8 Essential tips to keep your construction project right on schedule
The construction industry is one of the most developed industries in which investors annually infuse several trillion dollars. However, research results show that two-thirds of their projects are never realized - at least not on time. Breaking deadlines means increasing the cost of work, but also damaging the image of the company. Construction projects are one of the longest and most complex. Many factors can cause delays, such as worker injuries, rise in costs, damage to equipment, or even natural disasters. We cannot eliminate a majority of the risks. On the other hand, certain procedures and tools can help you successfully manage a project and complete it on time.
1. Clear goals
Every good construction project needs a good foundation, and the foundation of the project are its goals. Clearly defined goals are important because the management can organize the distribution of labor, determine the resources, budget levels, and potential risks. Make your expectations realistic. Base your goals on past results or the results of your competitors. Objectives should also be measurable to evaluate the success of implemented decisions based on achieved performance.
2. Project planning
The project plan is the “road map” of the project. It sets out how you're going to achieve the objectives. The purpose of the project plan is to inform team members, suppliers, and customers about the expected results and the time frame in which you'll complete the project. You should break the project down into tasks that are shared among team members. Obligations must be clearly defined, so that the desired result is achieved within the set period.
3. Creating a timeline
After clearly defining the tasks and dividing the project into phases, you should define the time for their implementation and the time for fulfilling the project in full. Various tools and analyzes are available to the management for calculating the earliest and latest start and end of activities.
4. Good communication
The number of entities involved in development and implementation contribute to the complexity of construction projects. The success of the project will depend on their harmonization and coordination. Each company develops a unique culture of behavior on which it bases its obligations and responsibilities, monitors the input of project team members, and works on the exchange of knowledge and overcoming conflict situations. Good communication and coordination are necessary for a successful project and you can achieve it by staging regular meetings.
1. Clear goals
Every good construction project needs a good foundation, and the foundation of the project are its goals. Clearly defined goals are important because the management can organize the distribution of labor, determine the resources, budget levels, and potential risks. Make your expectations realistic. Base your goals on past results or the results of your competitors. Objectives should also be measurable to evaluate the success of implemented decisions based on achieved performance.
2. Project planning
The project plan is the “road map” of the project. It sets out how you're going to achieve the objectives. The purpose of the project plan is to inform team members, suppliers, and customers about the expected results and the time frame in which you'll complete the project. You should break the project down into tasks that are shared among team members. Obligations must be clearly defined, so that the desired result is achieved within the set period.
3. Creating a timeline
After clearly defining the tasks and dividing the project into phases, you should define the time for their implementation and the time for fulfilling the project in full. Various tools and analyzes are available to the management for calculating the earliest and latest start and end of activities.
4. Good communication
The number of entities involved in development and implementation contribute to the complexity of construction projects. The success of the project will depend on their harmonization and coordination. Each company develops a unique culture of behavior on which it bases its obligations and responsibilities, monitors the input of project team members, and works on the exchange of knowledge and overcoming conflict situations. Good communication and coordination are necessary for a successful project and you can achieve it by staging regular meetings.
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5. The need for quality software
Good communication also requires good digital networking. You can accomplish this by using software tools. Adequate construction workflow automation lets you manage and control a large amount of data that includes budgets, drafts, minutes of meetings, contracts, and more. The data must be easily accessible to team members, but also safe from foreign intrusions. Software is also a solution for long-term data archiving without high costs. |
6. The importance of monitoring and control
In parallel with the project implementation phase, it is necessary to perform monitoring and control. This ensures that progress is in line with the overall project management plan. Managers usually make cross-sections of monthly situations in cooperation with the contractor, investor, and the supervisory body. With regular monitoring, the manager will notice deviations from the plan in time and react to them quickly.
7. Follow the weather
Construction projects require a combination of many skills and knowledge. Thus, monitoring the market situation is as important as monitoring the weather since bad weather is the primary cause of delays in the construction industry. Therefore, you should check the weather in advance and make plans based on the forecast.
8. What if a risky event happens
Deviations from the timeframe may also occur due to an error in the execution of works or its unsatisfactory quality. Delay in delivery of the material to the construction site is also a common cause of broken deadlines. In such circumstances, there is no need to panic. A good plan anticipates most of the risks. The management assesses corrective measures and adjusts the plan to new circumstances. If there is no precise response plan for the realized risk, the project teams have to resort to the good, old solution - improvisation. This is where the experience and skill of the team are tested.
A manager should take into account unplanned situations and solutions to overcome in all phases of the project. To achieve that, a manager should use all available resources, technology, and methods. Projects designed this way can save a lot of time and money.
In parallel with the project implementation phase, it is necessary to perform monitoring and control. This ensures that progress is in line with the overall project management plan. Managers usually make cross-sections of monthly situations in cooperation with the contractor, investor, and the supervisory body. With regular monitoring, the manager will notice deviations from the plan in time and react to them quickly.
7. Follow the weather
Construction projects require a combination of many skills and knowledge. Thus, monitoring the market situation is as important as monitoring the weather since bad weather is the primary cause of delays in the construction industry. Therefore, you should check the weather in advance and make plans based on the forecast.
8. What if a risky event happens
Deviations from the timeframe may also occur due to an error in the execution of works or its unsatisfactory quality. Delay in delivery of the material to the construction site is also a common cause of broken deadlines. In such circumstances, there is no need to panic. A good plan anticipates most of the risks. The management assesses corrective measures and adjusts the plan to new circumstances. If there is no precise response plan for the realized risk, the project teams have to resort to the good, old solution - improvisation. This is where the experience and skill of the team are tested.
A manager should take into account unplanned situations and solutions to overcome in all phases of the project. To achieve that, a manager should use all available resources, technology, and methods. Projects designed this way can save a lot of time and money.
