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Construction project managers have a lot of responsibility when it comes to overseeing a job. They must be able to divide their attention between multiple things at once to keep everything and everyone on track. Residential, commercial, skyscrapers and bridges all require the expertise of a seasoned project manager to get the job done right and on time. Here are a few important responsibilities a project manager needs to be aware of.

Timeline

The timeline for a project and the time management skills of the project manager go hand-in-hand. Any project must start with a well thought out, realistic timeline for the job to be delivered on time. The overall timeline has to be broken down into smaller steps as a way to keep the project on task throughout, and it is the responsibility of the project manager to create, execute, and address the timeline until the job is completed. Naturally, human error and other unforeseen circumstances can create problems and stall the project, and a project manager has to constantly evaluate, readjust, and maintain the schedule to ensure timely delivery of the final product. 

Managing the budget

Before a project can even begin a proper budget has to be made. To avoid going over budget, the project manager has to keep track of spending, forecast changes to the budget, and prepare for unplanned expenses. Although the budget is constantly adjusted and evaluated throughout the job, it’s important that the project manager, his/her team, and the owner are all aware of any added expenses or ways to save money while the project is being completed. 

Project Resources

Locating and acquiring the right resources for a job falls on the responsibility of the project manager. A seasoned project manager will know to purchase just the right amount of supplies to get the job completed with no shortages, while not overspending and having waste of materials at the end of the job. Failing to properly allocate and distribute resources can lead to delays in the project timeline and extra costs that could’ve been avoided with proper planning.

Risk Analysis

Assessing risk on the job includes identifying potential issues to both the workers and the project itself. Internal risk factors can include things like poor scheduling leading to wasted time, and poor design planning for example. External risks can include unforeseen regulatory requirements and extreme weather conditions. Project managers should create contingency plans to combat both internal and external risk factors to be able to proactively react to issues as they come up.