School construction projects can significantly benefit communities and the future of our country鈥檚 workforce. New buildings and campuses that offer the latest technology, resources, and educational programs can help students grow their capabilities in exciting ways.
The challenge for construction managers responsible for overseeing school projects is ensuring the needs of each stakeholder are met. This is not an easy task, as each stakeholder has different values that must be considered to ensure successful project completion.
To provide you with real-world knowledge on how to manage school construction projects, we interviewed 学生妹反差欧阳瑾 Board member Easy Foster, 学生妹反差欧阳瑾, CPC, RTSBA, LEED AP BD+C, about his experiences. Easy is the Executive Director Planning & Construction at (Conroe ISD) in the Greater Houston area. Learn from Easy鈥檚 expertise to apply to your management of educational projects.
Most Important Factors Involved in Managing Educational Construction Projects
Construction projects in the educational sector require careful management to ensure their success. Consider three of the most important factors according to Easy:
- Scheduling
- Changes to Materials and Technology
- Material Availability
1. Scheduling
Project managers must thoroughly understand the campus schedules and how design and construction must interact with them. This effort is especially important for new campuses, where the owner must allocate time to outfit the building with the necessary operational materials and equipment.
Construction on existing campuses must consider day-to-day operations such as testing schedules, student and staff safety, and arrival and dismissal times. Budget and schedule planning must also consider that campus operations may continue during construction.
2. Changes to Materials and Technology
Another significant factor in managing construction projects in the educational sector is keeping up with rapidly changing materials and technology. With advancements constantly being made in these areas, project managers must stay informed and adapt accordingly.聽
When selecting materials for educational buildings, sustainability and energy efficiency are important considerations. Technology also plays a crucial role in modern education facilities and must be integrated into the design and construction process.
3. Material Availability
can significantly impact construction projects in the educational sector. With fluctuations in market conditions, project managers must carefully plan and budget for potential changes in costs or delays due to material shortages. This is particularly important given the strict budgets often associated with educational institutions.聽
Project managers must constantly monitor material availability and pricing to make informed decisions that will ensure the project’s successful completion within budget constraints.
Most Important Goals to Set for Education Construction Projects
In education construction projects, managers should focus on creating an efficient learning environment with minimal disruptions. This effort includes verifying that essential spaces are designed for their intended purpose. You will also need to consider the goals of each stakeholder group involved in the project:
- Faculty and Administrators: minimize or eliminate operational disruptions.
- Design Professionals: create spaces that facilitate the educational process based on research and experience.
- M&O staff: prioritize durability, efficiency, and ease of maintenance.
While each stakeholder may have specific objectives, the construction manager is responsible for bringing everyone together to create an optimal learning environment for students.
鈥淚t is easy, as adults, to forget the student experience. As we grow in our careers, we get further and further (chronologically) from being a student,鈥 says Easy. 鈥淲e must never forget why we do what we do. It is for the effective and efficient delivery of education to the future leaders of tomorrow. If we fail at our tasks today, generations suffer.鈥
Considering Internal and External Stakeholders When Planning
Education is a unique sector that requires careful consideration of various stakeholders and factors. You must consider both internal and external stakeholders who have a say in educational projects.
First, the process of implementing projects in education begins with an official election process by the public, who are the ultimate decision-makers for the use of funds. This is followed by approval from the Board of Trustees, who represent the interests of different constituent demographics across the district.
Additionally, various operational departments such as M&O, Transportation, Child Nutrition, Curriculum & Instruction, and Athletics play a vital role in project development. Managers should involve these stakeholders early in the ideation process to ensure transparency and financial accountability in the use of public funds.
Also, each stakeholder has a significant impact on project costs. Therefore, it is crucial to align the scope of a project with the available budget to prevent overspending and maximize efficiency.
This alignment requires coordination between different viewpoints from various departments and organizations within the district. It also involves considering state education requirements and involving parent organizations and booster clubs in decision-making processes.
Ultimately, Easy reminds us that decisions must be made while keeping transparency and financial accountability at the forefront to ensure the responsible handling of public funds.
Aligning with Internal Stakeholder Values
The primary internal stakeholders to consider when planning a project are the students, teachers, campus administration, district leadership, and maintenance staff. These individuals are directly involved in the school’s daily operations, and their input is crucial for success.
- Students: The main focus of any project in a school should always be the students. Their needs and interests should be considered when planning a project.
- Teachers: Teachers are an integral part of the school community and their participation in a project is essential. They are the ones who will be implementing and using the resources or facilities created by the project.
- Campus Administration: Campus leaders play a key role in managing the school’s day-to-day operations. They have a deep understanding of how things work within the school and can provide valuable insights on implementing a project effectively.
- District Leadership: District leaders oversee multiple schools within a district and have a broader perspective on educational initiatives and goals. Their involvement in a project can bring additional resources and support.
- Maintenance Staff: The maintenance staff ensures that facilities are safe and operational. Involving them in discussions when planning a project is crucial to ensuring that any changes will not cause disruptions or safety concerns.
Easy reminds us to consider these primary internal stakeholders when planning a project in a school setting. Their involvement ensures that all perspectives are considered and increases the likelihood of success for everyone involved.
Aligning with External Stakeholder Values
An educational construction project may impact various external stakeholders. These stakeholders can greatly influence the success or failure of a project and should be considered during the planning process.
- Taxpayers: Individuals or organizations that contribute financially to public projects and programs have a vested interest in how their tax dollars are spent.
- Parent Organizations: These organizations represent parents whose children will be directly affected by the project. They may have concerns about safety, accessibility, and overall impact on their children’s education.
- Booster Clubs: Booster clubs are typically made up of parents, alumni, and community members who support specific school programs or activities. They may have interests in how the project affects these programs or facilities.
- Property Neighbors: The neighbors of a proposed project site may have concerns about noise, traffic, environmental impact, and property values. Addressing these concerns is crucial to maintaining positive relationships with the surrounding community.
- State, County, City, and Community Jurisdictional Authorities: These authorities have jurisdiction over certain aspects of a project, such as zoning laws, building codes, permits, and regulations. Involve them in the planning process to ensure compliance.
Addressing each party鈥檚 concerns and involving them in the project can avoid potential conflicts and maintain relationships throughout the project’s duration.
Satisfying Both Groups of Stakeholders During Project Delivery
Remember that time is a key component of successful project delivery in education. Construction managers must take the time to consider the needs and expectations of both internal and external stakeholders.
For example, scheduling the appropriate amount of time to engage each party in the necessary processes will allow for the development of the proper project scope, appropriate budgets, and required authorization processes.
鈥淲ithout adequate time, some parts of the process may suffer,鈥 says Easy. 鈥淚f forced to move quickly, it is helpful to know what portion of the process will be compromised so that the team can work to mitigate that area.鈥
Stay Focused on The Big Picture in School Construction
In conclusion, Easy reminds managers to stay focused on the main thing: school construction projects aim to serve students. His experience as a construction manager before becoming an owner鈥檚 representative has allowed him to see the larger picture with perspective from both ends of the spectrum.
Having a broad perspective cannot prevent every mistake, but it has allowed Easy to develop a more well-rounded understanding of the effect that a misstep in the planning and construction process has on the end user.
鈥淟earning the lessons and working diligently to not repeat previous errors 鈥 while maintaining the flexibility to adapt as needs and market influences change 鈥 is a constant need in educational construction projects,鈥 says Easy.
We appreciate Easy鈥檚 candid perspective and valuable experience with educational construction project delivery. Our organization believes that sharing this information can help construction managers overcome challenges they may face in these types of projects.
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