Construction management is the study and practice of managerial and technological factors in the industry of construction. This includes construction, the science of construction, construction management and technology in construction. Construction management also refers to a business representation wherein a crew to a construction contract serves as a consultant to the construct, hereby providing design and advice of the construction.



The education for construction management has a wide array of formats; these are the formal degree programs, on the job trainings, and continuing education or professional development. Examples of formal degree programs are two year associate degree programs, four year baccalaureate degree programs and graduate degree programs. The accrediting body of construction management educational programs in the United Stats is the American Council for Construction Education. According to them the academic field of construction management covers broad array of topics. These topics range from general management skills, to skills that have specific relation to construction, to technical knowledge in the methods of construction and procedures.

In general, there are three groups involve in the industry of construction; the owner, architect or engineer or more known as the designer, and the builder or contractor. As these three groups plan, design and construct together, two contracts work between these groups. The first contract is known as the owner and designer contract. This first contract involves the planning, designing and some possible factors of construction. The second contract is known as the owner and builder contract. This contract involves the actual construction. On most cases, an indirect go-between relationship exists among the designer and the builder because of these contracts.

There is also a substitute contract or business representation that replaces the two contracts with three contracts. These three contracts are owner and designer contract, owner and construction manager contract, and the owner and contractor contract. The company that handles the construction management is the additional group engaged in the construction, acting as the advisor to the three groups. The function of the construction manager is to provide advice to the designer, design advice to the builder, and services (design and construction wise). Services include subcontracts and material if needed, to the owner.

One type of construction management service is the Agency Construction Management. Agency Construction Management is a fee based service by which the construction manager is accountable to the owner and operates in the interest of the owner on every phase of the project. Broad management of every phase of the project produces the furthermost possible advantage to the owners.

In the United Kingdom, the construction industry is regulated by the Construction Design Management. Hereby, reducing and preventing untoward events on the construction sites and the civil engineering structure once the construction is completed.