Construction management books are essential for you to stay up to date with this evolving field.
To excel as a construction project manager, you must be well-versed in a broad range of topics, from the fundamentals of construction, to leadership skills, to project management strategies.
Staying informed and adaptable is essential to success, but where do you even start?
Combining technical knowledge, strategic thinking, and interpersonal skills sounds like a lot to master, but this is where construction management books come in useful.
They help you maintain a competitive edge, by continually expanding your knowledge and your approach to project management.
Whether you’re new to the job or you have years of experience, you need to refresh and refine your skills so that you can perform better in your role.
If you want to get ahead and maintain a competitive edge, then keep reading to explore our list of the best construction management books.
We’ve provided an overview of each as well as a link so that you can get your hands on your own copy.
Construction Management Jumpstart: The Best First Step Toward A Career In Construction Management by Barbara J. Jackson
Best suited to: US market
If you’re new to construction management, then this book is an absolute must-have.
Alongside learning the core fundamentals of the industry, this book also provides a step-by-step guide to all stages of project management from project costs, to drafting contracts, to monitoring your team’s performance.
See this as your complete guide to construction management so regardless of whether you need extra help with estimating or scheduling, this book’s got you covered.
Alongside this, ‘Construction Management Jumpstart’ will also introduce you to how technology is changing the sector, covering advancements such as the Building Information Modeling (BIM) system to explain the impact it has on the profession.
Based on the fact it was written by a construction management specialist, you can be confident that the information is valuable and from the experience of someone who’s been there and done it.
Construction Management: From Project Concept to Completion by Paul Netscher
Best suited to: Global market
Construction Management: From Project Concept to Completion by Paul Netscher is essential reading for project owners and project managers.
Paul Netscher is a highly respected writer and author of several well-regarded construction management books including Successful Construction Project Management which we also cover further in this post (so keep reading).
In this installment, Paul shares useful practical construction management information, complete with tips, insights, examples and advice, to guide managers through from project inception to project completion. In a nutshell, it’s your complete end-to-end manual.
Whether you need help planning, budgeting, selecting the right contractor, dealing with project risks, or managing the construction process overall, look no further. You’ll also find dedicated chapters covering financial aspects and contractual arrangements so that you are prepared for every stage of the project.
Regardless of where you are in your construction career, you’ll find this book packed with valuable insights that you can incorporate in your own management approach.
Construction Project Manager’s Pocket Book by Duncan Cartlidge
Best suited to: UK market
Written by Duncan Cartlidge, former member of the RICS Quantity Surveying and Construction UK World Regional Professional Group Board, and a fellow member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, this book is a vital resource for anyone interested in construction project management.
It details everything you need to know about construction, and covers the key parts of the role including leadership skills, negotiation, and team building.
It also delves into several important areas including:
- Pre-construction activities
- Building information modelling
- Design management
- Procurement
- Environmental management systems
- Feasibility studies
- People skills
- Occupancy activities
With this information in mind, you will feel better prepared and more confident when dealing with any of these tasks in your day-to-day role.
It’s also written in a clear, understandable format, so you don’t need to worry about overanalysing what the information means – it’s a practical handbook full of useful tips and recommendations.
Managing Construction Projects in the Middle East by Khaled A. Hamdy
Best suited to: Middle Eastern market
“Managing Construction Projects in the Middle East” gives readers a detailed overview of the construction industry in the Middle East and offers actionable advice on managing construction projects in this region.
The first half of the book focuses on the history, culture, and economic environment of the Middle East, before exploring the unique opportunities within construction in the region.
It then continues to focus on the practical aspects of managing construction projects including risk management, cost estimation, procurement, and contract management.
A key focal point of this book is its focus on cultural awareness and sensitivity. There is a real emphasis on the importance of respecting the cultural norms and values of the Middle East when managing construction projects here.
This impacts multiple areas such as language, religion, gender roles, and business etiquette – all of which need to be carefully considered by project managers in this region.
View this book as an essential guide for construction professionals as it’s packed with useful insights, case studies, and real-life examples.
Building Construction: Project Management, Construction Administration, Drawings, Specs, Detailing Tips, Schedules, Checklists and Secrets Others Don’t Tell You by Gang Chen
Best suited to: US market
This book aims to uncover the secrets of great building design and construction project management.
Whilst many books on building construction and architectural practice are quite complicated (and too long), this book simplifies the process, providing real, practical guidance.
The idea is to shed light on the tips of building design and construction and project management by creating a fundamental framework for those working in this field.
It covers every aspect of building construction and architectural practice in simple and concise language. This is further supported by practical case studies to demonstrate the efficient and ‘proper’ way to handle issues in the construction industry.
Both aspiring and seasoned professionals will find this an enjoyable read thanks to its direct and straightforward approach.
It’s an indispensable resource and will help those across a range of fields including construction management, architecture, engineering, and property development.
Inside the pages, you’ll learn:
- The entire process of building design and construction, including programming, schematic design, design development, construction documents, bidding, and construction admin.
- How to coordinate with governing agencies, such as a county’s health department and a city’s planning, building, fire, and public works departments.
- How to coordinate with other teams including structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing engineers, landscape architects.
- How to conduct quality control of your construction documents.
Successful Construction Project Management by Paul Netscher
Best suited to: Global market
Successful Construction Project Management is written for construction professionals by a construction professional, so you can be sure you’re in safe hands!
Managing a construction project comes with many challenges and requires a vast skill set. Whilst some skills are learned by attending courses or from experiences on the job, often they can be learnt from making mistakes.
This book will show you how to avoid these pitfalls and how to tackle issues head-on, so that you feel better prepared when starting a new project.
It leaves no stone unturned and covers key topics such as planning, scheduling, running the project, materials, equipment, quality, safety, subcontractors, and financial elements.
To make the information easily digestible, the sections are broken down into an easy, step-by-step guide. Practical examples are also included to give you a better insight into how these learnings can be incorporated into your own job.
Project managers can avoid numerous issues that arise during construction projects by reading this book and continually referring back to it.
Construction Scheduling: Principles and Practices Edition 2 by Jay S.Newitt
Best suited to: US market
Construction Scheduling is a detailed book written for skilled and experienced construction project managers.
Inside the pages, you’ll find extensive knowledge and information all about project scheduling which should be top of your priority list, as without effective scheduling, projects can quickly overrun. As a project manager it’s your responsibility to keep everything on schedule and within budget to maintain client satisfaction.
The book also includes useful tutorials for the four most common scheduling software programs
– Microsoft Project, Primavera Project Planner (P3), SureTrak, P6 Project Manager and Contractor.
Furthermore, it details how you can integrate these pieces of software in your system effectively.
There are also examples and exercises included in the book, so you don’t need to worry about just reading large chunks of text which can be quite repetitive!
Inside the book, you’ll find:
- Checklists, Daily To-Do Lists, Scheduling Boards
- Introduction to CPM Scheduling
- Calculating Start & Finish Dates
- Reviewing and Analysing the Schedule
- Creating Bar Charts and Tabular Reports from Network Logic Diagrams
- Linear or Line-of-Balance Schedules
- Updating the Schedule
- Using the Schedule to Forecast and Balance Resources
Project Management in Construction by Anthony Walker
Best suited to: Global market
Project Management in Construction takes a comprehensive systems approach to the analysis and design of construction projects, from beginning to end.
This allows project managers to identify potential problems early on in the project, and to develop effective strategies to address them. Ultimately, this helps ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget – a key priority for any project manager.
A primary concern addressed in this book is how decisions are made within construction, as well organised teams are essential for the delivery of effective projects.
The Fifth edition of this book tackles the rising complexity of the construction industry by exploring the latest developments in project management, as well as practical advancements like supply chain management.
It also delves into the important issue of sustainability and its implications for both the industry and its clients. By addressing these critical topics head-on, this book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date resource for construction professionals looking to stay informed.
Green Building: Guide to Sustainable Building by Michael Bauer, Peter Mösle, and Michael Schwarz
Best suited to: German market
This a comprehensive guide to sustainable building practices which can be applied to construction in the German market and beyond.
The content of the book is divided into three parts with the first few chapters relating to the principles and concepts of sustainable building. This covers key areas including energy efficiency, resource conservation, indoor environmental quality, and the integration of natural systems.
The second part focuses heavily on the design of green buildings and there is a wealth of information about the materials and systems used in this type of construction.
Operation and maintenance is discussed in the final chapters as the content covers energy and water management, indoor air quality, waste management, and green cleaning. There is also a discussion around the certification and rating systems used to evaluate the sustainability of buildings, such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method).
Essentially, “Green Building: Guide to Sustainable Building” is a highly useful resource for construction managers, architects, engineers, and builders who are interested in sustainable building practices.
Handbook of Construction Management: Scope, Schedule, and Cost Control by Abdul Razzak Rumane
Best suited to: US market
This book offers valuable insights to construction project managers by delving into different principles, procedures, methods, and tools that can be used during various stages of a construction project.
The aim is to streamline the construction process from beginning to end, to ensure that every project is completed to the highest quality, whilst also being cost-effective.
The handbook also explains how different management functions and processes work together to ensure success at every stage from planning, to coordination, through to execution.
The contents of this book will:
- Focus on the construction management system so that readers fully understand how to manage construction projects going forward
- Include a number of figures and tables as a visual reference which will improve the understanding of the reader
- Be of interest to all those involved in construction management and project management
- Provide information about technology advancements such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), and ISO
- Certification in Construction Industry
- Dedicate a chapter to Lean construction
Project Management for Engineering and Construction Third Edition by Garold. D Oberlender
Best suited to: Global market
This book should be top of your list as it provides a comprehensive overview of managing engineering and construction projects, from initial conceptualisation phase, to the design and construction phase, and ultimately, to project completion.
The guide outlines the fundamental principles and techniques necessary for effective project management, ensuring that readers are equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to successfully oversee projects from start to finish.
A particular emphasis is placed on project management in the early phases of project development to impact the quality, cost, and timeline of the project as early as possible in the process.
As well as a new chapter on risk management, the third edition also includes information on:
- Overall project quality
- Formats for work breakdown structures
- Design work packages
- Benefits of construction planning
- Calculations to verify schedules and costs
- Common problems in managing design
- Build-operate-transfer delivery methods
Drawing on the author’s own experience working with numerous project managers over several decades, this book includes a wealth of real-life examples to help solidify the reader’s understanding even more.
Spon’s Asia Pacific Construction Costs Handbook
Best suited to: Asia market
Spon’s Asia Pacific Construction Costs Handbook is a reference book that details important construction cost data for different types of buildings and infrastructure projects in the Asia Pacific region.
In total, the book covers 18 countries including India, China, Japan, Australia, and Singapore, among other locations.
Inside the pages you’ll find detailed information on the costs of labour, materials, and equipment required for different types of construction projects, including commercial properties, residential buildings, and civil engineering works. These are all valuable learnings for those involved in construction management as you understand what is needed to complete a project from start to finish,
Furthermore, you’ll find in-depth information on the construction industry in each country, such as market trends, regulations, and building practices. This information is highly useful for a range of professionals in the Asia Pacific region such as construction project managers, developers, and contractors.
Essentially, Spon’s Asia Pacific Construction Costs Handbook should be utilised as a comprehensive guide to construction costs and trends in the Asia Pacific region, providing those involved in the industry with valuable insights.
Bau-Projekt-Management: Grundlagen und Vorgehensweisen by Bernd Kochendörfer, Jens H. Liebchen, and Markus G. Viering
Best suited to: German market
Whilst this book is specifically geared towards the German market, the ideas and principles discussed can be applied in other countries too.
The book starts by providing an overview of the construction industry, including its history, structure, and economic environment before outlining what is required to be a project manager.
It also discusses the lifecycle of a construction project in detail beginning with project initiation and project planning, through to execution, monitoring and control, and project closure.
For each phase of the project, the authors outline the different tools and techniques used so that readers fully understand the management process, including project charters, critical path analysis, risk management, and project communication.
To conclude, the book focuses on specific topics related to project management in the construction industry, with supporting chapters on construction contract law, cost management, quality management, and sustainability.
One of the key strengths of this book is its focus on practical application as there are a multitude of exercises and questions at the end of each chapter to help readers fully understand the content.
Overall, this provides fantastic coverage, practical focus, and real-world examples for construction professionals in the German market and beyond.
Construction Project Management: A Complete Introduction by Alison Dykstra
Best suited to: US market
Aimed at both novice and experienced project managers in the construction industry, this book delves into a range of topics such as project planning, budgeting, scheduling, risk management, and project delivery.
It covers three main areas to give readers an understanding of what is required as a construction manager with the first section dedicated to the skills and attributes required for success. Aside from this, it also outlines different types of construction projects, the project lifecycle, and the specific roles and responsibilities of the project manager.
The book then moves onto the essential aspects of project planning, such as understanding project scope, devising a project plan, and creating a project budget to keep everything on track.
The third and final section of the book concentrates on project delivery, including procurement, contract management, quality control, and risk management to ensure the overall project runs smoothly.
A great thing about this book is the inclusion of practical tools and templates that readers can use to create their own project plans, schedules, and budgets.
There is also a particular focus on sustainability and environmental considerations in construction project management alongside guidance on how to incorporate these practices into project planning and delivery.
Upgrade Your Career NOW With These Construction Management Books
Construction management books are a great resource for aspiring professionals and seasoned construction managers alike.
To remain competitive and to advance your career, you need to stay up to date with the latest trends, techniques, and methodologies in the construction industry.
Nothing stays the same for very long, and even those with years of experience will always have more to learn.
Whilst this might sound overwhelming, construction management books are a fantastic resource and something that you can refer back to as your career progresses. Many of the titles featured in this blog come complete with case studies and real-world examples from people with first-hand experience.
For anyone involved in the industry, construction management books provide valuable insights to ensure project, and personal, success.
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