How to Prevent Communication Failures on a Construction Jobsite
Communication starts with creating a quality and interactive culture within your construction company. Create an atmosphere where communication and engagement are encouraged amongst all employees. Many companies underestimate the vital importance of having an excellent system for communication, putting it off as less important than other aspects of a project. In reality, communication is one of the most if not the most important aspect of a project. Without good communication, productivity, money, and quality of work will be lost. This can leave you, your workers, and your customer disgruntled and frustrated, which is not something anyone wants. Thankfully, identifying a need for better communication is the first step in creating a plan for your next project.
Here are a few valuable tips you can use to prevent any communication failures in your next construction project.
Set aside time for meetings
Make sharing information a priority! Set aside a small amount of time each day to meet with the members of your team. Although this might seem unnecessary, it will keep everyone up-to-date and on the same page. This meeting time can serve as a time for the workers to address any concerns they have and ask questions they might have about the project. Your workers will also appreciate you devoting time to communicate with them. Daily meetings keep your team members accountable and keep an open flow of communication among everyone on the team.
Be concise and stick to the facts
Not every piece of information is important, and it is up to you to decide what is. Focus on providing clear and concise information to get your point across. You want the members of your team to know exactly what your message is with as little words as possible. Focus in on what you want your team to know and then stick to the key facts. It’s also important to avoid using any jargon or language that people might not understand or misinterpret. This can lead to confusion and communication gaps, resulting in communication failure.
Use hand signals
Nonverbal communication can be an extremely useful tool to use in order to increase communication. Construction sites are often very loud causing it to be hard to hear certain instructions or warnings. Developing a few hand signals to use for warnings and commands can help you prevent any possible accidents in the field. These signals serve as a quick and easy way for team members to get a message across to the other members.
Actively listen
When you are meeting with your team members, remember that listening is different than actively listening. The whole point of a meeting is to communicate clearly, listen, and discuss. If you are sitting in a meeting, but your head is elsewhere, there is no point for a meeting in the first place. Take notes if you need to and once someone is done talking, then give feedback and ask questions. This creates an atmosphere of genuine respect and excellent communication. Everyone wants to feel like they are being heard, so it is imperative that communication is welcomed and encouraged.
Implement cloud-based software
The best and most comprehensive way to improve your communication strategy and avoid communication failure is cloud-based software. There is no better option in the field better than upgrading your technology and streamlining your communication. The cloud-based software keeps everyone interconnected and allows you communicate in real-time with your phone or tablet. This means no more waiting around for an email response or fax. Instant communication is right at your fingertips!
