues,
often including those from other engineering disciplines; developing,
testing and evaluating theoretical designs; discussing and solving complex
problems with manufacturing departments, sub-contractors, suppliers and
customers; making sure a product can be made reliably and will perform
consistently in specified operating environments; managing projects using
engineering principles and techniques; planning and designing new
production processes; producing details of specifications and outline
designs; recommending modifications following prototype test results;
using research, analytical, conceptual and planning skills, particularly
mathematical modelling and computer-aided design; considering the
implications of issues such as cost, safety and time constraints; working
with other professionals, within and outside the engineering sector;
monitoring and commissioning plant and systems.
4.6.3

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS
Electrical engineers design, develop and maintain electrical control
systems and/or components to required specifications, focusing on
economy, safety, reliability, quality and sustainability. They design and
manufacture electrical equipment for use across many sectors, including
the building industry and services, including lighting, heating and
ventilation; transportation and transport networks; manufacturing and
construction; production and distribution of power. Electrical engineers
are involved in projects from the concept and detail of the design through
to implementation, testing and handover. They may also be involved in
maintenance program. As well as having technical knowledge, electrical
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engineers need to be able to project manage and multitask. They also need
to have commercial awareness. Additional attributes, such as team
leadership or management skills, are required as careers progress.
Most electrical engineers work in a multi-disciplinary project team,
which is likely to include engineers from other specialist areas as well as
architects, marketing and sales staff, manufacturers, technicians and
customer service personnel. They may also work with representatives
from client organizations.
Depending on the employer, the electrical engineer may be
involved at every stage of design and development or may just be involved
at one particular stage. The nature of the role varies according to industry
or sector, but the range of activities common to many posts is likely to
include identifying customer requirements; designing systems and
products;

reading

design

specifications

and

technical

drawings;

researching suitable solutions and estimating costs and timescales; making

models and prototypes of products using three-dimensional design
software; working to British (BS), European (EN) and other standards;
liaising with others in the design team; liaising with clients and
contractors; attending meetings on site; designing and conducting tests;
recording, analyzing and interpreting test data; proposing modifications
and retesting products; qualifying the final product or system; servicing
and maintaining equipment; preparing product documentation, writing
reports and giving presentations; monitoring a product in use to improve
on future design.

4.7 QUANTITY SURVEYOR

Quantity Surveyors are key professionals in the construction industry and their
clients include financiers, developers, government agencies, building proprietors,
architects and contractors. They can be involved in cost planning, cost management,
procurement, contract administration, feasibility studies and asset financial
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management and all activities related to making the financial operation of the
property and construction industries as trouble-free and effective as possible.
Quantity Surveyors perform the role of cost management throughout the life of a
project from the concept stage through acquisition and operation and finally to
disposal. The Quantity Surveyor in the role of cost manager is a competent and
experienced person who will safeguard the clients interests and endeavour to
minimize contractual claims and unexpected financial pressures on the budget.
A Quantity Surveyor is a construction industry professional who specializes in
estimating the value of construction works and can also be referred to as Cost
Engineer or Cost Planner, although this terminology is mainly used on overseas
contracts. The term quantity surveyor derives from the role taken in quantifying the
various resources that it takes to construct a given project, such as labour,
supervision, plant and materials.
Quantity Surveyors use their skills to determine the cost of building work ranging
from small refurbishment works through to assessing the construction value of new
multi-million pound road projects. They are employed on a wide variety of projects
covering all aspects of construction such as building, civil, mining, sea defence, retail
and infrastructure projects to determine the cost of such facilities.
Subsequently, the Quantity Surveyor would produce bills of quantities for
tendering purposes, the work would be measured for progress payments and final
account prepared on the basis of the tender documentation. Quantity Surveyors are
involved at various stages of the construction process, typically prior to construction,
during construction and following completion of the works.
4.8 SITE ENGINEER
The Site Engineer is reporting directly to Construction Management and
supervision day to day operation of site work. Job responsibilities include: follow up with
site engineer of contractor and/or sub-contractor to ensure that work is being carried out
as per design/specification/or planning, interact with Construction Management for
clarification in architectural, conducting regular job site inspections, assist in the quality
and safety audit, identify and highlight possible risk on project, accurately inventorying
construction material, and coordination for verification of extra claims raise by direct
manager.
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4.9 BUILDING SURVEYOR

Currently, the role of building surveyor in Malaysia are not fully utilised. In other
countries such as Hong Kong, UK and Australia, Building Surveyor plays a major roles
in construction sector, where responsible to ensure all design will be prepared after taking
into accounts all factors especially those regards to maintenance. A Professional Building
Surveyor is a qualified person, by examination and experience, and a member of the
Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia.
There is a very good demand for qualified Building Surveyor in local authorities,
with housing and building developers, colleges, universities, insurance companies,
banking and financial institutions, government and semi-government departments,
consultancy firms and research organizations.
Scope of works for Building Surveyor are include building control and space
management risk control and building performance and building maintenance and
conservation.
4.10

TOWN PLANNING
Planners are involved in making long and short-term decisions about the

management and development of cities, towns, villages and the countryside. Planning is a
broad area of work that requires many different skills. Some planners specialise in a
particular area of work, such as protecting the historical environment or urban design,
while others work across a variety of areas.
In general, key planning activities include developing creative and original
planning solutions to satisfy all parties; consulting with stakeholders and other interested
parties and negotiating with developers and other professionals, such as surveyors and
architects; assessing planning applications and monitoring outcomes as necessary;
researching and designing planning policies to guide development; researching and
analysing data to help inform strategic developments, such as increases in affordable
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housing provision; designing layouts and drafting design statements; using information
technology systems such as CAD (computer-aided design) or GIS (geographical
information systems); attending and presenting at planning boards and appeals and at
public inquiries; keeping up to date with legislation associated with land use; promoting
environmental education and awareness; helping disadvantaged groups express their
opinions about planning issues and proposals, and visiting sites to assess the effects of
proposals on people or the environment; scheduling available resources to meet planning
targets; writing reports, often of a complex nature, which make recommendations or
explain detailed regulations. These reports may be for a range of groups, from borough
councils to regional assemblies, or members of the public.

4.11

PROJECT MANAGER/ CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

Walker (2007) suggest that management is the dynamic input that makes the

organization work and organization is the pattern of the interrelationship, authority and
responsibility that is established between the contributors to it. Project management
provides clients and all members of the construction team with a comprehensive
management strategy for any project from inception to completion.
Project management as the overall planning, control and coordination of a project
from inception to completion aimed at meeting a clients requirements in order to
produce a functionally and financially viable project that will be completed on time
within authorized cost and to the required quality standards. Time, cost, and quality
control are the keystones to the success of a project and many project managers find that
this is a difficult balance to achieve.
Construction managers typically do prepare and negotiate cost estimates, budgets,
and work timetables, select appropriate construction methods and strategies, interpret and
explain contracts and technical information to workers and other professional, report on
work progress and budget matters to clients, collaborate with architects, engineers, and
other construction and building specialists, instruct and supervise construction personnel
and activities onsite, respond to work delays and other problems and emergencies, select,
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hire, and instruct laborers and subcontractors, comply with legal requirements, building
and safety codes, and other regulations.
Construction managers work closely with other building specialists, such as
architects, civil engineers, and a variety of trade workers, including stonemasons,
electricians, and carpenters. Projects may require specialists in everything from structural
steel and painting to landscaping, paving roads, and excavating sites. Depending on the
project, construction managers may interact with lawyers and local government officials.
For example, when working on city-owned property or municipal buildings, managers
sometimes confer with city inspectors to ensure that all regulations are met.

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5. CONCLUSION
Construction projects are complex because they involve many human and nonhuman factors and variables. They usually have a long duration, various uncertainties and
complex relationships among the participants. The need to make changes in a
construction project is a matter of practical reality. Even the most thoughtfully planned
project may necessitate changes due to various factors.
Consideration must be given from the initial stages (inception) of the project until
commissioning. Contractual provision is required to define the conduct of owner,
consultant and contractor to participate in and manage variations. Systematic and proper
procedures must be set in place to process a change from conceptual development until it
materializes in the field. The reality is that an adverse environment exists among parties
in the construction industry. Variations could be perceived as positive or negative to the
preconceived goals of the professionals involved in a project. Therefore, a major
variation must be managed and handled professionally in order to minimize its cost,
schedule and consequential impacts that may divert the project away from its targeted
goals.
To identify and analyze potential variations that could happen in a project as early
as possible can enhance the management of projects. Learning from these variations is
imperative because the professionals can improve and apply their experience in the
future.

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6. REFERENCES
Anthony Walker, A (2007) Project Management in Construction, 5th edition. Blackwell
Publishing
Brian Cooke, Peter Williams, (2013) Construction Planning, Programming and Control,
3rd edition.
Rabie Maarouf and Riad Habib, (2011) Quantity Surveying Role In Construction
Projects, A Comparison Of Roles In Sweden And The UK
The Australian Institute Of Quantity Surveyors, National competency Standards for
quantity Surveyors -Construction Economists
Allan Ashworth, Keith Hogg, Catherine Higgs, (2013) Willis's Practice and Procedure for
the Quantity Surveyor, 13th edition
The Health and Safety Authority, (2009) Metropolitan Building, James Joyce Street,
Dublin 1
AGCAS editors (January 2015), https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/mechanicalengineer Job Profile
OBrien, J.J. (1998). Construction Change Orders. McGraw Hill: New York.

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