Recovery Plan for a Construction Project: A Lean Approach
If you’re tasked with recovering a construction project that’s spiraling downward, it can be overwhelming. But don’t worry, you’re not alone in this, and it doesn’t have to be harder than it already is. I’ve successfully turned around numerous troubled projects, and the principles I’ll share with you are tried-and-true. Follow these steps to stabilize your project, improve efficiency, and get back on track.
- Respect for People:
The first principle to follow when recovering a project is respect for people. When the project starts going wrong, it’s easy to forget the human side of things, but it’s essential to keep morale high. Start by implementing morning worker huddles to bring everyone together and celebrate milestones. Ensure the job site has clean bathrooms, well-maintained lunch areas, and effective communication channels. By showing workers respect and giving them an outlet to voice issues, you’ll maintain their motivation to help recover the project.
- Stability:
A stable work environment is crucial to recovering a project. Clean, safe, and organized sites lead to productive work. Spend a day or two cleaning up the job site, follow the 5S or 6S system (sort, straighten, shine, standardize, sustain), and ensure that everything is in its place. This might seem like a delay, but it’s necessary to create a foundation for the next steps. If the site is chaotic, productivity will continue to suffer.
- One Process Flow:
Focus on one process flow. This principle ensures that everyone is aligned on the tasks at hand and can complete them without unnecessary interruptions or distractions. Make sure your team is focused on finishing one task before starting another. Start by planning each task, building according to the plan, and completing it before moving to the next. This reduces rework and inefficiencies that extend the project lifecycle.
- Flow:
To truly optimize project recovery, establish flow. Ensure that each task flows into the next, without bottlenecks or unnecessary wait times. This is often done using Takt time, but even if you can’t implement Takt time immediately, ensure that work progresses in a sequence that makes sense. One key practice is to pull contractors into areas as soon as the previous task is finished, avoiding delays caused by overlapping work.
- Visual Systems:
You can’t recover a project effectively without visual systems in place. Use huddle boards to track progress and visual production plans to give everyone a clear view of the project timeline. Add wayfinding signage so that workers can easily navigate the site. When everyone can see the same information and understand the project’s goals, they’ll be more likely to contribute effectively and stay aligned.
- Continuous Improvement:
The final principle for project recovery is continuous improvement. Once the recovery plan is in place, implement it and begin identifying areas for improvement. Whether it’s refining processes, addressing delays, or enhancing communication, continuous improvement ensures that your project doesn’t just recover—it thrives.
Key to a Successful Recovery: Stability First
The most important thing to remember when recovering a construction project is stability first. It may feel like you’re behind schedule, but rushing and pushing the work will only lead to a productivity spiral. Instead, hold steady, avoid increasing the work in progress, and stay focused on the principles above.
How to Manage Change Orders:
When managing change orders, don’t let your trades get distracted. Treat change orders as separate tasks, with a separate crew and management. Stay focused on the main contract work to avoid derailing your recovery plan.
Inventory Materials:
Ensure that all materials are accounted for and that nothing is missing. Go through all plans and specs and make sure that your inventory is complete. If something’s missing, get it on-site quickly.
Importance of Having a Path to Finish:
A clear path to finish is essential. Ensure that the project timeline is complete with all details, including commissioning and final testing. Knowing exactly what needs to be done to reach the end is vital for staying on track.
Focus on Pre-Planning:
One common mistake in project recovery is abandoning the pre-con meeting or pull planning. Don’t fall into this trap. Maintain your pre-con meetings, look-ahead planning, and weekly work planning. Addressing roadblocks before they occur is much more effective than trying to fix them after they’ve delayed progress.
Conclusion:
To recover a construction project successfully, focus on respect for people, stability, flow, visual systems, and continuous improvement. Hold steady and avoid the temptation to rush through the process. By sticking to these principles, you can turn a troubled project around and get it back on track for completion.
Stay focused on the fundamentals, and you’ll achieve the results you need. If you’re ever tasked with recovering a project, keep these principles in mind—they’re your blueprint for success.
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Discover Jason’s Expertise:
Meet Jason Schroeder, the driving force behind Elevate Construction IST. As the company’s owner and principal consultant, he’s dedicated to taking construction to new heights. With a wealth of industry experience, he’s crafted the Field Engineer Boot Camp and Superintendent Boot Camp – intensive training programs engineered to cultivate top-tier leaders capable of steering their teams towards success. Jason’s vision? To expand his training initiatives across the nation, empowering construction firms to soar to unprecedented levels of excellence.
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