Construction site managers need to look after, from people to materials, designs, processes, and technologies. Their job involves constant construction site monitoring throughout the project as well as managing every single aspect of the project. In-depth knowledge and people management skills matter, they cannot help alone. Technology and reliable construction software development company expertise are the keys to easing construction site management, increasing workflow efficiencies, reducing costs, and enhancing quality.
Additionally, effective strategies can help you boost your business to a new level and overtake competitors in tough competition. Intelvision has highlighted the top ones that can help with construction management.
Table of Contents
Strategy #1: Plan for Contingencies (Better to Be Prepared Than Not)
According to KPMG, only 25% of construction projects came within 10% of the original deadlines.
The industry is unpredictable, and therefore, planning for contingencies isn’t a choice for businesses. Even a slim error can topple the entire project. Just look at Boston’s Big Dig as one of the biggest construction overrun disasters in history. The city launched the project in 1991 to deal with the miserable traffic situation in the city. It involved replacing a six-lane highway with an underground road of eight to ten lanes, some of it running under the Boston Harbor.
The project was scheduled for completion in 1998 and was supposed to cost $2.6 billion. However, it finished in 2007 and ended up costing $14.8 billion, although the interest accrued over that period means it probably cost more like $22 billion—10 times its budgeted cost.
A sudden spell of bad weather, a last-moment change order, or an issue with design or material can delay the project or affect the budget. It is better to have margins for such situations.
Source: Target Careers UK
Strategy #2: Embrace a Flexible Approach
According to McKinsey Global Institute, large construction projects typically take 20% longer to finish than scheduled, and are up to 80% over budget.
It is critical to be flexible in an environment where things can change dramatically and rapidly. The world is developing, and this provokes changes. Problems can arise from a reluctance to change one’s views and a lack of flexibility. Boost your level of flexibility and always see change as an opportunity: when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
Strategy #3: Start Your Digital Transformation Journey
McKinsey Global Institute proved that the engineering & construction sector is amongst the least digitized sectors nowadays.
Since the sector is far behind others in terms of digitization, construction companies need to do everything possible to adopt the latest software solutions and innovative technology at the earliest. Custom software solutions are considered the most effective, as they are designed taking into account the specifics of your business or a specific project, your goals, and priorities. However, you can also use ready-made solutions, just to start your digital transformation at some point.
Strategy #4: Build a Culture of Collaboration
According to Autodesk & Dodge Data & Analytics, around 60% of construction contractors see problems with communication and coordination between team members and quality issues with contract documents as the main contributors to lower labor productivity.
The interaction between all project participants in the construction industry can be safely called a key factor necessary for the successful process organization—from idea to commissioning. Imagine a room where there are several tables: one or two people sit at each of them, and sometimes they shout something to each other across the room or pass papers through several pairs of hands. How productive is it? The construction site manager has to act like a leader and ensure that everyone else on the team shares the project vision.
What else? Listen to your staff! Your workers are your eyes and ears on the site. If something is going wrong or could be going better, they will more likely know before you do (especially if you don’t use technology). Get experienced workers involved early in the planning process to spot potential problems, and stay in contact daily throughout the construction project.
In addition, employees need to feel that generating new ideas within the company is safe and that no one will make fun of them. If the employee feels the opposite, he will treat others in the same way.
Source: Build Magazine
In a Nutshell
These versatile and simple at first glance strategies can take a construction company on the right track and make it future-ready considering that every year, new technologies are developed, and competition in the field is constantly growing. At the same time, the right software solution can help in building a more productive and satisfied workforce that will be ready to add value to the projects and business as a whole.
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