Benefits of resource management in construction
Construction is a difficult business because of all the variables that occur from the start of the project to the end when the last payment is received. Trying to keep track of it all can be exhausting, which is why many companies choose to implement construction resource management.
Those who work on this team are responsible for being prepared for any issues that arise at any time during the project. Some of these issues may include weather, price changes, hiring temporary workers, and safety compliance.
Everyone in construction resource management needs to be organized, able to make quick and excellent decisions in communicating with everyone involved in the project. Of course, by doing all of this, they are trying to keep the current project on time and on budget without ever reducing quality.
Here are three situations where construction resource management is useful for companies:
- Resource Availability
A construction resource manager can ensure that adequate resources are available when needed. They can even ensure that the amount of money spent on all these features is reasonable. While it's always impossible to be completely accurate with budgets months in advance, construction resource management can actually help keep companies on track.
Construction resource managers can track where each resource is and point out when items need to be changed due to the fact that equipment cannot be in two different locations at the same time.
These managers can also detect errors that include part-time contractors scheduled to work eight hours a day, seven days in a row, which is not possible. It's all these little details that normally go unnoticed that construction resource managers are trained to identify and resolve before they become problematic.
- Diversify resources
Training and retraining employees can cost a company a lot of time and money, which is why construction resource managers always try to diversify their resources. This will include hiring full-time employees who can work one current job as well as multiple jobs in the future.
Part-time employees may also fill these same roles in a more limited capacity and may be called upon when a company has extra work available.
These part-time workers can also be transformed into full-time positions for short periods of time if necessary and the worker agrees to the new work schedule.
Improving employee skill levels is another way for construction resource managers to diversify their resources. For example, having just one employee who knows how to make sheet metal is never a good idea. If that employee becomes injured or sick, the entire project could be on hold until another employee can be found.
However, by allowing numerous people to be trained for the same position, a worker can be called upon immediately to continue the job. This also allows workers to expand their knowledge and grow within the company they work for.
- Ensure machine maintenance is completed regularly and safety standards are met
Saving money is the number one goal among construction companies, but that doesn't mean worker safety should be compromised. Construction resource managers can ensure that the appropriate people are responsible for maintaining the machines being used. Managers are also responsible for ensuring that each machine receives the appropriate certification if necessary, or that it is not used if it presents a safety issue.
Most construction resource managers will also invest money in maintaining their machines so that they can ensure that everything is working properly and that employees will be safe when using them.
Companies that utilize construction resource management teams see many benefits. Some of these benefits include:
- Greater accountability – Construction resource managers can easily find lost tools or equipment because they know who last had them.
- Improved productivity – Managers can utilize the resources they have to ensure all equipment and tools are where they need to be, when needed. This ensures that employees aren't left waiting for what they need or searching for it before they start.
- Improved Maintenance – Construction resource managers monitor the maintenance of all equipment, as they are the ones who will know when something needs to be inspected or certified.
- Increased Profits – Because construction resource managers control everything from workers to equipment and tools, they can increase a company's profits. There will be fewer interruptions during the project and less downtime means less money spent.
Not all companies have considered it necessary to hire construction resource management teams, but once you see these benefits you will understand that it can help improve your financial results.
