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<\/p>\nOver the years, much has been written about craft worker productivity.\u00a0 The Construction Industry Institute (CII) has done several extensive research projects on productivity.\u00a0 The issue was raised in a formal manner by the old Business Roundtable (BRT) back in the late sixties.\u00a0 They developed a series of publications that addressed the problem of rapidly rising construction costs facing owner companies.\u00a0 These articles were broadly covered by the now familiar banner of \u201cMore Construction for the Money\u201d\u00ae.<\/p>\n
Working in the construction industry for many years has given some great insights into craft worker productivity.\u00a0 I always ask myself the question, \u201cWhat would I need to have in order to be more productive and have a better perspective about my work, if I were in this same situation?\u201d\u00a0 Every situation is different, though there are many similarities.\u00a0 The truth is, there is not one single solution to every productivity issue that one might encounter in the field.\u00a0 But let\u2019s start with one very straight-forward approach that has proven to yield consistently good results. <\/p>\n
Generally speaking, most people don\u2019t show up for work with the idea of \u201cHow can I take my employer to the cleaners today and not do one single positive piece of work all day long?\u201d\u00a0 Most workers don\u2019t have the same outlook on their work or on life that Wally from the comic strip Dilbert\u00ae<\/span><\/strong><\/a> has.\u00a0 The craft workers I have had the privilege of working with mostly want to and expect to do a fair day\u2019s work for a fair day\u2019s pay.\u00a0 They genuinely have a desire to be productive and do good work.\u00a0 It gives them a feeling of accomplishment and pride.\u00a0 Rightfully so.<\/p>\n Since contractors and owners both have the same need, for quality work and good production, it would seem there is a three-way win-win-win situation developing in this scenario.\u00a0 So, what is the key to making everyone a winner?\u00a0 Making everyone a winner is really pretty easy.\u00a0 Just take away the excuses for not doing a reasonable amount of high-quality work.\u00a0 \u201cOh great!\u201d most would say \u2013 \u201cHow do we do that?\u201d\u00a0 Again, put yourself in the situation and ask the question \u201cWhat would I need in order to be more productive, if I were in this situation myself?\u201d<\/p>\n Let\u2019s look at a crew of pipefitters, for example, in a chemical plant erecting process piping.\u00a0 If the crew says they need a cherry picker, then, provide one for them.\u00a0 As the manager, you might look at everything and conclude that in your opinion there is no need for a cherry picker.\u00a0 But if the crew says they need one, then, by all means, give them a picker.\u00a0 What a cheap price for improved productivity.\u00a0 If that does not improve the productivity, then ask what the issue is.\u00a0 There may be other items that are brought out as \u201cmust-haves\u201d for better work.\u00a0 Provide those items, to the extent possible.\u00a0 If it is not possible, find a suitable alternative and provide that instead.\u00a0 Take away the excuses for not being as productive as possible.<\/p>\n The thought is that if I think I need something in order to do better work, then I most likely will not do my best work until I have that item.\u00a0 I use it as an excuse.\u00a0 So, as managers, we need to identify those items that are hindrances in the minds of the workers and remove those impediments from their field of view.\u00a0 Give them a clear view of the work that needs to be done.\u00a0 Take away the excuses.\u00a0 It is important for workers to realize they are important to the progress and quality of the work.\u00a0 When managers listen to the complaints, needs, observations of the workers, the importance of the worker and the worker\u2019s opinion is elevated and they realize they are having a say in the job and an influence in the overall project direction.\u00a0 The workers will then be willing to <\/span>point out actual problems and true hindrances to project progress and quality when they realize management actually listens to their input.\u00a0 This is building trust and a team spirit, where everyone\u2019s input is valued and important.<\/p>\n As strange as it may seem to some, over the years, I have found that the workers actually know their job better than I do.\u00a0 They know what they need and don\u2019t need better than I.\u00a0 So, while I think they may need \u201cX\u201d, they may really need \u201cY\u201d.\u00a0 I won\u2019t know that unless I listen on purpose to what is being said b<\/span> by<\/span> the workers.\u00a0 As the manager, I must be open to worker suggestions and listen to what they are saying.\u00a0 Not just the actual words, but sometimes, read between the lines and see what they are saying but not using direct words to say it.<\/p>\n The first step in productivity improvement is to talk with the workers and listen to what they are saying.\u00a0 Regardless of whether or not you agree with their observations and opinions, be a good listener and \u201cfix\u201d every problem to the greatest extent possible.\u00a0 When workers understand and are shown that they have a voice and are being heard, they will respond with better work and more work, making everyone\u2019s life much more satisfying and fulfilling.<\/p>\n Submitted by:<\/p>\n Richard S. Troell, P.E., President<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n TEI Management<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n www.teimanagement.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Over the years, much has been written about craft worker productivity.\u00a0 The Construction Industry Institute (CII) has done several extensive research projects on productivity.\u00a0 The issue was raised in a formal manner by the old Business Roundtable (BRT) back in the late sixties.\u00a0 They developed a series of publications that addressed the problem of rapidly […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":"yes"},"categories":[8],"tags":[77,76,75,19,52,74,73,72],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=320"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1929,"href":"http:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320\/revisions\/1929"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=320"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=320"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/projectprofessionals.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=320"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/div><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"