What Meetings Do Construction Project Managers Run

How can superintendents and project managers work together effectively? This is a powerful partnership in construction that can make or break a project, so it’s vital that these roles collaborate well. This blog will provide key insights into how superintendents and project managers can avoid conflicts and build a strong, productive relationship on-site.

If you’ve ever experienced tension or distance between a PM and a superintendent, you’ll understand how disruptive it can be—like trying to manage a group of kids when the parents aren’t getting along. But don’t worry, I’m here to help you eliminate the awkwardness and provide 10 key steps that you’ll find invaluable.

Let’s dive in!

1. The Power Pairing: Superintendents & Project Managers

The partnership between superintendents and project managers is crucial. These two roles must work in harmony for the project to succeed. If there’s friction, you can’t just sit back and hope it works itself out. It won’t. You have to address it directly. In some cases, the relationship can be repaired with the right approach, but if not, you may need to consider replacing someone. The success of this partnership is non-negotiable.

2. Importance of Intentional Check-Ins

Intentional check-ins are essential. These can happen during meetings, after team sessions, or even during informal catch-ups. It’s not just about being in the same room; you need to genuinely connect with each other. 

I’ve even recommended that PMs and supers go to lunch together, without discussing work, just to get to know each other as individuals. Why? Because we all have egos, and when we feel triggered, our brains go into fight-or-flight mode. This creates unnecessary tension, and it’s only by connecting on a personal level that you can move past this.

3. Defining Roles & Responsibilities Clearly

Clear roles and responsibilities are crucial to avoid misunderstandings. I once helped a team where the PM felt the superintendent wasn’t performing. It turned out the superintendent simply didn’t know what was expected of him. Once we clarified expectations, the superintendent stepped up immediately. Clear expectations help avoid conflict and ensure that everyone knows their role.

4. Building Mutual Respect & Trust

Mutual respect and trust are the foundations of any successful relationship, professional or personal. I always recommend reading The Go-Giver and The Leader Without a Title. These books emphasize that giving without expecting anything in return is the only way to build trust. In a construction setting, PMs and supers should ask themselves, “What can I do to support the other?” This mindset fosters a culture of respect and collaboration.

5. Collaborative Planning

Collaborative planning is vital. When PMs and supers plan together, especially in a visual format, it helps both parties get on the same page. It’s a powerful way to develop camaraderie and ensure that everyone is aligned with the project’s goals.

6. Effective Problem-Solving

Effective problem-solving involves understanding how each person handles conflict. Personality assessments can be useful here, allowing you to tailor feedback in a way that doesn’t trigger defensiveness. The key is to develop healthy communication pathways that resolve conflicts without escalating tensions.

7. Documentation & Reporting

Clear documentation and reporting are not about creating a paper trail to use against each other. Instead, they serve as a way to keep everyone aligned. Meeting minutes, decisions, and action items should be documented so that the team can stay on track without confusion or miscommunication.

8. Proper Resource Management

Proper resource management is essential for building a strong partnership. PMs need to ensure that supers have the materials, information, and tools they need to keep the project moving. When both sides focus on helping each other, the relationship strengthens, and the project benefits.

9. Make Decisions Together

Making decisions together fosters accountability and commitment. When both the PM and the superintendent weigh in on a decision, they are more invested in the outcome. If one party feels left out of the decision-making process, they may resist or even sabotage the decision, consciously or not. Collaboration ensures that everyone is on the same page.

10. Anticipating Problems

Both the PM and superintendent should constantly be on the lookout for potential problems and address them proactively. Anticipating issues and resolving them before they become critical is key to maintaining a healthy relationship and a smooth-running project.

11. Continuous Improvement of Relationships

Finally, relationships require constant attention and improvement. The better the relationship between the PM and the superintendent, the better the project will go. It’s important to continually assess and improve the relationship between PMs and supers for optimal project success.

This blog post is a guide to building a powerful partnership between superintendents and project managers. If you ever need help facilitating this process or need support from an assistant PM or superintendent!