Construction projects depend on many stakeholders who must work together and communicate so that tasks can be completed on schedule and within budget for the Interior fit out company in London.
Everyone in the construction industry knows that delays are almost inevitable. It doesn’t mean you can’t reduce setbacks and avoid costly errors that could lead to endless claims and legal disputes.
Here is where timely communication comes in. The first step to achieving complete site visibility is increasing the speed of your response. All stakeholders will be facing the same direction.
How could you do that without being sucked into a million apps?
It might seem complicated or even impossible, but it doesn’t have to be. You can slowly regain control over your project communication and bridge that gap between the boardroom and the construction site if you have the right software.
You may be wondering what “right software” means. It is a digital tool designed explicitly for your industry and built with construction as its only priority.
The reason is simple. WhatsApp, Messenger, and Excel are great tools, but they don’t provide enough to manage your projects effectively. They fail to link the site updates with the master schedule or the 3-6 week lookaheads.
As a project manager/project director, you will find it more challenging to make decisions about every update you receive. You don’t have a clear view of what is happening on the site. It means that the quicker you respond to updates from the field, the more you don’t see. Is valid for your subcontractors and project teams, too.
It becomes evident again how crucial site visibility is to reducing downtime and ensuring seamless communication during your projects.
These three steps will allow for faster communication between the office and the site
We present below three steps to improve the speed of your response on construction sites. To help you deliver more successful projects faster and for less money:
1. Choose construction-specific digital tools
While we have already stressed the importance of using industry-specific digital solutions for your construction projects, this is something that should not be overlooked. Even though you might have the best people in the field, without the right tools, they will not be able to move your project forward.
It will be tough to keep track of each team’s progress while you don’t have a live shareable view of your project. You could find yourself spending half your time updating and writing outdated reports. What is the result?
Prolonged response times and, consequently, speed of reaction are possible.
Subcontractors may show up at your site without reason.
Commercial claims could make your project vulnerable.
Customers will not be satisfied with the service, and handovers will be delayed.
An industry-specific tool could allow you to see all tasks in real-time. It will also enable you to work effectively with multiple stakeholders, make better decisions faster, and keep your project moving with as few interruptions as possible.
2. Rely on one data source
You have probably read this blog many times about the importance of having a single source for truth when working on projects. It is straightforward. One data source allows for better communication and reduces administrative burden.
It is also easier to ensure project progress by centralizing all communication. Everyone will stay focused on the schedule and feel secure that no critical information is missed or overlooked.
A single source of truth is not only a better communication tool, but it can also raise the quality management standard. You can now link all safety and quality checks to the main plan. Critical issues can be addressed as you go, leaving no room for expensive surprises when handovers occur.
However, the speed of response could also be a function of how well you and your site manager handle claims. You can quickly find the email or photo you need to protect your project from commercial claims by having all your information in one place. It is a tremendous feat, considering how much time and effort it takes to defend claims during construction projects.
It is also proof of how important it is to implement construction-specific tools in your projects as they can provide you with a safe single data source that is open to all project stakeholders.
3. Standardize to reduce the admin burden
Construction has moved to standardization as an integral part of its new normal. While it may take different forms depending upon the sector or project, the basic concept remains the same. It will increase predictability in your production and give you more control over all aspects of your projects.
Standardization and repeatability can be a powerful tools for improving communication in your project.
You can improve communication about quality management in your projects by creating standardized inspection forms or checklists that are easy to use. It will result in fewer errors, faster resolutions of non-conformities, and faster project delivery.
Communication is key to repeatability and effective decision-making. Your team and you will have a better view of the site if there is a better connection between the office and the site.
Although it may sound repetitive, all this goes back to the original point. Implement construction-specific tools that can support a seamless way of connecting with multiple stakeholders in your project.
How to keep everyone on the same page in your project
Good communication is essential for a successful construction project. It’s all about keeping everyone on the same page. It is the only way to prevent or resolve mistakes as quickly as possible.
