Construction projects are complex beasts.
With so many moving parts, even the most meticulous plans can be derailed by delays, safety hazards, and budget overruns.
72% of companies report that projects are extending beyond their expected timelines, while 84% report that construction expenses have exceeded their initial estimates.
The secret weapon in this high-stakes game? Accountability.
A strong culture of accountability ensures everyone takes ownership of their role, leading to a smoother workflow, a safer environment, and projects that finish on time and stay within budget.
Why is accountability important in construction?
At your construction company, you wear many hats. You’re the leader, the cheerleader, the fire extinguisher (figuratively speaking, of course).
But you shouldn’t have to become the accountability task force, too.
Here’s the good news: building a culture of accountability is within your reach.
It’s about empowering your team, setting them up for success, and recognizing their achievements.
Think of it like this: When everyone feels responsible for the project’s outcome, everyone becomes invested in its success.
They take ownership of their tasks, identify potential roadblocks early on, and work together to find solutions.
The result? A safer, smoother operation that delivers projects on time and within budget.
You understand the pressure. You delegate tasks—the engineer checks the structural integrity, and the foreman runs the daily site operations.
But when something goes wrong – a safety incident or a structural failure – who takes the heat? That’s accountability.
Responsibility is having someone on the hook for a specific task. Accountability is ensuring the task is done right; if it’s not, there’s a clear answer for why not and who will fix it.
In your business, you can’t afford misplaced responsibility. You need everyone accountable for their puzzle piece, from the foundation to the final touches.
That’s how you keep your workers safe, your projects on track, and your reputation solid.
Setting clear expectations at the start of a construction project directly impacts how well each party understands and executes their roles.
Akash Paunikar, the head of Contracts and Commercial at Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), emphasizes the importance of well-drafted documents, stating,
“Specifically, the project’s success depends on how well the documents are drafted. This is where the disputes are started. Most of the documents are drafted by the employer, so what is the employer’s intention? How fairly did they communicate everything to the contractor? In addition, I have seen that many contracts are not based on this form of contract. For example, if contractors and the contracts manager cannot identify the risks in the contracts and the execution stage, yes, based on that, the disputes start, and those become risks.”
Documenting clear expectations is the main way of sealing the initial communication between the contractor and the employer.
However, 69% of owners cite poor contractor performance as the primary cause of project underperformance.
This suggests a link between the clarity of project expectations, contractor performance, and construction project success.
The second step focuses on diligently tracking the project’s progress and the performance of teams and individuals involved.
By using milestones, quality checks, and inspections, managers can measure outcomes against expectations.
Additionally, collecting data on hours worked, costs incurred, and issues reported helps identify any deviations or potential risks early on.
This step emphasizes the importance of regular and transparent communication of progress and performance to all stakeholders, ensuring everyone is informed.
Given that 72% of construction firms experience projects running longer than planned, systematic monitoring is essential for navigating construction complexities and achieving on-time completion.
Fostering a culture of accountability on construction sites requires a multi-pronged approach.
One crucial element is recognizing and rewarding high performance.
A team consistently exceeding its weekly milestones is a valuable asset. Public acknowledgment during project meetings or even implementing incentive programs demonstrates your appreciation for their efforts.
This not only reinforces accountability but also fuels continued excellence within your workforce.
Recognizing achievements creates a sense of ownership, ultimately contributing to a more efficient and profitable construction operation.
Encouraging collaboration and communication helps ensure everyone is on the same page, understands their roles, and is committed to the project’s success.
Good communication means team members are more likely to take their responsibilities seriously, fostering a culture of accountability.
Technology greatly boosts this effort. Considering that 91% of construction firms value digital skills in their workforce (AGC), tech is becoming integral to operations.
With 81% of Engineering & Construction firms adopting mobile platforms (KPMG), these tools revolutionize how teams collaborate.
Mobile platforms and workforce management tools offer real-time project updates and access to information anywhere, breaking down traditional barriers to effective communication.
This tech-driven approach improves project management and enhances team accountability.
Addressing problems quickly is essential for keeping construction projects on track.
One frequently occurring change in construction is the change in project scope.
Dafydd Wyn Owen from HKA warns that changes in project scope, often due to poor planning, can lead to delays and higher costs.
He explains:
“… the number one risk, the number one kind of causation, is changing in scope, and that’s a direct result of poor planning. Then there are other factors like design delays or the wrong design information, and all of these are causes. Still, all of them have the same result: it will either take you longer to deliver the project, so it will cost you more, or ultimately, the scope you get isn’t what you’ve designed.”
To prevent these issues, it is crucial to use construction workforce management tools that provide real-time data.
These tools help spot risk patterns early and make smart, data-driven decisions.
Lead by Example
As a construction company owner, you set the tone for the entire team. When you prioritize safety by consistently adhering to protocols and addressing issues head-on, it sends a powerful message.
It demonstrates not only your commitment to a safe work environment but also your own accountability for the project’s success.
This leadership, by example, fosters a culture of shared responsibility, where everyone feels invested in upholding high standards and meeting project goals.
Your team will be more likely to follow suit, knowing safety and efficiency are core values at the company.
MobiClocks® offers technology solutions tailored for construction. These solutions boost accountability and optimize operations, avoiding any sense of surveillance.
Its Unified Communication Platform enhances teamwork by connecting project managers, supervisors, and workers, ensuring smooth information flow and quick problem-solving.
The platform includes MobiChat for instant messaging, promoting a culture of transparency and accountability.
The MobiClocks® system uses True Face Recognition technology in kiosks and mobile apps to record work hours.
This prevents buddy punchers and ghost employees and promotes honest work reporting without invasive monitoring.
Mobile apps allow easy attendance management from any location, and offline capabilities ensure continuous record-keeping.
Furthermore, MobiClocks® uses real-time data for smarter decision-making, especially in estimating project capacities.
Its reporting tools provide insights into labor costs and project profitability, aiding in competitive bidding and effective project planning.
Want to visualize how MobiClocks® can optimize your business?
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