5 Easy Ways to Improve Construction Efficiency on Your Project

Construction projects that go over budget and off schedule are a nightmare.

We’ve compiled a few easy ways you can start whipping your business into shape right now. Let’s go.

1. Improve your planning

Many construction efficiency errors are made in the planning stage.

If you didn’t do your homework on exactly how many cubic yards of concrete you need for a project, and then halfway through you realize you need twice as much by tomorrow if you’re going to stay on schedule, guess who’s going to have a big headache? That’s right: It’s you.

You absolutely must devote time before the project begins to figure out the people, processes, information, equipment, and materials you’ll need before you start work. It’s the best way to avoid delays and cost increases.

2. Listen to your staff

Your workers are your eyes and ears in the field. If something is going wrong or could be going better, they’ll know before you do.

Experienced workers can help you spot holes in your plan before you even get started. Get them involved early in the planning process to spot potential problems, and then stay in contact on a daily basis throughout the project.

3. Invest in training

Training is critical to efficiency, especially for construction supervisors who need sound management principles and techniques to keep projects running smoothly.

By helping your employees master critical skills, you’ll immediately see benefits in terms of efficiency in your project.

For example, a supervisor could use his new skills to guide workers in a more efficient way of installing steel beams, enabling you to get the work done sooner and move on to the next phase.

4. Improve your communication

If you aren’t communicating with your team, that’s a recipe for big losses in efficiency.

You should make yourself available to your crew so they know they can come to you with any problems that arise. They also need to hear what your expectations are as far as what you want to get accomplished next week or next month.

Make it a daily habit to meet with your project supervisors to go over your expectations for the day, and get their feedback on what they think they can accomplish and what potential pitfalls there are.

5. Establish performance measurements, and hold your crew accountable

Performance measurements are a great motivation tool for your workers, especially when rewards are attached to them.

Set clear performance measurements and consider attaching a small financial bonus for each one they achieve.

It will also help with your communication with your team, making it that much more effective in terms of improving efficiency.

There are a variety of performance metrics you can set, including: being on time at the job site, helpfulness toward colleagues and customers, completing work on time, taking initiative to solve problems, and the overall quality of work.