CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SKILLS – 7

7. Solve problems that impede the execution of a construction project quickly and efficiently.

Some unresolved issues on time, or issues that cannot be resolved without discussion by all interested parties, can turn into problems. Transformed into a problem, they require immediate preventive actions in order to prevent aggravation. Unfortunately, in the construction process, such perturbations are not uncommon and very rather even the rule. No matter how well individual processes are debugged, due to a lot of people involved in it from the customer to the worker, could trigger so-called “human factor”, that is, an event caused by the action of an individual person, whose paradigm may differ from commonly expected.

For example, despite the existence of safety regulations and instructions foreman or craftsman constantly neglects their observance when doing high-altitude work. And if words or fines do not work, then the person must be replaced without waiting an accident what is in any case an undesirable outcome not only for the construction project, but also immoral and illogical. Actually, the worker was hired not to risk his life and health, but to earn money and provide a family that is waiting for him at home. And it would be completely illogical to expect from a worker to independently calculate the risks and determine the danger when performing any work. It's not his circle of responsibilities. Moreover in the desire to quickly perform uncomfortable work or due to lack of experience or lack of attention, the workers constantly underestimate the danger that should never be allowed while managing a construction project.

Undoubtedly, identifying a problem at an early stage will remove a problem that will ripen and burst like a bubble without prevention. The most effective preventive tool for such "bbbles" is to monitor compliance by all participants with the prescribed rules and the performance of their duties. Subordinates will always forget something, commit wrong deeds and some minor mistakes. People are not perfect, everyone has different abilities and knowledge, so it is important for Construction Manager when solving a problem always remember this and refrain from destructive criticism. The person subjected to such criticism will react more emotionally than consciously, which will prevent him to learn a lesson from the situation. Particularly, criticizing the foreman for the disorder on the construction site and not explaining why this order is needed, you can cause him a habit to clean up the construction site just before inspection and moving the disorder out of sight, up to the disposal of quite suitable building materials and equipment to the dump. I perfectly remember such example: about a month after one brigade had finished concrete work, we found a huge pile of planks from formwork behind the fence. They simply threw away planks in order not to pull out the nails and keep order, without worrying about others and overspending resources. When solving a problem, it is necessary to explain the decision and establish control over the implementation of the decision.