The erroneous use of the term construction project manager in lieu of construction manager in South Africa

Abstract

The aim of the research was to evolve a range of interventions to address the misconception within the construction industry that Construction Managers (CMs) and Construction Project Managers (CPMs) are one and the same. The objectives of the study were to determine: the importance of CMs and CPMs within the construction industry; their contributions to the overall success of a construction project; nomenclatures used; what the practice of each profession entails, and the competencies, roles and responsibilities of a CM and CPM. The study entailed a quantitative survey using a self-administered questionnaire delivered per e-mail to a range of built environment stakeholders including Architects, Civil Engineers, CMs, CPMs, Health and Safety (H&S) practitioners, and Quantity Surveyors. in the Nelson Mandela Bay metropole, South Africa. Findings include: CM and CPM are both very important, but different professions; incorrect nomenclatures are used; they require a degree of common competencies and attributes, and a CPM requires experience as a CM. Conclusions include: the common competencies and attributes contribute to the erroneous use of ‘Project Manager’ for a person in the employ of a contractor, managing projects, and the use thereof is to highlight the ‘status’ of the aforementioned. Recommendations include: contractors should use the correct nomenclatures for their respective personnel; the industry should be enlightened regarding the appropriate nomenclatures, and tertiary built environment institutions should enlighten their students regarding the respective disciplines and nomenclatures.