Choosing Project Success – A Guide for Building Professionals
Dec 11, 2009 Sponge
Integrating Construction Management and Construction Technology for Building Professionals and Construction Management Students. This book provide a managerial perspective for building professionals in the commercial development and construction industry-building owners and managers, facility managers, project managers as well as construction management students- who seek excellence and continuous process improvement. It also provides real world explantions of technical and management subjects, and shows how to apply them on the job right now.
Choosing Project Success – A Guide for Building Professionals
Keywords: building, Choosing, guide, Professionals, Project, Success
December 11th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
The commercial construction industry is one of the driving forces of the American economy and a mainstay to the economic health of the community. It is also serious business involving substantial capital investment and the expertise of a whole series of professionals from architects to building contractors, from financial professionals to laborers. “Choosing Project Success: A Guide For Building Professionals” by J. F. McCarthy (a working owner of a commercial construction firm with 36 years of building experience) is a 371-page instructional manual that specifically addresses both project and construction management as well as the technical aspects of construction on the job site. The text is organized into three main sections: ‘Observing Well, Thinking Right’ which addresses the necessity for perceiving all of the aspects and requirements of the intended project; ‘Purpose Definition, Personnel Organization, Management Tools’ focusing on what is to be done and how it will be best accomplished; and ‘Facts Are The Building Blocks Of Knowledge And Judgment’ emphasizing all the disparate elements of a successful building project from water systems, to materials employed, to the soil upon which the building will rest, to lighting, heating, and waste disposal issues. An ideal textbook for technical college curriculums, “Choosing Project Success” is especially recommended reading for both novice as well as experienced architects, building owners and managers, facility managers, designers, project managers, superintendents, foremen, lenders and insurers.
Rating: 5 / 5
December 11th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
I think every office in the building trades should have this book on their shelf. A well planned project is a successful project.
This book approaches the challenge of building things in an unpretentious prespective,and shows step by step,how to set the stage for success. At every turn it embodies the methods it preaches: careful observation,thoughtful reflection,common sense,hard work and thoroughness. For facility managers the section on project planning and execution provides a great road map to effective interaction with construction professionals.
Rating: 5 / 5
December 12th, 2009 at 2:25 am
This book is a must have for any realtor, especially those who primarily deal with commercial real estate. It offers insight into new contruction and what to expect during each phase of a project.
Rating: 5 / 5
December 12th, 2009 at 4:26 am
This book consists of 3 parts. Part 1 is about observing well to reduce biases, which is unnecessary, because we already know, and the discussion lacks sophistication, so I knock off a star. Part 2 is about managing projects, or rather tips about managing projects, because there is no methodology, or at best disorganized (I knock off another star). The author claims, for example, that value engineering and change management have “rare legitimate use” (p.78), which is poor advice. Most topics are covered in one or two pages; thus change management is covered in less than a page. There is virtually nothing on contract management. Part 3 is about “facts” of buildings, which is little more than simple physics. I look in vain for building design considerations (so I knock off another star), and remind myself that the author is not an A/E designer. There are very few diagrams in the book, so the discussion is hard to follow (e.g. on HVAC). One reason why there are so few diagrams is that it is only simple physics (e.g. V=IR), and little on design or integration of building services. Finally, the imperial system is used, so it is only suitable for US readers.
Rating: 2 / 5
December 12th, 2009 at 5:23 am
The material is both a good introduction and detailed information for the experienced construction professional. With out skimping on theory, this book shows how things are really done and why. I particularly like how the book ties construction management together with the technology of building system to explain the entire management process.
Rating: 5 / 5