Managing a Productive Construction Team

We often hear how important it is for office employees to reach certain productivity levels. The fact that the same should apply to construction workers is largely underrated.

In this article, we’ll take a brief look at how you can successfully manage a productive construction team.

5 Stages of Project Management for Construction Workers

Construction works are complex and need a lot of planning. To be able to properly manage all stages of the process, you need to plan ahead all stages and draft a construction project checklist.

There are five stages of project management for construction work, as follows:

1. Initiation

2. Planning

3. Execution

4. Control

5. Closing

1. Initiation

First of all, you’ll need to evaluate whether a project is worth the trouble. Ask yourself the following:

• Is the value of the project worth your time?

• Are your company services a good fit for the project?

• Do you have enough time to dedicate to the project?

• Do you have the resources necessary to nail the project?

If the answer to these questions is yes, then proceed to placing the bid.

2. Planning

First, define a successful project, keeping in mind the following:

• Profitability

• Customer satisfaction

• Employee satisfaction

Next on, detail the budget so that it includes all costs (hard costs, soft costs, and contingency allowances). To help you keep track of all these, use apps for construction to create a cash flow chart and a cost control plan.

Break down the structure of the work to be done:

• Project scope

• Deliverables

• On-site logistics

Lastly, create communication-, procurement- and safety plans.

3. Execution and Control

The execution stage is the actual construction phase of a project. During this stage, you should make sure plans are being carried out and monitor project progress.

Due to that, this stage is closely linked to the control stage.

The checklist for these two stages includes the following items:

• Keeping daily activity, work and safety logs

• Monitoring and managing change orders

• Monitoring materials being used

• Monitoring the workforce on and off the site

• Monitoring equipment

• Monitoring costs and cash flow

• Ensuring payments and subs are on time

• Tracking expenses

Closing

The closing stage encompasses anything and everything that needs to occur so that the work is finished and the project delivered. The closing stage commences when the project is close to completion.

The checklist includes the following items:

• Finishing punch list

• Final inspections

• Ensuring everything that has been agreed to in the contract has been met

• Reviewing customer satisfaction

• Obtaining a certificate of completion

Key Takeaways

For a construction project to be successful, five stages need to be brainstormed to ensure goals have been met. The process being complex, it is encouraged to use apps and tools that will simplify the procedures. To ensure productivity levels are met (and, optimally, exceeded), construction workers should be able to rely on your organization and be paid regularly.

This isn’t that much different from how office workers operate; it’s just that construction projects are more difficult to handle. Therefore, make sure you’re using all the tools available to keep track of the developments at all times.

Angela Ash is an expert writer, editor and marketer, with a unique voice and expert knowledge. She focuses on topics related to remote work, freelancing, entrepreneurship and more.