Construction Management
Boots on the ground. Eyes on the details. We manage execution to ensure your project is built to spec, safely and efficiently.
While project managers coordinate the big picture, construction managers operate directly on-site — solving problems in real time, coordinating contractors, and ensuring quality at every step.
Our Construction Management Services
Contractor Coordination
- Daily site oversight and supervision
- Work sequencing and schedule enforcement
- Interface management between trades
- Monitoring progress vs. plan
QA/QC and Compliance
- Quality assurance and site inspection
- Defect prevention and resolution
- Compliance with design, codes, and specs
- Punch-list management
Safety Management
- Enforcing site safety protocols
- Monitoring contractor safety performance
- Risk identification and mitigation
- Emergency response planning
Issue Resolution
- Real-time problem solving with contractors
- RFI and variation tracking support
- Coordination with designers and PM
- Progress recovery when delays arise
Why It Matters
A strong Construction Manager protects your project on-site — preventing errors, resolving delays, and ensuring teams are aligned and accountable. When execution matters, real-time leadership makes the difference.
- Stay ahead of quality and safety issues
- Ensure construction matches design intent
- Keep contractors on track and informed
- Respond faster to real-world challenges
Case Study
Construction Management During Language Barriers & Covid-19 Disruptions
Strengthening construction quality and compliance through structured communication, independent verification, and adaptive sequencing.
Executive Summary
Chenla provided construction management services for a confidential government office project in Phnom Penh, delivering structured oversight across quality, compliance, communication, and progress control. Over 3 years and 4 months, the team ensured shared technical understanding despite language barriers, implemented disciplined QA/QC workflows, adapted sequencing during Covid-19, and strengthened coordination across contractors, designers, committees, and specialist vendors. Our involvement raised construction standards, reduced ambiguity, and supported the Owner in maintaining progress under challenging conditions.
Project Snapshot
- Client
- Government Office Project (Confidential)
- Location
- Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Contract Value
- Confidential
- Duration
- 3 years 4 months
- Services Delivered
- Construction Management, Site Coordination & Communication Management, QA/QC Oversight & Inspection, Method Statement & Shop Drawing Review, Independent Material Verification & Testing, Progress Monitoring & Schedule Alignment, Covid-19 Sequencing & Adaptation Planning, Stakeholder Coordination, Technical Reporting & Decision Support
The Challenge
The context, constraints, and risks shaping the project from the start.
The project involved diverse contractors, design teams, internal committees, and specialist vendors. Multiple working languages, inconsistent documentation practices, and varied interpretations of inspection criteria created misalignment on-site. Covid-19 disruptions introduced labor shortages, supply delays, and the need for frequent resequencing. The Owner required a structured CM system to ensure clarity, quality, and predictable progress.
Complexity
- Communication across English, Khmer, and Thai required structured documentation and translation support.
- Frequent discrepancies between drawings, methods, and on-site practice demanded coordinated resolution.
- Covid-19 caused unpredictable labor availability, requiring dynamic resequencing of works.
- Multiple committees and authorities required clear reporting and consistent interpretation of standards.
- Material quality varied significantly across suppliers, necessitating independent verification and testing.
What Was at Stake
Without disciplined oversight, the project risked inconsistent workmanship, inspection failures, non-compliant materials, and prolonged delays—especially during Covid-19. Miscommunication across languages threatened decision-making and alignment, while unclear standards risked rework and disputes. Maintaining progress under uncertainty required a robust coordination and verification system.
How Chenla Stepped In
The targeted actions we took to resolve the core issues.
Chenla established clear construction expectations, implemented structured English communication with translation, strengthened QA/QC workflows, coordinated technical decisions across disciplines, and adapted work sequencing during Covid-19. Independent material testing and systematic documentation reinforced compliance and accountability across all trades.
Key Actions
- Implemented structured English communication supported by translation and visual documentation.
- Standardized interpretation of drawings, inspection criteria, and workmanship expectations.
- Aligned construction methods, shop drawings, and testing plans before execution.
- Performed independent material tests to verify supplier claims and ensure compliance.
- Conducted frequent inspections for design intent, specification compliance, and statutory requirements.
- Re-sequenced works and redirected suitable tasks to local contractors during Covid-19 disruptions.
- Facilitated technical coordination between contractor, designers, committees, and specialist vendors.
- Maintained transparent reporting and early-warning communication with the Owner.
Solution Highlights
What Chenla delivered to address the project's challenges.
Building a Shared Technical Baseline
We unified expectations across languages and teams by standardizing communication, drawings interpretation, and inspection criteria.
Strengthening Compliance Through Verification
Independent material testing, structured inspections, and clear documentation tightened quality control and reduced ambiguity.
Adapting Sequencing During Covid-19
Continuous progress validation and resequencing ensured work continued despite disruptions to labor and supply chains.
Coordinating Stakeholders With Clarity
We facilitated structured communication among contractors, designers, committees, and vendors, accelerating decisions and reducing rework.
Outcomes
What changed for the client as a direct result of our intervention.
Operational Results
- Shared technical understanding across all contractors and committees despite language barriers.
- Improved quality and compliance through standardized inspections and independent testing.
- Covid-19 delays mitigated through adaptive sequencing and targeted reassignment of work.
- Reduced ambiguity in site decisions through structured reporting and clear documentation.
- Higher readiness for inspections and authority engagement through disciplined housekeeping and organization.
Client Benefits
- Confidence that construction quality met national expectations and design requirements.
- Improved coordination between contractor, designers, committees, and specialist vendors.
- Reduced disruptions through early identification of risks and structured intervention.
- Clear visibility of progress, technical issues, and compliance risks.
- A more predictable and accountable construction environment despite external constraints.
PROJECT DOCUMENTATION & OUTPUTS
Master Schedule Overview
High-level project programme used for progress validation, resequencing, and alignment across stakeholders.
Material Approvals & Documentation
Approval forms and documented reviews of materials, shop drawings, and method statements.
Method Statement & Shop Drawing Review
Structured evaluation of contractor submissions to ensure compliance with design intent and specification.
Independent Laboratory Testing
Laboratory test reports used to verify material performance beyond supplier certificates.
Material Inspection Checklist
On-site verification of delivered materials, including visual checks, documentation review, and compliance confirmation.
Inspection & Testing Checklist (ITC)
Structured inspection checklist ensuring works complied with drawings, standards, and approved methods.
Defects Inspection Documentation
Before-and-after defect inspection records documenting corrective actions and completion with visual proof.
CM Workflow
How we structured and delivered the work from planning to handover.
Our construction management workflow establishes clarity, strengthens compliance, and maintains momentum—even under uncertain or disruptive conditions. Structured communication, independent verification, and disciplined site coordination formed the backbone of project delivery.
Communication & Coordination
- Structured English communication supplemented with translation and visual clarification.
- Daily coordination across contractors, designers, committees, and specialist vendors.
- Decision documentation to reduce ambiguity and prevent rework.
QA/QC & Compliance Control
- Review of shop drawings, methods, and testing plans before execution.
- Frequent site inspections for workmanship and compliance.
- Independent material testing to validate specifications and performance.
Progress Monitoring & Sequencing
- Continuous validation against the master schedule.
- Adaptive sequencing to manage Covid-19 disruptions.
- Identification of delays and presentation of recovery options.
Documentation & Reporting
- Clear reporting to the Owner on progress, issues, and compliance.
- Documentation of decisions and inspection results for traceability.
- Support for committees and authorities through organized technical evidence.
Need on-site leadership?
Start your project brief below — we’ll connect you with our construction management team to plan the next steps.