With so much competition for construction jobs, it pays to bid low to get the work. However, profit margins will have to get bigger for that to work out financially. This means that money has to be saved on the project or that it should be done ahead of schedule.  

 Reducing wasteful practices and streamlining the operation will pay off on both fronts. Creating a system that focuses on project efficiency is a great way to save money and speed up the process. In this article, we will go over several ways that you can make the project run on time and under budget. 

1 – Use the right software 

Just about every industry has a software suite that helps to keep everything needed in one place or platform. Construction companies have their own unique set of problems when it comes to project management that requires a custom solution. Look for software that helps keep all the essentials of the project in one easy-to-search place. 

The right software will show productivity numbers at a glance for each segment of the project. Plus all the accounting can be done there, too. Procore field tracking software is a good example as it provides a lot of dashboards that help to keep projects on track.  

All relevant documents are available for download from the different teams, teams productivity can be tracked and employee timesheets analyzed. Managing the workforce can be done from the same platform as it integrates with other apps.  

2 – Accountability 

The right software doesn’t help much if people are not held accountable when it shows inefficiency in the processes.  

KPIs (key performance indicators) should be created so it is easily understood when an employee is hitting their target or not. It can also be a great motivational tool if they are given a reward for hitting their targets. However, they also need to know that there are consequences for frequently not living up to their work.  

Accountability shouldn’t be threatening but it should be firm.  

3 – Invest in training 

Mistakes will always be made but when staff isn’t properly trained there are many that would otherwise be avoidable. Training allows employees to work with autonomy not only for more efficient management but also for themselves.  

  Nobody likes to be micromanaged and it is a huge waste of resources to do so. Proper training gives people the tools to work with little supervision and still get the job done well. Productivity also increases when people feel that they are trusted to do the job right.  

4 – Give staff a voice  

The people doing the work in the trenches often have a deeper understanding of how things are going than some of the management. They should be heard when they have a concern about how things are done. Ignoring their advice could cost money and time. 

An experienced worker that has gone through many different scenarios is often very good at spotting a weak spot in a project’s planning. Giving them a voice in the process will also improve employee morale which boosts productivity.