When a construction mistake occurs, panic is precisely the wrong reaction. Leaders on the project should be prepared to quickly and thoroughly resolve the situation, document all the facts, and move forward with a plan of action. The construction project management process used to fix the problem can be as important as the repair itself.
Here are three key tips to keep in mind when managing construction mistakes:
1. Own your mistake
If you or your company has made a mistake on- or off-site, it's crucial to acknowledge the error as quickly as possible. This could involve sending a formal email to all relevant parties, outlining the mistake and the steps being taken to rectify it. The way you resolve the situation can have a significant effect on your professional reputation. This can be as simple as addressing a late delivery, or as complicated as determining which contractor contributed to a poor-quality element of the project. No matter the situation, owning the problem demonstrates a commitment to making things right without unnecessary and unprofessional drama.
2. Fully document and communicate mistakes
As soon as a mistake is identified, thorough documentation must be collected to ensure accurate record-keeping and to keep stakeholders informed of the situation. Photos, videos, notes, and key measurements should fully capture the issue that needs to be addressed.
Accurately accounting for the mistake through comprehensive construction document management can point the way forward, save your company from future disputes, and serve as a learning example for crew members. Once you've thoroughly documented the mistake, sharing the information with all relevant parties, from the office to the field, is essential to owning the problem and developing a solution.
Advanced construction project management software makes documenting construction mistakes simple. Fully integrated with popular cloud storage services and a built-in document repository, Primavera P6's intuitive interface allows users to conduct document inspections quickly and share the information with all necessary parties. Automated workflows can ensure that communications about complex projects spanning multiple teams can be delivered without unnecessary friction.
3. Repair and reassess
Once the mistake has been acknowledged and documented, it's not enough to simply get the problem fixed and move on. Repairing the problem itself may be the most pressing immediate concern, but it's just as important to understand what caused the mistake and what can be done to prevent similar problems in the future. This could involve conducting a thorough review of the construction process, identifying any gaps or bottlenecks that may have contributed to the mistake, and implementing measures to prevent these issues from recurring. By taking these steps, you can ensure that the mistake is not repeated and that your construction processes are continually improving.
You've already owned and fully documented the mistake. That helps clear a path to a positive future outcome. Using the information at hand, take time to find the gap or bottleneck in the construction process that might have led to the mistake. Collecting field data in real-time is extremely helpful in providing visibility into those bottlenecks or hidden processes. Whether the cause was a miscommunication with a contractor, a skipped item on an inspection checklist, or an inaccurate measurement, having access to all the correct information will help determine the best future course of action.