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The practice of professional project management is often taken for granted. The benefits of hiring a qualified project manager, particularly for construction projects, far exceed the cost. Project risk, timing, and cost are better controlled, and failure to employ professional construction project managers can be far more costly than some may think.

Some industry studies suggest that canceled projects and those challenged by cost/time overruns or changes in scope can cost U.S. companies and government agencies more than $145 billion per year, as well as leave architects, engineers and construction workers unemployed. Why is this happening, and what can spur change?

Adopt best practices

Challenged projects often are staffed with individuals who lack the right skills, insight, and management focus. Effective project construction managers are trained to ask the right questions and act on the critical priorities. This requires a proactive leadership style that evolves from training and experience in the art of managing projects.

Eliminate surprises from the equation

Challenged projects are plagued by excessive surprises and poor planning. The skills and objectivity of professional project managers are critical to the proactive assessment and management of program requirements that are in the client’s best interest. With challenged projects, managers and consultants tend to be more reactive, strategic issues are not objectively analyzed and requirements are not clearly evaluated. These projects languish or become ill-conceived.

Clearly define the scope of work

The proper definition of project scope is critical to success. Challenged projects often are not clearly examined, and cost overruns, schedule delays and degraded quality can result. There is no substitute for the insight that comes from an experienced construction professional who knows the pitfalls in managing the complexities of today’s projects.

Recruit a change leader

Challenged projects require a change agent. In rapidly changing environments, requirements evolve; projects must be ahead of change in order to be successful. A project manager needs to be a change leader. For challenged projects, this is often overlooked. The true benefit that professional project managers provide is an ability to anticipate and manage opportunities for change.

Think strategically

It’s not enough to do things right. The right things must be done. Organizations need to stay focused on core business strategy and issues. Positioning internal people on special projects outside the core business domain is a characteristic common to challenged projects. Usually, continuity of operations is disrupted, and the resulting impact often is more costly than retaining an outside professional. It is critical to focus the talents of firms and individuals where they are strongest.

A professional construction project manager offers the ability to work backward from the client’s vision to create solutions that work. Success comes from experience, knowledge, objectivity, insight, asking the right questions and a disciplined ability to help define and meet realistic goals and expectations.

Christian Steinbrecher is the president of Ukiah Engineering Inc. and a senior consultant at Capital Project Consultants. Contact him at [email protected].