The use of construction management in school building construction

In recent years school leaders have turned more and more to the use of Construction Management (CM) to complete construction and renovation projects. However, little research summarizing the perceptions of those school officials has been compiled concerning the selection and utilization of this management technique. Also, because the services provided by a CM may be modified to a number of different forms to fit the needs of a specific project or a school district, a composite of those services would be of value to those considering the CM project delivery system. This study examined the services provided by the CM delivery system and attempted to identify the degree of satisfaction as perceived by the project coordinator related to the use of those services.

The information for the study was gathered from questionnaires completed by school officials responsible for the coordination of construction or renovation projects completed during the period 1981-1986. The districts were located in the State of Missouri. One hundred and sixty-six districts were represented in the study.

The conclusions of the study were as follows: (1) The use of Construction Management as a project delivery system is used by a limited number of school districts in the State of Missouri. (2) Project coordinators that have used the CM technique are satisfied with the services provided by that delivery system and would use the CM technique on future projects. Few of those involved have any negative perceptions related directly to the CM technique. (3) The commitment to future use of a CM is related to construction projects that cost under $500,000 and projects that cost over \$1,000,000. (4) Project coordinators that have used the CM technique are employed in districts with enrollments over 2500 pupils and express a degree of satisfaction with the CM technique. (5) Project coordinators that have used the CM technique express concern about the time involved in the team approach to building construction.