Project Management 101: A Modern Primer for New Leadership

As contractors gear up for warmer weather and a busy season filled with projects and clients, project management is a critical component for any successful business.

A contractor who excels at project management reaps the benefit of more time to bring in new clients, as well as the added benefit of executing faster, more accurate timelines for clients. Accomplishing jobs in a timely manner while staying within budget is a great way to turn first-time customers into repeat clients.

Tackle Preconstruction Planning

Regardless of how much experience a contractor has, project management is not an easy task. With various moving parts and unforeseen environmental elements, such as severe weather or a challenging landscape, it’s difficult to ensure that everything gets completed promptly.

Planning and scheduling ahead, however, is a great way to save time on-site. By carefully reviewing the plans and specifications of a project, contractors can get a better understanding of the scope of work before they begin.

As most contractors know, it is impossible to predict what might actually happen on a construction site. From thunderstorms to cold fronts, the weather is always a potential threat to a contractor’s plan. By mapping out the preconstruction phase, contractors can make predictions about the environment surrounding the project area. Historical data is an excellent resource for contractors to determine likely weather patterns during the construction of a project to prepare for potential issues.

Contractors should also avoid wasting time manually calculating product estimates, creating and tackling shopping lists, or, worst of all, correcting mistakes. Investing in training is key to ensuring the project stays on schedule.

It might require additional time and capital upfront, but this investment will show its value by reducing the number of mistakes made and saving significant time and money in the long run. In addition, third-party resources like concrete calculators can be extremely beneficial for contractors by offloading repetitive and time-consuming tasks before the job even begins.

Utilize Outside Resources for On-Site Management

Mobile applications are another resource that save time and money on the jobsite. With recent developments in this technology, mobile applications using augmented reality (AR) allow contractors to determine the amount of product they will need for their projects more quickly than with a measuring tape, which can help contractors save time and costs on inaccurate calculations. Some versions of this tech can also allow contractors to show their clients how the final product will look.

Mobile applications also provide helpful resources, such as product recommendations, data sheets, and retailers in close proximity with available product to cut down on wasted trips.

Apps can help contractors coordinate with their crew, providing shopping lists for streamlined communication. This type of usage allows team members to add products, tools or equipment to a shopping list for any additional on-site needs that may arise during a project.

Be a Strong Communicator

Being an effective communicator is key to success on the jobsite. The best way to ensure your project managers are communicating well with their team, as well as the client, is to create a communication plan.

Contractors should determine what type of communication plan should be used based on the project’s specific circumstance. Then, they should implement a chain of command for what information is shared and outline who it is shared with on or off the jobsite.

Manage Time Effectively

Time management is another skill that holds weight on the jobsite for contractors. There are many moving parts to a jobsite, and it is easy for contractors to lose sight of one aspect while focusing on something else.

When issues arise, take the time to meet with the project team and discuss a game plan to avoid any further issues. Although it might take time away from the project initially, this communication will ensure the team is aligned, save time later and help avoid further issues.

Learn From Experience

After finishing a project, contractors should always take the time to review the team’s performance. When discussing this with the team at large, contractors should emphasize successes, but also be sure to discuss areas of concern and determine the best next steps for improvement.