An infrastructure project focuses on the building, renovation, care, and repair of services, facilities, and systems that support a community. These projects can be privately funded or publicly financed, and they can involve large-scale construction or smaller scale improvements. For example, a new road, an airport terminal, or even a simple sidewalk are all considered infrastructure.
Most of these large-scale infrastructure projects are a public-private partnership between local, state, and federal government agencies and private companies. The projects can be for commercial, industrial, or residential purposes and can have a massive impact on any area’s quality of life.
Some examples of infrastructure projects include roads, bridges, water distribution networks, and communications. Energy projects are another large part of the category and involve generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity and gas. Transportation is an essential infrastructure sector that includes airlines, trains, highways, and airports. Water projects include water treatment plants and distribution networks, while waste management is included under this category as well.
These types of projects can have long timeframes, requiring planning and commitment to get the job done. They also tend to have complex regulations, and unexpected challenges can pop up, such as weather or material shortages. To help ensure projects are completed on time and within budget, project managers should focus on effective communication with all stakeholders, especially when it comes to scope management. This helps prevent scope creep, the unexpected changes that can derail progress. Lastly, it’s important to have the right tools for the job.