Are These 3 Risks Hurting Your Steel Project’s Management?

As a project manager, putting out fires is a major part of your job. Countless aspects—large and small—need to work together for steel fabrication projects to be completed successfully. This also means there are multiple occasions where a project can go wrong. You can ensure  the optimal outcome of your project management by avoiding these three main pitfalls.

1. Inefficient Workflows

The most important aspect of any project is a smooth and optimized workflow, with an accurate schedule. If you’re constantly seeking out additional information, or making calls and inquiries between the shop, actual job site and other parties involved, it slows down the entire workflow.

The additional time and effort spent on these types of unnecessary work inevitably result in delays, and shockingly high accumulated costs. When it comes down to it, making sure the workflow is clear for everyone and the right parts are processed, shipped and delivered within the project schedule is what your job is all about.

2. Inefficient Drawing Management

Working with external or in-house detailers needs to be friction-free, but as you’re probably aware, it seldom is. It’s essential to know what’s been released for production, especially when there are changes in the project. In addition, responding to RFIs needs to be done before they’re due. When you’re juggling multiple projects at the same time—some of them long-term—you need to make sure nothing is missing and changes are handled when they happen. 

3.  Inefficient Information Transfers

To ensure success in every aspect of your projects, information needs to flow in real time without disruption. It’s not only about you personally being on top of things, but the entire team having access to information when they need it. What’s been issued to production? What’s been shipped? What’s next?

Not only do you need clear communication throughout to prevent any issues, you need to be able to alert the entire project team should any unexpected problems occur. Additionally, you need to maintain good relations with the job site, clients and external stakeholders. Otherwise, you’re putting potential future collaboration at risk.

Don’t jeopardize your project’s profitability with poor management. 

All of the problems you encounter as a part of your project management ultimately come down to unnecessary time, effort and money being spent. If things don’t function smoothly throughout, you run the risk of failing schedules, sending late invoices and accumulating costs that could have been avoided. In the end, it’s your responsibility to ensure the project is completed profitably and on schedule, so you need to make sure your management isn’t falling short on any front.