Project Management: Skills, Tools, and Knowledge Construction Professionals Consider Important for Keeping Projects on Schedule

Project Management: Skills, Tools, and Knowledge Construction Professionals Consider Important for Keeping Projects on Schedule Lyle Scott Davies School of Technology, BYU Master of Science Project managers have a major role in the construction and completion of projects. Much of their work consists of reviewing, clarifying, and coordinating information required by the field management and subcontractors performing the work on the job site. The assistance they give with the transfer of information helps with successfully completing projects. For many people, the largest indicator that a project was successful is that construction activities were completed on schedule. While finishing on schedule may be the primary focus of those involved with construction activities, projects still struggle to finish on time. The purpose of this study is to find out what construction industry professionals consider important skills, tools, and knowledge for helping project managers finish the projects they manage on schedule. Research results found the general topics of management and scheduling are the most important for project managers to understand. Within the topic of scheduling, the importance of material procurement ranked highest of the specified subcategories. Construction professionals also ranked working with subcontractors, understanding project documents, weekly project meetings, working with owners, and having interpersonal and communication skills as important topics that will help project managers keep their projects on schedule.