Help from a novice project manager
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Previously, I worked as an instrumentation engineer on projects; on smaller projects, I might have taken on responsibilities related to electrical systems and communications as well. Recently, the company underwent reforms and restructured the positions to include project manager roles. This was supposed to be a good thing, as salaries were set to increase, but the responsibilities also grew. I feel a lot of pressure as I take on these new duties, especially when it comes to construction budgets and pricing. In my previous role, I was only involved in technical aspects and didn’t have to worry about prices. Now, when working on bid prices and budgets, I find it difficult to proceed smoothly; it’s hard to estimate the number of workers and days required, and I’m not sure what criteria to use. Everyone knows that some people work faster while others work slower – so which standard should I use for estimation? I would really appreciate any advice from those with more experience. Thank you in advance!
If there is really no reference available, one can also look at the local construction budget standards. Some materials can also be found online; it’s possible to consult the purchasing department as well, as some of them may have their purchase prices available.
The labor rates and material prices can be determined by referring to other similar projects carried out by the company, or by consulting the relevant departments. The key issue is the number of man-days required; without proper experience, it becomes difficult to develop an appropriate construction plan. Since I just took over, I’m being a bit cautious. . .
For this part of the work, have your cost engineer and project control engineer prepare a draft for you, and then conduct discussions among various specialists to finalize it. As a project manager, there might not be much knowledge to be found in books; instead, one needs to learn from practice and gain experience through actual projects.
Personal experience: 1. Labor hours: Slightly more, the exact amount depends on the length of the project timeline. Just allocate tasks reasonably based on the different responsibilities within the project, taking into account one’s own work experience. 2. Budget: Based on the company’s standards, strive to approach the highest standard. Do not deviate too much from the bid price; a reduction of 20% compared to the bid price is sufficient.
There is a fixed quota applicable to this type of work; the quota varies depending on the time period, but it isn’t based on the number of days – it can be calculated in meters or inches as well :)
It’s not that complicated, right? It becomes simple once you figure it out.
That’s right; I was a bit confused when I first took on the task. . .
There are established standards for both manual work and engineering projects. In Shandong Province, we have such standards, and each region also has its own standards; generally, the provincial standards are higher than those of the cities. It depends on how things are handled, haha
You are a project manager, not someone in charge of costs or budgets. You need to learn to set aside technical details and rely on management skills to fully leverage the capabilities of those under your supervision. You are no longer just responsible for a single aspect; you need to consider everything as a whole, integrate resources, and make the most of them! Your role is to organize, judge, adjust, and make decisions, rather than handling everything personally.