Challenges faced by architect as a project manager

Abstract

One of the main concerns of the client is to see that the project completes on time, within the required cost and quality. In the construction industry, civil engineers, mechanical engineers, and architect can be as project manager who each one has several challenges. In the government sector as well as private construction, the project managers are either civil engineers, quantity surveyors or architects. Due to role of architects in construction, their responsibility and ability would be more critical. Some cases in construction management such as project management philosophies, processes, methods and tools are important but the most important part in this field is a capability of Architect as a project manager. Finding the right project manager for a construction project is the most important task in project implementation and execution. The aim of this study is to determine the roles, skills and personal characteristics of Architects as a project manager and the challenges faced by the architects. The objectives of the study are to assess the terms of agreement of employment between the Architect and the client, to determine the roles, skills and personal characteristics of architects required to overcome challenges as an effective project manager, to identify the challenges faced by the consultant architect as project managers and to study the authority of the architect as a superintending officer as stated in the PAM standard form of contract. The data are collected through questionnaires and interviews. A total of 65 questionnaires were distributed and only 22 questionnaires were returned duly answered. The data is analyzed using Average Index and statistical analysis. From the study, the Memorandum of Agreement of employment between the architect and the client focus on 3 main areas namely; the general duties, fees and clarity. The roles, skills and personal characteristics of architects required to overcome challenges as an effective project manager are leadership and responsibility to be the important characteristics followed by imaginative and creative. The main challenges faced by the architect as project managers are leadership, managing multiple priorities’ project management knowledge and experience. In the PAM Standard Form of Contract, the authority as outlined covers the right to issue any instruction related to any changes (AI) such as: Level and setting out of the works, inspection and testing and work not in accordance with the Contract