Defining Construction Management

More than ten years ago, CIOB Past President John Bale and the late Past President Li Shirong set about defining what construction management is. CIOB felt it was time to reinforce those early messages contained in the previous definition.

You might be reading this and think why that matters. What purpose is there in defining construction management as a discipline? Well put simply if we don’t keep banging the drum for what construction management is, and its importance to the built world, global economies, society and the environment then it can be easily undervalued. How can we expect anyone else to understand what we do if we don’t set it out clearly?

Plenty of countries and industries around the world have a narrow definition for what construction management is. Many see it as the site-based manager of the construction process.  But as the global home for professionals who manage and lead in the built environment we have a comprehensive view because we know what Chartered Construction Managers do, and what they do defines the discipline. It’s complex, powerful and influential. 

Fast forward on from that original work and we have adapted the definition to reinforce the previous message and bring it in line with where we are now to give recognition to the many and varied roles within the built environment.  It maintains our stance that the profession is concerned with the entire lifecycle of constructed assets with an emphasis on sustainable development.

Construction industries throughout the world are challenged to improve performance if they are to contribute fully to the achievement of economic prosperity, sustainable environments and healthy fulfilled populations. Our belief is that by expressing the role of construction management clearly it increases the opportunities of the discipline to be of service; improving our ability to attract the next generation of talent into the profession, as well as recognising the work which our current members are involved in.

This is a beat we can all drum too.  You can read the current CIOB definition below.

THE CIOB DEFINITION OF THE MANAGEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION

Construction management is the development, conservation and improvement of the built environment through clients, organisations and individuals working together to meet the changing needs of our global society. 

Construction management includes a wide range of specialist services and it's informed, supported and challenged by an independent academic discipline. 

At CIOB, we embrace the entire breadth of the construction process, from inception through completion and into reuse – with a focus on committing to sustainable construction. 

We’re committed to improving the quality of life for those who use and create the built environment. Our system of values shows how important we consider our responsibility to humanity and the future of our planet. 

The CIOB’s Construction Manager designation incorporates a wide range of roles and is not restricted to:

Architectural Technicians, Asset Manager, BIM Manager, Building Technician, Business Development Manager, Clerk of Works, Client Representative, Consultant, Contract Administrator, Contractor, Contracts Manager, Commercial Manager, Design Manager, Estate Manager, Facilities Manager, Information Manager, Operator, Project Engineer, Project Manager, Site Agent, Site Engineer, Site Manager 

And within the following areas:

BREEAM, Building Control, Building Information Modelling, Building Services, Cost, Civil Engineering, Demolition, Design, Environment, Fire, Health & Safety, Heritage, Highways, Landscape, Legislation, Logistics, Planning, Procurement, Programme, Risk, Structure, Sustainability, Transportation

And, or, any specialist design & delivery role specific to project type – rail, health, nuclear, education, infrastructure etc, noting this list is not exhaustive.