Subject : Principle of Construction Management

Course Specialist : Guillermo O. Bernabe

Submitted by : Juana L. Abetria
Deadline of Submission : December 8,2018
Assignment No : 01

1. Define the meaning of the construction industry? How does this defer from
your own definition? Discuss and give details.

As per Business Dictionary, construction industry is a sector of national

economy engaged in preparation of land and construction, alteration,
and repair of buildings, structures, and other real property. It is one of the
major industry sectors same as with retail, manufacturing, hospitality and
leisure, energy and automotive and other major and minor industry.

According to The Pearce Report (2003) states that the definition will vary
according to the focus, but generally speaking there is a ‘narrow’ and a
‘broad’ definition. The narrow sector consists solely of on-site assembly
including repair work, which encompasses the site preparation,
constructions of buildings and infrastructure, building installation and
building completion (decoration). The broader definition consists of much
more, including the supply chain for construction related products,
including the mining of construction materials and the manufacture of
construction products. The broad definition also includes professional
services such as management, architecture, design and facilities
management.
 As per my definition, it doesn’t actually differ but I would just like to broaden
it in a more personal way. It Is a labor-intensive industry that give varieties
of work and opportunities. Although from past years, the industry, from my
perspective is having slow progress in terms of management analytical
tools and methodologies. For instance, the use of Building Information
Modelling ( BIM ) wherein it is a very useful and effective tool, but to date,
only a limited number of organization utilizes the said tool due to
conservative approach of the management in innovating ideas how to
perform efficiently, and to the initial investment the technology demands,
and the degree of difficulty of its integration on existing company
procedures since most of the higher rank employees that are supposed to
use the tool are no longer adept enough to familiarize themselves on the
new technology used on the software. In terms of materials and equipment
resources, we are constantly adapting to the changes and demands of the
industry but aren’t flexible enough to meet that global standards because
of the high investment requirement and lack of sufficient knowledge and
technology to further support our adjustments on the constant change and
development on the industry.

2. In what particular scope of construction industry services will construction

project management be needed? Explain how this is so.

There are many construction industry services such as design, consultancy,

quantity surveying, project contracting, and so on. All of which requires
project management. But for me construction project management will be
highly utilized during the construction phase. It is the phase where
monitoring and control of various resources and parameters of the project
are extensive and have to be met. In order for the project to be completed
in accordance to the agreed pre-determined set of standards and
specifications, project management has to be performed extensively and
carefully well. It is when all the resources including material and labor
resources have to be coordinated, controlled and managed. Execution of
plans has to be monitored to be in lieu with the specifications set on the
contract. Also, I think it is equally important to involve the project
management team even during the bidding (pre-construction), as it will be
beneficial, so as to familiarize them on the standards and factors that would
possibly affect a project that would eliminate further risks and alleviate the
performance during the execution.
3. Describe some of your construction project management experience.

Although I’m not yet a project manager, definitely I am also a manager in

my own little way. Management is a fundamental knowledge that are
needed to be practice by everyone. Whether in construction, retail or
business it’s simply management plus the field of expertise/industry.

In my previous company process and tools used although not formally

written is somewhat established, tools such as weekly report, productivity
rate gathering, cash flow and s curve analysis of actual versus plan and
look ahead schedules. Planning is just as important as the actual I guess
but plus the stress or fulfillment when accomplished on time or delayed on
actual.

On my current company a process is already established and written since

it is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company. Although there is a written
process, there are things that are not yet considered but overall, due to
the written process it is easy to spot on what is lacking and what can be
streamline or simplified.

Based on those experiences, I have come to realize that any form of

project management duties, may it be well established and written, or only
verbally imposed, the deciding factor would be the organizational culture.
As it affects the involvement of the manpower resources required to
execute the project management system.

It is challenging yet fulfilling.

4. Name at least three economic and three social contributions of the

construction industry to the economy? Define the importance of the
construction project manager in increasing the contributions of the
construction industry to the economy.

A. The ff are the economic and social contributions of the construction

industry:

Economic Contribution
 Sustainable Development by providing proper implementation of a
sound infrastructure
 Attracts investors
 Provides direct and indirect employments
 Social Contribution
 Government projects that are related to health, transport and
education.
 It promotes positive outlook to society because of the development that
is taking place

B. construction project manager is important in increasing the

contributions of construction industry on the economy since he/she has
the overall control on all the aspects affecting the success of a project.
Successfully completed and implemented projects eventually result to
the economic and social contributions as stated above.

5. What are some of the technical and managerial knowledge required of

the construction project managers to carry out their jobs? What are some
of the skills needed by a construction project manager in vertical and
horizontal construction?

Technical Knowledge
 Budget Preparation and Finance
 Work Scheduling and Knowledge on using software
 Making of Technical Report
 Project Evaluation
 Know how in the construction methodologies and strategies
 Quality Control Analysis

Managerial Knowledge
 Be highly organized and a good multi-tasker
 Take charge and know how to lead
 Be an effective communicator
 Know how and when to negotiate
 Be detail-oriented
 Recognize and solve problems quickly
 Possess the necessary technical skills
 Good Resource Management Skills
 Social Perceptiveness
 Reading Comprehension and Good Writing Skills
 Service Orientation

The skills above-stated are all required to be a successful project manager. In

addition, in vertical construction, it is very important to be knowledgeable on the
basic principles of engineering especially on the structural framing, architectural
finishes, and construction sequence/phases of the other trades. On the other
hand, horizontal construction requires minimal knowledge on other trades since
horizontal construction mostly requires civil works only not unlike on the vertical
construction where you will be required to coordinate and control all the trades
involved on a single project.

6. Name at least five differences between a construction project manager

practicing in the Philippines and one who works abroad (e.g., Asia). Explain
why you think so.

The following are my observations, based on my research, and experience

since I was also able to work overseas for a brief period. I have concluded the
below-stated comparisons because I was able to experience both sides first-
hand. I have come to realize that though our industry and its competencies
still have a lot of room to grow and develop, I believe that our local industry
have the sufficient resources, skills, and knowledge to compete globally. If our
gov’t agencies, academic bodies concerned, and we professionals in the
industry give more focus on continuous development and improvement, it is
only a matter of time that our local construction industry and its effect on
society and economy will be recognized globally.

Item Specific Task Project Manager in the Project Manager

No Philippines Overseas
1 Project Preference is personal Overseas are more
Communication and verbal formal and they
Preference agreements. coordinate through
proper meetings and
written agreement.
2 Work Execution Are more risk-takers. Will only work upon
Preference Can work even having completion of all proper
insufficient contract documents involved on
documents only. the contract. Are more
Project managers also focused on the
work hands-on. They analytical factors on the
do site works. project.
3 Work Environment More personal Professional. No
Produce personal interest
involved
4 Project Site Conflict Some conflicts are Conflicts are resolved
Treatment taken personally. more professionally.
Sometimes, worse is Issues are taken on
they pass the blame on analytical basis and not
lower rank employees. personally.
5 Leadership Aspect Leaders are more Usually leads on a
compassionate and professional level only.
personal. Lead by
example.
6 Change Adaptation Are not open-minded Are more flexible and
to knew construction open-minded towards
methodologies and new ideas and
technology. They do innovations to reach
things conventionally new levels of
either on site works or development on the
analytical works. industry.
6 Compensation Not well compensated Very well-compensated
and sometimes, others and are paid
value more the passion accordingly based on
on the industry more the credentials and
than the salary. performance.

Reference:
a. http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/construction-industry.html
b. http://www.irbnet.de/daten/iconda/CIB16522.pdf
c. https://work.chron.com/technical-abilities-project-manager-should-have-
21517.html
d. https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=mcafee&type=D214US714G0&p=diff
erent+industry+in+the+philippine
e. Thoughts about Construction and Trends Blog
f. Personal and colleagues’ experiences