How To Prioritize People Over Efficiency In Projects

How to Prioritize People Over Efficiency in Construction Projects

In this blog, I’ll share the proven approach to planning and executing construction projects that prioritize people without compromising efficiency or profitability. This method, which I’ve used repeatedly, creates a positive, sustainable environment that respects individuals while delivering exceptional results. If you’re interested in balancing respect for people with effective project outcomes, read on.

Why People Come First:

Construction isn’t just about steel and concrete—it’s about people. Respecting and caring for the individuals on your team is the foundation for project success. Every person involved has a right to:

• Be treated with dignity.
• Understand their role clearly.
• Have their ideas considered.
• Participate in planning and decision-making.

This people-first mindset isn’t just ethical; it’s practical. When you care for your employees, they’ll take better care of your clients and your projects.

Avoiding Overburdening in Construction:

A key principle of lean methodology, as embraced by Toyota, is to address overburdening first. Overburdening happens when workers are:

• Pushed into unsafe or rushed conditions.
• Expected to handle more than their capacity.
• Forced to work overtime or in overcrowded zones.

Rather than starting with resource or work efficiency, prioritize stabilizing the work environment. This creates a foundation where efficiency can develop naturally, without harming people.

Strategies for People-First Project Management:

1. Flow Planning:
   Create clear pull plans and ensure trades work in a steady flow. Avoid trade stacking (too many people in one area) and trade burdening (spreading resources too thin).
2. Look-Ahead and Weekly Work Plans:
   Use these tools to align work with capacity and ensure tasks are achievable without overburdening teams.
3. Design Around Bottlenecks:
   Identify areas where progress slows and adjust the design, equipment, or methods to reduce strain on workers.
4. Safety, Cleanliness, and Organization:
   Ensure the site is always safe and organized to minimize stress and maximize efficiency.
5. Visual Systems:
   Implement visual aids to track progress and identify constraints. These systems help teams work cohesively toward efficiency without rushing or pushing.

What Happens When Work Is Prioritized Over People:

Focusing solely on efficiency at the expense of people can lead to serious consequences:

• Overworking and harming workers.
• Unsafe job sites.
• Increased accidents and mental health issues, including a high suicide rate among construction workers.

Rushing, pushing, and prioritizing value-receiving time over worker well-being is not just unethical—it’s counterproductive.

The Lean Way: People First, Efficiency Second:

Lean practices in construction emphasize protecting people first. Here’s the process:

1. Respect and stabilize the team.
2. Create a safe, organized, and clean environment.
3. Work in a single process flow.
4. Align tasks with capacity.
5. Incrementally improve efficiency by addressing bottlenecks.

When you prioritize people, efficiency follows organically. A well-supported team is more productive, engaged, and capable of delivering outstanding results.

Conclusion:

The misconception that work efficiency should come first has no place in modern construction. By focusing on people, respecting their needs, and creating a stable environment, you can achieve both ethical practices and exceptional project outcomes.