Unforeseen delays, change requests, and inclement weather can wreak havoc on your project timelines. Whatever the size of your project, the smallest delays can put a damper on your progress. Forget a permit and you can face delays and fines. But careful organization will help you to manage every aspect of your project from the first bid to the final day. A good project manager will have the skills to overcome these obstacles. Here are a few tips to help you keep your projects on track.
1. Take Care of Odd Details Early
Over the specs at the start of your project and make sure everything is included in your original estimate. Highlight unusual items which will have long delivery times and order them early. The alternative is to wait around for these items to arrive after everything else is done. Remember, that estimates are a major marketing feature for any contractor, and any perceived inconsistencies can hurt your referrals.
2. Prepare System Drawings
Consider a fire alarm system. Each device in the system may have a designated location like 'Lobby 1' or 'Stair 4,' but the plan lacks the details about the exact position of the device. You know device X belongs in Stairwell 2, but where exactly? That's what you want to set down in advance. Settling such details can save a lot of time and grief about cable grouping, conduit routing, and conduit size.
3. Stay on Schedule
This may seem obvious, but it's critical. Setbacks are inevitable. That means you have to plan for them. It's important to be vigilant in your efforts to stay on schedule. The consequences of failing to stay on schedule are unhappy clients, excessive labor costs eating into your profit margin, and delays on your next project. One delayed project can snowball into the next- causing no end of losses to your business.
4. Keep Your Team Organized
Since 2008, field staff have been watching their coworkers being laid off left and right. While you might think this would serve as a motivating factor, the truth is that it is a major morale buster. The best way to keep your teams organized is to utilize a thorough hiring process to be sure that only the best-qualified workers walk onto your job site. This can be difficult when there is a lot of unskilled labor to be done. This is where your leadership skills will come into play.
5. Use Organizational Technology
Information Technology is ubiquitous. Any kind of business with more than a few members can benefit from it. Portable devices like smartphones and tablets should be used to coordinate disparate efforts and activities. There are applications that can be used to measure objects in a photograph to communicate information that could take hours to share accurately any other way. Of course, this is just one way that communication tech can help to organize your projects.
6. Keep Track of the Numbers
Everything in your production process will affect your bottom line. The tech you use to monitor workflow using automated alerts can help you to keep an eye out for inefficiencies, and chances are you will save money.
Do you have any additional valuable tips for successful construction project management?