How to Optimize Your Construction Workflow

A construction workflow is the coordination of tasks among people in an organization. This includes the passing of data and information to guide the appropriate action.

A construction workflow typically follows a hierarchy of approvals and privileges based on job description. Optimization of the workflow is designed to maximize the company’s profits. Examples include the processes for accounts payable, payroll processing, submittals, RFIs, and closeouts.

Most companies look for ways to improve these processes. There typically are methods to improve efficiency and work quality. The use of fewer resources to maintain customer satisfaction leads to greater profit.

Because improvements in your construction workflows take time, you want to get started on the process today. The sooner you begin, the sooner you can start to see results.

The following information can help you optimize your construction workflows.

Common Workflow Issues

The majority of construction workflow problems fall into one of three areas: 

  • Communication: Data and information must be efficiently transmitted and communicated in the field or back office. 
  • Data management: Data needs to be stored and accessed in a centralized location to provide the correct information needed to complete tasks.  
  • Visibility: Transparency in each workflow and the progression of events is needed to keep track of where an employee or team is in a process.

Methods to Improve Workflows 

You can use collaboration, automation, standardization, and elimination (CASE) to correct construction workflow issues. 

  • Collaboration: Employees need to work together to uncover and resolve siloes, inefficiencies, and redundancies in the workflows. Employees can complete more work in less time. 
  • Automation: A reduction in data entry, approval pathing, and general clerical tasks would increase the efficiency and accuracy of workflows. Responsibilities that take two employees may be completed by one employee.  
  • Standardization: The collection and storage of data in one platform increases employee access and ease of use. This reduces compartmentalization and the potential for error.  
  • Elimination: Get rid of redundancies, inefficiencies, compartmentalization, siloes, and human error as much as possible. These actions increase efficiency and accuracy throughout your organization.

Want Help with Hiring?  

Trade Management can provide you with the construction workers you need when you need them. Get in touch with us today.

5 Ways the Jobsite Has Changed

In the months since the pandemic began, job sites have changed dramatically for tradesmen. Both safety measures and changes in the economy have altered the industry, meaning construction workers are returning to the job to find a much different world than they left. As your sites begin reopening, here are five changes your company may notice and implement.

1. Additional health and safety measures

Additional health and safety measures are a logical change, considering everything that is going on around the world. To keep teams safe, precautions are being taken at job sites to make sure they are clean. Measures may include checking temperatures, sanitizing all equipment, and adjusting shifts to have fewer people on site at the same time. Masks, gloves, and additional hand sanitizing options will also be seen more frequently.

2. Video calls when possible

Project planning meetings with clients and team members will likely remain virtual for some time. As with most industries, anything that can be done remotely is shifting that way, meaning even construction meetings will look different than before. In some situations, virtual tours of sites are also being done.

3. Shift in projects

Project demand will increase by industry and by type of project. Certain project types will likely be in high demand such as converting offices from open concept to traditional as a safety measure. The medical and healthcare industries will likely see an increase in demand for construction projects as well. Even as states begin to reopen, certain businesses remain closed or are not looking to renovate or move until they are beyond the pandemic. Office projects may grow as those with more open concepts need to readjust to meet safety procedures. As people continue to order online versus shopping in person, warehouse and distribution projects are likely to be in demand as well.

4. Offices remaining remote

Even with workers back on site, the office and administrative employees will likely continue to telework. Especially with the goal of keeping people on site low, having these team members at home allows the job to continue with the maximum number of workers possible. Fortunately, technology makes staying connected easier than ever.

5. Increase in project time

Under the current circumstances, projects will take more time. With social distancing in place and both projects and shifts more staggered, the speed of completion will be slowed. Workers will continue to do their best, but the reality is things are different now. Old timelines will need to be updated to reflect current conditions.

What can Trade Management do for you?

Find out today! At Trade Management, we maintain a skilled, permanent workforce, to help our clients increase profit through productivity and reduced hiring costs. You focus on bidding and building; we handle the rest. Contact us today to get the help you need!