Delays are sometimes inevitable because of the many variables involved in construction projects. Equipment failure, shortage of labor, conflicts between stakeholders, budget financing problems, and incorrect data all contribute to project delays.
A McKinsey study shows that many construction projects take 20 percent longer to complete than initially scheduled.
Most causes of project delays can be avoided through effective communication between project team members, optimization of the construction schedule using digital tools, and a few other approaches.
ALICE Technologies is one software solution that can help general contractors optimize their construction project plans and schedules. It does this by using the power of AI to simulate the best project outcomes based on available resources and other relevant information provided.
What is time management in construction?
Proper time management is a hallmark of successful construction projects. Time management in construction refers to the process of organizing activities prior to the construction of a project and allocating time to these activities.
Effective time management of construction projects involves ensuring that deadlines are strictly followed to enhance the construction project’s effectiveness, profitability, and proficiency. It is key to making profits, working within the limits of the budget, and meeting the project’s goals and objectives.
Importance of time management in construction
One of the main objectives of time management strategies is to enhance the proficiency and productivity of workers. Other objectives are working within a budget and finishing the project on time. In general, time management is essential in construction for the following reasons.
- Depending on the terms and conditions of the contract, not completing a construction project on time may void it and lead to a loss of profits for the contractors.
- It is important for the general contractor’s reputation. Contractors who finish their projects on time and within schedule may be favored to handle similar projects in the future.
- Prevent budget overrun: An increase in the cost of materials and general economic inflation typically affect construction projects, which can drag over many years. A contractor can reduce their overhead cost on labor and materials by breaking the project into attainable milestones, allotting times to these milestones, and ensuring that each milestone is attained within the planned time frame.
Common time management mistakes in construction
1. Tight and rigid timelines
To meet deadlines or complete the project in the shortest time possible, construction schedules are usually optimized or redesigned to have very tight schedules and deadlines. A delay from a failed piece of equipment or unsuitable weather conditions lasting a day or two may cause some disruption in the project and make it challenging to meet deadlines for specific tasks or activities.
To mitigate this, the contractor should ensure there is contingency room to handle uncontrollable situations or unforeseen challenges that might crop up. A well-designed construction plan should always have provisions for possible delays and how to handle them if and when they come up.
2. Poor materials logistics
Poor materials logistics is one common time management mistake in construction. Failure to get materials on time may cause a slight lag that adds up over time.
Keeping an efficient inventory system that keeps track of incoming and outgoing supplies may be helpful. By tracking supplies, a contractor can easily tell when they have run out of stock and make an order to replenish stock.
3. Single-tasking
Single-tasking is the opposite of multitasking. It involves writing a list of activities that need to be carried out to meet a project goal and carrying them out one after the other. Contractors should steer clear of this common time management mistake. Experienced contractors know well to run activities concurrently.
A construction optimization platform may help by showing you a network of mutually exclusive activities that can be performed at the same time.
4. Not setting daily goals
Proper construction planning involves breaking down the entire project into smaller chunks of deliverables and allotting deadlines to them. But that’s hardly enough. Contractors should also set daily goals and actionable plans to help them meet each deliverable within the allotted time frame.
By setting daily goals, the contractor can better manage their priorities, time, and resources to achieve these goals. In project management, the SMART technique is used for setting goals, where SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.
5. Failure to prioritize tasks
Prioritizing daily tasks helps you carry out more critical activities first before the less important or mundane ones.
Sometimes, challenges might arise that prevent the contractor from beginning work early and hence, meeting their daily goals. Carrying out the essential tasks first ensures that the project does not suffer any serious setbacks.
6. Unnecessarily lengthy meetings
Good communication is often highlighted as one of the key elements of successful construction projects. But this should not be confused with unnecessarily long meetings.
Try to avoid idle time during meetings by developing a meeting agenda, allotting time to each subject on the agenda, and sticking to it as much as possible. Prioritize issues that matter most when developing an agenda too.
Time management tips
Having identified common time management mistakes, let’s look at some time management tips and solutions.
- Properly document plans and actionable goals
- Constantly check the project’s progress against a detailed timeline
- Optimize construction schedule using a schedule optimization solution
- Communicate effectively with the rest of the team
- Stick to safety guidelines and develop a safe worksite culture to minimize the possibility of accidents that can disrupt the progress of the project
- Motivate members of the team
Conclusion
Finishing projects within a project’s schedule will save you costs in labor, person-hours, and materials, and help you establish and maintain a good reputation in the industry. Potential clients tend to trust general contractors with a known history of finishing projects on time more than those who don’t have this reputation.
You can become a stand-out company by avoiding these common time management mistakes. Digitizing your construction process can help a great deal.
