Lecture Notes: Stakeholders in Construction Projects and Role of Civil Engineers

Introduction

• Discussion on various stakeholders involved in a construction project.
• Focus on the role of civil engineers in these projects.

Stakeholders in Construction Projects

1. Users

• Beneficiaries of the project post-completion.
• Examples:
  • Highway: Drivers using the highway.
  • Building: Residents living in the building.
  • Dam Project: People benefiting from electricity generated.

2. Client

• Sets objectives and requirements for the project.
  • Determines what is needed and the expectations.
• Provides funding (traditional contracts).
• Responsible for supervision of construction activities:
  • Monitoring timelines and quality.
  • Ensuring payments are processed.
• For small projects, the client is often also the user (e.g., residential houses).
• For large projects, clients may be government agencies.

3. Designer

• Determines technical specifications and drawings.
• Prepares estimates for the project.
• Can be a civil engineer or architect; may require other engineering disciplines depending on the project.

4. Contractor

• Responsible for executing the work.
• Arranges materials, manpower, and machinery.
• Maintains construction quality and adheres to time constraints:
  • Timeliness beneficial for both client and contractor.

5. Investor

• Provides funds for project execution, especially in large projects.
• May expect profits in return for investment.
• Can provide funding to clients or contractors, often in the form of loans from banks.

6. Regulators

• Ensure compliance with regulations and standards.
• Monitor adherence to safety measures and specifications in public buildings.

Role of Civil Engineers in Construction Projects

Civil Engineer as Client

• Civil engineer may act as the client, possessing knowledge of objectives and technical details.
• Evaluates designs and ensures estimates are accurate.
• Assesses progress and quality of work.
• Example: Engineers in Public Works Department (PWD).

Civil Engineer as Designer

• Designs based on architectural input for large projects.
• Specializations include:
  • Structural Engineering
  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Transportation Engineering
  • Hydraulic Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
• Collaboration with electrical and mechanical engineers as needed.

Civil Engineer as Contractor

• Small projects may have a contractor who is also a civil engineer.
• In larger projects, contractors employ civil engineers for design and supervision tasks.

Construction Manager

• Supervises construction work and manages logistics (materials, manpower, machinery).
• Prepares schedules for task execution.
• May be appointed by the contractor for larger projects.

Project Manager

• Works closely with the client to understand and represent their requirements.
• Broader role than construction manager, overseeing payments, safety, schedule, and legal matters.
• Supervises construction managers and engineers.

Case Study: NHIDCL (National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited)

• Acts as a client on behalf of the central government for highway and bridge projects.
• Appoints contractors and oversees their work through project managers.
• Project manager may supervise multiple projects and ensure compliance with client demands.

Conclusion

• Civil engineers play critical roles across various functions in construction projects.
• Importance of interdisciplinary teamwork among civil, electrical, mechanical engineers, and architects.
• Future discussions on skills and personality traits required for effective project and construction management.