There is often confusion about the terms commonly used to describe the various aspects of construction program management. Following are descriptions of each of the most common terms in its most generally accepted usage:

Project Management encompasses the life of the project; it is the professional management of a single project from the planning and design phase through closeout and occupancy. Project management services may include:

• Project definition
  
• Developing a realistic and complete budget
  
• Schedule of planning and design activities
  
• Management information system
  
• Cost and budget control system
  
• Schedule and quality control
  
• Review of documents for coordination and constructability
  
• Any of the items listed above under construction management

Program Management involves multiple projects; it is the development of a comprehensive program for the design, development and implementation of a large-scale multi-project facilities program, generally occurring over several years or longer. Program management services may include:

• Condition assessments
  
• Facilities master planning
  
• Implementation planning
  
• Master program schedule
  
• Program budget & budget control system
  
• Cash flow analysis
  
• Project prioritization
  
• Management information system

Construction management occurs during construction; it includes the management of the bid and award, construction and close-out phases of a single project. Construction management services may include:

• Optimizing strategies for purchasing and phasing construction
  
• Marketing to bidders to ensure competitive prices
  
• Schedule control
  
• Cost control
  
• Quality control
  
• Closeout and document turnover
  
• Transition to occupancy
  
• Post-occupancy evaluation