Construction is one of the 19 functional FM knowledge areas that are categorized into four key knowledge domains.

Definition: Construction project management combines the responsibilities of a traditional project manager with the skills and expertise needed for construction and major renovation projects. The construction project manager’s role is to ensure that the stated objectives of a project are achieved.

Facility managers won’t likely be the project manager for a major construction project. In addition to this being a full-time job in itself, this role will likely be filled by a specialist in design and construction. However, facility managers always need to provide oversight to projects and ensure that they have proper project management. Oversight is needed at the earliest possible stages, because, as a construction project moves further toward completion, changes to plans become more costly and provide less utility or value for the money.

Key Concepts:

• Design and construction process.
• Project oversight.
• Construction project charter.
• FM role in construction projects.
• Construction project team.
• Budget and schedule estimates.
• Commissioning process.
• Project delivery systems.
• Building information modeling (BIM).
• Construction contract types.
• Budget planning.
• Programming.
• Design concepts and review processes.
• Schematic design.
• Architectural-engineering designs.
• Construction documentation.
• Permits and inspections.
• Commissioning tasks.
• Allowances.
• Turnover and project closeout.
• Postoccupancy evaluation (POE).

Construction Proficiency Indicators (Task Statements)

• Represents facility management’s interests from a building’s design, to the utilities that are installed, through commissioning and turnover.
• Ensures that building’s operating systems are designed, installed, and programmed for optimal performance (leads commissioning, recommissioning, retro-commissioning processes).
• Demonstrates an understanding of construction project team roles and ensures that they are clearly defined.
• Provides FM leadership during design phase to ensure that facility management interests are considered and to influence the selection of building, equipment, and finishes.
• Performs regular site inspections during construction phases to check the build/installation quality.
• Reviews closeout documents, such as warranties and service contracts.
• Ensures attendance of maintenance staff at mechanical system training sessions offered by the equipment installers and suppliers and assesses their readiness to perform these tasks.
• Utilizes building information modeling (BIM) to provide life cycle data to support the needs of the facility.

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