What Does Client-Side Mean in Construction?

“Client-side” means working for, or directly representing, the organisation commissioning the project. In construction that client might be a property owner, developer, school, hospital, university, government agency or business fitting out premises. The term tells you whose needs the role is meant to serve.

A client-side project manager helps that organisation turn its objectives into a brief and make informed choices as design and construction progress. A client-side design adviser might check whether a contractor’s proposal meets the owner’s requirements. The actual authority of either adviser still depends on the appointment and contract.

What is the other side?

The contractor is engaged to deliver agreed works. Its project manager coordinates design where required, procurement, subcontractors, site work and contractual submissions. The owner and contractor need a working relationship, but their obligations are different.

Consider a hospital refurbishment. The client-side team is concerned with clinical operations, access, infection control requirements, budget approval and whether the completed rooms meet the brief. The contractor plans and executes the works under the contract. Both must coordinate, especially while the facility remains open.

Does client-side mean independent?

It can. An owner may appoint an external consultancy to provide experienced advice and representation. It can also employ an internal project manager. Independence from the builder is useful, but the word “client-side” does not itself guarantee impartiality, professional registration or authority to approve changes.

Does procurement change the role?

Yes. With traditional procurement, the client may directly appoint its designers and later the builder. In design and construct, the builder commonly engages the designers to complete the design. The client’s team then needs particular clarity about the brief, review points and how design changes are assessed. Victorian Government guidance discusses the different levels of design control in these approaches.

Ask four questions on any project: Who is the client? Who appoints this person? What may they decide? Who receives their report? The answers explain the role better than the label. See the full client-side project management guide.

Sources and further reading

• Australian Institute of Architects — independent role of the project manager
• Office of the Victorian Government Architect — procurement of buildings