The residential and commercial construction industries are booming in many parts of the country. Although construction projects generally go well, each has some issues that must be resolved quickly. One of them is the gap between field workers and project managers.
Inadequate communication between field workers, project managers, and the construction office is the root cause of most project misunderstandings. Bridging this gap helps alleviate many issues and costly mistakes that arise throughout a project’s duration. By building a more collaborative team, errors are minimized, morale is higher, and cost savings are realized.
Adequate Communication Between Field Workers And Project Managers Is Crucial
Although project managers may visit a job site regularly, problems may arise between visits or may not be reported on time or accurately. Sometimes it seems like field teams and office managers operate in their own little worlds without strong coordination between them. Office managers are not typically required to visit job sites as project managers do. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Field workers may not always collaborate adequately with architects, engineers, designers, suppliers, project managers, and clients, which creates gaps
- Each of these groups must strengthen the respect and trust of each other to do quality work, stay within budget, and meet deadlines
- Miscommunication and conflict on a job site is nothing new and happens too often
- Miscommunication and conflict can add unwanted stress and much expense
- All groups must learn to handle issues promptly and correctly.
The “Gap” Can Cause More Serious Issues
The “gap” we are discussing here is primarily the communication barrier of what is going on in the field versus the project manager’s office at any given point in time. When communication and understanding break down, you will experience:
- Lack of Reporting – When field workers fail to report instances or accurate issues, the information never makes it to the project manager. Even slight overlooks can hinder the whole construction team’s ability to work effectively.
- Scheduling Delays – Lack of communication and reports can cause good working relationships, loss of time, and push the completion schedule back substantially.
- Loss of Profit – A lack of necessary information can cause work errors and more rework of some project phases. Sometimes more materials and staff hours are required creating unnecessary costs and less profit
- Legal Issues – A more serious headache can occur when the “gaps” result in serious injury, death, poor quality work, or lack of completion. One of the stakeholders may file an expensive lawsuit.
- Harm to Reputation – Once a construction company has committed some serious errors, its reputation may be harmed and it may lose valuable projects.
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“Although construction projects generally go well, each has some issues that must be resolved quickly. One of them is the gap between field workers and project managers.” |
How To Bridge The Gap Between Field Workers And Project Managers
The good news is the “gap” between field workers, project managers, and the office can be bridged to enhance information flow, improve timelines, and prevent budget loss. These tips have proven successful for many construction companies by using user-friendly applications.
- Generate shared tasks and goals so that all parties stay informed and up to date for any given project. Construction scheduling software uses task features to help teams and project managers keep in touch each step of the way by using standardized technology.
- Centralizing data storage can save a lot of time and money. More than 50% of all rework is caused by inaccurate reporting and miscommunication. The way to overcome this problem is by getting everyone on the same page with the best technology.
- Get on the “Cloud” so that each person can connect to where the central information can be found. Select web-based construction management tools that feature cloud technology.
- Seamless mobile access to construction contracts, documents, plans, systems, reporting, and project updates is crucial for successful project completion. Field workers, managers, and office staff can access information in real-time by selecting and using the best software for their needs.
- Stop using Excel because studies show that Excel is an outdated construction planning tool that can do more harm than good. Using the right technology for the job lets everyone stay in touch with current data.
Following these tips will help bridge the gap between field workers and project managers in the construction industry. Contact us today if you want to upgrade your construction skills and knowledge or earn an Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) Degree in Construction Management!
For more information about graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website: https://iticollege.edu/disclosures/
