In project architecture and civil engineering, construction is the building or assembly of any infrastructure. Although this may be thought of as a single activity, in fact construction is a feat of multitasking. Normally the job is managed by the construction manager, supervised by the project manager, design engineer or project architect.
For the successful execution of a project effective planning is often essential. Those involved with the design and execution of the infrastructure in question must consider the environmental impact of the job, the successful scheduling, budgeting, site safety, inconvenience to the public caused by construction delays, preparing tender documents, etc.
Initial planning is of course just one very important aspect. Depending on the project, at least 20 different trades will be involved once construction begins. All these trades have to be coordinated and the sequence of work laid down in a construction programme. The trades involved are all dependent on one another to stick to the schedule. It only needs one to fall out of line and the chain reaction can have enormous consequences on the finishing date.
Danger is ever present on a building site. For example: cranes lifting loads overhead, heavy machines crossing the site, scaffolding to be erected and temporary electrical supplies with cables causing a tripping hazard, let alone all the tools which require careful handling. Even something as simple as a nail standing up from a discarded piece of wood can cause serious injury if trodden on in unsuitable shoes. At one time, beer was the favoured thirst quencher on site but luckily those days are long past. These days far more attention is paid to safety, not only by the construction companies themselves, but also by safety authorities and awareness training given by independent bodies. Accidents still happen however and construction remains one of the most dangerous of all occupations.