Roles in Construction Industry

In general, there are various groups of stakeholders involved in a construction project. Each group contributing a specific component, examples are the owner group, the engineering group, and the construction group. In this article, we take a look at different roles that exist within the ambit of the construction industry.

The Owner or Client

The owner group supplies the "need" of the project and the finances required to fulfill this need. They are the driving force behind the construction industry. Their demands for housing, commercial facilities, industrial products, and infrastructure are the chief motivation to build. After determining the need and deciding to build, the owner is accountable for the following primary duties:

Developing the program and outlining the needs and requirements of the end-users
Determining the quantity, extent, and character of the project by defining the scope of work
Creating the overall budget for the project, including land acquisition (if necessary), development, design, and construction costs
Providing the funding for the project and making periodic payments to the designers and the contractor
Clients are looking for the most economically feasible proposal
Clients need certainty and confirmed timelines for delivery

The Engineering Group

The engineering group consists of area experts like architects, structural designers, and construction managers. These area experts supply the specifications, method statements, designs, and schedules of the project and perform supervision and quality control functions.

The Construction Group

The construction group consists of a matrix of contractors executing the various work packages. The construction management function entails various tasks performed by the contractor such as estimating, scheduling, cost control, and contract administration in order to monitor, manage, and control the work of the contract for which the contractor is obligated.

Contractors are looking to making a sustainable and predictable margin
Contractors want to remain “competitive” in the bid
A scalable method to understand and quantify risk on projects
The work is done and delivered to time
Understanding risks in proposed work

Architects and Engineers

Two types of professional designers are engaged in the construction process, and each deals with different parts of the project design. Architects deal with the function, life safety issues, and aesthetics of the building, and engineers deal with the systems. They typically work together to complete the design function with one or the other taking the lead, depending on the type of facility being constructed.

Construction Manager

The construction manager works with both the architect and the engineer on a regular basis throughout the construction process. He is responsible for Assisting the owner in developing the facility program and determining end-user needs and requirements and developing the final building plans, construction details, and specifications.

Architects

Architects have licensed professionals trained in the art and science of building design. They transform the owner's program into concepts and then develop the concepts into building images and plans that can be constructed by others. In addition to completing a four- or five-year college program, architects are also required to have a number of years of experience and pass an exam before they can become licensed.

Architects design the overall aesthetic and functional look of buildings and other structures. Architects also specify the building materials and, in some cases, the interior furnishings. In developing designs, architects follow building codes, zoning laws, fire regulations, and other ordinances, such as those requiring easy access by people who are disabled.

Architectural Technicians

Architectural technicians are typically the drafters of the building plans. They are the ones who actually produce the drawings that are used for construction. They work from preliminary sketches and concept drawings provided by the design architects.

Specification Writers

The specification writer is responsible for spelling out the specific products and methods that are to be used on a project in order to ensure a particular level of performance and quality.

Engineers

Engineers are usually the lead designers for heavy civil and industrial projects. In building design, they are most often hired as consultants by the architects. In this scenario, they have no direct contact with the owner. There are many different engineering specialties; the most common ones associated with construction activities are structural engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, and civil engineers. Civil engineers design roads, bridges, tunnels, dams, site drainage, parking lots, runways, and water supply and sewage systems.

Landscape Architects

Landscape architects are professionals licensed and deal with the building site and outside environmental issues surrounding the structure. They are involved with such things as plantings, sidewalks, retaining walls, and water features to enhance the project. Large architectural firms may employ landscape architects on staff and utilize their services in the overall design. Or the landscape professional may be hired directly by the owner or work under a separate contract with the builder.

Interior Designers

They deal with the building's interior finishes or schemes and make decisions regarding furniture selection and placement, paint colors and accessories, light fixtures, window treatments, floor finishes, and ceiling treatments.

Construction Professionals

They interpret the plans and specifications and prepare cost estimates and time schedules to meet the requirements of the owner. Oversee and manage all of the construction operations into a single, safe coordinated effort.

General Contractors

The general contractor, also known as the prime contractor, enters into a contract with the owner to deliver the construction project in accordance with the plans and specifications that have been prepared by the architects and engineers. The construction management staff includes estimators, schedulers, and purchasing agents, while the field management staff consists of superintendents, foremen, field engineers, and lead workers. The work of the trades is performed under separate subcontracts with various specialty contractors.