Book excerpt: In today's commercial construction industry, the demand for sustainable construction methods and green building techniques are growing at a rapid pace. A practical user friendly reference, Green Construction Project Management and Cost Oversight, Second Edition, provides project and cost management tools to ensure cost savings for every phase of the green construction project. This second edition directly targets the needs of construction professionals who are not only interested in green construction practices but also in budget planning and oversight. Expanded to include vital information for green building compliance standards and certification, Green Construction Management and Cost Oversight, Second Edition links project management tools with the cost management methods needed to construct high-performance, innovative green buildings. Based on over 30 years of experience, this reference identifies the common obstacles encountered during green construction projects and offers solutions to overcome those barriers. Provides options to minimize green construction cost and optimize efficient green construction management processes Expanded to include the latest in green building compliance standards and certification tools and techniques Provides techniques for balancing the short-term cost with the long term gains of green construction