Project controls in construction industry

Despite taking the best efforts and initiatives, many businesses find that large-scale projects miss their targets for a number of reasons: optimism bias, manual estimation errors, insufficient historical data, scope creep and many such factors.

So, project controls determine the difference between an expensive, long-overdue project and another that is delivered on time within budget.

WHAT ARE PROJECT CONTROLS?

Project controls are a set of tools, processes and people skills that aid project managers have the critical information, at the right time, to make the best decision. Project controls gather and analyze project data to keep costs and schedules on track. The purposes of project controls include initiating, planning, tracking and controlling, communicating, and closing out project expenses and plans. Ultimately, project controls are pointers for measuring project status, predicting likely outcomes based on those measurements and then building project performance to crack a better project outcome.

WHAT ARE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT CONTROLS?

An efficacious construction project commences with cautious planning. Quality project controls help monitor work and determines every project need is addressed.

HOW CONSTRUCTION PROJECT CONTROLS WORK

Capable project controls make sure that construction projects are completed on time in accordance with the set budget. They monitor the processes of the project in each step and its overall quality at the time of completion. By providing consistent support in a timely and cost-effective manner, project controls do suggestively improve customer relations.

All construction companies may not be equipped enough with the resources and strategies and also experienced staff necessary to perform the project controls. Staff augmentation can help these companies boost the work and be on track.

MAINTAINING A CONSTRUCTIVE CONTROL

Maintaining proper control that helps the project and individuals involved perform to perfection. A thorough analysis of the project is required to see where it stands compared to where it has to be. It also requires forecasting the challenges that lie ahead and how they might interrupt the execution of the project. If a construction project is found to be out of line with accomplishments or budget, time frame or quality, it has to be taken into consideration and corrective measures have to be taken.

Project controls expand through each stage of a construction project, from the estimate to execution. Project controls include all people involved, processes and tools used to manage the cost and plan of the project. It also calls for a careful evaluation of risks that are to be overcome.

DETERMINING HOW MUCH CONTROL IS NECESSARY

Too much of anything isn’t of use. Same with Project control too. Disruptive control can lead to a significant rise in expenditure which can divert resources from vital responsibilities. Too little control can result in work interruptions, repetitive errors and poor results. The level of control needs to be based on a number of factors including the complexity of the project, the maturity of the organization, team experience, cost acquisition and the reputation of the project.

STAFF AUGMENTATION

Quality staff augmentation is a complex issue faced by the construction industry. A project has to be directly supervised by the project managers with recurrent to ensure projects are completed on time, on budget.

Also, staff augmentation for construction projects of all shapes and sizes. A team of professionals based on the specific needs of the company and project are to be required for the successful completion of the project. Productive Project control requires:

Project Controls Managers

Cost Managers

Planning/Scheduling Managers

Change Management Personnel

Procurement Leads

Estimating Personnel

Project control is prime for the construction industry to manage the workforce and their responsibilities, following the project plan and schedule in agreement with the budget.