The 14 March is International Construction Management Day, but what does Construction Management mean to you?
Is it purely a site-based function or something that goes further with a longer reach and deeper value? Does it encompass a range of disciplines; or is it focused on a single area? The Chartered Institute of Building has produced its own definition based on what CIOB members do across the globe. Attempts by the Institute to widen Wikipedia's own US focused definition have so far been unsuccessful.
Michael Brown, CIOB Deputy Chief Executive said, "People may ask why it is important to have a definition that is internationally recognised and inclusive. Everyday we all make decisions based on the information we receive. If the information is incorrect then we make assumptions not based on fact. The industry suffers from a poor image and this is compounded by the reluctance to challenge those misconceptions. Too often we let others inaccurately describe us when we should be setting them straight.
"We know that Construction Management is wider than the narrow US definition on Wikipedia. The importance of CM can be felt in national economies across the world, and has a significant role to play on top agenda items like economic growth, low carbon, ageing populations and many more. The implication of a narrow definition is that the full value of what Construction Management brings to the table is not recognised, and that is reflected in government, education, industry and elsewhere.
"We have a long way to go but we're starting with Wikipedia and we invite anyone involved in CM to look at the Wiki and question whether this describes what they do. Equally we encourage people to look at our own definition and tell us what they think."
The CIOB has responded to industry and academia demands for a modern definition of CM that goes beyond a description and provides an agenda for improvement. The Institute's work reflects a 21st Century view of a profession which is concerned with the entire life-cycle of built assets, with an emphasis on sustainable development.
Construction industries throughout the world are challenged to improve performance if they are to contribute fully to the achievement of economic prosperity, sustainable environments and healthy fulfilled populations. The CIOB believes by expressing the role of CM clearly it will increase the opportunities of the discipline to be of service, and attract the next generation of talent into the profession. The definition itself will become central to the Institute's corporate strategy.
CIOB Defines Construction Management as:-
1. MANAGEMENT OF THE DEVELOPMENT, CONSERVATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT;
2. EXERCISED AT A VARIETY OF LEVELS FROM THE SITE AND PROJECT, THROUGH THE CORPORATE ORGANISATIONS OF THE INDUSTRY AND ITS CLIENTS TO SOCIETY AS A WHOLE;
3. EMBRACING THE ENTIRE CONSTRUCTION VALUE STREAM FROM INCEPTION TO RECCYLING, AND FOCUSSING UPON A COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION;
4.INCORPORATING A WIDE RANGE OF SPECIALIST SERVICES;
5. GUIDED BY A SYSTEM OF VALUES DEMONSTRATING RESPONSIBILITY TO HUMANITY AND TO THE FUTURE OF OUR PLANET;
6. AND INFORMED, SUPPORTED AND CHALLENGED BY AN INDPENDENT ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE.