Sit back, relax, and take notes—I’ve gathered some thoughts from the industry’s best. Are you looking to bring your A game to a new project? Here’s a few styles and routines that might help to tweak your construction work habits in a big way.
To relay a message as a project manager, you have to be sure you’re understood. This brings me to my first point:
1. Challenge project members’ understanding by confirming their comprehension.
This means asking questions to confirm clarity, and also, a large part of it involves listening. Any effective construction manager will have a solid balance between the time they spend talking and the time allow to take in new perspectives. If you’re telling yourself “I explained that perfectly,” challenge this once and a while by confirming aloud—you’ll be surprised with how people won’t ask questions and require a bit more clarification, especially from someone of a higher level role than them.
2. Embrace relationships
When you have to check in on project status with someone who keeps business as solely business, work is a drag. If you are able to connect with someone on a personal, yet still professional level, you’ll be able to establish a trust that goes a long way. Plus, conversations become a lot easier and comfortable once there’s a bit of rapport. Keep check-ins frequent and you’ll never miss a beat.
3. Accept change as an added dimension that is making you better
Change happens—and it’s not always fun. However in the long run, if a project manager is able to view change and complications as a welcomed challenge that won’t hinder their success, it will only help the individual grow. According to Personify, a recruitment solutions provider, “Big data has exploded into a field all its own and has found relevance in most if not all industries, including construction. Smartphone applications didn’t become popular until the second half of the 2000s. Today, there are numerous mobile apps designed specifically to help construction companies do business and interact with customers on the go. Construction managers who are open-minded recognize the changes in construction and embrace them.”
4. Keep costs top of mind
An extremely successful construction manager will be cognizant of cost implications throughout each step of the way. Throughout planning, a wise PM will set realistic allowances, but understand that throughout implementation, there needs to be constant analysis of compliance to original plan and adjustment if necessary. If these alterations are completed gradually and not in one massive sum at the end, things go a whole lot more favorably.
Remember these steps and you just may see a drastic difference in your project execution.
Sources referenced:
http://personifysearch.com/construction/the-5-habits-of-highly-effective-construction-managers/
http://www.forconstructionpros.com/article/12143704/5-habits-of-successful-construction-project-managers