Effective human resource management is one of the main factors contributing to the success of a project. Workers play a fundamental role in realizing the entire concept and metrics of a construction project. Stimulating team productivity is essential to ensure that the project is completed on time and with the quality expected by the client.
In the context of engineers For construction supervisors, it is extremely important to know how to manage their teams in order to achieve positive results in the project and increase the productivity of the work group.
It's important to highlight that good productivity isn't just about producing more in less time. It also involves reducing resource consumption, lowering costs, optimizing the use of equipment and machinery, preventing rework, and other aspects. In practice, it means meeting both the schedule and the budget, ensuring quality delivery.
Let's list some tips that can help with this issue.
Make a proper plan.
Disorganized management can be the main cause of low productivity in the construction industry. Therefore, if you want to ensure maximum resource utilization and avoid waste, proper planning is crucial. This will allow the work to be carried out systematically, prioritizing important processes, controlling deadlines, and organizing the construction site for better workflow.
Planning is not just about creating a schedule of activities. It is essential to establish an efficient exchange of information between managers, foremen, and workers to ensure productive performance, avoiding delays and identifying failures and problems quickly.
With efficient planning, professionals can anticipate phases of construction that may present unforeseen problems. This allows for more time to make decisions and resolve issues before they even occur. This increases work productivity, reduces the risk of rework, and prevents the project from being completed inconsistently with the original design or with low quality.
Improve communication for better performance.
Undoubtedly, lack of communication is one of the biggest problems in any business, especially those that depend on harmony between teams, as is the case in the construction industry.
The absence of dialogue between construction teams can result in various problems in the execution of activities, causing delays in deliveries and even the interruption of the work. Furthermore, workplace accidents and interpersonal conflicts can become frequent due to a lack of communication. For these reasons, it is essential to facilitate the exchange of information between teams.
Furthermore, communicating project specifications, changes to guidelines, or new technical instructions are essential actions to ensure that the construction is delivered according to the project and the client's needs.
Currently, there are several tools available to improve communication on and off the construction site, such as specialized monitoring and communication applications via mobile devices. This makes it possible to request corrective maintenance, open new work orders, and take measurements of the work, for example.
Selecting qualified professionals
Despite the importance of industrialization and technology in improving productivity in the construction industry, nothing can replace hiring qualified professionals for the sector. A good professional must possess solid theoretical knowledge of administration and construction aspects, as well as practical experience in the field.
This knowledge can be acquired in various ways, such as through courses and self-study. Experience, on the other hand, is gained through continuous work on construction sites.
An interesting strategy is to combine experienced professionals with those who have less experience, which contributes to raising the quality of the workforce in the medium and long term.
Investing in quality equipment
In addition to hiring qualified professionals, it is essential to invest in quality equipment. This applies to both the management and execution of the work. In the office environment, it is important to have reliable computers, efficient air conditioning systems, ergonomically suitable chairs, and quality water fountains.
On a construction site, the necessary equipment can vary depending on the specifics of each project. Among the most common equipment are Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as helmets and safety gloves, as well as concrete mixers, wheelbarrows for transporting materials, paintbrushes, and others.
Investing in high-quality equipment not only contributes to safety and efficiency at work, but also increases productivity and the quality of the final results. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize the acquisition of reliable and durable equipment that meets the specific needs of each stage of construction.
Assessing productivity quantitatively
Without metrics, it's impossible to manage what isn't measured. Therefore, for effective productivity management, it's essential to measure it. But how do you measure productivity? This can be done by calculating the productivity index in construction.
But how do you actually calculate the productivity index in the construction industry? There are several formulas that should be known. To measure individual productivity, use the following formula:
Quantity of service ÷ Time x number of employees.
To evaluate team productivity, use the following formula:
Quantity of service ÷ Time.
Through these calculations, it is possible to obtain numerical indicators that reflect the performance and efficiency of the workforce in carrying out tasks.
These metrics help identify opportunities for improvement, optimize processes, and continuously monitor team performance, contributing to the achievement of goals and satisfactory results in the construction industry.
Train your team.
Qualification is a key factor in productivity. When managers train their professionals according to their roles, they stimulate interest and increase efficiency (which results in greater productivity).
Furthermore, proper qualification reduces errors and rework during construction, lowers costs, and speeds up delivery times, thanks to the precise execution of tasks and the high quality of the work.
Therefore, it is essential to strengthen workforce skills through training and skills development, ensuring that everyone knows how to act in each situation.
One option for your company is to hire a specialized school to provide this training, which can contribute to cost reduction.
Assign goals and responsibilities to employees.
Setting goals is fundamental in any job, as it helps employees understand the process they are involved in and create challenging objectives to guide their actions. Furthermore, it helps to clearly define everyone's responsibilities on the project, ensuring that everyone knows what is expected of them.
With well-defined goals, employees feel more focused and engaged, which has a direct impact on productivity. In workforce management, it is recommended to establish goals that encourage employees to step outside their comfort zone, but that are realistically achievable.
When setting these goals, it is beneficial to offer a variety of tasks, ensuring that the absence of one employee does not negatively impact overall performance, as others can take over their responsibilities.
Furthermore, when setting goals, it is recommended to create an incentive and reward program for those who achieve the stipulated objectives. This also contributes to increased productivity.
By setting clear goals and providing incentives, you motivate your team to strive for and achieve high performance, resulting in increased productivity and the achievement of project objectives.
Technology as an ally
Technology plays a fundamental role in the corporate environment and has become an essential tool in the pursuit of increased productivity. Mobile devices and construction management software are increasingly present in companies seeking to achieve maximum efficiency. The quick and easy access to data provided by these software programs offers a comprehensive view of construction projects and facilitates decision-making.
It is interesting to consider technological solutions that include a time tracking system. Time tracking is an essential tool on the construction site, offering several benefits, including productivity analysis. With an accurate record of the work performed, it is possible to measure the efficiency of the workforce, the use of equipment, and the individual output of each employee at the end of the day.
This information is valuable when it comes to productivity, as a lack of indicators or inaccurate data makes it difficult to identify where productivity losses are occurring. This can result in unexpected costs and other surprises during the project.
The challenges of being productive
We know that managing a construction project is a major challenge, as it involves factors beyond our control. Being prepared for the adversities of construction is necessary nowadays, as deadlines are tight and costs tend to increase as delays accumulate.
Count on WGB Engenharia to define construction methods, utilizing our vast experience on construction sites, always delivering projects that exceed expectations.
