Management Advisory Services

多様化する顧客ニーズに対応するために工務部で数年前から新しく取り組み始めた業務が、コンサルティング（マネジメント）業務です。主に、クライアントの建築に関する困りごとについて、アドバイスやリサーチを行い、時には土地や建物の取得に関する相談や行政協議、テナントの入居調整なども行います。CM/PM業務に近いですが、営業的な側面もありますね。

When we are usually doing Construction Supervision work including after-sales support, we often get consultations from clients saying "I don't know who to ask..." "I want you to look at the deterioration of the building I manage" "I want you to consult with me on another construction project" For clients, regardless of the business structure such as design and Construction Supervision, they consult us as "people who are knowledgeable about buildings". If necessary, we will escalate to the sales department (sales promotion department), but since they rely on us and ask us, we started with the desire to take on as much as possible in the construction department.

The projects that we handle are generally managed by the Sales Promotion Department, Architectural Design Department, Urban Environment Planning Department, Construction Management Department, etc., and the work is then assigned to the various departments responsible for structure, facilities, Landscape Design, cost consulting, and construction. However, when we take on a project, we become the "main task of the Construction Department," and as project managers, we assign work to each department. This has never happened before. There is an atmosphere within the company that supports our new challenges, and I feel that one of our strengths is that we are a flexible organization that is not bound by convention.

The atmosphere is really open and in a sense we are able to work freely. I think that breaking away from existing areas that are not bound by professional functions is what we should aim for as an architectural firm.

When working in Construction Supervision, you can acquire a wide range of skills across the entire construction industry, such as various knowledge about design and construction, on-site management skills, cost awareness, and schedule management know-how. It's very exciting to be able to use these skills to expand your own business opportunities.

A few years ago, I was in charge of Construction Supervision the site of a large-scale complex, which had multiple clients and was a project managed by another company. The COVID-19 pandemic hit midway through construction, and various adjustments were required regarding tenant occupancy. These are essentially the roles of the CM/PM, but at the request of the client, our company took on the management and adjustments, and the facility was able to open without incident. This was our first relationship with that client, and I believe that the reason we have since received many new orders, including advisory work for other new construction projects, is because we have earned their trust through these experiences.

Although it is best if construction can be completed without any trouble during the process, problems of various sizes arise at every construction site. Overcoming these problems one by one will undoubtedly help build stronger relationships of trust.

It's nice when people say "I'd like to work with the same team again" after the job is over, and it's great when they say "I'd like you to at least Construction Supervision."

In Singapore, there is no job called "Construction Supervision" and the work is divided into more specific roles. One Construction Supervision does not handle such a wide range of tasks. I think this is why Construction Supervision in Japan can handle CM-type work as well. However, I have to learn a lot of technical terms, so I am studying hard. Also, when I first saw a Japanese construction site, I was really surprised by how clean and orderly it was. Of course, the high level of construction technology is impressive, but I think this is an example for other Asian countries.

We can help with anything other than design. When building a building, a wide variety of problems arise and various procedures and documents are required. However, for a typical company, a new building such as a company premises is built once every few decades, so there are many cases where things are different from before and unknown. At the same time, it is difficult to ask a company that you do not usually deal with to do small chores. In that respect, our construction department is available to consult about defects and maintenance even after completion, and we are aware of the current situation in a timely manner, so I think we are someone you can consult about anything with ease. It is very pleasing.

I am really surprised by the breadth of work, or rather, the range of responsibilities and wide range of friendships that Mr. Nishimura and the rest of the Engineering Department have (laughs).

As I mentioned earlier, our company prioritizes relationships with clients, and various departments, not just the sales department, act as contact points, but unlike projects managed by the Architectural Design department, I feel that many of the projects in the construction department are initiated by a "problem." Also, recently, we have been receiving many consultations from foreign-affiliated companies.

There are many different reasons why we work together, but most of the time it starts with working together on a project. Currently, we are working on a new project to assist a foreign company that is considering purchasing multiple buildings (checking drawings, on-site inspections upon completion, etc.), as well as CM and third-party Construction Supervision work for Renovation of an existing facility under its own brand. Dion, who was transferred from Singapore at the perfect time, has joined us in this project, and he is a great help in meetings, taking the lead and even translating documents.

We are currently managing the Renovation of the second hotel building. The company also introduced us to another real estate company in Singapore, and we plan to continue managing a hotel Renovation project in the Kansai region.

Recently, we have been doing a lot of "advisory work" for demolition work. Since we are not constructing a building, there is no legal need for Construction Supervision, and of course the company doing the demolition work has a site manager. However, in cases where the site or existing building is unique, or where consideration for the surrounding area is required, the client will have endless concerns. I think we are useful in easing those concerns, even if only a little.

We have accumulated know-how from working in tense on-site locations in urban areas such as Marunouchi. We work closely with our clients and, if requested, we can take on the task of "demolition advisory work" for properties designed by our company, as well as properties designed by other companies, and even if there are no plans for new construction. We provide advice on construction work, support in selecting contractors, and check and report on the progress of construction work.

We also check the blueprints of the new building to see if there are any foundations of existing buildings that would not be affected if left in place. It would be a waste to incur unnecessary demolition costs. I think it's wonderful that we can give such advice.

I never imagined that I would be able to do such a wide range of "colorful" work, not just the manufacturing job I initially wanted, so every day is fun. A lot of dramatic things happen. I'm also happy to be able to use my bilingual skills in Japanese and English.

I feel like I have gained a lot of experience not only through management advisory but also through Construction Supervision work. Especially when you are a new employee, you can immerse yourself in the field. You can really experience a lot of different things, so you can grow as a person. I think it is an attractive job.

The two different scenes of the quiet, empty house the day before the handover and the scene the day after the handover, with many people involved in the project celebrating its completion, are very different experiences and moving. It's a moment when I think I'm glad I do this job.

I also find nothing more satisfying than seeing my clients' smiles. For the development project we are currently working on, we have been entrusted with consistent management from the planning stage through to planning, design and construction. This is a bigger job than we have ever done before, so I'm sure it will be a thrill when it is completed.

Since I started working in management advisory and my business expanded, I think my usual Construction Supervision work has become more profound. My perspective has broadened dramatically, and my knowledge and communication skills have improved, which has naturally resulted in Construction Supervision skills improving as well. When I form a joint venture with another company for design and Construction Supervision, people often ask me, "Are you really going to go that far?"

As I mentioned earlier, our construction department has a good atmosphere, and individual ways of thinking and methods are respected when working. Of course, our main business of Construction Supervision is our know-how and experience that other companies do not have, and we have many strengths as an organizational design firm, but we have the spirit to cooperate with other professions beyond our own field for the sake of our clients, and we are confident that we can always help.

I'm sure that's because the Construction Department has a track record of managing the site, communicating well with the contractors, and ensuring quality. We're proud that the contractors trust us. Also, as a new graduate, you'll have classmates in the design, structural, and equipment departments, so it's a great environment to be in and you can easily exchange information and ask for advice. Seeing your classmates' hard work also boosts your motivation. When I was a student, I really loved architecture and manufacturing, but I didn't know what I wanted to be... but now I can confidently say that I'm glad I chose to work in Mitsubishi Jisho Design 's Construction Department.