Common issues in construction and how to address them

In any workplace, there are always a number of factors or issues that hinder progress and could lead to a project not being run in a safe and timely manner, potentially leading to budget issues and delays.

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Risk management and safety

Now whilst the number of illnesses or injuries on the average work site has decreased over the years, ensuring that workers are kept safe and protecting them against any injuries or accidents should be at the forefront of all business owners’ minds. Many project managers already put safeguards in place to prepare for long-term risk. However, short-term issues and risks are often left out of the equation. These risks can then snowball quickly and start to have a real impact on the bottom line and be a major problem when considering the safety of the workers.

Diverse skillset and communication

In many ways, construction is an industry built on reputation, with people more naturally inclined to work with others whom they know and trust. This can often be incredibly beneficial, as a close-knit team who understand how to work together can be far more efficient. On the other hand, when there is a skills gap in the team, there is likely to be delays and a lack of adjustment.

Furthermore, communication is a key instrument in any industry, but is especially vital when work is distributed to various parties. Without a clear and effective line of communication, any tasks that are integral to the project could slip through the cracks and the team can remain unaware of an issue until it’s too late. Hence, project managers need to be sure to set and adhere to clear guidelines.

The primary solution is to be aware of these gaps in skillsets before they have any type of impact on the project. Having detected these gaps, you can then address them by filling them efficiently and quickly. A clear form of communication across the board keeps the team updated of any obstacles or progress made at the end of each day. In this way, problems could thereby be solved proactively. If circumstances do not allow for in-person meetings, then various types of software could remedy the issue, with methods of communication such as zoom calls or online meetings, or online bulletin boards and updates accessibly to work staff.

Adjusting to new technology

Nowadays, no one can ignore how technological advancements like software applications, BIM, mobile devices and telematics have all been in use in the construction industry for a number of years. Alongside this there are emerging technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), wearables and autonomous vehicles, VR and AR, robots, drones and 3D printing which are all in some way being adapted to use in a construction setting.

Incidentally, most of these technologies and advancements could be repurposed to help address other challenges or obstacles faced in a construction workplace. For example, project management software and mobile devices can help with keeping everyone up to date on scheduling and planning as well as maintaining an optimal level of collaboration and communication, whilst Building Information Modelling (BIM) and VR can allow for more comprehensive analysis of the work project, leading to better productivity.

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