Managing a construction project efficiently can help prevent on-site problems from emerging. Challenges will arise in construction process, but with good preparation and flexibility, you can steer the project successfully. Construction involves many people from start to finish.
Here are some effective ways to manage a construction project for everyone involved.
Tip #1: Track Assets and Resources
A construction project of any size or type necessitates extensive documentation and monitoring. Track your assets carefully, from artistry and quality control checks to controlling costs using construction accounting software and ensuring deadlines are met.
Tip #2: Take a Safety-First Approach
To avoid injuries and property damage, take a safety-first approach to all construction projects and have a robust safety, inspection, and equipment maintenance program.
Tip #3: Set Clear Protocols and Expectations
Workers should know what is expected of them and management’s protocols and processes. Outline the consequences of repeated rule-breaking, especially as it pertains to safety.
Tip #4: Complete Routine Safety Inspections
Ensure the job site, equipment, and materials are monitored for signs of damage, wear, or malfunction. Routine inspections can help you address safety and security issues before they lead to larger issues or more dangerous scenarios later on.
Tip #5: Make Use of Software
It’s important to evolve with the times. If you don’t already use project management and construction accounting software for a project, do so. You can save hundreds of hours and manage a construction project more efficiently by utilizing the right software to support you.
Tip #6: Automate Your Monitoring
Use your construction software to automate what you manage as best as possible. So much data can be automatically registered, or reports automated from data inputted by others—time matters. Automate where you can.
Tip #7: Have Your Quality Control Processes
Don’t let a client-led inspection reveal construction project flaws. Improve your quality control processes by catching and resolving issues before the customer does. This will protect your reputation with the client.
Tip #8: Keep Worker Communications Open
Workers who require assistance or directives should be able to access it quickly. Be available to answer communications at critical moments. If this isn’t an expectation you can fulfill, assign it to someone who can.
Tip #9: Learn Negotiation Skills
Construction sites involve never-ending give-and-take between managers and clients and managers and workers. To run a construction project efficiently, one must know how to communicate with all types of people, regardless of background, culture, or belief system.
Tip #10: Delegate Effectively
There are hundreds—if not thousands—of moving parts in a construction project. Managing them all is impossible for one person. Delegate effectively. Don’t be afraid to assign key responsibilities and roles to others. Ensure they are given to workers you trust.
Tip #11: Hire the Best Team
The success of a construction project depends on the entire team. Who you hire is critical. Put your best leaders and workers on the project, with the right attitudes and experience, to ensure work is completed accurately, on time, and safely.
Tip #12: Project Delays Happen
If you monitor what’s happening on-site, you can forecast most project delays to a degree. Take them in stride, and do not be caught off-guard. Have a response ready. Be prepared to act quickly and make decisions without delay that have far-reaching effects.
Tip #13: Be Accountable
When there is an error on-site, ensure you take responsibility for it and hold yourself accountable. Management often blames the worker when it’s management’s fault for not implementing proper procedures. Address mistakes, correct them, and move on.
Tip #14: Set a Realistic Schedule
Don’t overwhelm your team with progress markers you cannot hit. This is a simple yet common mistake resulting from needing to be more ambitious. It results in poor performance and potential safety issues that can have catastrophic consequences.
Tip #15: Control Your Cash Flow
Ensure cash flow is carefully managed. Workers and contractors should be paid on time. You also want to ensure you’re paying your bills and suppliers immediately. This can all be done or automated through construction accounting software.
Tip #16: Don’t Be Cash-Strapped
If cash flow isn’t properly managed or there isn’t enough at a given time, you might have to wait until more cash is available. This is to pay a bill or move forward with a project. Planning and ensuring you don’t get into a negative cash flow situation is imperative.
Tip #17: Have Some Wiggle Room
Even if you’re a top-notch construction project manager, delays happen, and costs rise. You may encounter all sorts of setbacks that stretch your schedule and expenses. Have some wiggle room if this happens to protect your project’s profitability and client satisfaction.
