Why Choose an MBA in CPM over a general MBA

Construction Projects are complex endeavors that necessitate the need for intricate planning, organized efforts, and management. As a result of this, the role of a project manager becomes key to the success of any such project. Furthermore, in India, the construction and real estate industry is one of the fastest growing industries and this growth has led to a surge in the demand for qualified and skilled professionals in the industry, with an emphasis on project management.

Project Managers are in charge of overseeing the all the processes with regards to the construction, from the initial planning stages and design stages to the final inspection and handover of the complete project. They are responsible for maintaining and managing the team under them all while ensuring that deadlines are met, targets achieved, and every process is completed under the set budget. The best way to learn the necessary skills to tackle such tasks and responsibilities in such an industry would be to pursue an MBA in Construction Project Management(CPM).

While a general MBA can provide a broad understanding of the business environment, an MBA in Construction Project Management focuses on the unique challenges of the Construction and Real Estate Industry. Students will graduate with the skills and knowledge needed to become successful project managers in the industry.           

Some of the advantages an MBA in CPM is has as compared to a general MBA while heading into the Construction and Real Estate industry are as stated below:

1.   Provides students with specialized focus on the Construction and Real Estate Industry, allowing them to gain knowledge specific to the industry, including the various stages of the construction project, the materials & technologies required and the responsibilities of various professionals involved in the construction project.

2.   The course is fraught with opportunities for hands-on learning, providing students with a chance to work on real life construction projects such as commercial office, hotels, hospitals, institutional buildings, etc. and allowing them to learn how to effectively manage them. The valuable skills and practical knowledge that this hand-on experience provides of the industry cannot be matched while doing a general MBA.

3.   Pursuing an MBA in CPM allows for various career opportunities in the Construction and Real Estate Industry, providing students to work as Project Managers, Construction Managers, Estimators, Quantity Surveyors, Facilities Managers and so forth. With the help of the specialized skills and knowledge gained by the students, they can advance their careers monumentally and can become leaders in an industry that demands qualified personnel.

4.   A good MBA in CPM programme, such as those provided by top institutes such as RICS-SBE, MIT College of Management have strong ties to industry leaders and professionals allowing students to network with said professionals and look for potential job opportunities.

5.   Being graduates from an MBA in CPM can lead for you to command better and higher salaries/packages than those with a general MBA due to the specialized knowledge and skills students possess. Employers are willing to pay a premium for qualified and skilled professionals in an industry which is known to be competitive.

In conclusion, it should be noted that pursuing an MBA in CPM can be extremely beneficial for construction and real estate professionals. The programme focuses on the unique challenges of project management and provides hands-on learning opportunities, career advancements, industry connections and higher salaries/packages. With the Construction and Real Estate of India set to reach USD 738.5 million in 2022, the demand for project managers is increasing, for an individual aiming to be a project manager or construction manager, an MBA in CPM would make a lot more sense than a general MBA.