INTRODUCTION Construction supervision is dynamic. It is constantly changing. Each job is different. The industry is changing. Companies are changing as they adapt to social and economic changes, as well as to changes in business practices. Our understanding of the processes of construction and how best to manage them is changing. Therefore, it is critical … Read more
INTRODUCTION A the conclusion of the project draws near, the supervisor will be involved in a series of very important activities that are referred to collectively as “project closeout.” These activities involve assuring that all contract requirements are fulfilled, preparing to hand over the completed facility to the owner, demobilizing and moving off the site, … Read more
Mobilization—moving onto the construction site and setting up facilities and operations for the construction of a project—is a very important time for the supervisor. It involves a series of functions and activities with which the supervisor will, quite literally, set the stage for all of the work and all of the management activities on the … Read more
INTRODUCTION On the construction projects that supervisors manage they will encounter different types of contracts, and those contracts will have been formed through various types of project procurement methods. Because of these facts, and because supervisors are likely to hear the names of a variety of different contracting systems in use by those around them, … Read more
Managing production is at the very core of what a supervisor does. The foreman manages at the crew level. The superintendent manages at the job level, but supervisors at all levels have the responsibility to ensure that the project is completed on time, on schedule, safely, and at a high level of quality. Hence, they … Read more
INTRODUCTION One of the keys to the success of any construction company is its ability to control costs. This is a fundamental truism for any construction contractor. It is imperative for the construction supervisor to have a firm understanding of construction costs and their derivation. In addition, the supervisor must have a clear understanding of … Read more
INTRODUCTION In his management of a construction project, the supervisor is responsible for the management of the resources that will be utilized to construct the project. While there are certainly a number of others involved who will provide their input and assistance, the supervisor should understand that the day-by-day management of the set of resources … Read more
INTRODUCTION Safety is a topic of fundamental importance to the construction supervisor. There are numerous reasons for this. Among the most important is that most supervisors feel a moral obligation to keep their workers safe. There are also reasons tied to costs, schedule, production, quality, and company reputation, all of which can be enhanced by … Read more
INTRODUCTION A mong the numerous resources that the supervisor manages—dollars, tools, equipment, job site space, and time, as we have discussed them—the most important, the most valuable, and the most complex resources are the craft workers on the project. No other aspect of management presents as many complexities and challenges as managing the human resources, … Read more
INTRODUCTION T eam building is an important tool for the construction supervisor. In Chapter 2, it was recognized that, whereas craft workers work with the tools of their trade, supervisors primarily work with and through people. Managing and organizing people to perform at a high level and to effectively carry out the tasks assigned by … Read more