Strong project management is the backbone of any successful construction project. Construction project management is an essential function given the robust nature and specialized considerations and constraints of construction projects. 

Industrial construction comes with a set of unique challenges when compared to commercial construction. Because of this, industrial project management is a challenging practice that’s essential for the success of industrial construction projects. 

Let’s look at what industrial project management is and the challenges it presents when compared to commercial construction. 

What is Industrial Project Management? 

Industrial project management is the discipline of planning, overseeing, supervising, and executing industrial construction projects. The important distinction is industrial construction projects, which have unique elements that separate them from commercial construction projects. However, industrial project management aims to accomplish the same foundational elements as commercial construction project management, such as delivering on specific objectives, keeping projects on time, managing costs, and ensuring quality and safety. 

What Is Considered an Industrial Project? 

Industrial project management is specific to industrial construction projects. Some examples of industrial construction include: 

• Manufacturing facilities 

• Warehouses/distribution centers 

• Power plants 

• Chemical processing facilities 

• Oil refineries 

Challenges of Industrial Construction Projects 

Industrial projects present unique challenges and require different considerations than commercial construction projects. Because of this, industrial projects are often considered even more complex than their commercial counterparts, making industrial project management a robust, challenging function. 

Building Design 

Industrial buildings are designed to optimize efficiency and accommodate the equipment necessary for operations. That said, industrial buildings can be very large and complex when compared to commercial projects. These projects are much harder to standardize being that each facility must be built to suit specific processes. Due to this, industrial projects require specialized knowledge about industrial processes. 

Heavy Machinery and Equipment 

It’s not only space with industrial machinery. Industrial projects often require specialized teams that understand the equipment to ensure it’s installed properly. With the introduction of Industry 4.0 technologies like automation, IIoT, and more, this process has only become more complex over time.  

Advanced Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems (MEPS) 

Industrial buildings often require advanced or custom-made MEPS to accommodate the heavy machinery inside. For example, industrial facilities often utilize robust, advanced electrical systems to accommodate the machinery. These buildings also need backup systems to minimize production losses should a system fail. 

Longer Timelines 

Because of the complex nature of industrial construction, these projects often have longer timelines with more steps than construction projects. 

Necessary Skills for Industrial Project Management 

Given the complicated nature of industrial projects and the numerous challenges associated with them, it’s no surprise that industrial project management requires a vast array of skills, with specialized personnel or teams often stepping in throughout the process. 

Engineering: With the range of complex systems involved in industrial projects, knowledge of multiple engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, etc.) is essential.  

Regulatory Knowledge: Industrial businesses must comply with a variety of safety and regulatory standards. 

Specialized Procurement Strategy: Procurement can be highly complex for industrial projects given the need for industrial-grade materials and industrial-specific contract types. 

Stakeholder Coordination: All construction projects require excellent coordination of stakeholder communication, and industrial projects dial it up a notch given the number of necessary stakeholders. 

How Crescent Electric Can Help 

Industrial project management is a highly specialized field that requires deep industry knowledge. At Crescent Electric, our project management team can support your industrial construction project to help you stay organized and keep projects moving smoothly. 

Leverage our expansive database of over 2,000 nationally recognized manufacturers and enjoy benefits like DTS Material Staging and Storage and StockNOW Inventory Management to help secure your site, save on storage and handling, and more. Plus, our team has expertise in key product groups including gear and commodities to ensure you always have an expert you can trust. 

Head to our Project Management page to learn more and to get in touch with our team!