Integrated Project Management | Harvard University

There hasn't been a period in the construction industry's history where management of one's particular discipline wasn't a core skill for every successful architect, planner, consultant, contractor, or project owner. The contribution of the construction industry in our economy and its role in promoting growth is undisputed. The same stands true for the need to raise standards and improve the construction industry's operating efficiency: projects need to be delivered on time, within budget, and at a high-quality standard to bring the needed benefit to the environment and society at large. Resource and budgetary constraints, together with innovation in software and technology, demonstrate even more the need for a broader, collaborative, holistic, effective, and efficient administration and leadership team of projects by Project Advocates. The need for a comprehensive approach to the management of the project across all phases through a timely Integrated Project Management approach is now more essential than ever.

In this online program, participants gain an understanding of the basic and more advanced issues, tools, and concepts of an Integrated Project Management approach. Examples are drawn from public and private projects at many scales, from the individual building to the mixed-use community development. Both US and international projects are addressed, identifying in each case the unique challenges and opportunities. 

Key topics include the typical project life cycle and its key stages; the various project delivery methods and how to decide which one suits your needs; how to define and manage roles and responsibilities of all entities involved in a project; and effective delivery of all project stages, including feasibility, project implementation plan and strategy, selection of consultants and contractors, the RFP process, responsibilities for pre- and post-schematic phases of design, shop drawings, total project scheduling and budgeting, subcontractor involvement in the design process, value engineering, handling of the general contractor, construction administration, BIM implications and responsibilities, environmental issues, and management of risk and uncertainty.