5 (More) Predictable Ways to Manage Multiple Construction Projects
- Thursday, 13 July 2017
In June, we wrote about five predictable ways to manage multiple construction projects. The article included things like creating detailed plans for each project, or properly allocating resources, whether materials based or personnel based. Of course, we know that there’s more to this list than the five tips we shared, so here’s part two of our list of predictable ways to manage multiple construction projects.
Encourage Feedback from Team Members
There’s no better process for improvement than gathering and acting upon feedback from the people who make it their business to ensure each project is a successful project. The act of giving and receiving feedback and constructive criticism also inspires transparency and accountability within your company.
Encourage your employees to submit honest feedback regarding the success and failures of each project, so that you can improve the management of simultaneous projects over time. Give employees a way to provide feedback both openly, such as through your construction management software solution, and privately, such as anonymous suggestion boxes, whether print or digital.
Clearly Define Project Goals and Objectives
Similar to the need for a detailed project plan of each construction project, it’s also important to set clear goals and objectives. In many cases, each project will not run smoothly on the same timeline. By clearly defining project goals and objectives, you can accurately plan for milestones and accomplishments across projects.
Clearly defined project goals help your management and workforce set and manage schedules and deadlines. Your goals and objectives are also critical to keeping track of the materials and resources needed, at any given time, for each project.
Estimate the Risks and Be Open to Adjustments
Risk management when managing multiple construction projects should be of a top priority for your company. Be sure to do a thorough risk assessment, not only of the project itself, but your own resources and expertise.
This level of assessment can be done at various stages of a particular construction project, however, it might be helpful to conduct additional risk assessments each time your company takes on a new construction project. This will allow you to adjust resources, timelines and manpower, at any stage of the project lifecycle.
Always Prepare a Back-Up Plan
Let’s say one of your projects is a little ahead of schedule. Does this leave room to adjust your timeline for another project? Or, perhaps one of your projects had an urgent matter that will put you behind schedule on another major project.
Rather than drowning in the sea of unpredictability multiple projects often create, prepare a back-up plan for each project that outlines alternative and/or emergency suppliers, laborers, etc.
Put Your Clients First
In addition to preparing a contingency plan for when things go wrong (or exceedingly well), it’s important to prepare a formal process for communicating project updates, gaining approvals and notifying clients of general progress.
By committing to a structured communications plan, your company will have the ability to put your clients first, always.