Different Types of PMs, their functions and their master

In the construction industry, there are architectural, contracting, and independent project managers. Every project manager has a primary contractual responsibility, whether it is to create the design, execute construction, or guide the owner. Since project managers can only truly serve one master at a time, the master they serve will affect how they view and perform the various design and construction administrative activities, Overview – Project Administration. To successfully manage every aspect of your project, it is important to know the activities involved in both design and construction.

• The Architectural Project Manager’s primary contractual responsibility is to create a construct-able design.
• The General Contractor Project Manager or Construction Manager’s primary contractual responsibility is to properly execute the construction.
• The Independent Project Manager’s primary contractual responsibility is to guide the owner and manage the design and construction process in accordance with the project requirements.

Owner Representatives (OR) or Owner Agents (OA), are independent project managers with in-depth experience managing design and construction. The OR/OA’s primary contractual responsibility is to protect the owner by helping them make the right decisions.

Since the owner representative’s primary function is to protect the owner, they generally provide more administrative services than any other type of project manager. The section Overview – Project Administration, lists the activities required to administer a project throughout the three project phases.

TIP: Try to understand where loyalties lie and align yourself closely with those whose loyalty lays closest with you.