4 project management principles to apply in your next construction project
Within the realm of project management, the main objective is to support business goals through the effective management of capital, labour, time, and equipment. The role is not confined to one industry, and anyone that chooses to pursue a project management career will find opportunities across a range of markets, including the construction market. As was the case for most sectors, the construction industry had unique challenges thrown its way due to the outbreak of Covid-19. However, an increase in government spending and the ramped-up transition to a carbon net-zero society have contributed a 5.7% growth in construction output in 2021.
If ambitious project managers are looking to forge a successful career within the engineering and construction market, here are four guiding principles to apply:
Read on to learn more about these project management principles and why you need to apply them in your next construction project.
Outline clear project goals
Establishing goals can be likened to laying down the foundations of an infrastructure project. You need to establish specific targets for your team. If targets are not defined, you’re at risk of building faulty foundations, and the cracks will soon begin to show. Every goal should be defined by the SMART paradigm:
- S - smart
- M - measurable
- A - achievable
- R - relevant
- T - timed
When goals are not met on an infrastructure project, this can lead to major delays throughout the life cycle, incurring huge costs for your client. When SMART goals are implemented, you’ll gain a clearer picture of your team’s performance, what is going well on the project, and what could be improved.
Manage risks
Right from the initial months of the Covid-19 crisis, projects were paused, supply chains came under threat, social distancing measures were brought in, and the furlough scheme was introduced. Project managers at engineering and construction firms were under pressure to navigate these new challenges whilst also looking ahead and planning for the new world. Tapping into advanced data analytics has proven to be key when navigating a crisis like Covid-19 and managing potential risks.
In the construction sector, swaths of information are created, managed, and used throughout project milestones. By consistently analyzing this information, you can uncover insights into costs, time scales, resources, and labour shortages. We’re just beginning to see the potential of tapping into data like this and in a recent AtkinsRéalis and KPMG report, we found that for every £1 that was invested in information management, a £6 gain in labour productivity was reaped.
Define your team's responsibilites
Defining the responsibilities of everyone in your team—including project planners, schedulers, cost managers, and engineers—is a form of risk management as it ensures that every person understands what is expected of them. When this is outlined early on in the project, it saves confusion at the execution stage. A straightforward way to define this is with the use of a RACI chart, which is a responsibility assignment matrix that breaks tasks down into the following:
- Responsible - Which people are responsible for performing the task?
- Accountable - Who is accountable for the completion of the task?
- Consulted - Which people need to be consulted to provide feedback?
- Informed - Which people need to be informed on the progress?
You might have clearly defined goals and a stellar team, but if they aren’t clear on who is responsible at the task level, confusion will creep into the project.
Tailor the methodology
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to project management because each project will differ in type, size, and complexity. You could have the best project management methodology, but if you don’t start by considering the unique needs of the project, you run the risk of applying unsuitable processes.
There are three stages of tailoring a project management methodology:
- Initial tailoring
- Pre-project tailoring
- Intra-project tailoring
As the three stages suggest, a tailored project management methodology is an iterative process. You can think of it as a trial-and-error, and though it will take you time and effort to find the processes, tools, and templates that work, you’ll find better results than if you’d adopted an off-the-shelf methodology.
Explore our project management vacancies across the USA
Now that you’ve got the four project management principles, all that’s left to do is apply them to your next construction project. If you’re looking for a new opportunity that will challenge you and push you to develop your skillset, why not browse our current jobs in the USA to explore our project management vacancies?
Being one of the world’s most respected project management consultancies, you can expect to work on some of the most exciting projects across the USA. If you’re still looking for more insight, check out our project management content to find out what you’ll gain from a career with the AtkinsRéalis Group.
Interested? Find out more about life at AtkinsRéalis
Sign up to receive the latest content tailored to your interests
Our articles

Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
02/04/2025
Summary
Hi, I'm Ahmad, the regional leader of AtkinsRéalis' Power New Build team here in the Northwest of England. Why did I join AtkinsRéalis? I wanted to be part of a world-class engineering services p

Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/31/2025
Summary
Sophie, a Building Surveyor at AtkinsRéalis, tells all about life in Bristol You’ve probably already seen the photos of hot air balloons drifting over Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s Clifton Suspensi

Preview
AustraliaContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/31/2025
Summary
The rail sector is at the heart of Australia’s infrastructure revolution, spanning more than 36,064km of track and powering economic growth, innovation, and connectivity. Once reliant on imported as

Preview
IndiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/31/2025
Summary
Do you want to fuel your career with purpose and watch your impact grow? Would you like to make an impact and join the global net zero revolution? Do you have what it takes to lead the nuclear r

by
Shailaja Mantha

Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/29/2025
Summary
The future of electrical engineering is bright, and its influence on industries like automotive, energy, and wearable technology is growing exponentially. At AtkinsRéalis, electrical engineers are a

Preview
AsiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/28/2025
Summary
What does it take to transform an industry? Hard work, innovative technology, and a culture that fosters creativity. This is how AtkinsRéalis, a global leader in project management, engineering

Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/28/2025
Summary
If you are thinking of global career move to KSA, head on to read Sarah’s story on how she relocated to KSA for her work. Hi I’m Sarah, and I joined the AtkinsRéalis Graduate Program to work in T

Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/24/2025
Summary
Infrastructure in the Middle East is developing at a rapid rate. With projected growth of 2.9% by 2030, opportunities in the region aren’t slowing down any time soon. Central to this transformati

Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/24/2025
Summary
At AtkinsRéalis, we’ve had a big part to play in shaping the skyline and infrastructure of the UAE. Having contributed for over 50 years, we’ve been proud supporters of the rapid growth and ambitio

Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/24/2025
Summary
Hello, I'm Amalia, a senior billing specialist at AtkinsRéalis in Romania. On my first day at the organization, I had mixed feelings— I felt a little fear but also confidence that I would be fine

Preview
IndiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/23/2025
Summary
Our journey began in Bangalore, India, as six professionals representing various disciplines from the Global Technology Centre (GTC) embarked on a month-long secondment to lead the Project off

by
Akash Kumar

Preview
AsiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/23/2025
Summary
Breaking into a career in civil engineering can feel like navigating uncharted territory. However, Venus Chan, a Graduate Engineer at AtkinsRéalis in Hong Kong, offers an inspiring example of h
Related jobs
Salary
Location
Atlanta
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project management
Market
Cities & development
Category
Permanent
Location
Atlanta
Description
Why join us?Are you stuck at a company with no real opportunity or variety as a project manager? We can help bring joy back into your career! AtkinsRéalis seeks a highly motivated self-starter to join
Reference
R-126905
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Atlanta
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project controls
Market
Project, programme & cost management
Category
Permanent
Location
Atlanta
Description
Why join us?It’s an exciting time at AtkinsRéalis! We are rapidly growing in the US. Our company purpose is to build a better world for our planet and its people. We recognize the importance of making
Reference
R-126899
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Atlanta
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project controls
Market
Project, programme & cost management
Category
Permanent
Location
Atlanta
Description
Why join us? It’s an exciting time at AtkinsRéalis! We are rapidly growing in the US. Our company purpose is to build a better world for our planet and its people. We recognize the importance of maki
Reference
R-126740
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Ft. Lauderdale
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project controls
Market
Cities & development
Category
Permanent
Location
Ft. Lauderdale
Description
Why join us? We are hiring! AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Scheduler / Planner to join our Lauderdale, FL office. About Us AtkinsRéalis is one of the world’s most respected design, engineering, and proje
Reference
R-126738
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Alexandria
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project controls
Category
Permanent
Location
Alexandria
Description
Why join us? We are hiring! AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Senior Cost Manager (TSA Invoice Validation Manager) to join our Alexandria, VA office. About Us AtkinsRéalis is one of the world’s most respect
Reference
R-126667
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Oklahoma City
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project management
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
Oklahoma City
Description
Why join us? It’s an exciting time at AtkinsRéalis! We are rapidly growing in the US. Our company purpose is to build a better world for our planet and its people. We recognize the importance of makin
Reference
R-126665
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Austin
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project management
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
Austin
Dallas
Houston
Description
Why join us? It’s an exciting time at AtkinsRéalis! We are rapidly growing in the US. Our company purpose is to build a better world for our planet and its people. We recognize the importance of makin
Reference
R-126664
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Denver
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project management
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
Denver
Calverton
Nashville
Austin
Dallas
Alexandria
Description
Why join us? It’s an exciting time at AtkinsRéalis! We are rapidly growing in the US. Our company purpose is to build a better world for our planet and its people. We recognize the importance of makin
Reference
R-126659
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Houston
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project management
Market
Cities & development
Category
Permanent
Location
Houston
Description
Why join us? It’s an exciting time at AtkinsRéalis! We are rapidly growing in the US. Our company purpose is to build a better world for our planet and its people. We recognize the importance of makin
Reference
R-126566
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Los Angeles
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project management
Market
Water
Category
Permanent
Location
Los Angeles
San Diego
Costa Mesa
Description
Why join us? It’s an exciting time at AtkinsRéalis! We are rapidly growing in the US. Our company purpose is to build a better world for our planet and its people. We recognize the importance of makin
Reference
R-126563
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We’re devoted to growing the diversity of our people, promoting an inclusive culture, providing everyone with an equal voice because simply put, it’s the right thing to do. Click to learn more.
Find out more