Use Planning to Take Control of Your Next Construction Project
- Thursday, 20 April 2017
There’s nothing more important to the success of a construction project than the need for quick and precise decision making. And to make decisions with speed and accuracy, managers need access to complete, reliable and useful information, at a moment’s notice. Here are some powerful planning tips that can help you take control of your next construction project.
Get Solid and Real-Time Information
Access to the right information at the right time is crucial. Using big data and cloud technologies can provide construction managers with the insight they need to make the best possible decisions. Big data refers to the collection of large amounts of text and visual information, like photos and videos. By pairing big data with the right cloud technologies, you can evaluate, aggregate and narrow down information on a variety of subjects, including productivity metrics, the cost of materials, or the wages of workers on your job site.
Not only will you benefit from your own network of information, big data and cloud technologies also allow for sharing and receiving information that’s been made public by research institutes, trade organizations, and even other companies in your industry.
Set Key Performance Indicators
Contingent on the scope and objective of your construction project benchmarks, there is nothing more important than to identify KPIs (key performance indicators). Let’s take the total time frame for analyzing every metric and the RFI cycle time, as an example. The frequency at which you monitor a certain KPI relies on the trend and changes in the data you receive, as well as how you can use the change in data to make necessary adjustments.
By setting your key performance indicators with diligence, and monitoring the progress of projects over time via your construction software app, you can significantly enhance the decision making process on the job site.
Lean Practice Integration
Productive and efficient construction contractors are individuals who quickly adapt to changing situations, along with learning the facets and dynamics of every installation. Those contractors can then use their knowledge and experience to further streamline the construction process through the practice of lean construction.
Lean construction involves forming a consistent process of site evaluation and improvement. When paired with an information system that makes teamwork and collaboration simple, it’s easy to keep stakeholders informed and optimistic about the status of your construction project.
Along with efficiency and effectiveness, another great benefit of lean practice is that it will help prevent the same mistakes from being made and help you store information to overcome similar issues more quickly and easily, in the future.