b'INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLECollaboration is also a must in anyon finding a solution and less on thebetter spent on completing the tasks successful project. The people on theproblem itself. It is helpful to rememberthemselves. Colours can be used liberally project need to work as a team, andthat every building is a one-off product;as they allow your mind to easily sort collaboration is the common thread.there is no beta testing, and we do notitems into groups.Contractorsincluding general andhave the luxury of prototyping. Keeping tradehave a lot of good experiencethis in mind allows us to make our peace[Drawings] can also be used to organize that could benefit the project if tappedwith the fact that a reasonable numbertasks related to a project geographically, early in the design development stage.of problems will arise on every project,with coloured highlights calling out Often, ideas from the trade side of ourand it gives us the freedom to reactitems that need attention and strikeouts business arent looked at until after thequickly and creatively when they do. of a different colour indicating what design is completed and the project ishas been completed. My preference is released for tenders or proposals. InputPL:Managing expectations is a criticalto use green to check off items that are should be provided as the initial work ispart of our work as contractors. Facingcomplete and make notes on progress. being done for the best results. reality, rather than saying what theThe construction industry can be owner wants to hear, gets you intostressful enough without the added Collaboration and communication aretrouble every time. Its often veryaggravation of seeing red ink scrawled all very much like safety: they need to betough to do, but we have to be realover your drawings.ingrained into our processes so that in our expectations. Setting goals and they become normal, or at least managing the process to get there isPL:A good friend once told me more common. what we do, and it is much better [tothat what gets measured is what gets SP:Weekly meetings are a must fordeal] with the client than to face thedone, and I try to keep that in focus maintaining strong communication.consequences of failure.with everything that I do. During That means not only attending buttraining sessions, I have been asked SP:Delays will happen; that is theif its necessary to take and distribute actually getting engaged and involved.nature of construction. What mattersminutes from every meeting. The right All site superintendents should meetis how we all come together to workanswer is that if the matter is worth a regularly to discuss schedules, materials,through the delays and review allmeeting, then its worth following up deliverables and any outstanding issuespossible delays in advance during weeklyand ensuring that proper action is being impacting site progress. Action itemsmeetings. All trades, including thetaken. The minutes are a necessary tool also need accountability, and all voicesgeneral contractor, should be upfrontin this getting done.should be heard and encouraged toand forthcoming on any delays, and promote an open dialogue. these should be brought up weeklyKeeping a list of to-do items is also and monitored closely. Schedulinggood, as it provides a tool to measure HOW CAN EXPECTATIONS BEshould also be a topic of discussionyour progress. I am finding that this MANAGED FOR ALL PARTIES ON Aduring weekly meetings and updatedprocess is used by all the good young JOBSITE WHEN DELAYS OCCUR? accordingly to capture delays andproject managers that Ive worked with. hopefully make up for lost time in The fact that younger team members are AS:Respectful communication shouldother areas. using this tried-and-true process gives be the basis for all discussions aboutme hope for our future.jobsite delays. It is too easy to fall intoEVERYONE HAS THEIR OWNSP:Dont overthink and procrastinate. a habit of bullying and placing blame.TIME MANAGEMENT OR This tactic may seem effective becauseAll emails and communications should it eventually gets results, but it alsoORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEM. WHATbe answered promptly. Your replies dont ends all productive dialogue. ThisARE YOUR PREFERRED TRIED- necessarily have to be long-winded; the forces the people involved to focus onAND-TRUE STRATEGIES? important part is to just acknowledge defending themselves instead of movingevery correspondence immediately.towards a solution, which furtherAS:Personally, I like lists. A well-delays the project, impedes creativecrafted to-do list is concise and intuitive,Documentation control is equally vital. problem solving and increases theprovides a road map showing what youHave spreadsheets that summarize each chance of other errors through furtherhave accomplished and what you havetask (e.g., RFIs, site instructions, etc.) miscommunication. left to do, and allows you to returnand keep them where you can find them quickly to your tasks after interruptions.right away. Also, make sure to keep your This doesnt mean we should accept poorIt should not be excessively detailed, asspreadsheets up to date, and dont rely performance or neglected responsibility;this clutters the process and consumeson searching through emails, as that will it just means we should focus morevaluable mental capital that would beonly take more time.52 SOUTHERN INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION'