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8 Tips For Managing Your Remote Construction Team Effectively

8 Tips For Managing Your Remote Construction Team Effectively

The pandemic accelerated the shift to remote work, and now many companies, including construction businesses, are adopting new work management methods.

recent study by a San-Francisco construction tech company surveyed construction companies and found that around 92% of them want to incorporate remote work in their business models post-COVID.

The survey also noted that productivity at the majority of construction companies increased when working remotely.

Respondents identified the following two significant benefits of remote work:

It seems that remote work for construction companies is making its way to full integration. But are construction managers ready for this change?

Before jumping to a remote working schedule, owners and construction managers must consider all aspects of this type of work. They should understand that managing remote teams includes new challenges and opportunities.

If you’re thinking about slowly transforming in-person employees into remote workers, keep reading to discover eight tips for effectively managing your remote construction team!

1. Define the Company’s Remote Working Policy

The first step is to develop a remote working policy covering all aspects of this work and employee behavior. This policy should note the company’s expectations for employee productivity and set working hours.

What should the remote working policy include?

It’s also important to state what equipment and software employees will need to work remotely and how they can access company data. You should also assess the current management guidelines and update them to fit the new remote working model.

2. Understand the Challenges of Managing a Remote Team

While there are many benefits, it’s essential to understand the challenges that present themselves once you start to manage remote teams.

One of the biggest challenges is maintaining data secrecy.

When employees are working remotely, they may not have the same level of security as they would in an office. So, there is a greater risk of data breaches and cyber-attacks.

You should have a robust security policy covering all data security aspects to mitigate this risk. This should include guidelines on how to access and store company data and how to use collaboration tools safely.

3. Communicate Effectively with Remote Team Members

One of the most critical aspects of managing a remote team is effective communication.

Since team members are not in the same physical space, it can be difficult for the entire team to stay on the same page and ensure that everyone is on track.

There are a few things you can do to ensure effective communication among your team:

It’s also essential to utilize project management tools to help you keep track of deadlines and progress.

4. Develop a Standard for Remote Working Productivity

When employees are working remotely, it can be difficult to gauge their productivity. This is why it’s important to develop a standard for remote working productivity.

There are a few things you can do to set a productive remote working standard:

5. Prevent Overwork

When employees are working remotely, there is a greater risk of overwork. This is because employees may feel like they need to work more hours to prove their productivity.

To prevent overwork, it’s essential to set clear boundaries and expectations. This includes setting working hours and taking regular breaks. It’s also important to encourage employees to take advantage of their flex time and use it to recharge.

6. Encourage Feedback from Employees

It’s important to encourage feedback from employees when managing a remote team. It will help you understand their needs and concerns and identify any areas that need improvement.

There are a few things you can do to encourage feedback:

7. Offer Support and Resources

It’s important to offer support and resources when you want to manage a remote team. This includes providing training on how to use collaboration tools and offering tips on how to stay productive.

It’s also essential to ensure that employees have the resources they need to do their jobs, such as a quiet place to work and a reliable internet connection.

8. Have Trials Before Implementing a Full Remote Schedule

It’s important to have trials before transitioning to a fully remote schedule and managing an entire remote team. This will help you identify any issues that need to be addressed before making the switch.

There are a few things you can do to make sure trials are successful:

Getting Ready to Manage Remote Workers in Construction

The construction industry is also adopting remote work as a way to improve productivity. And team leaders should know how to manage their remote workers during these times.

If you’re a construction manager, there are a few things to always have in mind to manage remote workers:

You’ll be prepared to manage remote workers in construction by following these tips.

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