\Whether your company has been awarded a small council construction project or a large project that includes private and public funding, the truth is that many superintendents and project managers overuse these words: “on time and under budget”. This is perfectly understandable during the tendering phase where there is significant competition and pressure to be awarded lucrative contracts. However, there are too many companies who simply pay lip service to these words without really putting the required effort in to ensure that they meet them.
All too often, delays to the schedule due to equipment failure, subcontractors not turning up, or blown-out materials costs cause frustration. How many of us can name a government-backed construction project, for example, that has not only blown out in terms of time and budget, but may even be involved in legal proceedings due to stakeholders losing money and face?
The Keys to Getting the Job Done Right
So, what is the best advice on finishing your next project on time and under budget? Consider the following:
- Planning: Even before turning the very first bit of soil, it is important to have a plan in place. What is the scope of the project? What does it involve? What is the end goal? Placing value on the goal of the actual project rather than separate tasks keeps everyone focussed on what the project is about. Whether your company is involved in refitting the lights in an office block or building a new public toilet in the local park, every project needs to be viewed in terms of the end goal. Once everyone is on the same page, a plan can be put in place that reflects the goal of the project.
- The right people: With the end goal in mind, it is vital to contact the right people early and get them involved. Will you need to hire third-party electrical contractors? Will you need to contact other suppliers for certain materials? Will you need to hire tools and equipment specific to this job? All of these dependencies need to be mapped out early and acted upon in a timely manner.
- Tools and equipment: No project continues without working tools and equipment. For example, have your air compressors been serviced lately? An air compressor service in Melbourne is available and should be contacted prior to work beginning. When tools and equipment break down, costly delays occur, which affects the project schedule and overall costs. Not only this, but it also negatively affects employee morale.
- Communicate: This is possibly one of the most important pieces of advice. Scheduling regular meetings, discussing project deadlines, and communicating are key to completing a project successfully. During the course of the project, open and honest communication ensures that everyone remains on the same page, understands the goals, and can communicate about any problems.
Reaching the End Goal
Even though very few projects proceed exactly as they are planned, and challenges often need to be overcome, adhering to the above stated advice will ensure that your next project has the best chance of finishing on time and under budget.
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