Summary

This review explains Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management (EPCM). Links to several books, consulting and contracting companies specializing in EPCM are given.

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INTRODUCTION

EPCM stands for Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management as far as this article is concerned. There are other meanings that might bedevil you if you do a Google search. For example consider Essential Procedures for Clinical Microbiology or European Project & Change Management. The one I liked best was European Photonics Clusters Meeting.

As the EPCM Consultants Home Site says "we provide a range of project services, from feasibility studies to commissioning and operations support."

EPC VERSUS EPCM

To make matters more confusing, there is sometimes another acronym, namely EPC. Is EPC different from EPCM? One view is no, as epitomized by this comment from Eng-Tips Forums:

"There is no absolute definition. Most large consulting companies call themselves EPC and/or EPCM. Think Bechtel, Fluor, Jacobs, Kellogg, etc. They all act as the main contractor, sub-contractor - often at the same time, on different projects in-house, and to/with each other. It's one of those industry jargon acronyms that people throw around, and most don't really know its exact definition/meaning, and now, it doesn't have an exact definition/meaning."

This is not quite true. For there is a difference between EPC and EPCM, as noted by another commenter to Eng-Tips Forums:

EPC means the company is contracted to provide engineering, procurement and construction services. Think Design & Construct style contracts, where the project is largely Contractor managed and the cost risk and control are weighted towards the Contractor and away from the Owner.

EPCM means the company is contracted to provide engineering, procurement and construction management services. Other companies are contracted by the Owner to provide construction services and they are usually managed by the EPCM contractor on the Owner's behalf. Think professional services contracts, where the project is largely Owner managed and the cost risk and control is weighted towards the Owner