DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS VERSUS CONSTRUCTON PROJECTS MANAGEMENT IN INDIA MUMBAI MAHARASHTRA DELHI NCR PUNE

1. Role Overview

• Construction Management Consultant (CMC): A consultant offers strategic advice and expertise on multiple construction projects. They focus on areas like cost control, risk management, and sustainability.
• Construction Project Manager (CPM): A project manager is responsible for executing a single project, overseeing the daily activities on the construction site and ensuring timely completion within the budget.

Example:

• In Mumbai, a consultant may advise multiple real estate developers on budget management for several high-rise residential buildings, while a project manager oversees the day-to-day construction of one of these buildings.

2. Scope of Work

• Consultant: Works across multiple projects, providing high-level guidance on planning, scheduling, and regulatory compliance.
• Manager: Focuses on the execution of one project, ensuring that resources like materials and labour are properly allocated.

Example:

• In Bangalore, a consultant might develop a risk management plan for various IT parks under construction, while the project manager ensures the smooth execution of construction for one specific IT park.

3. Strategic vs. Tactical

• Consultant: Involved in long-term strategy, helping clients make decisions about feasibility, sustainability, and cost efficiency.
• Manager: Handles tactical, on-the-ground tasks such as coordinating teams and resolving on-site issues.

Example:

• In Hyderabad, a consultant may evaluate the feasibility of multiple mixed-use developments in the city, whereas the project manager manages the construction of one mixed-use building, resolving issues as they arise on-site.

4. Multiple Projects vs. Single Project

• Consultant: Often handles multiple projects simultaneously, offering advice on overarching project management strategies.
• Manager: Focuses on delivering a single project, ensuring it stays on track in terms of time, cost, and quality.

Example:

• In Chennai, a consultant might be engaged with various infrastructure projects, like flyovers and metro rail lines. The project manager would handle the day-to-day operations of a specific flyover project.

5. Advisory vs. Execution Role

• Consultant: Primarily an advisor, they do not manage the physical construction but help clients make informed decisions about it.
• Manager: Is responsible for the physical execution of the construction project, managing teams on-site.

Example:

• In Kolkata, a consultant may advise a government agency on public infrastructure projects, whereas the project manager would manage the construction of one of those projects, like a new bridge over the Hooghly River.

6. Pre-Construction vs. Construction Phase

• Consultant: More involved in the pre-construction phase, focusing on design approvals, planning, and financials.
• Manager: Primarily engaged during the construction phase, ensuring everything is built according to the approved plan.

Example:

• In Pune, a consultant might be involved in planning new residential communities, including zoning approvals and budgeting. The project manager ensures the project is executed according to this plan, managing the day-to-day activities.

7. Client Interaction

• Consultant: Works with clients to provide high-level reports, recommendations, and progress updates.
• Manager: Regularly interacts with clients regarding the progress of the project on the ground.

Example:

• In Ahmedabad, a consultant might provide monthly updates to a real estate developer about their entire portfolio, while the project manager interacts with the client more frequently to report on the progress of a specific residential tower.

8. Feasibility Studies vs. Resource Management

• Consultant: Conducts feasibility studies to assess whether a project is viable in terms of cost, time, and resources.
• Manager: Ensures that all necessary resources (labour, materials, equipment) are available and managed efficiently during construction.

Example:

• In Surat, a consultant may conduct a feasibility study for an industrial park, while the project manager oversees the daily allocation of resources during the park’s construction.

9. High-Level Planning vs. Day-to-Day Coordination

• Consultant: Focuses on overall project planning, ensuring long-term goals are achievable.
• Manager: Manages the daily coordination of workers, materials, and equipment.

Example:

• In Lucknow, a consultant might plan multiple infrastructure projects for city development, while the project manager ensures that one of these projects, such as a new metro line, stays on track.

10. Risk Assessment vs. Risk Mitigation

• Consultant: Identifies potential risks in the early phases and advises on how to mitigate them.
• Manager: Actively manages risks that arise during construction, such as delays, accidents, or supply chain disruptions.

Example:

• In Jaipur, a consultant may assess risks related to sourcing materials for heritage site restoration. The project manager deals with day-to-day issues like material delays or unexpected site challenges.

11. Regulatory Compliance Advisory vs. On-Site Compliance

• Consultant: Advises clients on how to navigate regulatory approvals and ensure compliance with laws.
• Manager: Manages on-site compliance with safety regulations, building codes, and environmental standards.

Example:

• In Nagpur, a consultant could advise a developer on securing environmental clearances for a housing project, while the project manager ensures all construction adheres to those clearances.

12. Cost Estimation vs. Budget Tracking

• Consultant: Provides high-level cost estimates and helps clients allocate budgets across various phases of the project.
• Manager: Tracks daily expenditures to ensure the project stays within budget.

Example:

• In Indore, a consultant might estimate the total cost of building a new mall, while the project manager tracks the daily costs, ensuring no budget overruns occur during construction.

13. Sustainability Focus vs. Green Building Practices

• Consultant: Recommends sustainability practices and materials to reduce the environmental impact.
• Manager: Ensures that the sustainable building practices suggested by the consultant are implemented on-site.

Example:

• In Coimbatore, a consultant may suggest using eco-friendly materials for an upcoming IT park, while the project manager ensures these materials are sourced and used correctly.

14. Risk Sharing Advisory vs. Risk Control Implementation

• Consultant: Advises clients on how to share or allocate risks with contractors and vendors.
• Manager: Implements the risk control measures on-site to ensure minimal disruption to construction.

Example:

• In Patna, a consultant might recommend transferring specific risks, such as weather delays, to contractors. The project manager implements protocols to manage these risks during construction.

15. Contractual Guidance vs. Contract Management

• Consultant: Advises on contract terms, ensuring that the client gets favourable terms.
• Manager: Manages the contracts on-site, ensuring that all parties adhere to the agreed terms.

Example:

• In Bhubaneswar, a consultant could advise on the legal terms of contracts for a new government building. The project manager ensures that all subcontractors follow the contract terms during construction.

16. Benchmarking vs. Performance Tracking

• Consultant: Benchmarks the project against industry standards and competitor developments.
• Manager: Tracks daily performance on the construction site, ensuring that workers meet their targets.

Example:

• In Vijayawada, a consultant might benchmark the performance of a residential project against similar developments in nearby cities. The project manager monitors daily activities to meet those benchmarks.

17. Third-Party Negotiations vs. Supplier Coordination

• Consultant: Handles high-level negotiations with third-party contractors and suppliers to secure the best prices and terms.
• Manager: Coordinates with suppliers on-site, ensuring timely delivery of materials and equipment.

Example:

• In Varanasi, a consultant might negotiate contracts with multiple suppliers for a new hotel, while the project manager ensures that materials from these suppliers arrive on-site as scheduled.

18. Strategic Risk Allocation vs. Daily Risk Management

• Consultant: Strategically allocates risks between the client, contractor, and stakeholders.
• Manager: Manages risks daily, such as ensuring worker safety and managing unexpected delays.

Example:

• In Madurai, a consultant may allocate financial risks between the client and the contractor for a new industrial complex, while the project manager manages on-site risks like worker safety.

19. Value Engineering vs. Resource Allocation

• Consultant: Suggests cost-saving measures without compromising quality.
• Manager: Allocates resources on-site efficiently to meet the project’s timeline and budget.

Example:

• In Amritsar, a consultant might suggest using cost-efficient pre-fabricated materials for a shopping centre, while the project manager ensures these materials are ordered and used efficiently.

20. Client Representation vs. Client Satisfaction

• Consultant: Represents the client’s interests in high-level meetings, ensuring long-term goals are met.
• Manager: Ensures that the client’s expectations are met in terms of quality and project delivery.

Example:

• In Raipur, a consultant may negotiate on behalf of a client for a major road construction project, while the project manager ensures the road is built according to the client’s specifications.

21. Feasibility Reports vs. Progress Reports

• Consultant: Provides detailed feasibility reports before the project begins.
• Manager: Provides regular progress reports during the construction phase.

Example:

• In Jodhpur, a consultant might create a feasibility report for a new airport terminal, while the project manager provides weekly updates on the terminal’s construction.

22. Sustainability Certifications vs. Green Construction

• Consultant: Helps clients obtain sustainability certifications like LEED.
• Manager: Ensures that sustainable construction practices are followed on-site.

Example:

• In Mysore, a consultant could help secure green building certification for a hospital, while the project manager ensures that eco-friendly practices, like waste management, are implemented.

23. Legal Compliance vs. Site Safety

• Consultant: Advises on legal compliance with zoning laws and construction regulations.
• Manager: Ensures that the construction site adheres to safety and legal standards.

Example:

• In Thiruvananthapuram, a consultant advises on local zoning laws for a high-rise, while the project manager ensures the site complies with safety regulations.

24. Pre-Project Planning vs. On-Site Adjustments

• Consultant: Focuses on pre-project planning, including design approvals and financial forecasting.
• Manager: Makes on-site adjustments based on daily progress and unforeseen issues.

Example:

• In Ranchi, a consultant might be involved in planning a new IT campus, while the project manager adjusts the construction schedule when unexpected delays occur.

25. Stakeholder Management vs. Workforce Management

• Consultant: Manages high-level stakeholders like investors and government bodies.
• Manager: Manages on-site workers, ensuring tasks are completed efficiently.

Example:

• In Guwahati, a consultant could liaise with state government bodies for approvals, while the project manager coordinates with subcontractors and labourers to ensure smooth progress.

26. Contract Negotiation vs. Contract Fulfilment

• Consultant: Negotiates contract terms with contractors, ensuring favourable outcomes for the client.
• Manager: Ensures the terms of the contract are fulfilled during the construction phase.

Example:

• In Shimla, a consultant may help negotiate a contractor’s terms for a new hotel, while the project manager ensures that the contractor follows the agreed terms.

27. High-Level Recommendations vs. Practical Solutions

• Consultant: Provides high-level recommendations on materials, techniques, and timelines.
• Manager: Implements practical solutions to issues encountered during construction.

Example:

• In Dehradun, a consultant might recommend using locally sourced materials for a resort to reduce costs, while the project manager coordinates the sourcing and use of these materials.

28. Technology Advisory vs. Technology Implementation

• Consultant: Recommends innovative technologies, such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) or drones, for project monitoring.
• Manager: Implements these technologies on-site, ensuring they are used effectively.

Example:

• In Panaji, a consultant may recommend using drones to monitor the progress of a coastal development project, while the project manager ensures that the drones are used daily for site monitoring.

29. Cost Projections vs. Daily Expense Tracking

• Consultant: Provides cost projections for the entire project lifecycle.
• Manager: Tracks daily expenses to ensure the project stays within the set budget.

Example:

• In Mangalore, a consultant might provide a cost projection for a new commercial development, while the project manager tracks daily expenses related to materials and labour.

30. Innovation in Materials vs. On-Site Material Management

• Consultant: Advises on the use of innovative materials that could reduce costs or improve efficiency.
• Manager: Manages the daily use of materials on-site, ensuring there’s no wastage or shortage.

Example:

• In Vellore, a consultant could recommend using sustainable construction materials, while the project manager ensures that these materials are used efficiently during the building process.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Construction Management Consultants (CMCs) offer high-level strategic advice across multiple projects, focusing on long-term planning, risk management, and cost efficiency. In contrast, Construction Project Managers (CPMs) are responsible for executing individual projects on the ground, ensuring timely completion and adherence to budgets. This comparison across 30 cities in India shows how these roles complement each other to ensure the success of construction projects, whether in major metropolitan areas like Mumbai and Bangalore, or smaller but rapidly growing cities like Vellore and Panaji.

31. Design Optimization vs. Design Implementation

• Consultant: Advises on design optimization, ensuring that designs meet functionality and cost-effectiveness.
• Manager: Ensures the actual implementation of the design according to the blueprints provided.

Example:
In Vadodara, a consultant may suggest optimizing the design of an industrial plant to reduce material usage and energy consumption. The project manager ensures that the construction team follows the optimized design specifications during the building process.

32. Early Project Involvement vs. Mid-Project Responsibility

• Consultant: Involved from the very early stages of a project, helping with initial planning, budgeting, and design.
• Manager: Typically gets involved once the project plan is approved and moves into the construction phase.

Example:
In Rajkot, a consultant may help an infrastructure company plan a new highway expansion. Once the approvals are secured, the project manager takes over to ensure that the construction is executed as per the approved plan.

33. Advising on Financial Strategies vs. Managing Cash Flow

• Consultant: Advises on long-term financial strategies, including how to structure funding and manage investments.
• Manager: Manages cash flow on a daily basis, ensuring that funds are available for ongoing construction activities.

Example:
In Jabalpur, a consultant might advise on securing project funding for a new smart city initiative. The project manager ensures that cash is available for purchasing materials and paying labour as the project progresses.

34. Material Selection Guidance vs. Material Quality Control

• Consultant: Advises on selecting the right materials for the project based on cost, durability, and environmental impact.
• Manager: Ensures that the selected materials meet quality standards and are used correctly on-site.

Example:
In Udaipur, a consultant could recommend using local marble for a heritage hotel project to match the city’s aesthetic while managing costs. The project manager oversees the quality control and ensures that the marble is installed according to specifications.

35. Feasibility Reporting vs. On-Site Troubleshooting

• Consultant: Conducts feasibility studies, determining whether a project is financially and logistically viable.
• Manager: Handles on-site troubleshooting, solving issues like unexpected delays or equipment failures.

Example:
In Aurangabad, a consultant may conduct a feasibility study for a new manufacturing facility. The project manager, during the construction, deals with unexpected site conditions like equipment breakdowns or labour shortages.

36. Risk Transfer Planning vs. Risk Management

• Consultant: Helps the client transfer certain project risks to contractors or third parties through contracts or insurance.
• Manager: Manages risks on-site, such as bad weather or material shortages, to keep the project on track.

Example:
In Nashik, a consultant might recommend transferring the risk of raw material price fluctuations to the contractor. The project manager ensures that daily risks, such as safety hazards, are managed through proper site practices.

37. Environmental Impact Studies vs. Site Environmental Management

• Consultant: Conducts environmental impact studies to ensure that the project complies with local and national environmental laws.
• Manager: Implements practices on-site to minimize environmental damage, such as controlling dust and managing waste.

Example:
In Tiruchirappalli, a consultant might evaluate the environmental impact of a new power plant and recommend ways to reduce pollution. The project manager ensures that pollution control measures, such as waste management systems, are enforced during construction.

38. Innovative Construction Techniques Advisory vs. Implementation of Construction Methods

• Consultant: Suggests innovative construction techniques, such as prefabrication or modular construction, to save time and costs.
• Manager: Implements these construction methods on-site, ensuring that they are followed according to plan.

Example:
In Thrissur, a consultant could advise using modular construction for a hospital project to speed up the process. The project manager ensures that the modular units are installed correctly and on schedule.

39. Benchmarking Project Success vs. Daily Performance Management

• Consultant: Benchmarks the success of the project against industry standards, ensuring long-term goals are met.
• Manager: Manages the daily performance of workers and resources, ensuring targets are met on-site.

Example:
In Kanpur, a consultant might benchmark the construction of a new industrial complex against similar projects in other cities, recommending improvements. The project manager monitors daily site performance to meet the benchmarks set by the consultant.

40. Strategic Procurement vs. Day-to-Day Procurement Management

• Consultant: Advises on strategic procurement, helping to identify the best suppliers and ensuring value for money.
• Manager: Manages the day-to-day procurement of materials and ensures that they arrive on-site as needed.

Example:
In Agra, a consultant could recommend key suppliers for a commercial project, ensuring the client gets the best rates. The project manager handles ordering and ensuring that materials are delivered and used efficiently.

41. Project Termination Advisory vs. Final Handover

• Consultant: Advises on project closure, ensuring that all legal, financial, and operational aspects are completed correctly.
• Manager: Oversees the final handover of the project, ensuring that all deliverables meet the client’s expectations.

Example:
In Meerut, a consultant might help manage the financial and legal closure of a large office building. The project manager ensures that the building is delivered to the client, ready for occupancy, with all punch-list items resolved.

42. Long-Term Risk Mitigation vs. Short-Term Risk Control

• Consultant: Focuses on long-term risk mitigation strategies, advising clients on how to avoid major risks over the course of the project.
• Manager: Handles short-term risk control, such as managing labour strikes or material shortages on-site.

Example:
In Amravati, a consultant may suggest strategies for mitigating financial risks over the course of a year-long infrastructure project. The project manager deals with daily risks like machinery breakdowns or on-site safety concerns.

43. Financial Modelling vs. Budget Adherence

• Consultant: Creates financial models that project costs and returns over the life of the project.
• Manager: Ensures that the project stays within the budget, monitoring expenses daily to prevent overruns.

Example:
In Gwalior, a consultant might develop a financial model for a new shopping mall, projecting revenues and construction costs. The project manager ensures that the mall is built within the planned budget, adjusting costs as necessary.

44. Client Advocacy vs. Stakeholder Management

• Consultant: Advocates for the client’s long-term interests in high-level meetings with stakeholders.
• Manager: Manages relationships with on-site stakeholders, including contractors, suppliers, and workers.

Example:
In Jamshedpur, a consultant might represent a manufacturing company in negotiations with local authorities for a new plant, while the project manager ensures that on-site stakeholders, such as contractors and engineers, work together effectively.

45. Contract Structuring vs. Contract Fulfilment

• Consultant: Advises on structuring contracts to protect the client from potential risks and ensure that the project’s goals are met.
• Manager: Ensures that contractors fulfill the terms of the contract during the construction phase.

Example:
In Faridabad, a consultant might help draft contracts for a real estate development, ensuring that penalties for delays are included. The project manager ensures that contractors meet the deadlines specified in the contract.

46. Public Relations and Communications vs. On-Site Communications

• Consultant: Manages public relations, helping the client communicate effectively with investors, regulators, and the public.
• Manager: Handles on-site communications, ensuring that workers, contractors, and suppliers are all on the same page.

Example:
In Ludhiana, a consultant might handle investor relations for a major textile hub project, ensuring positive publicity. The project manager oversees daily communication with subcontractors to avoid any on-site miscommunications.

47. Advising on Cost Reduction vs. Implementing Cost Saving Measures

• Consultant: Identifies areas where costs can be reduced without compromising quality, such as through the use of new materials or techniques.
• Manager: Implements the cost-saving measures recommended by the consultant, ensuring that the project stays within budget.

Example:
In Salem, a consultant may recommend using cost-efficient materials for a new commercial building, while the project manager ensures that these materials are procured and used according to the cost-saving plan.

48. Monitoring Global Trends vs. Local Market Adaptation

• Consultant: Monitors global construction trends, advising clients on innovative practices or materials to adopt in their projects.
• Manager: Adapts these trends to local market conditions, ensuring that they are practical and effective on-site.

Example:
In Cuttack, a consultant might recommend adopting a new construction technology based on global trends. The project manager ensures that this technology is implemented on-site, considering local conditions such as worker skill levels or material availability.

49. Advisory on Joint Ventures vs. Collaborative Execution

• Consultant: Advises on setting up joint ventures or partnerships to complete a project, ensuring that all parties benefit equally.
• Manager: Works with joint venture partners on-site, ensuring that collaboration runs smoothly and efficiently.

Example:
In Dhanbad, a consultant may advise on a joint venture between a local contractor and an international firm for a mining project. The project manager ensures that both parties work together seamlessly during the actual construction process.

50. Sustainability Certifications Advisory vs. Implementation of Green Building Standards

• Consultant: Helps the client obtain certifications like LEED or GRIHA for sustainability.
• Manager: Ensures that green building standards are implemented during construction to meet certification requirements.

Example:
In Jhansi, a consultant might help a client secure LEED certification for a government building, while the project manager ensures that all sustainability requirements, like energy-efficient systems, are installed during construction.