Construction delays are common in the industry because of the high level of uncertainty associated with construction work. McKinsey and Company report that an average construction project experiences a minimum schedule delay of 20 months, and almost 80% cost overruns!
However, there is plenty of room for improvement and reduces the chances of construction delays. Why? Because according to the International Journal of Project Management, there are almost 28 different parameters that cause construction delays. Therefore, by focusing on the most important ones, you can significantly reduce delays in your project.
How to Avoid Construction Schedule Delays?
Construction schedule delays can prove to be very costly to the contractor and result in payment issues. To help you cut down on administrative work and prevent cost overruns on your project, we have compiled the top five ways to ensure your project delivers on time without compromising on the quality.
Address Construction Delays and Blockers
The first step is to address and minimize any blockers that may affect your project. Blockers are tasks that must be completed before any other work on the project can be done. Common examples of blockers are site inspection, not having enough material on construction site, difficulty in leasing equipment, etc. These blockers significantly affect the performance and momentum of your project.
A construction delay is different from blockers. A delay occurs when things don’t go according to plan. For example, you had planned to lay down a concrete foundation, but it ends up raining. Blockers, on the other hand, are necessary tasks that must be undertaken before any other construction work. Therefore, we recommend getting help from a Quantum expert for identifying these blockers in advance to run the project smoothly.
Plan Ahead of Time
When it comes to construction projects, nothing is as crucial as a detailed plan that serves as a guide to workers. A good project plan not only provides a bird’s eye view of the whole project but is also flexible to incorporate changes. This way, you can easily manage potential delays on time before they end up costing you a lot of money.
Some of the essential features of a great project plan include a clear-cut timeline, final drawings of the project, and all the legal documents with contractors and suppliers. One of the biggest mistakes is when people don’t pay attention to small details in the plan. Your plan needs to include every bit of detail related to the project that may cause a delay in the future.
Effective Construction Management
Another major obstacle in the construction project is poor management, which often leads to project failure. Primary tasks of a construction manager include planning, assigning duties on the project, coordinating between different parties, and delivering a successful project. According to the Modular Building Institute:
Time, money, and resources are wasted when projects are poorly managed, causing workers to have to wait around for tools and work crews’ schedules to conflict; when work crews are not on-site at the appropriate time; or when supplies and equipment are stored haphazardly, requiring that they be moved multiple times.
So how can you increase the effectiveness of construction management? You can either get help from construction management professionals or outsource construction project management to top construction management companies Dubai.
Schedule Contractors and Suppliers in Advance
Bridget McMullin, a construction design expert, warns about scheduling suppliers and contractors ahead of time. She says, “Architects, designers, and contractors have wait times on their schedule just for setting up the first meeting.” When it comes to construction, it takes a lot of time to get everything in place to make sure the project is delivered on time.
To minimize possible construction schedule delays, make sure to determine the contractors and suppliers you will be needing ahead of time, and get their quotes as soon as possible. It is crucial to understand that it can take months just to get an appointment with an architect, therefore plan months before the construction of the project to start organizing. You can also consult with a construction project management company regarding the bidding of contractors well ahead of time.
Establish Clear Communication Channels
Due to poor communication between parties on the construction project, small problems can result in massive delays and cost overruns. A high level of uncertainty is associated with construction projects, and in case an unforeseen challenge or a hurdle materializes on the job, communication is essential between parties for consultation.
An open communication channel is essential to make sure everyone is on board and is informed about project details and updates. One way to do that is to outsource a project management team to overlook the tasks and deliver real-time updates to all the key stakeholders. It not only gives fast results but makes sure every team is on one page.
Keep your Construction Projects on Schedule
Construction includes a lot of variables and circumstances that may hinder the performance of the project. To avoid these unexpected construction schedule delays, one needs extensive planning before the start of the project and attention to all the details. Follow these steps to ensure your project keeps running on schedule, so you don’t have to face cost overruns due to delays.
Consult with a construction management professional to prevent common schedule delays and deliver them on time.
