Project Management

Professional project management actually consists of a number of different methodologies which are used throughout many industries. These strategies are designed to assist with organisation, scheduling, planning and the four main project goals: meeting deadlines, meeting budgets, meeting quality and meeting the client’s brief.

Employing commonly used management methodologies also means that multiple companies can understand universal frameworks and adapt to them. This is important when many different businesses may be working on a single project.

Some of the most common project management methodologies include:

• The traditional approach (initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, completion)
• PRINCE2
• Process-based management
• Agile project management
• Benefits realisation management
• Lean project management
• Event chain methodology
• Critical chain project management

Within these approaches, there are hundreds of individual tools which project managers can use to assist with organisation and planning. Normally, design and build projects don’t have one single methodology of use, so it’s beneficial to have an experienced and qualified project management who can call upon multiple different strategies and approaches where necessary. Bischell are London builders with extensive experience in project management at both domestic and commercial level.

As you can see from the information above, project management is a skill within itself! Whilst it’s possible for homeowners and business owners to manage smaller projects, it can be extremely beneficial to hire a professional project manager to oversee most design and build projects. This shouldn’t be considered an additional cost, but an investment, as part of the cost of a project manager can be made back through improved efficiency, improved productivity, improved workmanship and less stress for you as the client.

Plus, whilst it might sound counter-productive, hiring a project manager can actually put you in far more control of the project. You can pass on your comments, feedback and amendments and then leave it to your project manager to handle implementing them. You can lead the main direction of the project and leave it to your project manager to ‘micro-manage’ all of the required changes and tasks.

Another key benefit is that you can draw upon a project manager’s knowledge. Without extensive experience in areas of project design, project build and project management itself, it can be very difficult to keep everything organised and solve any issues if they arise. Project management has a steep learning curve, and if you decided to manage your own project, then you might have to learn the ropes whilst managing your own brand new loft conversion, house extension or kitchen installation!

With an experienced and knowledgeable build project manager, you can relax safe in the knowledge that there is someone to oversee the entire project and keep everything in check. It puts you in control, keeps you better-informed of progress and allows you to look forward to the finished result!

Whether you do it yourself or hire an expert, here are 5 key elements which make up good project management:

1). Communication, communication, communication!

A lot of problems during a design and build project arise due to poor communication between various parties involved. A good project manager will ensure that everyone involved communicates with each other and feels free to express thoughts and opinions which may benefit the project as a whole.

2). Authority and leadership

The best project manager will have knowledge and experience which commands respect. Individual team members will better take directions as they feel like they can trust their project manager – even on occasions where they may not agree.

3). Accountability and responsibility without pressure

A good project manager will make individual team members responsible for their actions, but protect them against something which isn’t their fault. Team members should feel the pressure of performing well, but they shouldn’t be burdened with stress which negatively impacts their work.

4). Detail in planning

Planning and organisation are both vital for a hassle-free build project which meets the deadline, budget, quality expectation and client brief. Good project managers will be meticulous in detail. They won’t allow schedules and plans to be a hindrance, but they’ll use them to be of benefit to a project by making it more streamlined and organised. They’ll also pay attention to even the smallest details, as these can often be the most important for an exceptional quality result.

5). Manage expectations

This doesn’t just involve managing the client’s expectations, but also the expectations of everyone involved in the project. For a project manager to succeed in this area, experience is key, as they can judge the duration or outcome of a task with more accuracy. For example, if an electrician is wiring new lights and sockets in a room, an experienced project manager will have a better understanding of how long this will take and can therefore adapt the expectations of other specialists in the project who may not be able to start work until the electrician’s task is complete.

Another key aspect of this involves delivering reasonable expectations without over-promising. For example, an inexperienced project manager may deliver a timescale or budget in an attempt to please the client which actually turns out to be completely unrealistic. A realistic expectation which is met is satisfying for all parties, whilst an over-promise which has been missed is disappointing and can cause other issues in the scheduling of the project.