Construction Management Vs Project Management

Construction management and project management are interrelated. Both oversee construction projects such as the construction of buildings, laying roads, oil & gas pipelines, etc.

If you are interested in these careers, a better understanding will help you approach them accordingly.

In this article, I will explain construction management and project management and the differences between these two.

Let’s start with construction management.

What is Construction Management?

Construction management focuses on construction work. It helps manage construction projects (e.g., building schools, offices, roads, airports, refineries, pipelines, etc.). The person who leads such construction activities is known as the “construction manager.” A construction manager is involved with the day-to-day operations of the construction project.

The construction managers stay on the site with ground workers, delegate tasks and monitor and control daily construction activities. They coordinate with the project management team to order construction materials, provide data to prepare performance reports, etc.

They coordinate with sub-contractors and suppliers and handle the quality and safety at the site.

What is Project Management?

Project management has broad coverage. It oversees the complete project, regardless of whether it is construction, IT, research, etc.

The project management develops the project plan, executes it, monitors and controls it, and finally closes it.

The role of construction management is limited to construction projects and mainly exist in executing project and monitoring and controlling with the help of the project management team.

The person leading the project management in a project is known as the project manager. The project manager oversees the construction manager.

Construction management is a subset of project management. The project manager manages the project team, while the construction manager manages the construction team.

Construction Management vs Project Management

Though both streams differ, a project manager can oversee construction and project management responsibilities on small to medium projects. While for large and complex projects, separate persons manage the construction and project management.

The key difference between construction and project management are as follows:

Job Responsibilities

The job responsibilities of the construction manager and project manager are as follows:

Construction Manager (CM)

According to the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA), the responsibilities of a construction manager fall under the following seven categories:

1. Project Management Planning
2. Cost Management
3. Time Management
4. Quality Management
5. Contract Administration
6. Safety Management
7. Construction Management Professional Practices (e.g., defining scope)

The above responsibilities can include:

• Overseeing and managing construction projects from start to finish
• Executing construction-project plans (e.g., task and resource allocation)
• Coordinating and supervising construction activities onsite
• Overseeing construction, managing budgets, monitoring the project schedule, etc.
• Ensuring compliance with building codes, regulations, and safety standards
• Collaborating with architects, engineers, and subcontractors to ensure smooth project execution
• Managing and negotiating contracts with suppliers, vendors, and subcontractors
• Monitoring project progress and providing regular updates to the project manager
• Resolving any issues or conflicts that arise during construction
• Conducting quality inspections to ensure that workmanship meets standards
• Maintaining project-activity documentation and records

Project Manager (PM)

Alternatively, the responsibilities of a project manager include:

• Developing project plans and timelines (e.g., defining project scope, objectives, and deliverables)
• Executing and monitoring project activities to achieve project goals and objectives
• Creating and managing project schedules, milestones, and budgets
• Performing document control
• Coordinating and communicating with project team members, project owner, project sponsor, and stakeholders
• Delegating tasks and responsibilities to team members and ensuring their timely completion
• Monitoring project progress and identifying any risks or issues that may affect the project’s success
• Implementing project controls and procedures to track project performance
• Conducting regular project meetings to review progress, discuss challenges, and make decisions
• Preparing and presenting project reports to stakeholders
• Ensuring that all project documentation is complete and accurate

Requirements

The eligibility requirements for the construction manager and project manager are as follows:

Construction Manager

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, civil engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience) preferred
• Construction experience in the relevant field; managerial, supervisory, or executive experience preferred
• Sound knowledge of construction processes, codes, regulations, and safety standards
• Excellent leadership and communication skills
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications
• Proficiency in construction-management software/tools and project-management software/tools
• Strong organization and time-management skills
• Problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Knowledge of budgeting and cost-control principles

Project Manager

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, engineering, or a related field (or equivalent) preferred
• At least five years of experience as a project engineer or manager in a relevant industry preferred
• Proficiency in project-management software, methodologies, and tools
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Knowledge of budgeting, cost estimation, and financial management
• Proficiency in project scheduling and resource allocation
• Ability to collaborate and coordinate with cross-functional teams
• Strong negotiation and conflict-resolution skills

Skills

The required skills for construction manager and project manager are as follows:

Construction Manager

• Construction-project management
• Leadership and team management
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of construction methods and materials
• Understanding of building codes and regulations
• Budgeting and cost control
• Time management and organization
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Quality control and assurance
• Safety management

Project Manager

• Project-management methodologies
• Leadership and team management
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Risk management and mitigation
• Strategic planning and goal-setting
• Budgeting and financial management
• Time management and organization
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Stakeholder management
• Change management and adaptability

Collaboration

The construction manager and project manager collaborate to close the project and achieve project objectives successfully.

A construction manager always stays on the construction site, manages construction workers, supervises construction engineers, suppliers, and sub-contractors, and provides status updates to the project manager. They directly deal with resources, including material, labor, and equipment.

The project manager coordinates with the project sponsor, client, and management and keeps them informed about the project status and updates.

Salary

According to Salary.com, the median salary for a construction manager in the United States is 73,561 USD, while the median salary for a project manager in the construction industry is 95,941 USD. 

This means that project managers in the construction industry earn about 22,380 USD more per year than construction managers.

The source also reports that the 90th percentile of construction managers earn 120,000 USD per year, while the 90th percentile of project managers earn 119,000 USD per year. 

This suggests that the salary difference between the two roles is not as significant at the higher levels of experience.

According to Indeed, the national average salary for construction managers is 78,965 USD per year, while the national average salary for construction project managers is 81,358 USD. The salary depends on your geographic location, organization, experience, and education.

Certification

Certification helps grows a career and advances the profession. You can earn any certificates below and grow your knowledge and skills.

Construction Management

Here is a list of main certifications for construction management:

• Certified Construction Manager (CCM)
• Construction Manager in Training (CMIT)
• Certified Construction Project Manager (CCPM)
• Certified Professional Constructor (CPC)
• Associate Constructor (AC)
• Construction Documents Technologist (CDT)
• Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP)
• Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC)
• Design-Build Professional (DBIA)
• Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA)

Project Management

Here is a list of main certifications for project management:

• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
• PRINCE2 (Projects in Controlled Environments)
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
• Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
• Certified Project Manager (IAPM)
• Certified Project Management Practitioner (CPMP)
• Certified Project Director (CPD)
• Program Management Professional (PgMP)
• Certified Project Management Professional (IPMA-C)

Other Differences Between Construction Management and Project Management

Construction management focuses on the construction phase of a project. In contrast, project management encompasses the entire project lifecycle, including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure.

Construction management deals with onsite activities, coordinating resources, and overseeing construction operations, while project management manages various other project aspects (e.g., scope, time, costs, quality, risks, and stakeholders).

Construction management involves managing subcontractors, ensuring adherence to safety protocols, and monitoring construction progress. In contrast, project management applies to diverse industries beyond construction, such as software development, marketing, or event planning.

Construction management emphasizes technical expertise in construction methods, materials, and building codes, while Project management focuses on coordinating and leading cross-functional teams, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.

Construction management requires knowledge of construction-specific contracts, cost estimation, and scheduling techniques, while project management requires project planning, budgeting, risk assessment, procurement, and leadership skills.

How Does Project Management Help with Construction Management?

Project management and construction management often go hand in hand. As such, project management helps with construction management in the following ways:

• Provides Support: The project manager guides the construction manager to complete the tasks. They provide resources, tools, software, and any other support that the construction manager needs.
• Assists with Documentation: The project manager helps the construction manager prepare and maintain documentation—especially legal documents (e.g., permits, authorization, relevant standards, etc.).
• Provides Staff: The project manager provides the required manpower to the construction manager to complete the tasks. The project manager also arranges training for any team members who lack the required skills.
• Solves Disputes: The project manager helps the construction manager if any disputes arise that the construction manager is not authorized to resolve themselves.

Summary

Construction management is a part of project management and is useful for construction projects. In comparison, project management is widely used for all kinds of projects, including construction, IT, service, research, etc.