Have you ever experienced discrepancies between the concepts you read in textbooks and their real-life application? In order to successfully enter the field of construction management, one must incorporate both theoretical concepts and practical experiences. This book does just that. The book combines theoretical principles with real-life insight, offering a practical guide of best practices to be a successful construction manager. This book is a complete manual taking you through all phases of a project, from its ...
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Have you ever experienced discrepancies between the concepts you read in textbooks and their real-life application? In order to successfully enter the field of construction management, one must incorporate both theoretical concepts and practical experiences. This book does just that. The book combines theoretical principles with real-life insight, offering a practical guide of best practices to be a successful construction manager. This book is a complete manual taking you through all phases of a project, from its inception, to design, to completion of construction. It will cover all the challenges you will face as a construction manager, whether you are working as an owner's representative, for a contractor, for an architect, or for an owner. This book is written in an easy-to-read, conversational style, and will benefit anyone, from a new construction manager to a seasoned professional. About the Author Jamil Soucar has passionately worked in the construction industry since 1983. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering; a Certificate in Engineering Management for Construction from UCLA; and is licensed as a B-General Contractor. He has a construction management consulting business in Los Angeles, through which he consults to general contractors, owners and architects, and provides expert witness service to construction attorneys. Jamil has overseen over 500 projects from inception to closeout. He has worked as a superintendent, a project manager for contractors, and a construction manager consulting to owners. He has worked in civil engineering design and drafting surveys. Jamil was inspired to write this book after teaching construction management at night to working adults. He realized the need for construction management taught from the perspective of real-life experiences.
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When I practised as a Civil Law Title Attorney in Montreal, Canada from time-to-time I had occasion to become involved with construction projects, particularly residential renovations and project residential construction.
While witnessing the many disputes that cropped up and sometimes led to litigation, I came to appreciate that successful construction projects were all about teamwork, good communication and a construction manager who has a deep understanding of the various phases of project management. The latter needed to figure out how to diplomatically handle all of the players such as the architects, owners, construction managers, inspectors, community members, city officials, general contractors, subcontractors and others that all make it happen. This required finely tuned skills as well as cleverly interpreting and reading emotional cues to attain successful results.
If you search Google for project management textbooks, the bottom line is that you probably will find dozens, yet, very few are able to deliver the nuances as to why some constructions succeed while others fail.
Jamil Soucar, with his broad experience in the construction industry that dates back to 1983 fully understands the science behind project management and he has put together an excellent guide book, Real Life Construction Management Guide From A-Z that provides readers with a different perspective on the various aspects of construction projects.
It should be noted that in addition to his practical experience, Soucar holds a Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering from American University of Beirut (AUB) and a Certificate in Project Management from UCLA. Given his vast knowledge of the business, he is also frequently asked to be an expert witness in court for construction-related claims. He has worked both sides of construction projects, gaining knowledge from the perspective of an owner as well as from a contractor's point of view.
Soucar realizes, as he mentions in the first page of the manual: "that the human factors and personalities are big factors in managing construction projects." Although he does acknowledge the usual common problems such as a bad set of plans, a contractor not performing well, unforeseen conditions, delays, change in orders and other issues, he also believes that over and above these difficulties there exists "undisclosed causes" that often contribute to problems and disputes. It is these "undisclosed causes" as well as human factors and personalities that are big components in the success or failure of a construction project.
Soucar divides his comprehensive manual into twelve chapters and merges the practical and theoretical as he explores the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques involving a broad range of activities such as initiation, early estimating, budgeting, work breakdown, scheduling, construction, risk management, and close out. Moreover, the manual offers a real-life insight pertaining to undisclosed factors, the anatomy of a construction project and its players, construction manager and being an owner's representative, planning phase, design phase, various project delivery methods, bid and award phase, construction and close out phase, scheduling, delay analysis, construction claims and various methods for dispute resolution.
Each chapter of the book comprises three main sections, "principles" that teach the concepts of various construction management topics, "real life gauge" that give the reader a real life perspective of how things work, and "best practice tips" that give a summarized set of tips for best practices. You can well appreciate that with over thirty years of construction experience, Soucar has accumulated a ton of these helpful tips which he shares with his readers. These are fully analyzed in an easy flowing read devoid of confusing and painfully technical language. No doubt, delving into greater detail concerning the various topics covered would take a work many times the size of its one hundred and eighty-three pages, nonetheless, the manual succeeds in summarizing and condensing the essential full range of project management in a clear, well-organized authoritative manner. If you are a student and are in the process of studying to become a construction manager, or a project manager, architect, engineer, construction manager, builder or anyone involved in construction projects, then an investment in a copy of this book would certainly be worthwhile.
FOLLOW HERE http://dpli.ir/BuTEtx TO READ NORM'S INTERVIEW WITH JAMIL SOUCAR
Pam
Oct 31, 2017
Looks Into the Human Aspect of Construction Mgmt
I'm not a construction manager but after reading Jamil Soucar's excellent book Real Life Construction Management A-Z I feel I could be one. He is obviously a very gifted teacher and the conversational and organized way he walks the reader through the steps lends to an incredible overview of the job.
What appeals to me most-and what could be used in other areas of life as well-is the honest look he brings to the "human element" of the book.
Human nature, personalities and egos are big factors in managing construction projects. The physical construction is the easiest part of the fabric of a project. The challenge is how to navigate through the multiple personalities, politics and agendas, not to mention avoiding litigation in an industry that is very litigious, says Soucar in his book.
He gives descriptions of what each contractor does in his job, and how knowing this is vital to running a smooth project.
Relationship counselors often teach that when you enter into a relationship with a person, you're taking in the person plus what they call "baggage," which is all his/her background, flaws, strengths and pasts. The same applies to the project's team that just met and has to interact with each other on a daily basis for the duration of the project.
The book is also full of practical tips for the job, examples of forms, meeting agendas, and a how to avoid claims and litigation. Soucar, who has vast experience in construction, teaching, and also as an expert witness for construction in court, brings it all to the table.
This outstanding book is a must read for both the person wanting to begin a career in construction management, or the person who has been at it for a long time. Both can learn from Soucar's more than thirty years of experience. Highly recommended.
