6 functions of construction management Construction managers and projects play a fundamental role in the success and overall development of any project, leading a project from start to finish. But what steps do you take to ensure that a project has been properly completed? For those who work in this field, there are six functions of construction management that must be addressed to ensure the success and quality of a project. Without these six functions of construction management, finishing a project would be extremely difficult. Project Management Planning Although it is only one of the six functions of the construction administration, planning the entire project is an essential task, since it establishes the steps to complete a project. Before a project can be started, the project manager must plan each step of the project. Project managers should define the tasks of the workers and estimate the duration of each activity. This information is necessary when planning a project thoroughly. Without a large construction plan, it is a challenge to develop a budget and a work schedule. Cost management Understanding the costs of a project is a necessary part of managing the construction. The second in the six functions of construction management is to create a budget. Project managers use the budget to determine the total costs and expected returns of a particular project. Understanding one's budget can help build the payment table. Project managers use the budget and plan to determine when the steps are completed. Sometimes, project managers request payment when completing each step. This can make projects more affordable, since subcontractors do not have to bear the full cost at the start. Along with the budget comes a cost plan that will detail all the costs of construction and the costs of the entire project. The budget shows the spending limit, while the cost plan shows where and when the project managers can spend the money, although they seem quite similar. Time management Time is something you can never recover once you lose it, so people use their time wisely. In construction, the greater time spent on a project equals higher expenses. The ability to use time intelligently and efficiently is an important skill that is needed for someone in construction management and is the reason why it is considered one of the key functions of construction management. A manager must have these skills: clear and effective communication, delegation and prioritization. It is even more critical in the field of construction because any error due to a lack of communication or any form of delay can accumulate project expenses. The increase in costs charges subcontractors when they lack the appropriate programming and documentation.