In the construction industry, strangers with different interests and responsibilities are expected to work well together right from the time a project begins. This, however, doesn’t always work and has proven to cause difficulties. This can often complicate matters, making it hard to complete a project in a timely manner and for the desired cost.
“Ideally, each organization on the project team—architect, engineer, general contractor, subcontractor or supplier—makes an optimal contribution based on its knowledge and capabilities, and then everyone commits to the timely resolution of problems and the completion of the project according to the owner’s expectations.”(Financial columnist, Denise Norberg-Johnson).
Important methods of creating a successful and integrated team, include:
- Choosing a Sufficient Team Before the Project Begins
Unfortunately, contracts are usually offered to those who will do a job for a low cost, rather than to those who are more skilled but charge at a higher rate. Before work begins it is essential that all construction labor contractors are sufficiently skilled in each particular trade. Selection should be based on an individual’s experience and ability to work as part of a team, not just on the cost of hiring them.
If jobs are done successfully, by construction labor contractors who have enough experience to anticipate any problems involved, they may cost slightly more to hire but could save money by doing the job correctly and ahead of time.
Methods used to balance the best service, while earning an adequate profit, include:
- Providing an accurate job description (e.g. knowledge, skills, experience, salary)
- Contacting any references offered and finding out if any current employees can provide a reference.
2.Start-up Meetings
In order to successfully start a single project in the construction industry, it is vital to prepare a start-up meeting as the project is beginning. This should include the entire team and be repeated over time, as specialized subcontractors or construction labor contractors may appear, e.g. electricians or engineering companies providing unique services.
Problems with communication may be the cause of conflicting goals between different companies. This could be based on different jobs overlapping other ones, sometimes with dangerous consequences. It may also be the result of a sequence of certain activities being carried out in the wrong order, as they were not discussed beforehand.
3. Repeating Weekly Meetings
Problems which were not obvious from the beginning of the project, may develop within the following weeks. This can often happen if a specialist contractor appears who has not been involved before. It is helpful for the team to gather weekly to report:
- Any changes they feel are required at this point.
- The success of their individual job, e.g. in schedule with the rest of the project.
- Any interferences in their own work and what they believe to be the cause.
The team could meet up to examine the success of a project and any problems involved. This may be hard to repeat weekly but can save time and money by agreeing quickly on specific problems and the best ways to deal with them.
For example, if a designer has decided upon the specific location of lighting fixtures, without realizing that there is a A/C duct or other obstruction above, a team meeting could have made them aware of this at an early stage.
Collaborative Work Management (CWM) tools such as ‘Smartsheet’ are a way of creating a digital workspace for every team member to access the latest information that they require at any time they need it. Subcontractors can ask specific questions, discussing them with the entire team and providing them with photos if necessary. Answers supported by the entire team are more likely to be regarded as truthful.
The industry has now seen a rise in the amount of project data collected over time. This could be reviewed to reveal any problems involved in a previous project. For example, mistakes made by construction labor contractors who spent less time speaking to the rest of the team online.
