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, 01011 (2019)
MATEC Web of Conferences 266 https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201926601011
IConBEE2018
Review on Project Manager’s Leadership Skills in the Pre-Construction
Phase of Sustainable Construction Projects
Noorul Adharina Zulkiffli1,*, Aryani Ahmad Latiffi1
1,Faculty of Technology Management and Business, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)
86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor Malaysia
Abstract. Project managers have played a vital role in sustainable construction projects by integrating the
concept of sustainability into their practices. The role of project manager is important in all phases of
sustainable construction projects but especially in the pre-construction phase when the greatest challenges
that require their involvement occur. This requires project managers to have effective leadership skills to
think a project through and remain focused on the end goal. Thus, the aim of this paper is to identify the
project manager’s leadership skills in the pre-construction phase of sustainable construction projects. A key
significant contribution of this paper is the literature review of journals and books on project manager’s
leadership skills when engaged in sustainable construction projects. The overall intent is to highlight and
identify the leadership skills of project managers in the pre-construction phase of sustainable construction
projects so that the values and benefits of these skills can be adapted in current practices to successfully
deliver such projects.
1 Introduction and the leadership skills of the project manager in
sustainable construction projects, particularly within the
The need to achieve sustainability is duly highlighted as pre-construction phase.
the term has become widespread in policy-oriented
research as a target that public policies ought to achieve 2 The life-cycle of sustainable construction
[1]. This makes it important to ensure that sustainability projects
is included as part of a strategy that balances social
development, economic growth, and environmental The sustainable construction life cycle is the process of
sustainability. In addition, the shift of the construction building services which consist of design, construction,
industry from its traditional practices towards sustainable operational and maintenance, renovation, and demolition
development has received close global attention in the [6]. The elements of sustainability (environment,
form of “sustainable construction” [2-3]. economic, and social) are also involved in this life cycle
Sustainable construction is technically complex [7]. In addition to that, the activities involved are not
since it involves multi-disciplinary designers and only to build the structure using systems that are friendly
engineers with green expertise along with multi-cultural to the environment but also to use resources efficiently
(languages, nationality, and religion) project teams at throughout the life cycle of the building and the services
several different levels. Alongside their traditional roles required [8-9]. Figure 1 shows the building life cycle and
(time, scope, and cost), project managers can be six (6) major aspects of green building.
sustainability drivers within the project teams. As the Based on Figure 1, the comprehensive processes of a
sustainable construction phenomenon continues to grow
and gain popularity, thus, there is a need to improve building’s life cycle generally embrace design,
pivotal attributes that project managers should possess in construction, operational and maintenance, renovation,
order to manage a sustainable construction project. and demolition [10-11]. However, according to Kubba,
Project managers face challenges in implementing green Wedding and Richard, a green building is a building that
building particularly within the pre-construction phase has been designed, constructed, and operated to be
[4-5] where they need to determine sustainable goals and resource-efficient [12-14]. Green building includes
establish a framework for future decision-making within several components such as energy efficiency, indoor
all construction phases [4]. It is important that project environment quality, materials and resources, and
managers can act as leaders to effectively and sustainable site planning and management.
strategically manage sustainable construction projects.
Therefore, this paper discusses and identifies the roles
*
Corresponding author: noorul.adharina@gmail.com
Creative Commons License 4.0
© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Attribution
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
, 01011 (2019)
MATEC Web of Conferences 266 https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201926601011
IConBEE2018
a sustainable building [4]. The role of the project
manager in the pre-construction phase of a sustainable
construction project will be discussed below.
Considering environmental impacts, such as waste
• Energy Efficiency. management and the reuse and recycling of construction
• Indoor Environment material, are parts of the project manager’s responsibility
Quality. in the construction phase, Del Río Meriono et al.
• Materials & Resources.
• Sustainable Site Planning highlighted that a project manager should be alert to
& Management. feasible cost saving by reducing waste along with
environmental impacts [18]. Moreover, the role of
project manager in controlling risk in the construction
phase is important in order to avoid higher risk-related
costs [19]. Managing risk efficiencies in a sustainable
Fig. 1. Building life cycle and aspects for sustainable building construction project is important for a project manager in
[8; 11-16] order to avoid cost-overruns. Besides that, to avoid
additional cost in the supply chain, controlling issues
Meanwhile, Shi et al. indicate that green building such as material delivery times and the quality of
includes energy efficiency and renewable energy, water materials is important as recognized by Hills et al. [20].
efficiency, green building materials and specifications, Finally, during the post-construction phase, the
waste reduction, reduced toxicity, indoor air quality and project manager has an important role in ensuring the
smart growth as well as sustainable development [15]. fulfillment of sustainability criteria and providing
The sustainability approach in a building’s life cycle building documentation for commissioning and
is also a way of formulating the responsibility within the maintenance measurement to the client and end user
construction industry to protect the environment [8, 16- [21]. After the completion of a green building, the
17]. Hence, these principles will form a framework to project team can monitor building performance for
achieve sustainable building covering all sustainability future reference. Meanwhile, upon completion, feedback
issues (environment, economy, and social) during all can be documented by the end user in subsequent years
stages of a building project [8, 16]. [22].
3. Role of the project manager in sustainable 3.1 Role of the project manager in the pre-
construction projects. construction phase of sustainable construction
projects.
The success or failure of a project is influenced by the Project managers can specifically play a vital role in
appointment of the project manager. Therefore, a sustainable construction projects by integrating the
successful project manager should perform various roles concept of sustainability into their practices. Particularly
and responsibilities simultaneously and plays an in the pre-construction phase, the roles and
important role in all phases of a sustainable construction responsibilities of the project manager are noticeable in
project (the pre-construction, construction, and post- completely attaining sustainability objectives. Table 2
construction phases). Table 1 shows the role of the shows the roles of the project manager in the pre-
project manager in a sustainable construction project. construction phase of a sustainable construction project.
Table 1. Role of the project manager in a sustainable Table 2. The role of the project manager in the pre-
construction project [4; 18-22] construction phase of sustainable construction projects
Activity Role [4; 19; 23-26]
• Setting sustainability goals.
Pre- • Provide cost estimation for the project. Activity Role
Construction • Develop schedules for the integrated • Identify stakeholders that could impact or be
project team. impacted by the decisions, activities, and
• Consider the environmental impact of a Initial outcomes of the project.
Construction project. • Documenting relevant stakeholder information
• Control possible risk to avoid higher cost. regarding interests, involvement, influence,
• Control the supply chain. and potential impact on project success.
• Monitoring that all sustainability criteria • Setting sustainability goals in a project.
have been fulfilled. Planning • Establish the policies, procedures, and
Post- • Provide building documentation for controlling project costs within project phases.
Construction operation and maintenance to the client • Review green design concepts, final drawings
and end user. and environmental specifications.
Design • Coordinate design options so that they will
During the pre-construction phase, the existence of deliver the project in line with stakeholder
the project manager becomes pivotal. This is because and/or client requirements that have been set.
this phase is the most important step towards delivering
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, 01011 (2019)
MATEC Web of Conferences 266 https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201926601011
IConBEE2018
Based on Table 2, the role of a project manager in the to that, most of the leadership challenges, particularly in
pre-construction phase involves the initial, planning, and the construction industry, relate to its workforce,
design stages. In the initial stage, the necessity to including shortage of good-quality workers, an aging
identify the needs and interests of stakeholders is workforce, teamwork, communication, training, and
important since their understanding is more significant in education [28]. In addition, some failures in the
sustainable construction because the goal is long-term construction industry have become the subject of
and the benefits can seem vague [23]. The willingness to continuous criticism especially its fragmentation and
meet the client’s needs can increase the chances of poor record on quality, waste, financial claims, safety,
meeting the project goals even if the stakeholders fail to and efficiency [29]. For all of these failures, one of the
be convinced about the benefits of green building and do causes is ineffective leadership.
not feel the need to implement it [24]. The interest of the Undoubtedly, the construction industry is large and
stakeholders can improve their understanding of technically complex and involves a combination of
different aspects of a sustainable construction project. specific skills [30]. The leadership will be shared
Thus, a project manager has to convince the stakeholders through teamwork, and the position of the leader in
about the concept of sustainability and the value of green teams will rotate. Thus, the construction teams are not
building. only large but also involve various disciplines and this
Moreover, in the planning stage, setting makes leadership significant in the construction industry.
sustainability goals and controlling project costs within
project periods is essential for sustainable construction 4.1 Leadership skills of the project manager in
projects. According to Hakinen and Belloni, lack of sustainable construction projects.
sufficient knowledge to develop a project concisely with
clear goals is a barrier to sustainable construction [25]. The literature includes several discussions of leadership
However, Wu et al. indicate that controlling project costs skill; this soft skill continues to draw the attention of
is one of the most important factors affecting a project scholars investigating its contributions to the success of a
manager’s decisions in a green project [26]. Therefore, project. Table 3 shows some publications related to the
the project manager needs to set clear sustainability leadership skills of sustainable construction project
goals during the planning stage in order to prevent any managers.
hindrance in other phases. Robichaud and Anantatmula
suggest that setting sustainability goals during the Table 3. Publications about leadership skills of project
planning stage can establish a framework for all future managers in sustainable construction projects [4; 31-34]
decision making [4]. Consequently, any changes or Authors Title Skills
wrong decisions leading to cost inefficiency can be Critical factors for
reduced. Wang et al. sustainable project • Leadership.
Furthermore, at the design stage, the project (2015) [31] management in • Process control.
manager is responsible as a coordinator to review the public projects. • Communication.
final design drawings in line with sustainability and Project
stakeholder requirements. According to Jaworski and management • Communication.
Samanta, the project manager should ensure that project Li et al. factors affecting • Leadership.
goals are achieved and carefully monitored during the (2013) [32] green building • Problem solving.
design stage to meet the project requirements [19]. This projects: Case
design stage involves a multi-disciplinary project team, study of Singapore.
making the role of the project manager even more vital. • Decision making.
Besides that, the involvement of all the project team in • Delegation.
the design process will avoid redesign problems [24]. Project • Analytical.
Project managers are responsible for the daily Hwang and management • Teamwork.
management of the various activities in the sustainable Ng (2013) knowledge and • Problem solving.
construction process, including the management, [33] skills for green • Leadership.
technical, and legal aspects of the work. Thus, the roles technologies. • Negotiation.
of the project manager in the pre-construction phasehave • Human behavior.
a specific function in the implementation of a sustainable • Chairing meetings.
construction project. • Presentation.
Are project • Analytical.
Hwang and managers ready for • Decision making.
4 Leadership in the construction industry. Ng (2013) green construction? • Team working.
[34] – Challenges, • Delegation.
The need for leadership in the construction industry is knowledge areas • Problem solving.
mainly because the success or failure of construction and skills.
projects is highly dependent on who is leading and Robichaud Greening project • Planning and
coordinating them. However, 80% of project failures are and management strategy meetings.
due to poor leadership, including inadequate leadership Anantatmula practices for • Communication and
(2011) [4] sustainable document-sharing.
skills, lack of teamwork, inefficiency in problem- construction. • Teamwork.
solving, and weaknesses in communication [27]. Added
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, 01011 (2019)
MATEC Web of Conferences 266 https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201926601011
IConBEE2018
Five (5) publications related to project managers’ holding the initial meetings which benefit the
leadership skills in sustainable construction projects have communication between the project teams [4]. Hence,
been identified. Based on Table 3, most of the authors the communication skills of a project manager may
highlighted communication and teamwork as the most accommodate the different perceptions of sustainability
important skill for project managers in sustainable among project team and the stakeholders to ensure a
construction projects. To be successful, communication successful outcome for the project.
is important for project managers in green projects to
deliver sustainable practices across multidisciplinary 5.2 Motivation skill
project teams [4; 33]. Sustainable construction projects
can be more complicated than traditional projects The skill of motivation is an ability to enable a person to
thereby increasing the need for project team achieve their goals. Yet, motivation is a skill that a
communication and teamwork. Added to that, Robichaud project manager can apply to ensure that the project team
and Anantatmula suggest that project managers should
lead a team process to establish clear guidelines for achieves the project’s goals in time and on budget [40].
communication and ground rules for teamwork, such as In the early phase of a sustainable construction project, a
training to enhance these skills [4]. project manager needs to motivate the project team in
Although leadership skills have been identified as a order to achieve sustainability goals. However, the lack
key factor in effective management, the topic is still not of such motivation often leads to conflict, strikes, low
widely considered [35], therefore further research is productivity, stress, and the failure of the project [41].
needed in order to understand these skills Project teams have lower levels of motivation when they
comprehensively. The next section will discuss the are not fully aware of the green project process [4].
identification of the appropriate leadership skills for Besides, motivation is the key to ensure that the
project managers in the pre-construction phase of stakeholders, such as the project owner and the
sustainable construction projects. developers, constantly engage with green building
practices [42].
5 Leadership Skills of project managers in 5.3 Decision-making and problem-solving skills
the pre-construction phase of sustainable Decision-making and problem-solving skills involve the
construction projects. ability to define and solve problems. Decision making is
a process of obtaining a team commitment to, and
Most of the challenges faced by project managers in collective support for, sustainability [41]. For example,
implementing green building arise in the pre- in the planning and design stage, there is a need for the
construction phase [4, 5]. This is due to the need for a project manager to decide the best possible selection of
more detailed (green featured) planning process as well technologies, systems, and subcontractors required for
as the involvement of different project team members, green projects [5]. Tools and practices are necessary for
such as green specialists, which may slow-down the pre- the project manager to support decision making for
the construction phase [5]. Yet, the role of project managing sustainability criteria in a project. However,
manager as a leader in the pre-construction phase is problem solving is different from decision making as it
important to maintain the momentum throughout the is a process of analysing the sustainability criteria and
construction process. Besides that, the competencies, identifying the possible solutions [29].
skills, and sustainability knowledge of the project
manager will ensure the success of sustainable 5.4 Conflict management skill.
construction projects [5, 36-38]. Appropriate literature Conflict management skill is the ability to resolve
on the roles and leadership skills of project managers in conflict in a positive way. Conflict management has also
sustainable construction projects identify the appropriate been identified as one of the important soft skills that
leadership skills for a project manager. Therefore, based influence the achievement of project success by the
on the literature, eight (8) leadership skills appropriate project managers [43]. Effective conflict management by
for project managers in the pre-construction phase of a the project manager can deal with the details of
sustainable construction project are identified as follows: stakeholder relationships thereby preventing the project
5.1 Communication skills experiencing delays in addressing issues and restricting
the expense of resolving disputes. For example, conflict
Communication skills involve an ability to exchange within the project team may be unavoidable and project
information with a person or group. Otherwise, managers must be equipped to manage conflict
communication is especially important for project effectively without affecting project progress [5]. In
managers in green projects in order to deliver the addition, the project manager should pay close attention
sustainable practices that are expected from the project to the coordination between design consultants and the
team [24]. For instance, in the initial stage, a project construction team as well as to the technology
manager needs to successfully communicate with innovations so that the likelihood of success in green
stakeholders about achieving its sustainability goals [39]. building projects can be enhanced [32].
This is because a project manager is responsible for
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