Managing a construction project is different from your typical project management assignment. There is arguably no project with as many moving parts as construction. Overseeing a project from start to finish requires a manager to know the time, budget, and resources and understand what to allocate, where and when. The variables constantly change, requiring pivots and adjustments that can challenge a project’s profitability.
Here are some key management tips for construction projects that form the bedrock of approaching one’s oversight.
Plan and Replay
Every successful construction project starts with a plan. Comb through all specifications, project scope, collaborators’ needs and requirements, and more. Have your plan ready. As you go through phases of construction, changes may occur. No worries! Sit down and replan. A construction project may necessitate occasional replanning to get things right.
Give Space for Collaboration
Let stakeholders have their say in the planning stages of a construction project. Create space for collaboration where others can make key decisions on a project as long as the majority are open to it. Refrain from isolating yourself from other stakeholders on the project. Only attempt to make some decisions alone, which will only cause tension between you and your clients or stakeholders.
Use Construction-Specific Software
When tapping into all the benefits of project management software, apps, and digital tools, ensure they’re tailored to the construction industry. Only construction management software can account for the true nuances of these projects. Using a generic management tool or accounting will only result in limitations and potentially a higher likelihood of errors.
Be Cautious When Scheduling
A tight schedule often fails because too much has to go right for it to come off perfectly. That said, a slow schedule means you could spend time waiting for phases to be completed and materials to arrive. Schedule cautiously, ensuring the materials, equipment, and labour you need are available for when you need them, even when that is ahead of schedule.
Manage Your Time Wisely
If there’s one thing construction managers are low on, it’s time. Expect to be pulled in lots of different directions. Even small tasks add up. Time management is a must. Ensure you have a rough schedule outline in your construction software and actively oversee the site.
Tackle Problems Individually
One problem at a time. Stay calm with dozens of issues that seemingly need your attention simultaneously. Fix one thing at a time, reducing the risk of mistakes or errors in judgment when trying to juggle everything all at once. Prioritize according to what makes sense to you. Avoid unnecessary downtime and delays by delegating problem-solving if/when needed.
Delegate Management Tasks
Project managers can only do some things themselves. Delegating means you trust your colleagues to complete tasks that will help clear off responsibilities in your role and assist the entire organization in performing. You need to hire the right people and assign them the right roles to delegate properly. Otherwise, you will be left trying to do everything yourself – an experiment that always fails.
Be Open to New Tech and Practices
Upcoming projects may require more than basic knowledge to complete. Be informed and open to using new technologies, practices, and materials when appropriate. New construction technology may speed up your work and allow you to deliver the result more efficiently.
Document Everything and Stay Organized
Construction projects create a lot of data. Capture it and store it on cloud storage. Use it in construction management software and keep it organized. Document as much as you can to ensure that things are running smoothly and that there is a verifiable record of contracts, checks, instructions, and actions. This ensures accountability and can help resolve disputes as they arise.
Keep Active Communications
Discuss project expectations and progress with contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and other project stakeholders to ensure everyone is on the same page. This may involve having hard mid-project conversations about goals that need to be achieved or achievable objectives under current circumstances. It does not matter how difficult the discussion is. Keep stakeholders informed.
Automate Reports
You can automate a lot on the admin side in construction management software. Automating reports will save you the most time. It’s also easy for software to do. Embrace automated reports generated from data you cull and route them to be sent to relevant stakeholders.
Don’t Be Afraid of Mistakes
Learn from your mistakes. After a project is completed, analyze your team’s performance. Identify areas of concern and consider how to complete the next project better. Most construction managers highlight the successes. At least privately, acknowledge where things went wrong or where there could have been a better outcome. Learn from it.
