Ensuring the timely completion of development projects... A project manager is responsible for the on-time and on-budget completion of the development project and typically works directly for the owner. Before construction begins, the project manager may be responsible for site selection and due diligence, securing the correct zoning and entitlements, selecting contractors, and creating a working schedule and budget. Once the project is underway, the project manager is the owner's representative on-site, and it is their job to ensure the project is being built to the owner's exact specifications. The focus will shift to scheduling contractors, processing change orders, and managing progress payments. In today's world, where it is important to be conscious of the environment, a project manager must understand the impact of building materials on the environment during the entire construction process (including waste management). The project manager will also be required to submit reports to the owner with updates on the progress and costs of the project.
Looking to the future
The project management responsibilities and requirements generally remain the same moving forward in the development industry. Effectively managing the development process and the people involved will continue to be crucial to the job function. Managing the budget and keeping projects on schedule is needed in order to preserve equity and maintain profits. It is also important for managers to be conscious of the impact a construction site will have on its surrounding environment.
