Many site managers when wanting to gain better development of their knowledge within the construction industry take an interest in gaining experience to become contract managers, directors and health and safety officers.
Planner
Construction planners usually work inside the building (offices on site). The planner has to report the progression and monitor resources of materials of the construction project to the managing director or contract team director/manager. Their main responsibilities are:
* Over seeing pre-contract tender programmes.
* Monitoring and evaluating the progression made.
* Scheduling materials delivery, labour and plant.
* Supervising contract programmes (daily, monthly and weekly)
* Reporting procedures.
Quantity Surveyor
The QS has to keep track of the financial side of the project. Some quantity surveyors are known as cost consultants. The main responsibility of a quantity surveyor is:
* Cash flow (money that flows in should be greater than the money that flows out)
* Claims for variations
* Final accounts
* invoicing of clients
* Payments for supplies
* Valuation dates when workers will receive payment.
Buyer
The buyer is the one responsible for ordering and storing the correct amount of materials/plant resources on time throughout the project. The buyer analysis's the contract programme then arranges delivery dates for materials which are normally bought in bulk amounts and is then requested to be delivered by the site manager.
Estimator
The estimator is the one that is responsible for working out the cost of a project and services. They also undertake tenders that are invoiced for a contract of work for the labour of trade’s people for the development of the construction project. They have to assess and evaluate the cost of equipment, labour and materials, different quotes from suppliers for materials and sub-contractors bid. The estimator has to gather up calculations on the cheapest overall cost of the project so that the client will gain a profit.
Estimators may spend a lot of time in an office working out tender documentations. There is a nature for deadlines to be met which means sometimes working overtime to meet schedules is needed.
Most estimators have site experience and skills similar to a quantity surveyor. Maths and I.T. Skills is essential as well as being able to solve issues to do with finance and being able to come up with financial conclusions.
Site supervisor
The site supervisor has to communicate with the client, employees, sub contractors and the management team. On some sites there are site supervisors for different working areas within the project and update the site manager with feedback on a daily basis. The site supervisor is responsible for:
* Co-coordinating team members/sub-contractors.
* Management of day to day operations.
* Good communication, team and interpersonal skills.
* Being able to solve problems and act on decisions.
* Being able to deal with stress.
* Time management.
* Site workers/Sub-Contractors.
* Material, plant movement and resourceful action in regards to not wasting materials.
* Health and Safety for all workers on the site.
General foreperson
The main duty of a general foreperson is to supervise the area or labours, coordinating others, working with the schedule set out, having a plan and budget for the construction project and control management. A general foreperson has to be able to fore-fill the client’s needs and be able to read and understand given plans and specifications. The general foreperson will interact with the site manager and the site supervisor. They specialise in a specific trade e.g. tiling.
Craft Operative
Craft operatives have to be trained, licensed and capable to handle machinery on site. This can involve responsibilities of dumper trucks on site to trades people like: brick layers, joiners and steel fixers.
General Operative
A general operative has a range of activities and this all depends on the company and project. The main responsibilities include:
* Cleaning.
* Checking machinery is safe to use.
* Excavation of drainage trenches.
* Good housekeeping throughout the site.
* Lifting.
* Packing and weighting materials.
* Quality checking among others.
* Semi-skilled works.
* Visually checking the movement of resources.
* Waste management.
Team interaction and communication
Working in teams in the construction industry is essential for the project to develop successfully. The teams are usually split into two one being the client’s team which is known as the design team and the construction team which involves the development of the construction work the design team has planned.
The design team will include:
* Architect and/or designer
* Planning supervisor
* QS (Quantity Surveyor)
* Services and structural engineer.
The construction team can be divided into several different teams which will be involved in:
* Commercial, housing and shopping development.
* Interior shop fitting.
* Maintenance work.
* Sports complexes.
Members which are part of the construction team are:
* Buyer.
* Estimator.
* Operatives.
* Planner.
* Site manager.
There are several different ways to communicate and interact between team members. Many construction companies use virtual programs so both the design and construction team have information. This is a useful piece of technology in which the design and construction team can interact and transfer information. Forms of interaction between team members:
* The architect and/or designer has a close relationship with the principle contractor/contracts manager. This will involve discussions about the design, budget, time schedule and the quality the client wants the construction work. This is then all negotiated till there is some kind of agreement. This kind of information may be written or verbally communicated to the principle contractor e.g. architects instructions (A.I.), Drawings and specifications and minutes of meetings are all kinds of communication the architect and principle contractor use to interact and discuss any issues or about the progression.
* The principle contractor/contracts manager will have a close relationship with their site managers and supervisors. This type of interaction will be communicated either by phone, email or fax. This type of interaction will be on a daily basis and this is to ensure that the site manager has all the right information and that the principle contract/contractors manager knows what progression is made and/or if any problems have arise.
* The site managers will have a close relationship with the general forepersons. The type of interaction involved between the site manger and the general foreperson will usually be verbally on a daily basis. This will involve meetings first thing about the schedule and main objectives that the trades people have to do, the resources that are required as well as any deadlines that need to be meet within the time schedule and the architects information which will be in writing.
* The general forepersons/craft operatives will both have a close relationship with the general operatives. Between all these team members the interaction will involve communicating on a daily basis verbally to get daily targets met.
by
lindzi31hotmailcom (student)
