Management of Construction Projects

Construction Management is a wide ranging discipline, but ultimately it is a demanding, hands-on discipline concerned with the management of people, plant and materials, all mobilised to complete a building project safely, on time, on budget and to the client?s satisfaction.    

Management of Construction Projects is a highly illustrated series of case studies based on seven live construction management projects, demonstrating the very practical nature of managing projects. The detailed case studies cover a variety of construction projects, varying in value from £1million to £117 million, including a major inner city office block, a portal framed factory unit, a university refurbishment project, a superstore & car park and a new school building. The case studies emphasise detailed on site management procedures and identify a predominantly functional approach to managing projects. A number of related chapters covering practical and theoretical aspects of construction management support and illustrate the individual case studies.

With a strong emphasis on the practical nature of the subject, Management of Construction Projects is an ideal introduction to the subject for all students on construction and related degree and diploma programmes. It will be of particular interest to students preparing for the CIOB EPA programme and the new NVQ courses at level 4 and 5 in construction management. 

Preface vi

Acknowledgements viii

1 Organisation of the Construction Process 1

2 Developing Construction Teams 24

3 Project Planning – Linked Bar Charts and Procurement Programmes 34

4 Contracts 44

5 Materials Management 55

6 Mechanical Handling and Risk Assessment 73

7 Managing Construction Defects 95

8 Hotel and Office Project Development 105

9 The Merlin Project 143

10 The Co-operative Head Office Building 165

11 Chinley School Project 195

12 Retail Unit and Car Park 222

13 University Refurbishment Project 251

14 Managing a Small Business 272

Index 293

Brian Cooke MSc is a former chartered civil engineer, quantity surveyor and builder. During his career he has held the posts of principal lecturer in Construction Management and visiting lecturer at universities throughout the northwest of England, Europe and the Far East. He is co-author, along with Peter Williams, of the bestselling Construction Planning, Programming and Control, currently in its third edition, and author of Construction Practice.