Construction foreman

A construction foreman is the worker or tradesman who is in charge of a construction crew. While traditionally this role has been assumed by a senior male worker, the title in the modern sense is gender non-specific in intent. Normally the foreman is a construction worker with many years of experience in a particular trade who is charged with organizing the overall construction of a particular project. Typically the foreman is a person with specialist knowledge of a given trade who has moved into the position and is now focused on an overall management of all trades rather than any particular specialized group.

A good foreman is said by many engineers to be the keystone of their projects. Foremen are best understood as Project Managers who have come to that position after experience as a construction worker, as opposed to an individual who has followed a professional project management development program (for example a Lean Six Sigma Certificate).

Specifically, a foreman may train employees under his or her supervision, ensure appropriate use of equipment by employees, communicate progress on the project to a supervisor and maintain the employee schedule. Foremen may also arrange for materials to be at the construction site and evaluate plans for each construction job.

See also

• Construction
• Civil engineering