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Who comes first onboard – Architect or Project Managers?

Architect vs project managers

This article is an attempt to put across viewpoints to regarding the quandary of whether to appoint the Architect or Project Management (PM) consultancy first. This dilemma is presumably faced by many, especially those who are part of developers’ teams or financial lenders. Please read Architect as ‘designer of project’ wherever referred to in this article and not the Architect/architectural firms who also provide project management services. Design and Project Management (PM) have been considered as separate functions assigned to different firms.

Since India’s independence and especially after opening of our market to global players in the 90’s, construction industry has seen manifold changes in terms of designs, materials, construction techniques, tools, processes, automation etc. A construction project in real estate sector progresses through various phases of project Lifecyle. Typically, a project undergoes 5 major phases listed below, and project teams perform different activities during each phase.

  • Initiation
  • Planning & Developing
  • Execution
  • Monitoring & control
  • Closure

Each phase of project lifecycle has numerous interdependent activities, and these activities follow a particular logic and sequence during the implementation of the project. Accordingly, developers assign resources internally or from external service providers for performing these activities.

Traditionally, project proponents commonly known as ‘Developers’, build structures catering to the basic needs of common man without much of luxurious amenities of modern times. These developers used to have inhouse capabilities to perform all the functions of development i.e., from designing of a project till handing over of flats or office. However, with rapid economic growth over the years, not only demands & aspirations of India’s common man have increased but expats & multinationals investing in India, have also in certain ways raised the benchmark of the standards of real estate product, be it residential flat or commercial unit. Therefore, it was imperative for Indian developers to adapt to new ways of construction and implement systems as per globally accepted standards.

Developers had the options, either to update or acquire new skills of Project Management (PM) within their organizations or outsource whole or part of assignment, to external professional agencies with highly skilled workforce. All these changes have not occurred overnight, and it has been a continuous process of learning for all till date. Most of the organized players of the trade have taken the hardest route and learnt the PM skills internally within the organization for developing multiple and complex projects. Many have outsourced all or few of PM functions to professionals and managed only finances and legal side of the development. This trend is continuing today as well but percentage of outsourcing has increased where in developers are appointing external experts/organization to manage entire construction development and keeping limited team internally for coordination purpose.

However, this concept of outsourcing PM functions to external agencies did not end hardship of developers in totality. There are many reasons of project success and failure but assigning correct resources at appropriate time is one of the biggest contributors to project’s success. It said that ‘well begun is half done’. These resources are 5Ms men, materials, machinery, money & methods. Research has shown that if we carefully select and invest in good human resources (Men/technical people) at right time of any project, 80% of the problems get addressed automatically.

Developers who appoint external agencies to manage Design & PM functions, get baffled by the quest of correct time of bringing in any PM agency for the project. Should developer appoint PM agency before bringing in Designer on board? There is absolutely no harm in prioritizing appointment of designer onboard first, however some of the grey areas overlapping between design & execution activities will get addressed at advance stages of project only if appointment of PM happens at early phases.

Let us look at some of the key advantages of appointing PM agency at early stages of project:

  1. Clarity of role & responsibilities – There will be less conflict due to unambiguous nature of responsibilities performed by PM and designer. Duplication of efforts also can be avoided. For example, drafting of tender documents including general and special conditions of contract should be assigned to single agency i.e. either PM or designer. Ideally competent PM with more expertise and experience in executing actual construction would suggest practical, fair, and economical contract conditions. In this way, duplication of works by designer may be avoided if it was desired by developer at earlier stage.
  2. Early constructability reviews of designs – PM with their varied experience and exposure to new construction techniques, can provide valuable inputs on design with regards to any potential constraints and challenges which may hamper actual construction. These inputs, if provided at right and at early stage of design development, can be incorporated & implemented effectively without much of impact on time, costquality & safety. At later stages, developers find it difficult to implement any design inputs without adverse effect on time and cost.
  3. Less coordination efforts – Developer will find effective and easier way of communicating with one single entity than multiple agencies. Developers’ efforts can reduce by more than 50% if PM comes on board early and starts coordinating with all other stakeholders on developers’ behalf. Early deployment of PM will also help in implementing standard operating processes (SOPs) for all functions required at different stage of project delivery as per globally proven and accepted best practices of industry.
  4. Continuity throughout project lifecycle – Continuity of executing any construction project in particular standard way or process is very important and crucial for project’s success. Appointment of PM at initiation or even at planning & development stage ensures continuity in the project delivery in terms of constructing final desired product as per design brief. PM will ensure timely closure of any issues/disputes with the help of hassle-free communication and up to date documentation.

Conclusion

Appointing PM agency prior to other designers and consultants may not be a standard solution to all problems arising in a project. However, developers or project proponents must weigh advantages and prioritise selection of PM agency with regards to many factors such as type, size & complexity of project, inhouse capabilities, project cost, statutory requirements, availability of competent & experienced PM agencies in the market.

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