--- title: "Scope of CM and project life cycle phases" subject: "Construction Management" chapter: 1 key: "semester_8/construction_management:scope-lifecycle-phases" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/scope-lifecycle-phases site: BCT Engineering --- # Scope of CM and project life cycle phases Construction Management · Chapter 1: Construction Management Framework - Asked in: 2075 Bhadra, 2 marks; 2073 Magh, 6 marks; 2070 Bhadra, 5 marks; 2072 Asoj (asked 4 times) - Video: [How To Manage A Construction Project Step By Step](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDAmTebSIv8) — 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/scope-lifecycle-phases - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/construction_management/chapter-1 ## Question Discuss the scope of construction management and the phases of the construction project life cycle. ## Short answer Construction management covers planning, scheduling, resource, cost, quality and contract management. The project life cycle consists of conception, planning/design, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover, and operation/maintenance. ## Answer **Construction management** is the planning, organising, coordinating and controlling of resources (men, materials, machines, money and methods) to complete a project in time, within budget and to the required quality and safety. #### Scope of construction management - Project feasibility and cost estimating - Planning and scheduling (bar chart, CPM, PERT) - Resource management: material, equipment, labour and finance - Contract and procurement management - Site management, quality, safety and environment - Cost control, progress monitoring and cash flow - Risk and claims management - Handover, operation and maintenance #### Phases of the construction project life cycle ```text Conception -> Planning/Design -> Procurement -> Construction -> Commissioning/Handover -> Operation & Maintenance ``` 1. **Conception / initiation:** need identification, pre-feasibility, feasibility, site selection and budget. 2. **Planning and design:** preliminary then detailed design, drawings, specifications, cost estimates, work programme and approvals. 3. **Procurement:** preparing tender documents, tendering, evaluation, award and contract signing. 4. **Construction (execution):** mobilisation, execution of work, monitoring of time, cost and quality, payments. 5. **Commissioning and handover:** testing, completion certificate, defects liability period, as-built drawings. 6. **Operation and maintenance (closing):** use of the facility, routine and periodic maintenance, and final evaluation. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. Construction management is best described as: A. Only designing the structure B. Planning, organising, coordinating and controlling resources to finish in time, budget and quality C. Only supervising labour on site D. Only preparing tender documents Answer: B. It is the planning, organising, coordinating and controlling of resources to meet time, cost, quality and safety targets. (Key point: Definition) 2. Which is the correct order of life cycle phases? A. Procurement, conception, design, construction B. Conception, procurement, planning/design, construction C. Conception, planning/design, procurement, construction, handover, O&M D. Planning/design, construction, procurement, handover Answer: C. The order is conception, planning/design, procurement, construction, commissioning/handover, then operation and maintenance. (Key point: Life cycle order) 3. Which activity belongs to the procurement phase? A. Feasibility study B. Tendering, evaluation, award and contract signing C. Testing and as-built drawings D. Routine maintenance Answer: B. Procurement covers tender documents, tendering, evaluation, award and signing of contract. (Key point: Procurement phase) 4. Which belongs to commissioning and handover? A. Site selection B. Mobilisation C. Completion certificate, defects liability period and as-built drawings D. Detailed design Answer: C. Testing, completion certificate, defects liability and as-built drawings mark handover. (Key point: Handover phase) ## Related in Construction Management - [Function of project management in Nepal](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Acpm-function-nepal) — Construction Management, chapter 1 - [Characteristics of a construction project](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Aconstruction-project-characteristics) — Construction Management, chapter 1 - [Define construction management and its need](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Adefine-cm-need-knowledge) — Construction Management, chapter 1 - [Work scope control](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Awork-scope-control) — Construction Management, chapter 7, asked 3× - [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× - [How CM helps with delay, quality and cost](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Acm-course-delay-cost) — Construction Management, chapter 1 ## Related in other subjects - [Project life cycle phases and activities](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Alife-cycle-phases-activities) — Project Engineering, chapter 1, asked 5× - [Project development life cycle phases](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aproject-development-life-cycle) — ICT Project Management, chapter 1 - [Life cycle phases and goal setting example](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Alife-cycle-phase-goal-example) — Project Engineering, chapter 1 - [Product versus project life cycle](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aproduct-vs-project-life-cycle) — ICT Project Management, chapter 4