Is the Leaning Tower of Pisa a fail? The soft ground and poor foundations caused the tower to start leaning by the time builders got to the 3rd story. Unfortunately, third party geotechnical testing wasn't a thing in the 1100's

Whether you’re new to the role or a seasoned professional, sometimes we need to step back and re-evaluate how we’re working. 

Here are the top 5 most common mistakes during the construction phase of a project (and how to avoid them):

1. Us vs. Them Attitude

Construction projects can range anywhere from 1 to 5+ years. That’s a really long time to work with the same team of people. Of course, there will be times when you can’t always play nicely in the sandbox, but letting an "Us vs. Them" attitude take over can create unnecessary tension and slow down progress.

How to Avoid It: From the start, focus on building a collaborative environment. Use the right tools to support this collaboration and make sure everyone understands that you’re all working towards the same goals.

2. Disorganization

Documentation on construction projects can be overwhelming. Between all of the submittals, RFIs, and change documents, it’s easy to become disorganized.

How to Avoid It: Develop a system or implement a robust CA software to help you manage all of your project documentation. 

3. Poor Documentation

C.Y.A (I’m sure everyone here knows what this means, so I won’t elaborate). This is an industry of legality and risk management. Failing to document every single artifact, decision, and meeting that happens during construction can lead to major issues. Without proper records, you may face legal disputes, miscommunications, and difficulties in tracking project progress or resolving problems.

How to Avoid It: Make documentation a priority. Implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for recording all decisions, meetings, and changes. Regularly audit your documentation practices to ensure completeness and accuracy. Train your team on the importance of thorough documentation and provide tools to make the process easier.

4. Poor Communication

In construction projects, poor communication can lead to significant issues. Even though construction is a very collaborative industry, it is also dispersed with many different teams and companies involved. A common mistake is failing to clearly communicate expectations, priorities, and updates, which can lead to misunderstandings and misalignment among team members.

How to Avoid It: Establish clear communication channels and protocols from the beginning. Communicate expectations, priorities, and updates to the group via email, meetings, or in-person conversations. Use project management tools that support communication and collaboration to keep everyone in the loop and on the same page.

5. Becoming Overwhelmed

Every project involves stress, deadlines, and obligations. A common mistake is allowing these pressures to become overwhelming, leading to difficulties in managing tasks effectively and maintaining productivity.

How to Avoid It: Take a breath. Remember that not everything can be urgent. Focus on prioritizing things and delegating where possible. Construction is inherently stressful and involves a lot of pressure, so it’s good to take the time to reflect and make improvements as you go.

CA Can Be Mistake-Free

By recognizing and avoiding these common construction administration mistakes, you can ensure smoother project execution and better outcomes for everyone involved.

Taking the time to refine your approach and incorporate best practices can lead to more efficient workflows and successful project completions. Remember, continuous improvement is key in successful construction administration.

✅ Never make these common mistakes again. Learn how: Book a demo with Part3.