ABSTRACT
A general management brief is offered as a refresher for readers who already possess management background and as a further study reference for those who do not. Managerial concepts, duties, environment, accountability, and dependency are summarized. Skills and styles for different roles at different levels in organizations are mentioned. Decision-making process and common mistakes are outlined. Planning, organizing, leading, and controlling functions are briefed. The need to learn general management and the common mistakes managers make are emphasized. Historical roots of management, scientific management, general administrative theory, behavioral, quantitative, qualitative, systems, and situational approaches are visited. Project management learning, its current challenges and trends are mentioned as a glimpse into the future of project management and project managers. Typical phases and key activities in those phases of a construction project are presented. The differences between cost and time considerations of an owner’s and a contractor’s construction project managers are outlined.
