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Streamlining Project Outcomes: The Power of Early Construction Manager Engagement

Written by: Bryan Jones

07.12.24

The age-old adage “time is money” rings truer than ever in today’s construction marketplace. As project timelines and budgets tighten to align with the current economic climate, the role of a Construction Manager (CM) has never been more impactful in steering projects to successful completion. Involving a CM from the inception of a project unlocks tangible benefits, anticipating problems before they arise and ensuring smoother project delivery. 

Early Engagement Sets the Stage for Project Success 

Project delivery methods that go through a design phase and are subsequently bid out to hire a builder (typically referred to as design-bid-build) bring the construction manager on board during the later stages of project planning, missing critical insights from an experienced CM. The shift towards early CM engagement is streamlining the way projects are managed and executed and sets the stage for project success in many ways: 

• Enhances Team Experience
  Working closely with architects, engineers, and owners early in the project fosters a collaborative approach to realizing construction projects. This synergy helps to streamline communication, ensuring that everyone is on the same page from the outset. Misunderstandings and miscommunications, common culprits in project delays and cost overruns, are significantly reduced.
• Lowers the Project Risk
  Early involvement allows CMs to identify potential issues and risks on paper, long before they become critical problems in the field. By leveraging expertise in construction logistics, scheduling, and resource management, CMs can anticipate challenges and devise effective mitigation strategies and present creative solutions. This proactive problem-solving approach ensures that the project remains on track and within budget. 
• Reduces Changes
  Builders bring valuable insights into the constructability of designs, providing feedback and anticipating potential conflicts, which leads to more efficient and feasible designs. This experience ensures that the design meets the owner’s goals and the architect’s intent but is also practical and cost-effective to build.  
• Drives Value
  Realistic cost assessments through each stage of design can help identify cost-saving opportunities early without compromising quality. This leads to more accurate budgeting and minimizes the risk of unexpected expenses later in the project.
• Instills Confidence in Project Timelines
  Developing comprehensive and realistic project schedules identifies critical path activities, allocates resources effectively, and establishes a timeline that accounts for potential delays and contingencies. This early planning approach helps to ensure that the project is completed on time and manages expectations. 

 

Involving subcontractors from the onset helps to ensure everyone is aligned on project goals and fosters a unified, collaborative approach to construction.

Understanding Delivery Methods 

To fully appreciate the impact of early CM engagement, it is important to understand the various project delivery methods. Each method dictates the roles, relationships, and responsibilities of the project team members, setting the stage for the flow of the construction project. Here are the main types: 

• Design-Build (DB): Combines design and construction under a single contract, fostering better collaboration and reducing project timelines. One entity is responsible for both design and construction, streamlining communication and accountability. 

• Construction Management at Risk (CMAR): The CM acts as a consultant during the design phase and as the general contractor during construction. The CM provides a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), offering cost certainty and risk management. 

• Design-Bid-Build (DBB): Design and construction are separate contracts. The project is designed first, then bids are solicited from contractors, and the lowest bid is typically selected. 

For a more detailed explanation, review our Guide to Delivery Methods.

Early CM engagement prioritizes constructability early, mitigating rework in the field by identifying potential issues early and aligning all team members with project goals.

Incorporating a Construction Manager from the outset is not a new concept, but its significance in today’s fast-paced construction environment cannot be overstated. Early CM engagement enhances team collaboration and communication, proactively identifies and mitigates risks, reduces costly changes, and drives overall project value. By instilling confidence in project timelines and ensuring more accurate budgeting, early involvement of a CM paves the way for successful project outcomes. Selecting the right delivery method for the project is an important first step, as it defines team roles and responsibilities for optimal project flow. Embracing early CM engagement is a strategic move for owners that delivers efficiency, cost savings, and peace of mind, ultimately setting the stage for construction projects to thrive. 

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