Cost Management of Construction Projects


Book Description

The cost manager/quantity surveyor plays a pivotal role in the financial and contract management of construction projects, although the exact nature of the service they provide depends on the project employer’s terms of engagement. This can mean acting as consultant in a range of roles including cost and advisory services for budget setting to initiate a project, cost management through the design and construction phases, contract administration and acting as the client side project manager to oversee the entire building process. Cost Management of Construction Projects focusses on the cost manager/quantity surveyor engaged by the project client, and discusses key elements that help drive project success including measurement (based on the New Rules of Measurement published by RICS), procurement, cost planning, contract administration and project cost management. With examples, it provides a thorough guide to the role in the workplace and in the field, directly addressing the day to day situations faced by the cost manager/quantity surveyor. Donald Towey MRICS has extensive experience of the construction industry. His experience began as an estimator with a glass/glazing contractor in Manchester. Following a number of positions with UK contractors he relocated to Australia and has worked with a number of developers and main contractors, as well as doing freelance work. He is currently working in contracts management in Sydney.




Management of Construction Projects


Book Description

Unique among construction project management textbooks, Management of Construction Projects, third edition, takes the constructor’s perspective, carefully analyzing a complex, real-world construction case study from multiple angles to demonstrate the skills, knowledge, and techniques students require to become successful project managers. Popular as an undergraduate text and as a contractor resource, the book identifies key stages of the project-management process, such as delivery methods and contracts; estimating, planning, and scheduling; preconstruction services; subcontracting and material management; documentation, communications, and payment; controls, quality, and safety; leadership and ethics; and claims, disputes, and close-out. This third edition includes a novel case study, a new chapter on preconstruction services, updated contract forms and figures, and additional student exercises, and integrates use of project management technology. Topics include building information models, sustainable construction, environmental compliance, lean construction, and off-site construction. Boxed examples, or short case studies, have been included with each chapter. These examples correspond directly to the chapters in which they are included and give the reader an applied approach to learning the concepts presented. While primarily focused on the management of commercial projects, the principles and techniques in Management of Construction Projects also apply to residential, industrial, and heavy construction. Written in straightforward language from a constructor’s perspective, this textbook prepares upcoming construction project managers with everything they need to see a successful project through from start to finish.




Cost Accounting and Financial Management for Construction Project Managers


Book Description

Proper cost accounting and financial management are essential elements of any successful construction job, and therefore make up essential skills for construction project managers and project engineers. Many textbooks on the market focus on the theoretical principles of accounting and finance required for head office staff like the chief financial officer (CFO) of a construction firm. This book's unique practical approach focuses on the activities of the construction management team, including the project manager, superintendent, project engineer, and jobsite cost engineers and cost accountants. In short, this book provides a seamless connection between cost accounting and construction project management from the construction management practitioner’s perspective. Following a complete accounting cycle, from the original estimate through cost controls to financial close-out, the book makes use of one commercial construction project case study throughout. It covers key topics like financial statements, ratios, cost control, earned value, equipment depreciation, cash flow, and pay requests. But unlike other texts, this book also covers additional financial responsibilities such as cost estimates, change orders, and project close-out. Also included are more advanced accounting and financial topics such as supply chain management, activity-based accounting, lean construction techniques, taxes, and the developer’s pro forma. Each chapter contains review questions and applied exercises and the book is supplemented with an eResource with instructor manual, estimates and schedules, further cases and figures from the book. This textbook is ideal for use in all cost accounting and financial management classes on both undergraduate and graduate level construction management or construction engineering programs.




BIM and Big Data for Construction Cost Management


Book Description

This book is designed to help practitioners and students in a wide range of construction project management professions to understand what building information modelling (BIM) and big data could mean for them and how they should prepare to work successfully on BIM-compliant projects and maintain their competencies in this essential and expanding area. In this book, the state-of-the-art information technologies that support high-profile BIM implementation are introduced, and case studies show how BIM has integrated core quantity surveying and cost management responsibilities and how big data can enable informed decision-making for cost control and cost planning. The authors' combined professional and academic experience demonstrates, with practical examples, the importance of using BIM and particularly the fusion of BIM and big data, to sharpen competitiveness in global and domestic markets. This book is a highly valuable guide for people in a wide range of construction project management and quantity surveying roles. In addition, implications for project management, facilities management, contract administration, and dispute resolution are also explored through the case studies, making this book essential reading for built environment and engineering professionals.




Project Estimating and Cost Management


Book Description

Improve the accuracy of project estimates and make better in-progress modifications by following the discipline-independent approach mapped out in this book. Learn the best ways to apply new tools, including a breakdown structure for both work and resources and proven estimating models. In addition, you'll gain insights into best practices for progress monitoring and cost management, as well as for dealing effectively with external projects.




Project Management for Construction


Book Description




Construction Project Management


Book Description

The role of the project manager continues to evolve, presenting new challenges to established practitioners and those entering the field for the first time. This second edition of Peter Fewings' groundbreaking textbook has been thoroughly revised to recognise the increasing importance of sustainability and lean construction in the construction industry. It also tackles the significance of design management, changing health and safety regulation, leadership and quality for continuous improvement of the service and the product. Using an integrated project management approach, emphasis is placed on the importance of effectively handling external factors in order to best achieve an on-schedule, on-budget result, as well as good negotiation with clients and skilled team leadership. Its holistic approach provides readers with a thorough guide in how to increase efficiency and communication at all stages while reducing costs, time and risk. Short case studies are used throughout the book to illustrate different tools and techniques. Combining the theories underpinning best practice in construction project management, with a wealth of practical examples, this book is uniquely valuable for practitioners and clients as well as undergraduate and graduate students for construction project management.




Building Cost Planning for the Design Team


Book Description

Cost management of all building projects has become increasingly important as clients in the public and private sector demand the highest quality cost planning services with accurate budgeting and cost control. All members of the design team must integrate their activities to ensure that a high quality project is delivered on time and within budget. This book considers building cost planning and cost control from the client and the design team's perspective, where all decisions whether concerned with design, cost, quality, time, value or sustainability are taken as being interrelated. The latest Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Plan of Work and the New Rules of Measurement for Early Stage Estimating and Cost Planning issued by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) have been incorporated into this new text. The book follows the building design cost planning process from the crucial inception stages and then through all the design stages to the completion of the technical design, contract documentation and the tender. It provides a template for good cost planning practice. An essential addition to this third edition is the introduction of integrated design and documentation processes captured in building Information modelling (BIM), on-line cost databases and computerised methods of cost planning. The integrated approaches are explained and provide vital information and knowledge for practitioners involved in building projects. All stakeholders involved in development and design and client teams in public and private sector policy making and implementation need to understand the new approaches to design management processes and how cost planning and design approaches are adapting to using the new technology in practice. The interactive style, using in-text and review questions makes this ideal for students and practitioners alike in property, architecture, construction economics, construction management, real estate, engineering, facilities management and project management.




Construction Project Management


Book Description

For more than thirty years, Construction Project Management by Clough and Sears has been considered the preeminent guide to the Critical Path Method (CPM) of project scheduling. It combines a solid foundation in the principles and fundamentals of CPM with particular emphasis on project planning, demonstrated through an example project. This Fifth Edition features a range of improvements. New pedagogical devices improve absorption of the material. Updated labor, material, and equipment pricing is incorporated into the text. Coverage is enhanced by discussions of contemporary planning and management methods such as Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and the Earned Value Management System (EVMS). A highway bridge with a complete cost estimate, including SI units, illustrates each of the principles of project management. Using this basic information and the case studies in the appendix, readers are given project management problems and hands-on project management experience. The Fifth Edition features include: Complete coverage of planning and scheduling principles that apply to every type of construction project Expanded coverage of production planning Large foldout illustrations conveniently integrated throughout the book Thorough and up to date, Construction Project Management, Fifth Edition is a superb text for students and an indispensable on-the-job reference for builders, architects, civil engineers, and other construction professionals.




Financial and Cost Concepts for Construction Management


Book Description

Designed for engineering students in upper-level courses of construction management or cost control, this text provides a thorough grounding in all aspects of financial management so that the construction engineering manager can understand how to control costs and communicate with the accountant or bookkeeper. Features include explanations of financial documents and cost reports and an overview of bookkeeping fundamentals.