The Successful Construction Supervisor and Foreman

New book for construction professionals

Being a construction supervisor or foreman is challenging, it’s hard work, but it’s also rewarding watching projects take shape under your watch. A supervisor’s job is certainly never boring – every day is different, each project is different, different locations and different people, all presenting new challenges.

But, a construction foreman (foreperson) or supervisor is a tough job. Out in all types of weather, facing seemingly impossible deadlines, dealing with people who don’t always have the skills for the tasks, sometimes reporting to project managers who have little understanding of construction, using equipment that breaks down on occasion, working long hours, reams of paperwork to fill out, people taking chances, rules and more rules – is it all worth it? Construction foremen and supervisors are at the coalface of every project. Good foremen and supervisors are essential to the success of every construction project and every construction company, indeed, they are valuable assets.
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A construction foreman, foreperson, or supervisor, manages a work crew, or oversees a section of work. Of course, they can be male or female. 

Supervisors take on enormous responsibilities. Not only are they responsible for coordinating their team and resources to ensure that the project, and in particular their section of work, is delivered on time and meets the required quality standards, but they must ensure that the resources operate efficiently. Then most important, they’re responsible for people’s lives. They’re responsible to ensure that they, their team, others working on the project and the general public aren’t endangered or injured by activities on the project, or related to the project. In addition, they must ensure that the project is constructed in accordance with the applicable standards and specifications, so that those using or operating the completed facility won’t be harmed in any way.

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How this book will help construction supervisors and foremen

Most supervisors have years of experience on the tools, learning their trade, sometimes through apprenticeships, but mostly from watching and learning from others. These skills are often focussed on a particular trade or skill. But, being a supervisor is a totally different ball game. Where before, as a tradesperson you were doing the work yourself, now as supervisor you must organise and manage others doing the work. It’s often hard to step back and watch others do the work, when possibly they’re not meeting the standards and speed that you would produce on the job. It’s difficult to step back and be less hands-on. But supervisors have to take control of the whole job, and not be distracted from this management and organisational role by doing the work yourself. There is just far too much happening on a project to get your hands dirty doing the work yourself.

Supervisors must be able to manage people. In fact, dealing with people in an effective way is an essential requirement. Supervisors have to communicate (both verbally and in writing), they must lead, motivate and delegate.
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Unfortunately there are few courses for supervisors, and almost no qualifications required – other than the construction life of hard knocks. Managers just expect supervisors to know things, yet they don’t explain anything. Who teaches new supervisors?

As a young engineer on a project, and as a project manager, I was fortunate to learn from many excellent supervisors and foremen. Indeed I would never have achieved what I did without the foremen working on my projects. They were the powerhouse of the projects, and I only had to steer the project to a successful conclusion. Now it’s my turn to share my 30 years of construction experience and knowledge with construction supervisors and foremen in my new book ‘The Successful Construction Supervisor and Foreman’. I explain why things are done in a certain way, why good paperwork is essential, but more importantly, I provide tips and insights to help supervisors and foremen become the very best.
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Chapters include; how contractors win projects and the critical role supervisors play in this, starting the project, people and equipment management, productivity, cutting costs, managing the project, finishing the project, safety, dealing with materials, working with subcontractors, quality and more.

This book will also help those new to construction and those looking to advance their construction career. It will also be useful to new construction managers.

Where you can get your book - The Successful Construction Supervisor and Foreman

‘The Successful Construction Supervisor and Foreman’ is an easy to read book available in paper or eBook from Amazon and other online stores. Downloading the app from Amazon means that the Kindle book can be read on your computer, tablet, or even phone.

I hope this book helps foreman or supervisor become the best. Construction is desperate for good, experienced, skilled and dedicated supervisors. Construction needs you.

For more information on The Successful Construction Supervisor and Foreman