--- title: "Define construction management and its need" subject: "Construction Management" chapter: 1 key: "semester_8/construction_management:define-cm-need-knowledge" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/define-cm-need-knowledge site: BCT Engineering --- # Define construction management and its need Construction Management · Chapter 1: Construction Management Framework - Asked in: 2077 Chaitra, 1+4 marks - Video: [What Is Construction Management?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlIhVHMk788) — Jason Schroeder - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/define-cm-need-knowledge - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/construction_management/chapter-1 ## Question Define construction management. Why does a construction team need knowledge about construction management? ## Short answer Construction management applies management principles to plan, organise and control resources to meet time, cost and quality targets. A team needs this knowledge to plan realistically, control costs, use resources efficiently, choose contracts wisely, ensure quality and safety, coordinate parties, and manage risks and changes. ## Answer **Construction management** is the application of management principles and techniques to plan, organise, direct, coordinate and control the resources and activities of a construction project so as to complete it within the specified time, cost and quality. #### Why a construction team needs this knowledge 1. **To plan and schedule properly:** a team that knows CPM, PERT and bar charts can set realistic time and resource plans. 2. **To control cost:** estimation, budgeting and cost tracking avoid overrun. 3. **To use resources efficiently:** men, materials, machines and money are limited, and good management reduces waste. 4. **To select the right procurement and contract methods** and understand rights and duties. 5. **To ensure quality and safety:** quality control, inspections and site safety rules reduce defects and accidents. 6. **To coordinate many parties**: the client, consultant, contractor, suppliers and authorities need clear communication. 7. **To manage risks and changes**, such as variations, claims and disputes. 8. **To improve productivity and profit** for the contractor and satisfaction for the client. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. Construction management applies management principles to: A. Only design the facility B. Plan, organise, direct, coordinate and control resources to finish within time, cost and quality C. Only buy materials D. Only inspect safety Answer: B. It manages resources and activities toward time, cost and quality goals. (Key point: Definition) 2. Why must a team know CPM, PERT and bar charts? A. To avoid contracts B. To set realistic time and resource plans C. To reduce the design load D. To skip budgeting Answer: B. These tools produce realistic time and resource plans. (Key point: Planning need) 3. Why is resource efficiency important? A. Resources are unlimited B. Contractors do not pay for them C. Men, materials, machines and money are limited, so management reduces waste D. It is only about labour Answer: C. Limited resources need good management to avoid waste. (Key point: Resources) 4. What does the team need to manage with respect to changes? A. Variations, claims and disputes B. Only weather C. Only land D. Only tax Answer: A. Management of risk and change covers variations, claims and disputes. (Key point: Risks and changes) ## Related in Construction Management - [Need for insurance during construction](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Ainsurance-during-construction) — Construction Management, chapter 11 - [Cash flow management: importance and preparation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Acash-flow-importance-preparation) — Construction Management, chapter 6, asked 8× - [Personnel management and selection steps](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Apersonnel-management-selection-steps) — Construction Management, chapter 10, asked 3× - [Trade unions and relation with management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Atrade-union-note) — Construction Management, chapter 10, asked 3× - [ABC classification and material management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Aabc-importance-material-mgmt) — Construction Management, chapter 3, asked 2× - [Delay and cost overrun due to management failure](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Amanagement-failure-delay-cost) — Construction Management, chapter 1 ## Related in other subjects - [Knowledge management vs expert systems](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finformation_system%3Akm-vs-expert-systems) — Information System, chapter 4 - [Knowledge management and KM triangle](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finformation_system%3Aknowledge-management-hierarchy) — Information System, chapter 4 - [Project management body of knowledge](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Adefine-pmbok) — ICT Project Management, chapter 2 - [Project management knowledge areas](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Apm-knowledge-areas) — ICT Project Management, chapter 2