Construction Team Work

 Construction is defined as engineering in action and for this, one should realize the role of construction team work in the office and work on the site controlled by the building team under the leadership of the project manager, resident engineer, site engineer and site supervisors. The subject construction management deals with many decisions related to economical, timely and quality work. 

The building team 

The two main parties in a building contract are the employer and the contractor. Their building team consists if the following groups :  

1. The employer's design team - employer, architect, quantity surveyor, structural engineer and services consultants. Site team of the employer - resident engineers and his assistants. 
2. The contractor's team - project manager, site engineers, site supervisors and other assistants and nominated sub-contractors. 

Resident Engineer 

Resident engineer is the chief responsible man on the site, appointed by the employer/owner to control total construction programmes, as per the planning and design of the architect and other appointed consultants. His main job is to report progress of work, difficulties, etc., to the architect so as to give instructions to the project manager, i.e., the contractor's representative. The resident engineer with his skill, knowledge and experience helps architects in taking quick decisions to avoid delay and mistakes, in making prompt payments in the interest of work. Joint inspection with the project manager will help in maintaining the speed of construction with quality. 

Project Manager 

The Project Manager is supposed to be the contractor's key person in site organization. His role mainly consists of directing and controlling the construction work on the site. He hires machinery and equipment, purchases materials and employment sub-contractors. He is considered as the main person who makes profit for the contractor through satisfactory construction as per the conditions in the tender. A project manager should be aware of the following things : 

1. Principles of site management. 
2. Project control through site meetings. 
3. Site office control through accounts, clerks, messengers, drivers, watchmen, storekeepers, and cashier. 
4. Project contract close out-handing over of the completed building, shifting of excess materials, documents to be preserved, and final accounts. 

Site Engineer 

Site engineer is the key person in the construction team. Following are some of the functions of a site engineer. 

1. To control progress. 
2. Testing and approval of materials. 
3. Preparation of reports regarding daily and weekly progress of work and monthly reports. 
4. Preparation, checking and payment of bills. 
5. Daily and weekly meetings for continuous interactions, and feedback to facilitate the execution of work in a planned and efficient manner. 
6. To check the report work done as per the (i) construction schedule, (ii) material schedule, (iii) equipment use schedule, and (iv) labor schedule. 
7. Final clearing of the site and winding of the operation. 

Site Supervisor 

A site supervisor, building supervisor, or site inspector is a person appointed by the contractor, and given the authority and responsibility to supervise the work of a group of people by close contact. He works under the site engineer. His main work includes familiarization with the construction team, familiarization with the work site------   safety measures, security, site equipment and supervision of the construction work------   quality control, site records, safety procedures etc. 

A site supervisor should develop skills related to the following : 

1. Communication in different languages. 
2. Skill in operating and checking construction equipment's-----  finding faults and for simple repairs in pumps, vibrators, electrical equipment, concrete mixers, vehicles etc. 
3. Visual quality control ----- to check work in line, level and plumb, diameter of steel reinforcement and pipes, types of valves etc. 
4. Correct and quick calculations, conversions in different units. IS Code requirements etc.