The project coach: The new role of the project manager for the future due to the news tools like building information modelling, integrated project delivery, last planner and others

Abstract

Design-Bid-Building is the traditional approach to manage a project, but in the last decade we can find other kinds of contracts in many buildings, like Project and Design and more recently Integrated Project Delivery. The contractor appears from the beginning in both. The recent failures in lean companies like Toyota, GM or Delphi, have aroused a new approach to the lean transformations. There are several books and articles about the important role of the Manufacturing Engineer or Operations Manager as a teacher and leader, similar to a coach’s perspective. We could have the same problem in the construction field if we don’t give the correct training to our project managers or site managers. BIM, IPD and Last Planner require real collaboration and win-win attitudes. New skills like team working, empathy, mindfulness and resilience are more necessary. The proposed article will describe the qualities of “The Project Coach” and how to get these skills.