CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT IN PRACTICE

One key factor for any successful project is to choose the right project delivery method. In the construction industry there are several ways to implement a project and a client have several aspects to consider before choosing the most appropriate method. Construction Management (CM) is one way to execute a project where the client and a CM-organisation work together to implement the clients project objective. CM can basically be described as the project delivery approach where the client employs a CM-organisation in order to assist the client and to coordinate all activities in the project. The design-build contractor or general contractor is replaced with the CMorganisation that always should have the best interest for the client in mind and executes the client role and responsibilities. A fundamental idea with CM is that the client has the ultimate responsibility and takes the risks in the project, often resulting in lower costs. This master thesis has the purpose to describe a general understanding of CM and to study CM practises. During the thesis nineteen interviews have been done with project managers representing CM-organisations, clients of the studied company and prime contractors in an on-going project. Further, the thesis is primarily focusing on one company working with CM in the western part of Sweden and how to facilitate this company’s continuing work with CM. The view of CM differs geographically in Sweden, in Stockholm the concept of CM is more widespread and used more frequently. Therefore companies operating in Stockholm are also included and their practises are compared to the studied company’s. The findings from the interviews indicated that the practises of CM in Sweden conform. Issues that was highlighted by the interviewees was the importance of early involvement of the CM-organisation, having the appropriate organisation and be located on the construction site. The view of the remuneration to the CM-organisation and the use of incentives slightly diverged among the interviewees. Further, the findings emphasise the way that the companies handle risks and responsibilities in their projects, along with characteristics of the more suitable projects and clients. Finally, the findings from the interviews and the literature study are compared, discussed and some recommendations to the company are given.