MULUNGUSHI UNIVERSITY

Department of Engineering

CIE 531

Lecture 1- 2023
 Definition of a Project

 A project is a temporary endeavor with a specific

beginning and end, undertaken to create a unique
product, service, or result.

 It is characterized by its uniqueness, time-bound

nature, and the need for coordinated effort across
different functions or teams.
 Project management
 Project management is the overall planning, coordination,
and control of a construction process from beginning to
completion.

 Construction project
management is aimed at
meeting a client's
requirement in order to
produce a functionally and
financially viable project
Project management cont’

 Managing a project is quite different from

managing a steady-state organization.
 A project has a distinct beginning and end,
whereas steady-state organizations run
continuously.
 Examples of the latter are hospitals and mass-
production factories.
Managerial cycle

 A proper construction management should

provide the cycle of activities to achieve the
project goals.

 This called a managerial cycle

 Managerial cycle
 Changes often unforeseen, occur during the lifetime
of a project
 A continuous action should be implemented aimed
at achieving the best possible result
 Project Planning
 Project planning is a crucial part of project management focused on
creating a detailed plan that outlines the steps and resources
necessary to achieve the project's objectives, including identifying the
project's scope, establishing a timeline, assigning tasks and resources,
and budgeting for the project.
Project Planning steps
 Importance of Project Planning

 Clear Objectives: Project planning helps define

clear and achievable objectives for the project,
ensuring that everyone involved understands what
needs to be achieved.
 Risk Identification and Mitigation: By conducting
thorough planning, potential risks and challenges
can be identified and addressed proactively,
reducing the likelihood of project failures.
Importance of Project Planning cont’

 Time Management: Planning allows for the

development of a realistic project schedule, helping
to meet deadlines and deliver the project on time.

 Cost Control: Proper planning enables accurate

cost estimation and budgeting, facilitating effective
cost control throughout the project's lifecycle.
Importance of Project Planning cont’
Resource Allocation: Planning
allows for efficient allocation of
resources, including human
resources, time, and budget,
which maximizes productivity.

A well-structured project plan can keep competing

elements in balance
Importance of Project Planning cont’

 Communication and Collaboration: Planning

establishes a framework for communication and
collaboration among stakeholders, ensuring everyone
is on the same page regarding project goals and
progress.
 Importance of Project Planning cont’

 Time Management
Planning allows for the development of a realistic project
schedule, helping to meet deadlines and deliver the
project on time.
 Cost Control

Proper planning enables accurate cost estimation and

budgeting, facilitating effective cost control throughout
the project's lifecycle.
 Project Planning Process Overview:

 Project Initiation: This phase involves recognizing the need

for the project and defining its initial scope and objectives.
It includes conducting feasibility studies, identifying key
stakeholders, and obtaining initial approvals.
 Project Definition and Scope: The project's scope is
defined in detail, outlining what will be included and
excluded from the project. Clear project boundaries are
established, and a project charter is developed, outlining
the project's purpose, goals, and high-level deliverables.
 Project Planning Process Overview
cont’

 Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): The project is broken

down into smaller, manageable components using a Work
Breakdown Structure.
 It hierarchically decomposes the project into work
packages, tasks, and sub-tasks, aiding in organizing and
understanding the project's structure.
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
Project Planning Process Overview cont’

 Project Scheduling: A project schedule is created,

incorporating the WBS and task dependencies.
Techniques like the Critical Path Method (CPM) and
Gantt charts are used to visualize and manage the
project timeline effectively.
 Resource Planning: This step involves identifying and
acquiring the necessary resources, including human
resources, equipment, materials, and budget. Resource
allocation is optimized to ensure efficient project
execution.
Project Planning Process Overview cont’
 Risk Management: Potential risks are identified, assessed,
and ranked based on their impact and likelihood. Mitigation
strategies and contingency plans are developed to address
these risks proactively.
 Cost Estimation and Budgeting: Project costs are estimated
based on the scope and resource requirements. A detailed
budget is prepared, considering all expenses and reserves
for unforeseen costs.
 Quality Planning: Quality standards and criteria are
defined, and a quality management plan is established to
ensure that project deliverables meet the required levels of
quality.
Project Planning Process Overview cont’

 Communication Planning: A communication plan is

formulated to outline how information will be
disseminated among stakeholders, promoting effective
and timely communication throughout the project.
 Procurement and Vendor Management: If the project
involves external resources or services, procurement
needs are determined, and vendors are selected.
Contracts are negotiated and managed as per project
requirements.
Project Planning Process Overview cont’

 Change Management: A change management plan is

created to address potential changes in project scope,
requirements, or objectives. It ensures that changes are
assessed, approved, and implemented systematically.
 Monitoring and Control: Progress against the project
plan is continuously monitored, and performance metrics
are tracked to assess the project's health. Deviations
are identified and corrective actions are taken to keep
the project on track.
Project Planning Process Overview
cont’
 Project Closure: Once all project deliverables are
completed and objectives are achieved, the project
is formally closed. A post-project evaluation is
conducted to assess project success, capture lessons
learned, and identify areas for improvement in
future projects.
Parties involved in Project

 The main parties involved in a construction

project are:
I. the client
II. the users
III. the designers/ project managers
IV. the executors
V. public authorities and agencies.
The Client (The Owner)
 The owner is the individual or organization for whom a
project is to be built under a contract.
 The owner owns and finances the project.
 Depending on the owners’ capabilities, they may handle all
or portions of planning, project management, design,
engineering, procurement, and construction.
 The owner engages architects, engineering firms, and
contractors as necessary to accomplish the desired work.
The Client (The Owner)
 Public owners are public bodies of some kind ranging from
agencies from the country level to the municipal level.
 Most public projects or facilities are built for public use and not
sold to others.
 Private owners may be individuals, partnerships, corporations.
 Most private owners have facilities or projects built for their own
use or to be sold, operated, leased, or rented to others.

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 Client’s role in success of the project

To achieve success on a project, owners need;

to define accurately the projects objectives.
to establish a reasonable and balanced scope, budget,
and schedule.
to select qualified designers, consultants, and
contractors.

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The Users
In many respects the users are the most important
party, yet often they are the most neglected.
They are the people who must operate and
maintain the facilities which have been provided.
 Same organization may be both client and user,
the individuals involved may be different.

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The Design Professionals
Examples of design professionals are architects, engineers, and
design consultants.
The major role of the design professional is to interpret or assist the
owner in developing the project’s scope, budget, and schedule and to
prepare construction documents.
Depending on the size and sophistication of the owner, the design
professional can be part of the owner’s group or an independent,
hired for the project.

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The Design Professionals cont’
Architect: An architect is an individual who plans and design
buildings and their associated landscaping. Architects mostly rely on
consulting engineers for structural, electrical, and mechanical work.
Structural engineers carry out the design of the structure,
Electrical engineers carry out the design of power and lighting
supplies
Civil engineers carry out the design of roads, earthworks and general
Civil Engineering works
Quantity surveyors in the preparation of estimates and tender

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documents
The Design Professionals cont’
Not every project requires all these people
(professionals).

On the other hand, large and complex projects may

require additional specialists, for example, for
heating and cooling, health and safety.

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The Project Manager

 The project manager is the individual charged with

the overall coordination of the entire construction
program for the owner.

 These include planning, design, procurement, and

construction.

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The Project Manager cont’
Among his/her duties:
 Clear definitions of the goals of the project.
 Investigate alternative solutions for the
problems.
 Develop a detailed plan to make the
selected program reality.
 Implement the plan and control the project
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12 importance Project Management
skills
The Executors
People who undertake the physical construction, who in
many cases-will be private contractors.
Some ministries have their own labour forces and works
carried out in this way is said to be done by "direct
labour", or "force account“ or in-house project
For simplicity the word contractor is used and is deemed
to include all organisations which actually build.

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Public Authorities and Agencies
All buildings must fulfill statutory requirements
regarding construction standards and safety.
 For example, roofs must be able to withstand
specified wind loadings and fire regulations must be
observed.
The health and safety of people who work or dwell
in a building are usually safe guarded by legal

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regulations.
Parties of Project Summary

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Measurements of Project Success

 Within specifications
 Within allocated time period
 Within the budgeted costs
 Accepted by the customer/user
 Minimal and mutual scope changes
 Within corporate culture & without disturbing
organizational workflow