INTRODUCTION There are two reasons the authors of this career guide chose the title What is your Construction Management VQ (Value Quotient)? It completes a trilogy, complementing two other publications What is your Construction Management IQ? and What is your Construction Management EQ? Also, and most importantly, a career guide implies a focus on an early career, however, this document is intended as a guide to benefit a professional CM at any career phase since value is timeless. “VQ” stands for Value Quotient and it’s important to agree on what is meant by value as it relates to this discussion. The Oxford English Dictionary defines value as simply, “The regard that something is held to deserve or the importance, worth, or usefulness of something.” It’s appropriate for us to understand the concept of value as it relates to Construction Management (CM) for Construction Managers (CMs). In fact, the fundamental idea behind the creation and growth of the CM industry was that an independent entity could add value to the design and construction process. As CMs, we don’t design or necessarily build anything, but by representing the interests of the owner, we add value to the ownership, design, and construction of a project. Day in and day out, as CMs, we strive to bring real value to our clients. Value permeates every aspect of our working practice. We add value to our clients’ capital construction programs by ensuring they manage their risks and select the best teams and contracting strategies for their projects. We add value to the construction professionals’ efforts by ensuring they get the answers they need and are paid fairly and quickly. We add value to the quality and effectiveness of on-site safety programs by helping to establish the mind-set of all the project team members on the site that safety is everyone’s responsibility. We add value to design and construction efforts by keeping schedules and budgets on track and focusing the designer, builder, and owner on critical issues through clear and concise communications. Meeting agendas are issued in advance, meetings are well documented, follow-up actions are completed, and much, much more. If we do our jobs right, construction projects are achieved more effectively, creating significant value for our clients. When you finish digesting this text, there are a few things you should do to ensure the time spent on this effort provides the most value to you. First, sit down and as honestly as possible do a self-evaluation of your current value to your project team, your employer, and your client. Second, ask your current and/or past mentor to assess your value from the same three perspectives. And finally, develop a plan to improve your CM Value Quotient. It’s one of the most valuable investments you can make in your professional life. Thanks for reading…and have an illustrious career. CMAA College of Fellows iii