What does it take to keep a job site running smoothly, crews on schedule, and materials arriving on time?
In the world of construction, the Project Manager is the glue holding it all together. From early site walkthroughs to late-day calls with suppliers, their day is a fast-paced mix of planning, problem-solving, and boots-on-the-ground leadership. It’s not just about blueprints and budgets—it’s about managing people, timelines, and expectations with precision.
We interviewed two Roers Project Managers, one from Fargo and one from Dickinson, to see how their days run on either side of the state.
A Day in the Life of a Project Manager: Organized Chaos, Powered by Coffee – by Dalton Olson, Fargo Project Manager
Every day starts the same way: coffee first, always.
Once I’ve got that essential cup in hand, I dive into my inbox to catch up on emails from the day before. Some need quick replies, while others kick off longer conversations—often with architects or engineers. That’s when I hop into Procore to draft and submit RFIs (Request for Information) so we can keep projects moving forward.
Morning Check-Ins & Planning Ahead
After emails and RFIs, it’s time to connect with my superintendents. These morning check-ins are key. We talk through what’s happening onsite, what support they might need, and any questions or issues that have popped up. Communication here sets the tone for the whole day.
If we have a subcontractor meeting scheduled, that kicks planning into high gear. We put together a six-week look-ahead schedule to map out upcoming work and major milestones. Once that’s ready, I sync up with the superintendents again to make sure we’re aligned on key dates and deliverables.
Midday: Multitasking in Motion
The rest of the day? It’s a mix of problem-solving and coordination. The phone rings constantly with questions from the field, and I’m regularly flipping through plans, studying building sections and details to provide answers.
Later in the day, it’s time to get out of the office and onto the jobsite. If we’ve got a subcontractor meeting, we start with a walkthrough. This is our chance to see the real-time progress, take tons of photos, and identify any issues before they become problems. Then it’s back to the jobsite trailer to prep for the meeting itself.
Subcontractor Meetings: Where It All Comes Together
During our meetings, we cover everything—manpower, work completed and anticipated, upcoming deliveries, coordination between trades, and any challenges we need to tackle. It’s a fast-paced conversation, but it’s where all the planning meets execution.
After the meeting, I head back to my desk to upload notes and photos, then dive back into the rest of the to-dos: emails, reviewing submittals, logging Proposal Requests from owners or architects, and keeping everything up to date in Procore.
Organized Chaos—Just How I Like It
No two days are exactly the same in this role, but that’s what makes it exciting. It’s a constant blend of strategy, communication, and problem-solving. And yes, lots of coffee.
A Day in the Life of a Project Manager out West – by Jerry Schiff, Dickinson Project Manager.
One of the most interesting parts of being a Project Manager is that no two days are ever the same. A single email or phone call can completely shift the direction of your day, which keeps things dynamic—but also requires flexibility and focus.
That said, I do have a general rhythm to my day that helps keep everything moving forward.
Morning Routine: Starting with Clarity
My day usually begins by checking emails and voicemails to catch anything that needs immediate attention. Prioritizing these early helps me set the tone and avoid surprises later on.
Next, I pull up the TrueLook cameras on my job sites. It’s a quick way to see who’s on site and get a real-time sense of how everything looks. From there, I dive into Procore to review the daily log from the previous day and flag anything that might need follow-up.
I also take a few minutes to look through any new project photos that have been uploaded. They give valuable insight into progress and can sometimes reveal issues before they’re formally reported.
Team Check-Ins
Communication is key in this role, so I make it a point to touch base with my onsite superintendent and/or project engineer. Whether it’s a quick call or a longer discussion, these check-ins help us stay aligned and give me a pulse on how the job is progressing.
Midweek Meetings
Tuesdays and Thursdays tend to be more meeting-heavy. I usually have scheduled project meetings on those mornings, which means some prep work—gathering reports, updating slides, or reviewing outstanding items beforehand.
Afternoon Focus Time
I try to reserve afternoons for focused desk work: reviewing submittals, drafting or processing change orders, and handling the various pieces of project paperwork that keep everything running behind the scenes. It’s not glamorous, but it’s essential.
Depending on how the day has gone, I might check in again with the superintendent or project engineer later in the afternoon to wrap things up and make sure we’re on track heading into the next day.
Although different, you can see the similarities of each of their days. If you are interested in seeing more of what we do across the state and in the region, check out our INTERACTIVE MAP.
