QUALITIES OF A PROJECT MANAGER
The construction manager is a person who by optimum use of available resources like money, manpower, materials and machinery, by motivating the persons associated with the project, by co-ordinating various project agencies, fulfil the project objectives in minimum time with minimum cost and with good quality.
Qualities of a good construction manager are:
- Good character
- Integrity – to consider all the persons related to the project as a construction team.’
- Devotion to duty
- Hard working
- Leadership
- Knowledge of construction
- Open mindness – an approach where one is always open to new ideas, practices and methods
- Common sense – strong ability to spot sensible, effective, straight forward, least risky solutions.
- Attitude – open, positive and can do’ attitude which encourages communication, motivation and fosters co-operation.
- Fairness – this refers to a fair and open attitude which respects all human values.
- Absence of parochalism
TRAITS OF A PROJECT MANAGER
The project manager or a construction manager should be responsible for coordinating all project activities making project recommendations, fixing a design and preparing drawings and specifications for tender, preparing all estimates, and administering all contracts. To fulfil the objectives of a project he should possess the following skills.
1) Technical skills :
These includes :
- Specialised knowledge in the use of tools and techniques
- Project knowledge
- Understanding methods
- Procedures and process
- Understanding the technology required
- Skill in the use of computer
2) Conceptual skills :
These includes :
- Planning
- Organising
- Strong goal orientation
- Ability to see the project as a whole ability to visualize the relationship of the individual project to the industry and the community.
- Strong problem orientation
3) Human skills :
These includes :
- Mobilization
- Communication
- Coping with situations
- Delegation of authority
- Political senstivity
- High self esteem
- Enthusiasm
- Capability to motivate and integrate his team
4) Adaptability :
This refers to propensity to be flexible where necessary and avoid rigid patterns of thinking or behaviour and to adapt to the requirement of the project, the needs of the sponsors, its environment and people working on it. He should be adapt to change.
5) Inventiveness :
This refers to an ability to discover innovative strategies and solutions either from within one self or through interaction with other members of the project team and to identify ways of working with disperate resources to achieve the project objectives.