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R.V.

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, BANGALORE-560059


(An Autonomous Institution Affiliated to VTU, Belgaum)

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Construction Management (16CV6D3)

Self Study on-

Commercial Office using MS Project Software

Submitted by

Aryan Agarwal (1RV16CV017)

Karan Gotlur (1RV16CV047)

Chaitanya B (1RV16CV021)

B Chetan Raj Meda (1RV16CV022)


Construction project management, often referred to as CM, is a professional service. It
uses specific project management techniques that oversee the planning, design, and of
course, the construction of a project from start to finish. The most important aspects to
control in construction our time, cost and quality.
Construction project managers are the people that oversee building project management and
will be discussed later in the article. Construction projects are usually high budget
undertakings and are often involved in real estate, transportation infrastructure, industrial
facilities and even military infrastructure. These types of construction projects are known
as capital projects.
Specifically, there are seven branches of construction. These include:

 Agricultural
 Residential
 Institutional
 Heavy Civil
 Commercial
 Industrial
 Environmental

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND PROJECT


MANAGEMENT

Construction management and project management are closely linked. However, a number
of key differences between the two types of management do exist.
Construction projects are usually carried out by large companies that have large
customer base suits. Sometimes, these companies offer more than just building and
managing a construction project. They can also offer services such as financing, options for
purchasing materials and construction support.
Construction management often does not have a manager on the site at all
times. Usually, the protocol is that a manager will come onto this site from time to time to
check on progress.
Project management is usually involved with the management of a specific
project. It oversees the project from beginning to end, whereas construction management is
involved with the construction aspect of the project.
Project management allows for more scope in the owners having control over all
aspects of the project. Owners, in turn, tend to feel more satisfied with this high level of
control they possess over the project.
Construction management is beneficial for owners or clients that do not feel
they would be qualified enough to be part of the decision process and therefore do
not need to be. Construction management takes care of these decisions for them.

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER VS PROJECT MANAGER

Construction project managers and project managers are very closely related. Essentially,
they are involved with overseeing the management of projects. However, a number of key
differences between the two types of project managers exist.
Normally, construction managers will oversee the management of the
construction part of the project. This is in comparison with a project manager that
oversees the project from its conception to its end. Construction project managers oversee
the day-to-day operations beginning from the pre-construction stage through to the
construction phase of the project. Construction project managers have a specific area of
knowledge which they apply to specific phases of a construction project rather than the
whole thing.
A project manager is typically brought on at the inception stage of a traditional
project. A traditional project manager has a deep understanding of the clients wishes and
goals and will often work very closely with them. A construction manager is not as involved
with the client as a traditional project manager would be due to their involvement with only
specific phases in the project rather than the project as a whole.
The involvement of a construction manager in personnel management is high compared with
that of a traditional project manager. A construction manager is responsible for ensuring
that tools required are available on time, that resources are allocated correctly and that
materials needed to complete the project or specific tasks are delivered on time.
Project managers are on the job site at all times whenever work is being carried
out, whereas construction managers are not. Their main responsibility is to be available to
solve any problems or issues that arise.

The main difference between a construction manager and a project manager is the level of
authority. The construction manager is tasked with overseeing all activities involved in
construction. A project manager would be someone that is in charge of the construction
manager meaning that the project manager roles and responsibilities in
construction are greater than those of the construction manager. The project
manager has a greater responsibility in terms of the project as a whole as they oversee more
than just the construction process.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT PHASES

The stages of construction project work include the following:


Design: The design stage mirrors closely the planning stage of a traditional project. A
construction design can be seen as a construction project plan. In construction
management, programming and feasibility, schematic design, design development and
contract documents are involved in the design stage of the construction project. A design
team is allocated to this stage and it is their responsibility that the design is aligned with all
building codes and regulations. Normally, a bidding process takes place during the design
stage.
Pre-construction: If the client gives notice to the contractor that they have been chosen to
the bidding process the construction project work can begin. A project team will be
allocated and will include a project manager, construction project coordinator, contract
administrator and construction project engineer.
During this stage of the project a site investigation must be carried out. This will allow the
project team to discover if any specific steps need to be included on the job site. It is
important to prepare the site before actual construction is begun. Unforeseen conditions are
dealt with at this stage along with a soil test which is used to determine if the soil is in good
enough condition in order to be built upon.
Procurement: The procurement stage of a construction project is when the labour,
equipment and materials needed to complete the project successfully are purchased. The
construction company can do this themselves or this work can be subcontracted.
Construction: During the construction stage, a preconstruction meeting is held. This
meeting decides on aspects of the project such as work hours, quality control, site access and
material storage. After everything involved in the project is moved on to the construction site
and set up construction can begin. A schedule known as a contract your progress
payment schedule specifies at which project milestones contractors and suppliers will be
paid.
Owner-occupancy: After construction is completed, the owner can move into the building.
This is when the warranty period begins. During this period, it is insured that all the
equipment, materials and quality meet the expectations agreed upon during the design and
pre-construction phases of the project and that are outlined in the contract between the
project team and client.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES

A construction project manager is tasked with a number of specific responsibilities in the


same way that a traditional project manager is also responsible for certain areas of the
project. The main responsibilities of a construction project managers include:
 Project planning: All projects need to be planned. It is an essential part of any
project, especially in construction. A construction project manager needs to plan out
the project carefully so that everyone involved is aware of how the project will progress.
 Cost management: Construction costs are normally very high and need to be
managed carefully so as to not go over budget either for the client or for the
organisation itself.
 Time management: Construction projects are usually carried out for a client. Time
is a crucial aspect in construction and durations need to be kept optimised. Before the
project begins, a time limit is set and it needs to be adhered to so as to keep the client
happy and for the project to result in success.
 Quality management: Quality standards need to be monitored and controlled very
carefully. Construction is involved in the creation of infrastructure for the general
public, quality standards are therefore often set by the government and if it is found
that they are not met first time round certain areas of the project will have to be re-
done, which will take up a significant amount of time.
 Administration of contracts: Contracts form a major part of any construction
project. An organisation performing a project for a client will often have contracts
with other organisations from which there are outsourcing certain products or
services. These contracts need to be managed carefully and kept track of. This is the
responsibility of the construction project manager and also forms part of assistant
project manager construction work.
 Safety management: Safety plays a key role in construction. Construction workers
must all go through specific safety training and qualification tests. The safety of the
construction site and of the construction project itself needs to be monitored carefully
by a construction manager so to later avoid any issues.
 Construction Management professional practise: This professional practice
has to do with the general management of the project team. Before a project begins,
the construction project manager needs to clearly define the roles and responsibilities
of each of the project team members. This needs to be done in very high detail and
monitored very closely, all of which is done by the construction project manager.

Microsoft Project Software


Microsoft Project (MPP) is used by many project managers, especially at large organizations
where it’s a legacy software.

Starting a Project: Tasks and Durations


Before you can see the benefits of importing MPP files into ProjectManager.com, you first
must know how to start a project in MS Project. Once you’ve downloaded the software and
opened it up on your desktop you can start entering data into the task plan of the Gantt
chart, such as the task name and its duration.

As you enter tasks and durations in the spreadsheet to the left, you’ll see it graphically
represented to the right in a blue bar over a timeline in the Gantt chart. This is called the task
bar, and it’s a great way to get a quick visual of what tasks need to be done when.
Once all your tasks have been entered into the spreadsheet and reflected on the Gantt chart
to the left of your screen, remember to save the project. Give it a name and place it in a
folder. It’s a good idea to number this file to distinguish it from newer versions you create as
the project progresses. The file will be saved with the extension .mpp.

Project Start Date and Task Dependencies


MS Project defaults to starting all your tasks on the same date, which naturally isn’t true, so
you have to now tell the program when each task starts. You do this by clicking on the Project
item on the top bar then Project Information in the dropdown menu. A new window will pop
up and you can now change the start date.

Microsoft Projects allows you to note task dependencies, such as when one task cannot start
until another is finished. You want to manage these task dependencies, so MS Project gives
you the ability to link them. One way is on the Gantt chart by hovering your mouse on the
center of the task bar. The cursor will become a four-way arrow, which by click left will allow
you to drag one task over another, linking them. Now save the file, and mark it as version
two.

Creating Milestones
A milestone marks the end of a phase of the project, and they’re a good way to track your
progress and stay on schedule. You’ll want to add these to your Gantt chart. To make a task a
milestone, click on the task. Once it’s highlighted, right-click to bring up the task information
window.Click on the Advanced tab. There will be a checkbox at the bottom left. All you have
to do is check this box and the task will now be designated as a milestone. You will see it on
your Gantt chart as a black diamond shape. Don’t forget to save.

Toolbar and Icons


The toolbar option is in the View menu, which allows you to chose the view you want: Gantt
chart, calendar, network diagram, task usage, tracking, etc. You can now pick the view that is
most relevant to you, which will change throughout the project, so you’ll be using this feature
often.

There is also a Toolbar option under view, which if you hover on it will open up another
window to the right with more options. The Standard and Formatting options are defaults,
but you can change these as you like to see what you want to see at any particular time. Using
Microsoft Project does give you a fair amount of control over how you see the project.

The icons on the toolbar offer a popup screen tip if you over your mouse over them, which
can be helpful it familiarizing yourself with the visual vocabulary of MS Project. The icons
should be commonplace to anyone with some computer literacy: New File, File Search, Print
Preview, Spelling, Undo, etc.

You should look around and get to know all the various functions and formatting options the
software offers. Once you have, you can customize the toolbar by removing or adding
options. On the right of the standard toolbar is a small double arrow and a small down arrow,
which can be used to customize your toolbar.

About Project Management:

According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), project management is “the art of
directing and coordinating human and material resources throughout the life of a project by
using modern management techniques to achieve predetermined objectives of scope, cost,
time, quality, and participating objectives.

At its most fundamental level, construction project management handles the planning,
coordination, and execution of a construction project, whether it’s agricultural, residential,
commercial, institutional, industrial, heavy civil, or environmental.

Project management has become a fundamental way for organizations to optimize processes,
ensuring that they offer the highest level of efficiency and effectiveness while carrying out
projects throughout the company. Project management software is one of the most helpful
tools that can assist project managers in being as effective as possible, regardless of the
industry. While incorporating project management software can certainly improve
processes, there are distinct advantages and disadvantages to using it, which require careful
evaluation.
Advantages of Project Management Software
The variety of tools available in project management software can help drive a project
forward. These advantages include:
 Collaborate with team members in real-time. Project management software
commonly offers communication tools that can assist teams in discussing issues in
real time. The benefit is that each team member can be kept up to date, quickly
dealing with issues as they arise.
 Document sharing. For projects that require the use of significant documentation,
document sharing tools allow individuals to edit, update the status of reports and
create systems that allow for transparency and communication.
 Manage project costs. Controlling costs is one of the most important benefits of
project management. Project management software generally includes tools that can
assist in managing project costs.
 Ability to manage risks, forecasting, and budgets. Knowing project risks,
creating forecasts and tracking budgets are some of the biggest advantages of project
management software.
 Reporting capabilities. With flexible report formats and the ability to quickly
access needed data, project management software can keep tasks on schedule.
 Intuitive to use. Dashboard-based software requires little training to implement.
Simple to use and easy to install, new project management software allows for quick
ramp-up times.

Disadvantages of Project Management Software


Though there are clearly many good reasons to utilize project management software, there
are also disadvantages to consider:
 Some programs can be very costly with very little ROI. While project
management software can provide great solutions, many times those solutions need to
be custom designed or solved by purchasing multiple software programs. These can
be costly options and can be difficult to implement.
 Project management software may complicate simple projects. While using
project management software is a popular option for many organizations, simpler
projects may not need project management software. When project management
software is used inappropriately it can unnecessarily complicate matters.
 Execution issues when relying on automated alerts. While alerts are helpful
to remind team members that tasks are due, a problem develops when more time is
spent on setting up the alert than the task itself.

Understanding Organizational Needs


Before purchasing a particular software package, it is critical to evaluate the requirements of
the organization. Knowing exactly which functions will be needed will help to streamline the
decision making process. Carefully developing a list of functions and characteristics in terms
of “required” and “optional” will help to determine which packages most closely fit the needs
of the company. Additionally, the evaluation of the software package using “Use Cases” is a
critical step before implementation. A Use Case combines a scenario that the individual
organization may face, such as managing risks, capital or budgets with the capabilities of the
software resulting in a good sense of whether the software behaves as expected.
While project management software can be a necessary and helpful addition to an
organization that is working with complex reporting or product development, there are
distinct advantages and disadvantages to purchasing the software. Knowing the extent of the
organization’s requirements is the first step in making sure that project management
software is a good fit, followed by a careful evaluation of whether there are more benefits
than drawbacks to incorporating project management software on a project by project basis.
Listing the activities in general to be done for the Commercial Office project:-
1. Architectural concept, Design
2. Interview and initial Discussions
3. General survey of information
4. Design Development +Permit
5. Construction Administration
6. Selection of General
7. Labour Licence
8. Structural Desidn and
9. Setting out
10. Site investigations
11. Material
12. Equipment and Labour
13. Earth Work
14. Phase I-Preliminary
15. Phase II-Levelling of base
16. Phase III-Remaining
17. Foundations
18. Site clearing for Foundation
19. Removal 0f trees
20.General Excavation
21. Hire scaffolding
22. Erect scaffolding
23. Dig footing and install
24. Grading general area
25. Excavation for utility trenches
26. Placing framework and
27. Pour Footings
28.Pin Footings
29. Installing sewer lines
30.Installing other utilities
31. Erect Ground Beams
32. Ensure ground drainage system
33. Timber Framing
34. Reinforced Concrete Frame
35. Column and beam construction
36. Formwork design
37. Reinforced steel bar consruction
38.Concrete pouring and maturation
39. Formwork stripping
40.Curing
41. Masonry Works
42. Building of walls , Paraparet
43. Metal profiled sheet decking
44.Cladding and covering
45. Rainscreen Cladding
46.Installing of lintels
47. Roof
48.Water Proof
49.Sheet board cladding
50.Concrete slab cladding
51. Electrical Work
52. Lighting
53. Telephone/TV systems
54. Heating Requirements
55. Alarm systems
56. Pumbling Works
57. Water connection
58. Install toilets and Handbasins
59. Flooring Works
60.Doors and Windows
61. Stairs
62. Glazing
63. Plastering Works
64.Painting
65. Landscaping
66.Car Park
67. Gardens
68.Pavaments
69.External Works
70. Finishing Works
71. Paint Touch up
72. Clean up and demobilize site
73. Final Walkthrough

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