Are you a construction project manager looking to grow your career this year? Are you the type of person that’s continuously improving your abilities? We’ve got you covered with our take on the best areas to focus your development efforts this year.
Improving in the areas we highlight below will help you perform better for your customers and team, bring you more work fulfillment, and elevate your career and, in turn, your salary over time.
Leadership: Construction project managers must be able to lead and manage a team of workers, including architects, engineers, and tradespeople. This includes setting goals, assigning tasks, and monitoring progress. To do this effectively, you’ll need to develop your emotional intelligence, understand what motivates your teammates, and be mindful of your reputation. You can improve this area with Daniel Goleman’s book, Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ.
Communication: As with many professions, construction project managers must effectively communicate with all stakeholders in a project, including the client, design team, and construction team. This includes conveying instructions and detailed plans, providing progress updates, and resolving conflicts. Leveraging the leadership skills mentioned above, your improved communication abilities will improve the relationships of those around you, giving you more credibility and better team and customer results. If you enjoy podcasts, Dan O’Connor’s Step Out of the Shadow’s and Speak is packed with actionable advice to improve communication skills. This episode is a great place to start.
Planning and Organizing: Construction project managers must be able to plan and organize all aspects of construction projects, including scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation. There are many areas to juggle at once, so it’s practical to strengthen your planning and organizing muscles. Few books rival the Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey or Deep Work by Cal Newport and are often mentioned in business discussions around this area.
Problem-Solving: Construction project managers must be able to identify and solve problems that arise during a construction project. This includes identifying the cause of a problem, developing a plan to address the problem, and implementing that plan. You’re often faced with real-time, urgent, and complex issues that arise and are all seemingly very urgent.
Technical Knowledge: Construction project managers must understand construction techniques, materials, and building codes well. This knowledge is essential for making informed decisions about construction methods and materials. You must also know how to navigate the fields’ computer software, including Revit, Sketchup, and PowerPoint. Spending time in this area to learn technical abilities will help you be more efficient. Online courses such as Udemy will give you basic skills, or consider enrolling in a technical college online course to enhance your software skills for a deeper dive.
Budgeting and Cost Control: Construction project managers must be able to budget and manage costs for a construction project. This includes developing a budget, monitoring expenses, and controlling costs. Your performance and compensation depend on these skills, so it’s advisable to keep learning.
Risk Management: Construction project managers must be able to identify and manage risks associated with a construction project. This includes identifying potential risks, developing a plan to mitigate those risks, and implementing that plan.
Negotiation: Construction project managers must be able to negotiate with stakeholders, including clients, suppliers, and subcontractors. This includes the ability to negotiate prices, schedules, and other terms and conditions. You don’t need to be a sales executive to leverage improved negotiation abilities. We all use this ability in our careers, often without knowing it. There is no shortage of resources to help you improve in is area. Best-selling books include Getting More: How to Succeed in Work and Life by Stuart Diamond; Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Kerry Patterson and Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini.
In today’s fast-paced, ever-changing industry, Construction Project Managers must be able to continuously develop and improve their skills to meet the demands of their job. While the skills mentioned above are considered as a must-have for Construction Project Managers, they are also expected to have a good understanding of the latest technologies and software that are commonly used in the industry, such as building information modeling (BIM), 3D printing, and project management software. Moreover, with the increasing emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency, Construction Project Managers are also expected to know green building materials and practices. Additionally, they should also have good knowledge of Construction laws and regulations, which will help them navigate the industry’s legal complexities.
Konik is a technical recruiting and staffing company based in Minneapolis, MN. We focus on construction industry professionals, including Construction Project Management, Superintendent, and Estimation job functions. Find out more at www.koniknetwork.com/construction.
Tom Goettl, President of Konik, a Technical Talent Network, writes at the intersection of careers, leadership and technology. Learn more about how we can help at www.konik.com