Constructions jobs will take different amounts of time depending on the extent of the task at hand. Projects big or small will require careful planning and preparation before work can begin.
When work does get started there are a number of common problems that tend to slow down progress. These unnecessary roadblocks cost valuable time and resources to work around.
There are a number of clever steps workers can take to make sure that downtime is minimised and the job is completed as quickly as possible. These methods are designed to save time while not compromising on the quality of work or the safety of workers.
Tasks like preparing materials or setting up a scaffold don’t need to be time consuming with the right knowledge. The following details some of the best ways to maintain the efficiency of a construction project.
Know The Plan And Make Sure It’s Executed
Understanding the logical order in which tasks need to be completed is the first and most obvious step in maximising efficiency. Construction leaders are required to know the full extent of the project, make decisions and motivate action.
Being a good leader means knowing what the deadlines of a project are and acknowledging the consequences of failing to meet them. This leader should have a well organised schedule in their heads and in writing to make sure that they can do their job properly.
Simply assuming that everyone is going to organise themselves is a recipe for disaster. Every construction leader needs to take on full responsibility for the progress of the job and have the authority to discipline those who are negligent or lazy.
Prepare Ahead Of Time
One of the biggest time wasters on a construction site is when everyone turns up and spends time trying to figure out what to do and what they need to do it. Knowing what materials and tools are required ahead of time will speed up the entire process.
If workers know what they are going to be doing on a given day then they will already be mentally preparing themselves for the job before they even arrive on site. This is subconscious and will cut down on the time people spend mulling around.
If a worker can visualise what they need to do and know that the tools or materials they need are easily available they can complete the job much faster. Making sure that a scaffold is pre-set to the right level or having the required materials organised and set near the job are all significant time savers.
Multi-task
A construction leader should be constantly preparing for the next step as work goes on. This means evaluating the work that has been done, that is currently going on and that will need to be done next all at the same time.
While this might seem difficult at first, it is a skill that will come naturally to anyone that has to manage a group of people with a shared goal. As each piece of the puzzle falls into place the project leader should understand how it will affect the next step and already be mentally preparing for it.
Maintain Honest And Open Communication
Information is the key to winning all battles and this is no different in the realm of construction. It is not only crucial for leaders to be aware but for everyone else as well.
Managers and workers must be in a constant state of communication in order to minimise any potential setbacks. Failing to divulge everything about the state of the project will lead to misinformation, confusion and ultimately a waste of time.
Even if the news is bad, sharing it as soon as possible allows everyone to minimise the cost of that setback by working to correct it as soon as possible.
Knockout Low Priority Tasks As Soon As Possible
Construction managers should be spending the peak hours of the workday monitoring and delegating tasks, not replying to emails and making phone calls.
While correspondence regarding the project can be required at any time of the day, anything that can be dealt with first thing should be. The means everyone is less likely to forget the annoying but necessary administration tasks and focus on the big jobs of the day.
Maintaining the working efficiency of a worksite means above all the effective processing of information. Setting up scaffolds or ramp is only sped up when everyone understands the role those devices are playing in the current phase of the project. The physical tasks that actually complete construction work are only made more efficient by effective preparation and communication.
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