Engaging a project manager (PM) at the beginning of the design process — rather than starting at the construction phase — offers owners, architects, and contractors the measurable benefit of actionable options, not merely analysis. By proactively presenting multiple perspectives and solutions throughout the programming, design and procurement stages, the project manager can play a major role in shaping a successful outcome for all stakeholders.
There’s persuasive, bottom-line data to support bringing a project manager on board at the outset of the planning stage. By the time a project reaches construction, 70% of the project budget is actively tied up in that phase and contingency funds may be reduced to 8% to 10%, which severely limits any unforeseen changes or course corrections that need to be made at that time. On the other hand, if a PM is engaged up-front during programming, the 70% project budget risk can be managed and minimized.
Here's a look at some specific examples of how an experienced project manager can impact each of the four aspects of the programming process:
Programming: Budget
At this phase, an involved project manager can identify and help implement efficiencies and savings in several key areas. For site selection, they can generate costs for multiple feasibility studies, increasing the owner’s choices. They can expand the budget development to include soft costs instead of just construction/hard costs, giving a more realistic, fully formed financial picture. They can also guide the design team to make informed materials selections that may alleviate disruptive value engineering at sensitive points in the project.
Programming: Schedule
If the project manager was joining the project at the construction stage, their involvement in scheduling would be moot, restricted to monitoring an already-established timeline. But creating a schedule in the programming phase puts the project manager in a position to hold team members accountable at key milestones. Drawing on their knowledge of the local bidding climate, a project manager can recommend the optimal time to put a project out to bid, increasing the owner’s ability to secure the best price.
Design
In this stage, project managers are in an ideal vantage point to ensure the original, agreed-upon project programming goals are all reflected in the design intent. Acting as a second set of eyes on the documents during constructability reviews, they can critique the design as drawn, call out any early risks the proposed design poses to the budget and advise on corrective measures to keep the project moving forward.
Procurement
A project manager’s market expertise can be an invaluable asset in the procurement phase. Their familiarity with design firms’ capabilities and portfolios, as well as those of contractors and consultants, can streamline the selection process for the owner as they can effectively screen qualified candidates. Creating a short list of suitable procurement options can further maximize cost savings. When developing requests for quote (RFQ) and requests for proposals (RFPs), the project manager can offer insight into whether a project might benefit from a two-stage procurement approach. Additionally, a project manager’s knowledge of multiple forms of contract agreements can again work to an owner’s advantage, as can their contract negotiating skills.
Construction
If construction is the point where a project manager is first brought into the job, they are relegated to playing only a monitoring/oversight role. The potential benefits to the team, as described above, remain unrealized, nothing more than a missed opportunity.
By integrating the project manager into the initial of planning and design phases, they can guide the comprehensive creation of the scope of work and capture the most cost savings and efficiencies. Early engagement also enables the project manager to truly act as a representative of the client as they drive the entire process, from project inception to completion. In continuous interaction with owners, designers and contractors, a project manager serves as the point person in communication, ensuring that consistent, accurate information is delivered in a timely and transparent fashion. By identifying the expectations of the entire project team early on, establishing realistic goals and executing throughout the life of the project, the project manager delivers a win-win situation for all stakeholders.
