Reasons to be satisfied when your project is finished

"Another construction project completed without any mishaps!"

​I always thought the best time on a construction project was at the end, when you were loading your equipment onto trucks and sending it to another project, the company yard, or back to the supplier. Wow, another construction project completed without any mishaps! Job satisfaction! You could breathe a sigh of relief. Relax at last.

Recently I wondered what gave me job satisfaction and what I was most thankful for at the end of my construction projects. Here are some thoughts:

Knowing your construction project was a success

• The project was completed without serious injury or accidents. Of course don’t get excited too soon, as I have had more than one accident in the closing stages of a construction project while trucks were being loaded and the project was being wrapped-up. Receiving a certificate to say construction was completed without serious injury was a definite highlight. A project with a death or serious injury will be remembered for the wrong reasons for the rest of your career.

"A project with a death or serious injury will be remembered for the wrong reasons for the rest of your career."

• You and the team have another project to go to. Construction is very cyclical in nature and I remember projects where we had to dismiss most of the workforce at the end because there wasn’t another project to go to. Even though the team had worked hard to complete a successful project they lost their jobs. There is little worse than telling a good employee you are letting them go because there isn’t another project for them.
• The project made money – preferably more than the tendered profit. I wanted to put this lower on the list, but unfortunately making money for the company was always a motivating factor for me. Of course not profits and any cost, and I always tried to remain honest and act with integrity.
• The client was happy with the project. Client satisfaction covers many aspects including timely completion, safe work, good quality, amicable settlement of claims and a facility that meets the owner’s expectations. Client satisfaction often translates into further work and I was fortunate to have many repeat clients, and in fact often remained on a project to construct a phase 2.

"Good quality work is something that I am always proud of."

• The quality was good. I remember one project where our quality wasn’t what it should have been. Long after we completed the project I shuddered with embarrassment every time I passed the project. Good quality work is something that I am always proud of.
• The project is a landmark project. I envy those in the industry who construct landmark projects - iconic buildings or bridges. Unfortunately most of my projects were industrial or mining, hidden in remote areas or in secure facilities. The few iconic projects I was involved with are treasured. Of course it is also nice to deliver a project that will improve people’s lives such as; a new road in a remote area, water supply systems or hospitals.

"I found deep satisfaction in the success of my team."

Completing construction projects successfully

• Members of your team were promoted, or performed well in roles they had been newly promoted to. Training and development of employees took place. I found deep satisfaction in the success of my team. I loved projects where my team grew and developed, moving into new roles and enabling them to achieve bigger and better things. An employee who learned a new skill or trade was going to provide new opportunities for the individual and be an asset to the company.
• The project is a milestone on your résumé. It’s always great to add an iconic project, a mega project or even a project in a new field to your résumé. It’s particularly nice if the project makes great photos which can be used in the company profile and added to your résumé.
• Suppliers and subcontractors are happy. This usually means they made money. Hopefully you also developed a good working relationship which will go on to future projects.

"Don’t you hate those projects that never seem to end?"

• The project is closed out completely. Don’t you hate those projects that never seem to end? Ongoing snags to be completed, unresolved accounts to be closed, never ending queries to be solved. Some projects have been known to drag on for years embroiled in legal disputes. Other projects seem to have an endless litany of warranty problems and the contractor never seems to be able to move off the project site.
• You came up with an innovative solution to solve a difficult problem, or developed a solution that speeded up the project or saved money. A project where you learned something new or did things in a new better way.
• The project was completed without any industrial relations incidents. This usually means that in general employees were content.

​There are different reasons to be thankful for at the end of a construction project. What were you thankful for at the end of your last project? What will you be thankful for at the end of your current project? Are you taking steps to ensure this happy satisfied ending?

​This article was first published on the ClockShark website - Get The Industries' #1 Time-Tracking AppRunning a field service or construction business takes coordination and a great team. With ClockShark you get the industries' #1 timesheet app

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