Construction Law

Bottlenecks: Achieving Productivity and Completing Your Projects On Time Part 2

Construction work is unpredictable, and even the best-laid plans can be disrupted by unforeseen circumstances. Our Orlando construction attorneys are intimately familiar with what happens when projects are halted due to unexpected hitches. We advise you to quickly focus your efforts on the issue at hand for the quickest and most effective way to resume operations and maintain profitability.

Bottlenecks are a threat to a timely project completion and they reduce your workforce’s productivity rate. Bottlenecks can lead you to be proactive or reactive. The choice is up to you. If you have not already, be sure to read part one of our article where we define bottlenecks and how they affect your workflow.

How to Address Bottlenecks

Project delays can be extremely frustrating and costly. Project constraints need to be addressed swiftly so that they are no longer a threat to project goals. They can be addressed systematically with the five steps below:

1. Identify

Bottlenecks are difficult to perceive at times, but a good way to identify this is to separate the short-term from long-term. Short-term bottlenecks are those that are much simpler to grasp and quick to remedy. For example, a worker on an extended leave of absence due to a sickness or a vacation. This can be addressed much more quickly by reassigning their work to another employee temporarily than a more serious obstacle such as a labor shortage.

2. Exploit

Exploiting the identified areas of bottlenecking will encourage continued productivity. Once bottlenecks have been identified, key teams will collaborate to overcome the issue by reassigning resources and circumventing any stagnation the bottleneck has caused in your processes.

3. Subordinate

Make sure every other construction activity ranks lower to the issue at hand. Point your resources in the direction of the problem to get things back on track.

4. Elevate

If the issue remains, evaluate other options to find a permanent solution. This may require you to buy new equipment or hire new workers, for example.

5. Repeat

After the present constraint has been resolved, move on to the next issue that may be threatening to roadblock your progress. Steps one through five should be repeated as necessary as bottlenecks arise.

If you would like to speak with an Orlando construction attorney, please contact us at 407.378.6575, or submit our contact request form.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.