Track: Construction Management

The Project Manager has the primary responsibility of planning a particular construction job and overseeing its progress along the way.

Project managers plan, coordinate, schedule, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish, and often collaborate with architects and engineers.

In addition, project managers administer a wide variety of projects, including the building of all types of public, residential, commercial, and industrial structures, as well as roads, monuments, and bridges. They oversee the construction phase of a project, although a project manager may also consult with the client during the design phase to help refine construction plans and control costs.

Project managers also oversee specialized contractors and other personnel. They schedule and coordinate all construction processes so that projects meet design specifications, to ensure that projects are completed on time. Some managers may be responsible for several projects at the same time.

Most project managers work closely with other building specialists, and trade workers, including plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and stonemasons. Depending on the project, project managers may interact with lawyers, local government officials, and building inspectors to ensure that all regulations are met.

To maximize efficiency and productivity, project managers often perform the tasks of a cost estimator to control and complete their projects within budget.

Some project managers are more successful than others. What makes the difference? We will review the top ten objectives of a project manager, and find out.

The NY New York Bridge Project will result in a replacement bridge for the 61 year old Tappan Zee Bridge. The new bridge is needed to replace the deteriorated current bridge which crosses the Hudson River and joins the New York Counties of Rockland and Westchester. This is a significant project as this replacement bridge will be one of the world’s longest and widest bridges. It will also be one of the most expensive bridges at an estimate cost of $4 billion. It is expected to be completed in 2018.

The urban dictionary defines Zen as a state of focus which involves a togetherness or oneness of body and mind. It is a way of being and it is a state of mind. It is also an approach to an activity which emphasizes simplicity and intuition over traditional thinking or focus on goals. In this way, the New NY Bridge project is one which seeks to create harmony with the community and project stakeholder, including those on the project team.

This project is an excellent case study of how both risk management and stakeholder management support project management and the achievement of project objectives. This paper reviews the practices being used in the construction of the New NY Bridge, and how they relate to effective project risk and stakeholder management.