Infrastructure projects are some of the largest, most complex construction jobs a contractor can work on. They can require a lot of manpower to complete and typically involve working with highly engineered systems that have a significant impact on a community’s everyday life. They also can have lengthy payment reviews and timelines that can impact cash flow. In addition, they often have to contend with the same challenges as any other construction job, such as keeping large teams on task and balancing budgets, but usually on an even bigger scale.
There are many types of infrastructure projects, but the most familiar to most people are roadways. These include highways, roads, sidewalks and bike lanes. Airport runways and terminals are another type of infrastructure project contractors may find work on.
Water infrastructure includes the pipelines and water treatment plants that provide drinking water to communities. Energy infrastructure covers the transmission, distribution and storage of electric power. Communications infrastructure consists of phone and signal towers, wires, cables and antennas. These types of projects are important to all communities. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the United States currently has a “D+” grade for its overall infrastructure.
To successfully manage an infrastructure project, you’ll need to align organizational goals with the project, build a strong cross-functional team and collect business, functional and technical requirements. Alexis Nicole White, a professional project management instructor at UC Berkeley, suggests preparing a clear and detailed project plan that includes project goals, risks, assumptions, constraints, cost, and milestones.