🎓 Prepared by students from Boğaziçi University

What is Project Management in Architecture?

Project management in architecture is the process of planning, scheduling, and coordinating a building project from initial client meeting through construction completion. It balances scope, budget, and time while managing consultants, contractors, and regulatory approvals. Standard practice divides the work into phases such as those defined by the AIA: predesign, schematic design, design development, construction documents, bidding, and construction administration.

Short answer

Project management in architecture is the discipline of planning, scheduling, budgeting, and coordinating people through the defined phases of a building project, from concept to construction.

Standard Architecture Project Phases

1
Predesign
Define the client's needs, site analysis, and project budget.
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2
Schematic Design
Develop initial layout concepts and overall building form.
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3
Design Development
Refine materials, systems, and structural details.
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4
Construction Documents
Produce detailed drawings and specifications for permits and bidding.
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5
Bidding & Negotiation
Select a contractor through competitive bids or negotiation.
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6
Construction Administration
Oversee construction to ensure it matches the design intent.

Step-by-step worked examples

A client wants a new office building completed in 18 months. How should the project manager structure the schedule?

Step 1: Break the 18 months into the six standard phases, allocating time based on project complexity (e.g., 2 months predesign, 3 months schematic design).
Step 2: Build in buffer time for permitting delays, historically a common bottleneck.
Step 3: Track milestones weekly and adjust downstream phases if an early phase runs late.

Midway through design development, the client requests a major layout change that affects the structural grid.

Step 1: Assess the change's impact on schedule, budget, and consultant coordination (structural, MEP).
Step 2: Document the scope change and get written client approval before proceeding.
Step 3: Update the project schedule and notify all consultants of the revised design direction.

During construction administration, the contractor reports a material substitution due to a supply shortage.

Step 1: Review the substitution request against the design specifications and building code.
Step 2: Confirm the substitute material meets performance and aesthetic requirements.
Step 3: Issue a formal change order or approval memo before the contractor proceeds.

Flashcards

Quick quiz

Q1.Which phase comes immediately after schematic design?

Correct answer: B. Design development follows schematic design, refining materials and systems.

Q2.What is produced in the construction documents phase?

Correct answer: B. Construction documents are the detailed technical package used to permit and bid the project.

Q3.What is the project manager's role during construction administration?

Correct answer: B. Construction administration means monitoring the build for conformance to the design.

Q4.Why build schedule buffers into an architecture project?

Correct answer: B. Buffers absorb common delays such as permit review, keeping the overall schedule realistic.

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Common mistakes

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Skipping predesign and jumping straight to detailed drawings. — Correct: Predesign defines needs and budget — skipping it causes costly rework later.

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Treating a mid-project scope change as free and instant. — Correct: Scope changes need documented approval and schedule/budget updates before proceeding.

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Assuming construction documents are optional if the schematic design looks final. — Correct: Construction documents provide the legally required detail for permits and accurate bidding.

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Ignoring contractor questions during construction administration. — Correct: The project manager must respond promptly to keep construction aligned with the design.

FAQ

What is project management in architecture?

It's the planning, scheduling, budgeting, and coordination of a building project through its design and construction phases.

What are the phases of project management in architecture?

Predesign, schematic design, design development, construction documents, bidding/negotiation, and construction administration.

How is a project managed during construction?

The project manager or architect performs construction administration — reviewing submittals, answering questions, and site visits to confirm the work matches the drawings.

Why is project management important in architecture?

It keeps a project on schedule and on budget while coordinating clients, consultants, and contractors, reducing costly errors and delays.