Construction project management (CPM) is the process of planning, coordinating, and executing a construction project from start to finish. It applies the skills and expertise of traditional project management — including planning, budgeting, scheduling, resource allocation, and risk management — to the construction industry.
Summary Overview
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Construction project management requires a specialized knowledge of the building industry to manage teams, timelines, and budgets across various types of projects — whether agricultural, residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, civil, or environmental. Effective construction project managers must have strong communication skills and a deep understanding of the construction process and industry in order to navigate shifting project demands.
Construction project management is becoming increasingly digital, especially with technologies such as building information modeling (BIM) and artificial intelligence (AI). A McKinsey report from 2023 titled “From start-up to scale-up: Accelerating growth in construction technology” noted that though the construction industry has been historically slow to digitize, funding for construction technology between 2020 and 2022 increased by 85 percent compared to the previous three years, and the number of deals in the industry increased by 30 percent.
To dig deeper into the world of commercial construction projects specifically, check out our complete guide to commercial construction management, which includes advice for managers, certification tips, and an overview of the role compared to general contractors.
For more information on planning for commercial and residential construction projects, check out this complete overview of construction project planning, including expert tips, a step-by-step guide, and downloadable templates.
These construction project management templates in Smartsheet can help you connect every phase of your construction project, from design and bidding to budgeting, scheduling, and monitoring progress.
How to Get Into Construction Project Management
To become a construction project manager, start with a degree or certification in construction management or a related field. Next, gain hands-on experience in entry-level roles and build a professional network. Finally, demonstrate leadership and problem-solving abilities over time to move into management roles.
To learn more about the degrees, certifications, roles, responsibilities, and steps involved, check out our complete guide on becoming a construction project manager, and use these construction project management templates for Excel to help you get started.