If you have any experience working on a construction site, you are likely well aware of how challenging it can be to manage your team. On any given project, there could be just ten laborers, or even dozens or hundreds. Deadlines are of the utmost importance, as falling behind schedule could drive up costs considerably.
Effective leadership and management are critical. So, how can you get the most out of your construction team to make sure you meet your timelines and don’t incur additional cost? Below are five of the best ways to manage your construction team both on and off site.
Establish A Hierarchy Structure
One of the primary issues that tend to derail construction projects is confusion amongst employees. Construction workers are often confused when they receive conflicting orders and are unsure which take precedence. When beginning a project, establish a clear-cut hierarchy structure with your employees. Even if your team is small, this can make a big difference.
Consider drawing an organizational chart to outline your team’s structure and review it with your crew. This not only promotes transparency but also makes operations much more efficient. Also, know that this chart may need to change as your business grows. The chart you start with for a twelve man team will be considerably different from the one you will use with a 40, 80, or 100+ team.
Streamline Payroll Processes
There’s nothing worse than arriving at our job site in the morning to see a long line of people waiting to punch in. Or worse, hunting down handwritten time cards that are barely legible to begin with. It can be time consuming, but you do it anyway because your team has to get paid, right. Streamlining this process could make life easier for employees and management, and save you hours of work on a monthly basis so you can spend more time on more productive activities to grow your business.
Consider using a time card app that allows customers to clock in and out remotely. Managers can verify the employee’s location when doing so. Time card apps also provide employees with real-time payroll updates from anywhere. Roughly half of the bosses we have surveyed indicated that collecting a time card from employees is one of the most significant challenges they face on a job site.
Communicate With Your Team
A lack of communication will leave your team frustrated. Being honest and upfront with them will draw respect from your crew. Make sure that you communicate schedules and timetables for the week. Establish an open-door policy that encourages employees to ask questions.
Also, consider the fact that 47 percent of bosses report that their employees get lost traveling to and from a job site and that nearly 49 percent of bosses say that their employees show up with incorrect materials. This is frustrating for both employees and management. Communicating with your team through a construction team management app can reduce the likelihood of these problems.
Listen to Your Crews Opinions
Your crew is your greatest asset, and not just because they get the work done. They are experienced professionals with insights often underutilized by business owners. Your team is your eyes and ears on a project. They are the ones “in the trenches,” dealing with the ins and outs of the project. Ask them for their opinions during the project. This will not only help team members feel more valued and respected, but it will also likely help you catch issues before they arise into a crisis. Too often, construction employees feel as though they can’t speak up and that if they had been encouraged to do so, they could have reported an issue.
Observe Your Team In Action
A lot of being a business owner means you may not have a lot of time on site with your team. But, as much as you can being present during a construction project makes a difference. This will allow your team to see that you are there for them to answer questions and provide support. And, of course, apply all the previous advice mentioned here while you’re onsite to help your crew feel more engaged and committed to both their and your success. One study found that highly engaged employees are nearly 90 percent less likely to leave their company than disengaged workers.
