05 / Project management
Project management keeps scope, cost, schedule, and communication aligned from planning through closeout. Start by understanding the project roles, then use a consistent record of decisions, questions, and changes.
Before construction begins
Architect vs. Builder
Understand the different roles, responsibilities, and contract relationships.
Bid Comparison Worksheet
Compare contractor proposals, scope differences, allowances, alternates, schedules, and qualifications.
Construction Bidding
Prepare a consistent bid package, compare contractor scope, allowances, and exclusions, and resolve proposal differences before selection. Includes a worked comparison example and links to the planning worksheets.
Read the construction bidding guide
Project Scheduling
Connect owner decisions, approvals, material lead times, construction, and handover. Learn how dependencies and the critical path affect completion, with a worked backward-planning example.
Read the project scheduling guide
Use the Project Planning Checklist to organize early decisions and the Construction Budget Worksheet to keep project expenses and forecasts visible.
During construction
Questions and clarifications
A Request for Information, or RFI, records a question that needs clarification. Include the relevant drawing or specification reference, the decision needed, and who is responsible for responding. Track the response and any effect on cost or schedule.
Submittals and coordination
Submittals document proposed products, materials, equipment, and fabrication information before installation. Coordinate the required reviews with purchasing and construction dates, and keep a record of returned information and revisions.
Read the RFIs and Submittals guide for a sample clarification, a comparison of project records, and guidance on review actions, deadlines, revisions, and follow-up. Keep related cost and time decisions connected to the project’s change procedure.
Changes and communication
Record proposed changes, pricing, approvals, and schedule effects together. Keep decisions connected to the drawings, correspondence, and applicable contract process so the team is working from the same information.
Use the Change Order Log to track proposed and approved amounts, schedule impacts, written decisions, and follow-up actions. Download the Excel workbook with a blank working log and a separate example and guide.
Finishing the project
Track incomplete or deficient work on a punch list and assign responsibility for correction. Organize final inspections, approvals, warranties, record documents, operating information, and training as applicable to the project.
Use the Punch List Worksheet to assign corrections, track target dates, and keep reported completion separate from verification. The Excel download includes 75 working rows, status dropdowns, overdue counts, and a separate example and guide.
Use the Project Closeout Checklist to organize final inspections, handover documents, owner training, warranties, and remaining actions. Download the fillable PDF or editable Word version and keep the completed review with the project records.
Use the Construction Drawing Checklist to record drawing questions and follow-up items. Keep the completed reviews, contractor proposals, and closeout records together.
Choose a starting point
New to the project team? Start with Architect vs. Builder. Preparing to price the work? Start with the Bid Comparison Worksheet.
Keep the next decisions organized with a working checklist or worksheet.
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