Cory ThomasFisk - CM Training Expert 🚧

Nothing beats a a good job walk. Sometimes difficult to do with a remote team. However, you don't have to be a technology expert to take advantage of technology on your construction site. A facetime video call showing progress, an explanation video emailed to your team, pictures taken from the same vantage point over the project, a timelapse software or support courses like https://lnkd.in/gR5GexpY with Construction Management Online can all assist in the use of digital tools for construction management. Organization or your project can still benefit from the use of Excel however there are now a number of software available that can be modified to fit the specific needs of your company and project.

Nothing beats in-person when observing progress and status of a project. However, it is not always possible and in our new work evolution it is becoming less, and less available. Additionally, the remote workforce is often assembled of those who have not spent a lot of time on jobsites so the potential for miscommunication is much higher. Requiring regular and often updates is a key communication tool in reducing the risk missing a vital component of the project that can quickly send it into a spiral. This is also a perfect opportunity for education and documenting while updating, informing, and educating on the different tasks taking place on the construction site. Regular updates with visual aides is a perfect way to update everyone.

One of the hardest transitions in construction is moving to the next rung on the ladder. Each time I was promoted, whether it was from a laborer to equipment operator, construction manager to facility director, or executive director to a construction management professor - each "bridge" required a significant learning curve that was often met with residence from those who had already put their "hard knocks" in. I think one of the hardest things for me to learn was having a comprehension of how important mindset was and not going into something thinking I could teach it just because I knew HOW to do it. In order to be a good mentor you have to be prepared to let your student do the work and you have to be ready to guide.

I think this is an invaluable opportunity being missed by the construction industry. Most people facing retirement do not want to stop working. They recognize the advantages of extended youth by keeping busy, staying engaged and doing what you're good at and passionate about. Instead of letting this valuable work experience walk out the door, more effort should be made in creating opportunities to have those want to reduce their work hours and transition into a mentorship role. These expertise can be used for quality control, project energy, answering questions for those less experienced and of course, the ever enjoyable generational stories, educating of the old ways and introducing the advantages of lessons learned to create the new.

We plan and God laughs ..... However, a quote credited to Benjamin Franklin states “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. Everything we do in the construction industry needs to be structured around strategic planning - every project starts with two key components - 1. Start with the end in mind and 2. Never make a plan without having contingencies in place. If there is one thing we know about planning it is that things are going to change and the level of which you prepare and are ready for those changes will define your success on a project.

If we have said it once - we have said it a million times - COMMUNICATION, COMMUNICATION, COMMUNICATION. However, those of use traversing the new norms of supply shortages, and delayed shipments know that it is also going to be HOW you communicate The words you use could quickly determine if you move to the top of the list or drop like a rock to the bottom with the rest of the course, short, rough, demanding and less than respectful communicators attempting to strong arm their request instead of following the advice of the beautiful, soft, loving grandmother rocking on her porch reminding you "You always catch more bees with honey".