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Guest Blog Series: The Journey to Operational Excellence (Post 4)

By Dr. Anthony Kenneson-Adams.FInstLM., Head of Knowledge Transfer, Project7 Consultancy

Today we present the 4th instalment of an 8-step process to enable you on your journey to Operational Excellence.  We trust you will put these steps into action and power-up your journey to Operational Excellence.  If you have any questions, please contact us at www.project7consultancy.com.

Implement the plan: Implementing a plan for improvement in continuous process manufacturing and construction involves executing the identified initiatives and actions. Here are steps to help you effectively implement the plan.

  1. Communicate the Plan: I have seen the power in clearly communicating the improvement plan to all relevant stakeholders, including employees, managers, and other departments or teams involved. When you ensure everyone understands the goals, objectives, and specific actions required for improvement you have a force multiplier for success.
  2. Assign Responsibilities: Assign clear responsibilities and roles to individuals or teams for executing different initiatives within the plan. Define their authority, accountability, and reporting structure. Ensure that everyone is aware of their roles and the expectations set for them.  Never assume actions will just be carried out, assign responsibilities and check for completion.
  3. Provide Resources: Your people can’t work miracles.  Ensure that the necessary resources are available to support the implementation of the improvement plan. This includes providing adequate funding, equipment, materials, technology, and any other resources required to carry out the planned initiatives effectively.
  4. Develop Detailed Action Plans: Work with the responsible individuals or teams to develop detailed action plans for each initiative. Clearly define the tasks, activities, timelines, milestones, and deliverables. Apply short interval control or Agile methodology to break large tasks into smaller manageable work packets.  Ensure that the action plans are realistic and align with the overall improvement objectives.
  5. Implement Action Plans: Begin executing the action plans according to the defined timelines and milestones. Monitor the progress closely, track the completion of tasks, and ensure that everyone is adhering to the planned activities.
  6. Monitor and Measure Progress: Implement mechanisms to monitor and measure the progress of each initiative. Regularly track key performance indicators (KPIs) and compare the actual results with the desired outcomes. Use data collection and analysis tools to gather relevant data and insights.
  7. Address Challenges and Obstacles: Be prepared to address any challenges, obstacles, or roadblocks that arise during the implementation process. Regularly review the progress and identify any issues or barriers that may hinder the successful execution of the plan. Take proactive measures to resolve these challenges and keep the initiatives on track.
  8. Foster Collaboration and Engagement: Encourage collaboration and engagement among the teams and individuals involved in the implementation. Foster a culture of open communication, encourage sharing of ideas and feedback, and provide a platform for discussions and problem-solving. Regularly update stakeholders on the progress and seek their input.
  9. Adjust and Adapt: Stay flexible and be willing to adjust the plan as needed based on feedback, insights, and changing circumstances. Continuously assess the effectiveness of the implemented initiatives and make necessary adjustments or refinements to ensure better outcomes.
  10. Celebrate Achievements and Learn from Failures: Acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and successes resulting from the implementation of the improvement plan. Always recognize the efforts and contributions of individuals and teams. A simple ‘thank you’ goes a long way.  Additionally, learn from any failures or setbacks encountered along the way. Analyse the reasons behind the failures, identify lessons learned, and use those insights to improve future implementation efforts.

Remember that implementation is an ongoing process, and continuous monitoring, evaluation, and adjustment are essential for long-term success. Regularly review the progress, evaluate the outcomes, and iterate the plan as needed to drive continuous improvement in the manufacturing process.

If you missed Post 3 the focused on plan development, you can read it here.

Guest Blog Series: The Journey to Operational Excellence (Post 3)

By Dr. Anthony Kenneson-Adams, FInstLM., Head of Learning & Knowledge Transfer, Project7 Consultancy

Developing an Adaptable & Flexible Improvement Plan

Today we present the 3rd installment of an 8-step process to enable you on your journey to Operational Excellence.  We trust you will put these steps into action and power-up your journey to Operational Excellence.

Develop a plan: Once you have identified areas for improvement in a manufacturing process, you can develop a plan for improvement by following these steps:

  1. Clearly Define the Objectives: Clearly articulate the goals and objectives of the improvement plan. What specific outcomes do you want to achieve? Make sure the objectives are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART goals).
  2. Prioritize Improvement Opportunities: Assess the identified areas for improvement and prioritize them based on their potential impact, feasibility, and alignment with the overall organizational strategy. Consider the resources, time, and effort required for each improvement opportunity.
  3. Break Down the Improvement Plan: Break down the improvement plan into actionable steps or initiatives. Each initiative should have a clear scope, defined activities, and expected outcomes. Assign responsibilities to individuals or teams who will be accountable for executing each initiative.
  4. Set Timelines and Milestones: Establish realistic timelines for each initiative and define key milestones to track progress. Make sure the timelines are achievable and consider any dependencies or interdependencies among the initiatives.
  5. Allocate Resources: Determine the resources required to execute the improvement plan successfully. This includes human resources, financial resources, technology, equipment, and any external support or expertise needed. Ensure that the necessary resources are allocated appropriately to support the improvement initiatives.
  6. Develop Action Plans: For each improvement initiative, develop detailed action plans that outline the specific tasks, activities, and deliverables. Clearly define the steps required to implement the improvement and identify any potential risks or challenges. Assign responsibilities for each task or activity to individuals or teams.
  7. Implement Continuous Monitoring and Feedback Mechanisms: Establish mechanisms to monitor the progress of the improvement plan and gather feedback. Regularly review the status of each initiative, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and compare the actual results against the desired outcomes. Collect feedback from stakeholders and engage with the teams involved in the improvement initiatives to ensure continuous improvement and timely course correction.
  8. Communication and Engagement: Develop a communication plan to keep stakeholders informed about the improvement plan and its progress. Engage and involve employees at all levels to ensure their understanding, commitment, and support. Encourage open communication channels to gather insights, suggestions, and feedback from the teams involved.
  9. Training and Skill Development: Identify any training or skill development needs that may be required for employees involved in executing the improvement initiatives. Provide necessary training or resources to enhance their capabilities and ensure they have the skills and knowledge required to contribute effectively.
  10. Evaluate and Celebrate Success: Regularly evaluate the impact of the improvement initiatives and celebrate the achieved successes. Recognize and appreciate the efforts of individuals and teams involved. Identify any lessons learned during the improvement process and incorporate them into future improvement initiatives.

Remember that developing an improvement plan is an iterative process. Regularly review and refine the plan based on feedback, results, and changing circumstances. Stay adaptable and flexible in your approach to maximize the effectiveness of your improvement efforts.

If you missed last week’s post you can read it here, and you can find all the posts on our blog page.

Prioritize Planning for Safety | How to Prevent Dumpster Fire Projects: A Webinar Recap

Failure to plan is the root of all safety incidents. Serious injury or fatality (SIF) incidents are rarely the result of one single factor. Sound planning practices find and eliminate contributing factors before the work begins.

Touchplan recently hosted a webinar on how effective planning can help reduce SIF incidents.

Andrew Piland was joined by site safety experts on Steve Jordan from Flintco and Kevin Gausch from Safety Culture to discuss how proper planning improves collaboration, streamlines handoffs, and mitigates risks.

Some of the key takeaways from the webinar include:

  • One of the most critical safety components relates to how construction leadership approaches the front line. Leaders are investing in the long-term safety of every project by listening to front-line workers and ensuring they have the resources they need to succeed physically, mentally, and emotionally.
  • Data insights are useful in anticipating safety hazards, but it is only effective if people know how to use data effectively.
  • Safety needs to be further integrated into general decision-making. Leadership and accountability are the keys to sound decision-making that properly accounts for safety.

You can watch the entire webinar here, or if you have additional questions, please contact a member of our sales team.

Guest Blog Series: The Journey to Operational Excellence (Post 2)

By Dr. Anthony Kenneson-Adams FInstLM, Head of Learning & Knowledge Transfer at Project7 Consultancy(UK) Ltd

Identifying Areas for Business Improvement

Today we present the 2nd installment of an 8-step process to enable you on your journey to Operational Excellence.  We trust you will put these steps into action and power-up your journey to Operational Excellence.

Identify areas for improvement: Once you have a clear understanding of your objectives, you need to take time to identify the areas of your business that need improvement that will drive out waste in time, effort, and materials. This can involve analysing your current processes and systems to identify inefficiencies or areas for optimization.

Here are some practical ideas to help you identify areas of your business for improvement.

I. Review Process Documentation: Start by reviewing the existing documentation related to the manufacturing or build process, such as standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and process flowcharts. Analyse the documentation to identify any potential bottlenecks, inefficiencies, or areas where improvements can be made.

II. Conduct Process Mapping: Create a process map or flowchart that illustrates the entire manufacturing process from start to finish. This visual representation will help you identify all the steps involved, dependencies, and potential areas for improvement. Also align how the process actually works with how you want it to work to ensure the process is as efficient as it possibly can be as in Value Steam Mapping.

III. Analyse Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Examine the relevant KPIs for the manufacturing process, such as production output, cycle time, downtime, quality metrics, and scrap or waste rates. Compare the actual performance against the desired targets or industry benchmarks to identify any significant gaps or areas of underperformance.

IV. Engage with Employees: Involve the employees who work directly with the manufacturing process. Conduct interviews, focus groups, or surveys to gather their insights and perspectives on potential areas for improvement. Often it is your people who have valuable on-the-ground knowledge that provide the most valuable suggestions.

V. Perform Root Cause Analysis: If you identify specific problems or bottlenecks in the manufacturing process, conduct a root cause analysis to determine the underlying causes. Use techniques like the “5 Whys” to dig deeper and understand the fundamental reasons behind the issues. Importantly ensure you are working to solve the real problem and not just the symptom to the problem.

VI. Utilize Lean Manufacturing Principles: Apply Lean Manufacturing principles and tools such as value stream mapping, 5S methodology, and Kaizen events. These methodologies can help you identify waste, eliminate non-value-added activities, and continuously improve the process.

VII. Implement Process Monitoring and Control: Establish robust monitoring and control mechanisms to track the performance of the manufacturing or building process in real-time. Use sensors, automation, and data analytics to collect relevant data and identify patterns or anomalies that can highlight areas for improvement.

VIII. Benchmark and Industry Research: Conduct research to identify best practices and benchmarks within your industry. Compare your manufacturing process to those of similar organizations to identify areas where you may be lagging behind or where you have the potential to excel.

IX. Seek Continuous Feedback: Encourage continuous feedback from stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, and internal teams. They may provide insights on areas for improvement, such as quality issues, delivery delays, or communication gaps.

x. Prioritize and Plan Improvements: Finally, prioritize the identified areas for improvement based on their potential impact and feasibility, i.e., which will best improve safety, quality, cost, delivery, and people. Develop a detailed action plan outlining specific improvement initiatives, here it is essential to assign responsibilities, set timelines, and track progress regularly.

Remember that continuous improvement is an ongoing process, and it requires commitment and collaboration from all levels of the organization. Regularly reassess and adjust your improvement efforts based on feedback and changing circumstances.

If you missed the first installment of this blog series you can read it here. We will be back next week with post #3.

Guest Blog Series: The Journey To Operational Excellence (Post 1)

By Dr. Anthony Kenneson-Adams FInstLM, Head of Learning & Knowledge Transfer at Project7 Consultancy(UK) Ltd

Today we present the 1st installment of an 8-step process to enable you on your journey to Operational Excellence.  We trust you will put these steps into action and power-up your journey to Operational Excellence.

Operational Excellence is the practice of continuously maximising the potential of your people optimising your business processes and as a result achieving best in class performance.  This best-in-class performance is repeatable if you consistently follow the following 8-steps.

  1. Define your objectives.
  2. Identify areas for improvement.
  3. Develop a plan.
  4. Implement the plan.
  5. Monitor progress.
  6. Continuous improvement.
  7. Commit to the Tools.
  8. Commit to your People.

Beginning this week, we will define these 8-steps so you too can join the ranks of businesses that exemplify Operational Excellence.

Define your objectives

Far too many projects in business begin without clear objectives and then leaders wonder why they fail.  So how does an organization define clear objectives. Defining a clear objective requires a structured approach and project manager accountability, so here are some steps you can follow to define those clear objectives and thus be successful.

  1. Start with the end in mind: Take the time upfront to very clearly visualize the outcome you want to achieve. Be specific and drive constantly to the greatest level of detail that you can achieve. This will be the vison of your specific result, your achievement, or milestone you want to reach.
  2. Make it measurable: Identify how you will measure progress towards your objective. This must be a specific metric, like revenue ‘$’, the new waste figure ‘%’, training courses completed ‘25’ or time saved per operation ‘minutes’.  If you can’t measure it, you can’t change it.
  3. Identify the timeframe: Determine exactly when you want to achieve your objective. Be realistic and consider factors like available resources and external factors that may affect your progress, but when these elements have been considered, don’t accept compromise.
  4. Create an action plan: Develop a plan of action that outlines the detailed steps you will take to achieve your objective. This must include specific tasks, timelines, and responsible parties in achievable packets of work.

By following these steps, you can define a clear objective that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). This will help you stay focused and motivated as you work towards achieving your goal.

Maximizing Efficiency: How Lean Planning Tools Can Reduce Waste in Construction

As a general contractor, one of the most important aspects of your job is maximizing efficiency. You want to complete projects on time and on budget, while also delivering high-quality work. However, the construction industry is notorious for waste, which can eat away at your profits and hinder your success. That’s where Lean planning tools can help.

Lean planning tools allow project teams to streamline processes, reduce costs, and improve the overall quality of work. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of Lean planning tools and how you can implement them in your construction projects.

Reduce Waste

The first and most obvious benefit of lean planning tools is that they can help reduce waste. Construction projects are often rife with waste, from excess materials to inefficient workflows. By using lean planning tools, construction project teams can identify areas where waste is occurring and take steps to eliminate it. This can save money on materials and labor, while also reducing the environmental impact.

Improve Communication

Communication is key in any construction project, but it can be challenging when multiple teams are working on different tasks. Lean planning tools can improve communication by creating a centralized platform where everyone can access project information in real-time. This can reduce the risk of miscommunication, delays, and rework.

Streamline Processes

Another core benefit of lean planning tools is that they streamline construction processes. By analyzing workflows and identifying areas where the project team can eliminate unnecessary steps or automate tasks, the time and effort required to complete each task can be reduced. This increases productivity and helps the construction team finish projects ahead of schedule.

Enhance Collaboration

Collaboration is essential in construction, but it can be difficult when multiple teams are working on different aspects of a project. Lean planning tools enhance collaboration by providing a platform for teams to share information, coordinate tasks, and work together more effectively. This can reduce the risk of delays, budget slippages, and more time spent in planning meetings.

Improve Quality

By reducing waste, improving communication, streamlining processes, and enhancing collaboration, Lean planning tools improve the overall quality of construction projects. This can lead to greater customer satisfaction, increased referrals, and a stronger reputation in the industry.

Increase Profitability

Finally, by reducing waste, improving efficiency, and delivering high-quality work, Lean planning tools can increase profitability. Projects are completed quicker, which reduces the cost of materials and labor, and improves contractor’s reputation, which can all contribute to a better bottom line.

In conclusion, Lean planning tools are essential for general contractors who want to maximize efficiency and reduce waste in construction projects. They improve communication, streamlines processes, enhances collaboration, and delivers high-quality work, all while increasing profitability. Contractors that are not already utilizing Lean Planning tools like Touchplan, check out a walk-through of the platform and get started today.

Learn about Touchplan’s Latest Feature – Hover Over

Touchplan added a new feature called Hover Over which allows teams to more effectively hold huddles/meetings to review their tickets and keep them in the context of the overall plan.

We sat down with the Touchplan product team for a quick Q&A to learn more about the feature.

Please tell us what Hover Over is all about and how it helps customers?

Hover-over allows users to see the key details of their tickets without the need to click or change the zoom.  They can move the mouse cursor over the ticket to see the information.  We give users the ability to customize what fields will appear in the hover-over to help them keep the focus on the things that are important to them and reduce visual clutter.

What pain point does Hover Over solve for customers?

Customers want to view their plans at a high zoomed-out level and still be able to look at the details of their tickets.  The problem is that the only way to see the details of a ticket right now is to click on the ticket, which causes the view to zoom into the ticket and open the ticket editor.  The view remains zoomed in when the user closes the ticket editor, so they’ve lost their place on the larger plan view. Hover Over solves that problem.

As a product developer, what excites you most about this new feature?

It’s gratifying to create features and improvements to Touchplan that boost our customers’ productivity.  Hover Over makes navigating and managing large plans significantly easier, and I look forward to hearing how we can make it even better.

For more information on Touchplan’s Hover Over feature and how to best utilize it, please contact our customer success team.

A Little Tech Adds A Lot of Safety

The top priority for any construction company is to ensure the safety of all workers on the job site. While there have been significant improvements in safety standards and practices throughout the construction industry, there is always room for improvement. More recently, the implementation of construction planning software like Touchplan has shown great promise in reducing the number of safety incidents on jobsites by 3%.

Let’s look at some ways that construction software platforms can enhance safety on construction sites, along with some statistics to back it up.

Reducing Human Error

With the help of construction planning software, project managers and superintendents can better plan and organize, reducing the likelihood of errors and omissions that can lead to safety incidents. A construction software platform can help ensure that all necessary safety measures are in place, that equipment is properly maintained, and workers are trained and prepared for their tasks.

Improving Communication

Construction planning software streamlines communication on jobsites. Construction project teams can collaborate in real-time, share information and data, and identify and address potential safety concerns before they become significant issues. This can help prevent accidents and keep workers safe.

Real-time Monitoring

Monitoring construction sites in real-time allows PMs and Supers to track the movement of workers and equipment, identify potential hazards, and respond quickly to emergencies. This real-time monitoring can help prevent accidents and minimize the impact of any incidents that do occur.

Statistics

There is strong evidence that construction planning software platforms have led to a reduction in injuries and other safety incidents on construction sites. A recent study by Hobson & Company found that companies that have implemented construction technology have experienced a 20% reduction in rework rates, a 50% reduction in planning-related project delays, and an 85% reduction in time spent aggregating, analyzing, and reporting on updated construction plans. These improvements are directly related to the use of technology, including construction planning software.

Another study by the Center for Construction Research and Training found that the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) software resulted in a 50% reduction in the number of accidents on construction sites. These models can be used to identify potential safety issues and to plan and coordinate construction activities.

Conclusion

Construction planning software can enhance safety on construction sites by reducing human error, improving communication, and enabling real-time monitoring. As more property owners, general contractors, and specialty trades adopt this technology, the number of safety incidents on jobsites should continue to decline.

How Collaborative Planning is the Key to On-Time Project Delivery: A Webinar Recap

63% of commercial property owners identified schedule as their top priority for value related to construction project performance. With this notion top of mind, Touchplan recently hosted a webinar on commercial property owners’ satisfaction as it relates to construction projects.

Touchplan’s Head of Reseller partnerships, Noah Baker, hosted a discussion with collaborative planning experts Dan Facuhier, Daniel Shakespeare, and Andy Fulton. The group discussed how owners can revise their scheduling specifications to include collaborative planning and the steps construction project teams can take to deliver on-time and under-budget projects.

Some of the key takeaways from the webinar include:

  • Collaborative planning allows for trust to be built among general contractors, designers, owners, and tradespeople. This only enhances the timeliness and quality of work and allows owners to deliver their projects on time and safely.
  • Digital planning platforms allow for easy access to data that can accelerate the building of trust and reliability among all parties and the accumulation of information about project hiccups and reasons for setbacks.
  • Collaborative planning fosters better buy-in and a greater chance of future project bids due to the ease of communication and involvement of all parties at every level of the planning process.

If you want to watch the entire webinar, you can find it on our website.

Every Path Needs a Plan

In honor of Women in Construction Week, we sat down with Heather Mendez, Vice President of Project controls for MOCA Services.

Heather has over 20 years of experience in cost engineering and project management; and has worked with government agencies, including the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Veterans Administration, General Services Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the US Department of Energy.

We asked Heather to provide her thoughts as a leader in the construction industry on what others should do to build their path within the industry.

What do you love most about working in the construction industry?

I love the endless opportunities you find in the construction industry.  There is something for everyone in this field, from Engineering, Design, Project Management, Accounting, Building, and more.  The possibilities for career movement, continuing education, and leadership are only limited by what you want to achieve.

Who was your biggest influence/inspiration during your career?

I have been fortunate to work with dedicated individuals during my entire career.  Early in my career, I looked up to two female small business owners who spent many hours teaching me what they knew and how they acquired their knowledge.  Jodie and Candy, you have and continue to develop women in the industry.

What does it take to attain the leadership level that you have reached?

In this order: Self-Awareness. Vision. Goals. Patience.  When I stopped trying to fit in and decided to “be my best self and bring my best talents to the team,” my entire career changed. I saw how much I brought to a team and where I needed additional development to create goals.

What can Women Leaders in Construction like yourself do to get more young women interested in working in Construction?

The average person sees construction simply as the worker outside in the hard hat.  There is SO MUCH more to construction.  Share your experience, journey, and successes with others in and out of the construction industry.

What advice would you give young women who want to be leaders in Construction?

Number one: Advocate for yourself.  Tell your boss/team/HR what you want from your career.  Be specific with tasks, training, and dates.  Take the initiative and accountability to build the career you deserve that fits your work/life balance.

Second: Look for the Builders.  Surround yourself with Team Builders, Business Builders, and People Builders. You will encounter adversity, be prepared to pivot to stay on track.