Did you make a difference on your construction project today?

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Did you make a difference on your construction project today? This seems a strange question and I’m sure most will respond with an emphatic ‘yes’. However, I challenge you to answer the same question on your way home tonight and I expect at least half of you might struggle to answer truthfully in the affirmative.



Ask yourself these simple questions

To help you decide how much of a difference you really made, answer these simple questions.

• Did I improve productivity, such as highlighting ways to work more efficiently?
  
  
• Did I stop an unsafe act or actively improve safety on the project?
  
  
• Did I thank someone for a job well done?
  
  
• Did my presence improve quality?
  
  
• What problems did I solve? (Well I’m sure you all solved problems, but were your solutions the best in the circumstances?)
  
  
• Did my actions prevent a problem from occurring?
  
  
• Who did I teach or mentor?
  
  
• What steps did I take to reduce costs?
  
  
• Did I constructively engage with the client?
  
  
• Was I able to improve revenue?
  
  
• Did I reduce wastage?
  
  
• What did I do that helped the environment?
  
  
• Was I a good advertisement for my company and is my project a good advertisement?
  
  
• What steps did I take to secure new business?
  
  
• Was I an inspiration to my team? Did I lead by example?
  
  
• Is the project on schedule and what steps were implemented to ensure it remains on schedule?
  
  
• Do I know what needs to be implemented tomorrow and is everything in place so it can happen?
  
  
• Does my team understand what needs to be achieved, how we will achieve it and what the required standards are?
  
  
• Did I attend to all the tasks that required my attention today?
  
  
• Am I proud of what I achieved today, or could I have done better?
  
  
• What did I do to improve my management skills and my technical knowledge?
  
  

(Now some may be quick to say ‘but that’s not part of my job’. People in Head Office find the work, senior managers interface with the client. Well that’s not strictly true. Anyone on a construction project can hear of potential new projects when they talk to suppliers, subcontractors, their friends, neighbours or relatives. This can provide vital leads for company management. When the client walks around the project a courteous greeting goes a long way to customer relations.)

Congratulations if you said yes to most of these questions. Your construction project should be a success. What else did you achieve? Please add your comments.

What can we do?

Unfortunately many of us can work hard all day, be rushed off our feet solving problems on our construction projects, answering emails, attending meetings, yet, without really making a significant difference to the project. Take time to stand back and plan your project and implement steps that will make a difference. Look at your project with new eyes. Many of the actions take only a couple of minutes from your day, yet can make an enormous impact to your project, your company and probably your career.

This message is particularly important for those managers who aren’t full time on a project, that make whirlwind visits to site, and then leave making very little difference, or even in some cases, leave more mess, resentment, confusion and uncertainty behind. Even if you just get into the habit of actively looking and making one remark about; safety, quality, productivity and another item, you’ll get into the habit of looking at your projects with new eyes. But remember though, it doesn’t all have to be negative, and always ask if the project needs help or advice!

Continually ask the question; “What difference did I make to my construction project today?”

Tomorrow is a new day. Make you construction project a success. Make a difference.

Other similar articles by the author:

How poor productivity impacts projects

Mistakes must become lessons, but we must also learn from our success

Who is responsible for safety on your construction project?

Who is responsible for quality on your construction project?

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(Written by Paul Netscher the author of the acclaimed books ‘Successful Construction Project Management: The Practical Guide’ and ‘Building a Successful Construction Company: The Practical Guide’. Both books are available in paperback and e-book from Amazon and other retail outlets. This article is adapted from information included in these books. Read more about Paul Netscher or see how Paul can help you visit Construction Management Services.)

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