The four stages of construction management include initiation, planning, execution, and project close-out.

1. Initiation: Includes all the activities needed to begin planning the construction project, including developing a detailed schedule and budget. A scope of work may also be defined at this time.
2. Planning: This phase involves organizing and preparing more detailed budgets and schedules. Project controls, staffing, and procurement plans are developed. The goal is to understand how the project will be executed and the resources required. Planning is not a one-off stage; the construction project plan must be continually revisited to respond to issues, challenges, risks, and opportunities.
3. Execution: This stage covers the major activities required to deliver the project, including design and construction activities.
4. Close-out: This is the final stage of the project. Project controls and quality are reviewed, documents are archived, and the project is handed off to the owner.

Acuity has expertise across all four stages of construction management. Our proficiency in cost, scope, schedule, and risk management enables us to provide oversight – across project initiation, planning, execution, and close-out – ensuring quality and compliance at every phase.

Construction projects are subject to tight controls, including scope, time, standards, quality, and budget. Without stringent planning, risk analysis, and oversight, successful project execution is at risk.

Construction management services mitigate these risks by ensuring that any construction project – regardless of size and scale – is executed successfully, on time, on-budget, and meets specified and required quality standards.

Construction management functions include a wide range of functions that support each stage of the project lifecycle, including:

• Project planning and management
• Cost estimation and cost management
• Schedule tracking and management
• Onsite execution review
• Controlling project quality and performance, including multidisciplinary functions such as HVAC, plumbing, and mechanical
• Value tracking and value management
• And more.

The primary distinction between construction management and project management lies in their respective scopes. Construction management primarily concentrates on the construction phase of a project, whereas project management encompasses a broader range of responsibilities.

A project manager assumes responsibility for the entire project, including initial planning, site evaluation, design, procurement, staffing decisions, and various other aspects. Construction managers, on the other hand, work under the project manager’s guidance and focus specifically on the construction phase.