8/30/22 - Zoro Staff
Table of Contents
- Tip 1: Clearly Define Expectations and Goals
- Tip 2: Know Your Codes
- Tip 3: Ensure Precision
- Tip 4: Outline Equipment and Labor Needs
- Tip 5: Monitor and Adjust
- Tip 6: Leverage Technology
- Tip 7: The Impact of COVID-19
Project management involves a large variety of tasks from beginning to end, and complex projects can quickly spiral out of control without a robust, strategic approach to project management. Most projects involve multiple parties, from clients to contractors, not to mention equipment and budgets that can create hurdles and challenges.
As a contractor, you know that no two projects are the same. Every new project comes with its own challenges, and formulating a smart and effective way to manage these projects is critical to meeting deadlines and budgets, as well as growing your construction business. Learning how to manage complex projects requires a strategic approach, along with an emphasis on communication and collaboration. Here, we'll provide seven vital tips that can help ensure jobsite success, even for the most difficult and complex jobs.
1. Clearly Define Expectations and Goals
This is crucial to any project and its success. At the start of a project, you have to begin managing expectations immediately. This is a time to be transparent about any possible limitations. Getting everyone on the same page is a must, and you should document this process in your scope. Sometimes you’ll have to bring clients back to reality, because not everything they ask for is always possible.
Expectations don’t vanish once the project begins. The best way to keep things moving and avoid scope creep is to over-communicate. You should consider creating a communication plan that details the who, when, and how. Designate a point of contact and advise when you’ll deploy updates and what system you’ll use to keep all parties informed.
2. Know Your Codes
Complex projects often involve complying with laws and codes. Projects aren’t static; they will change as needed, so you must know your codes to ensure compliance. When you are working on a project that requires code compliance, be sure you have the most current version of the codes. A project can quickly go off the rails if these are not accounted for in planning.
3. Ensure Precision
Another issue that can come up that makes it hard to handle complex projects is not having enough materials. Miscalculations can occur in the planning phase, so using a reliable construction calculator is a must. These calculators can provide you with an estimate of the material needed based on the project type. Using these specialized tools can save you lost time and money.
4. Outline Equipment and Labor Needs
Your detailed plan for a project should also account for the equipment and labor you’ll need. The machinery may be highly specialized and not in your current collection. Thus, you’ll need to find a place to rent it and calculate those costs. You want to have the equipment on-site the days you need it so it doesn’t become a ballooning expense.
Determining your labor needs is also integral to project management. Within a project, there are multiple steps that require different kinds of labor, such as general construction labor, painters, tilers, roofers, etc. Managing these labor costs to keep overall costs in check is extremely important.
5. Monitor and Adjust
In the course of a complex project or job, it's very likely that you will hit roadblocks along the way, but if you are proactively monitoring the progress of every project, you can keep these hurdles from becoming full-blown nightmares.
Your goal is to hit milestones and stay on budget, but life doesn’t always go as planned. This is why you should always have contingencies built into your plan. Once you see something is going off-course—like materials being delayed—you should quickly adapt your strategy as needed. For example, if a particular material is delayed, you may be able to send workers home until it becomes available in order to minimize costs.
6. Leverage Technology
A construction project management platform can help you keep everything organized. Seek out a solution that’s easy to use and has a mobile app so the project timeline can be updated no matter where you are. By using software designed for contractors, there will be less of a learning curve.
7. The Impact of COVID-19
COVID-19 has brought new considerations for project management. Construction is an essential business, meaning it can continue during a pandemic, but managing your site is different. You will need to consider the health and safety of employees and other stakeholders that may visit your site and respond as needed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided some expert recommendations that can be helpful to you.
Final Thoughts
Managing complex projects is not easy, but it can be accomplished with the right strategic approach. While these tips can help your management process, much of the work will come down to communication, collaboration, and organization. In addition to using these tips and approaches to project management, you can find the supplies, equipment, and tools you need for every trade and project at Zoro.
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