Building and construction managers know the importance of an effective workforce. In the trades, time is money. Businesses that want success must use every resource available to maximize workforce potential. At the same time, poor management increases risk, adding to insurance costs. Effective management will help grow your business, reduce overhead, and maximize employee output. Reduce risk and increase productivity. These four methods help construction managers improve building and construction management:

1. Create Effective Processes

Information is accessible like never before. With modern technologies, you have access to real-time stats and information. Effective managers act on this information creating safe and productive work environments. Acting on this information, effective managers create documented workflow processes.

Your processes should define the safest and most-effective method for completing the work. Processes have the dual benefit of increasing productivity while reducing risk, altogether reducing overhead. Ideal workflow processes should be user-friendly and easy to use. Processes should increase your productivity – choose processes that make sense for you, and for your business.

2. Go Digital

Even small building and construction businesses have a lot to juggle. Each construction project requires hours of administrative support. Planning, resource management, people management, billing and more require dedicated time and effort. Huge companies have the benefit of billing and sales departments – then there’s everyone else.

Today, innumerable mobile and desktop solutions exist helping builders spend more time focusing on the work. Digital invoicing, resource tools, and client management ensure paperwork is never lost and projects finish on time. Move your business into the digital space and increase your productivity.

3. Maximize the Workday

Projects are expensive – time wasted is money wasted. That’s why it’s all the more shocking many construction employees spend up to 50% of the day waiting for work to begin. Improve time management on the job site and you’ll almost-automatically increase workforce productivity.

You don’t need to hire an outside consultant. A glance at your how your employees spend their time can show ways for increasing efficiency. Look for ways to reduce time spent on:

• Workday planning
• On-site travel
• Material procurement
• Tool unloading
• Site preparation
• Site cleanup, and more

As with processes, streamlining job-site activity reduces chances for mishap due to employee error.

4. Communicate!

Communication is the cornerstone of an effective workplace. Construction and building managers can use the following communication strategies for improving workplace efficiency:

• Encourage collaboration. Employees should feel comfortable sharing ideas with each other. Different perspectives may offer new solutions not yet considered.
• Communicate clearly. Be clear about tasks, goals, and processes with employees. Construction employees should know their roles and accompanying expectations. Employees should know established processes for the job site and projects.
• Encourage feedback. Your employees are at the ground-level, so to speak. On the job site, they may notice a process in need of improvement, or an unsafe condition. Employees should feel comfortable communicating with management about workplace safety and efficiency.

Decrease risk and increase reward. Healthy communication on the job site can help avoid costly mistakes and reduce employee risk.

Increase Jobsite Productivity Today

The benefits are clear. Adopting effective management techniques pays dividends for production and reduces workplace risk. Strong construction and building managers enjoy the benefits of:

• Reaching Goals. Achieving workplace goals on-time speaks volumes about your job site and resource management. Complete more jobs per year with sound management.
• Managing Expenses. Every business – no matter the size – must focus on accounting. The better you manage your expenses, the more profit you stand to gain.
• Reducing Downtime. If employees spend 50% of their day waiting to work, you could be completing twice as many projects. Manage employee downtime effectively to maximize productivity and revenue.
• Improving Industry Reputation. Better management means better work. Better work means a better reputation. Word travels fast – clients will find you based on the reputation you build based on effective management.

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