Biggest Challenges Faced By A Construction Manager At DMCI
Joselle's biggest challenge as a Construction Manager at DMCI is the inherently "difficult, dirty, and dangerous" nature of construction, demanding work under tight budgets and schedules while managing numerous stakeholders including superiors, architects, subcontractors, engineers, workers, and even local government units and neighbors. This high-pressure environment, exacerbated by the Philippines' hot climate, underscores the demanding realities of the career.
Project Management, Stress Management, Communication, Teamwork, Overcoming Challenges
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Joselle Civil
Construction Manager
DMCI Project Developers Inc.
University of the Philippines - Diliman, 2013
UCLA Anderson, MBA Candidate '25
Engineering - Civil
Architecture, Construction & Design, Real Estate
Operations and Project Management
International Student, Scholarship Recipient, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Construction is "difficult, dirty, and dangerous", requiring work under pressure in challenging conditions.
2. The role involves managing multiple stakeholders, including bosses, architects, designers, subcontractors, engineers, workers, and local government units.
3. Tight budgets and schedules add significant pressure to the job.
Transcript
What is your biggest challenge in your current role?
Since no day is the same, construction is actually very, very stressful. The founder of our company used to say that construction is basically three Ds: difficult, dirty, and dangerous.
It's not glamorous. You are under the sun most of the time, and conditions can be dangerous. It's usually very hot, especially in the Philippines.
While all of this is going on, you have to work within a very tight budget and a very tight schedule, so there's a lot of pressure to conform to that. At the same time, you have to answer to a lot of stakeholders.
I have my boss, who is an area manager, and I also indirectly report to his boss, who is the Vice President for Construction. I also report to management sometimes. I have to deal with architects, designers, and trade subcontractors.
Of course, I also have to manage the engineers and the workers who are under me. Sometimes we even get complaints from the neighbors. We have the local government units bothering us if there's something happening on our site that isn't allowed or isn't part of the deal. So, those are some of the stressors and challenges.