Construction site managers: an investigation into the career development and role of site managers on medium-sized construction projects

The aims of this study are to investigate the influence of site manager career progression path on the successful completion of construction projects and to examine the extent to which the role of the site manager is task intensive. There are three research questions: (1) which site manager career progression path contributes best towards a site manager's ability to successfully complete construction projects?, (2) which site manager career progression path contributes best to the development of site manager skills?, and (3) is there clarity of opinion on how site management tasks should be distributed to parties in the contractor's team? For questions (1) and (2), site manager career progression path may be craft, graduate, or a combination of craft and graduate. For question (3), tasks may be undertaken by the site manager, line manager or service staff. A literature review is undertaken, and there is some analysis of qualitative data that are gathered by exploratory interviews with site managers. The main research instrument is a postal survey, which collates predominantly quantitative data. The study population is practising site managers. The sample comprises 1427 persons; 382 responses were received and analysed. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques are used to test the study hypotheses. With respect to research questions (1) and (2) it is found that there are significant differences between the three career progression paths. The craft/graduate is ranked first, the graduate second and the craft third. With respect to research question (3), it is found there is role ambiguity in the execution of the majority of site management tasks. The study is limited by the inherent validity problems associated with opinion questionnaires. There are three conclusions given: (1) the construction industry needs to increase the number of craft/graduate SMs, (2) the craft SM should receive training before being the sole person in charge of a construction site, and (3) the construction industry needs to reduce ambiguity associated with the distribution of site management tasks. There are five recommendations, which include studies to examine the use of craft appreciation courses for graduate site managers, and a compulsory safety certificate for site managers.