Project Management: Keys to Success

by David Bentley, (M.ASCE), Dir. of Business Development; SAE Continental Heller, Sacramento, CA,
Gary Rafferty, (M.ASCE), Project Exec.; Swinerton and Walberg Co., San Francisco, CA,


Serial Information: Civil Engineering—ASCE, 1992, Vol. 62, Issue 4, Pg. 58-59


Document Type: Feature article

Abstract:

Successful construction projects can be traced to several key factors observed by the owner, the AE and the contractor. They include: 1) Goals and commitment of the managing partners agreed to and stated at the onset of a project; 2) well written contracts between all parties, 3) clear division of responsibilities; 4) effective and honest communication; 5) preconstruction planning sessions that focus on stated goals; and 6) a project procedures manual that outlines specific methods, systems and flow of information. In addition, some other key factors are: 1) Schedule control that focuses on milestones; 2) cost control that projects and tracks actual vs. budgeted costs; 3) subcontracts that are negotiated promptly, fairly and honestly with clear scope of work; 4) regular meetings that review schedule and costs, plus special meetings with other parties such as upper management, inspectors and lenders; and finally, 5) quality control so that the project is designed and built to the level of quality agreed to at the outset.

Subject Headings: Project management | Construction costs | Scheduling | Quality control | Contracts and subcontracts | Construction management | Wells (water)

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