1. CVE 5074 Leading Construction Operations TEAM LEADERSHIP PART IV – THE PROJECT TEAM GUEST LECTURER: MIKE WILLIAMS CEO, MHWILLIAMS CONSTRUCTION CO.

2. The Project Team-1  Behavior in a team environment  Putting the team together  Managing interactions of members  Overcoming obstacles & conflicts  Relations with the client

3. Expectations of New Employees  Factors considered in hiring  Training & orientation of new hires  What new hires should know  Typical jobs for new hires  Mentoring  Employee development  Your first job… making a good start

4. Construction Workers  Nature of construction workers  Keys to motivation  Obtaining quality products  Trust them or supervise them? 1. Will they cut corners? 2. Will they follow the P&S?  Managing cost & quality  Are subs different?

5. Managing Risk in Construction  Selecting jobs to pursue  Developing accurate bid estimates  Fluctuations in materials & labor  What should new hires know about risk management?  Do new hires participate?

6. Advise to Future Designers  Get some field experience  Visit sites during construction  Make allowances… materials not perfect  Don’t push to the limits of design  Check equipment sizing & connections  Don’t rely on old drawings  Look behind the walls & ceilings  Get to know the builder(s)

7. Communications  Role of clear communications  Clear goals & objectives  Methods to get the word out  Barriers to good communications  Signs communications are faulty  Getting accurate feedback  Correcting errors

8. Mike’s advice to new CE  Move around to gain experience  Try project mgt, estimating, admin  Get to know Arch, structures, MEP  Subs & vendors; how they perform  Show up early, be first on the job  Dress slightly better than norm  Be friendly but not too social  Ask for new tasks when done; be aggressive about taking responsibility  Designers need field experience to be good

9. The Project Team-2  Controlling the team  Ensuring quality products  Correcting technical problems  Judging team performance

10. Controlling the Team  Have good, clearly defined goals  Meet weekly, good for accountability, maintaining contact, team dynamics  Be sure the team agrees on issues  Monitor all work closely  Lo-motivation workers = constantly  Hi-motivation = use controls  Read: “Good to Great” which emphasizes getting the right people for the job they’re best suited for.

11. Managing sub-contractors  Typically have many subs  Try to limit the number  Have a screening process  Skills, reliability, quality, experience  Remember they’re still the low bidder!

12. Client relations  Know what you’re talking about  Walk the owner thru the plans  Listen to the client to understand their goals and perceptions  Keep the client informed; especially on problems, the sooner the better  Be sure to present solutions along with the problem statement!

13. Quality in construction  Be sure you have the right team  Weak member – replace quickly!  Tech problems – get expert, look at options, cover all bases, including schedule & cost  Solve quickly and correctly – technical errors are compounded with time & stages

14. Judging team performance  Monitor your goals & objectives  Check the schedule frequently  Look for changes  Monitor submittal logs; on time?  Use metrics; go in closer if metrics are bad  Manage by exception

15. Criteria for hiring new CE 1. Education – Engr & Mgt skills 2. Summer jobs – experience; esp. field experience; work for different subs, understand how building goes up 3. Organizations – what’s in the resume; work for civic groups, charity; well rounded may make the difference 4. Watch the details; attitude, confident but not cocky, spelling!

16. Training & Development  Expect 90% OJT  Periodic reviews – every 6 months  Talks to team members; arch, engrs  Talks to clients, owners, inspectors  No formal mentoring program  Learn by asking (not 3x!)  Be observant, keep notes, show interest  Typical jobs #1-field – nuts & bolts, it’s essential! #2-office – RFIs, meetings, on the job and look, ask, learn  Use initiative on continuing education – show an interest to learn and develop

17. Construction workers  Subs are understaffed & busy… monitor their performance always!  Don’t expect too much quality; need to state your quality goals clearly at beginning  Subs not well trained, learn on the job, could be on your job!  Motivate them with contact, get feedback, talk to them, recognize them!  Don’t take their word, go look, see and touch, compare with specs. Don’t accept sloppy work.  Subs will follow your lead, let them know you’re watching and expect high quality, then check constantly!

18. Quality products  Checking is the only way  GC is in control and responsible  Set a “quality tone” from the start  Start the punch list on day 1  Communicate your intentions, your standards and your goals!