The old African Proverb says “Calm Seas Don’t Make Good Sailors”. Well I say “Smooth Projects Don’t Make Good Construction Managers”… Just like a stormy sea can take the lives of sailors, a chaotic construction site can equally take lives of construction workers. If surviving the storm makes experienced sailors, then surviving the Chaos makes good Construction Managers.

Don’t agree?

Go ask the passengers of the RMS Titanic how they feel about their sailors… Over 1500 people died. They might say a Polar Bear probably had more respect for navigating the frozen Atlantic than those arrogant bastards. If only they had just slowed down…

The same goes for the Hoover Dam. A successful project right?

But at what price?

Well, the low bidder was almost $5,000,000 under the next lowest bidder and completed the project nearly two years ahead of schedule. The contractor even developed a new method of concrete installation specifically for this project. Despite the successful outcome, over 100 people died during its construction.

An extreme scenario, but a good historical example of how Construction Managers must adapt a project plan as Chaos (or the Colorado River) shifts its turbulent flow.

What about unforeseen hazards?

Those that you don’t see coming. Like a drought when your trying to grow vegetation for site stabilization or maybe a critical shipment held up at the border for violating International Plant Protection Convention shipping regulations. Though not life-threatening, these could be detrimental to the project’s budget and schedule.

Going back to the Butterfly Effect scenario I discussed in an earlier post (https://constructionchaos.com/intro-to-chaos/). One small little flap of a butterfly’s wing could cause an accountant to input a decimal point instead of a comma. That difference being the reason you can or can’t purchase structural steel this month.

Here’s my point…

There are so many factors that can influence a project. You just can’t prepare for everything. I’ve seen Construction Managers turn a Risk Register into written paranoia. White boards filled with post-its and arrow pointed lines that looked more like rainbow flavored spaghetti. They spend more time worrying about not being prepared, than actually preparing.

So, where do Good Construction Managers Start?

Good Construction Managers have to start somewhere.

So use your time wisely and keep it simple. Take my lesson from Chaos Theory: plan=prepare. Start with this basic outline as starting point:

1. Develop your Project Management Plan.
2. Then sleep on it. Review it the following day or week. Take as much time you need to clear your mind {so long as schedule permits}.
3. Review the plan with your team. Project’s don’t have time for arrogance, so at least entertain suggestions.
4. Update the Plan
5. Make a plan to update the plan.
6. Keep your plan close. Use your plan and continuously update it.

See the trend? Nothing is forever. So prepare for change, don’t just minimize risk.

If someone told you their project went smooth without issues or conflicts, they’re either lying or obliviously paying $$$ to keep things quiet. I saw the latter first hand during my time spent in an evil corporation.

“Intelligence is the Ability to Adapt to Change”

– Source Unknown, yet I will always honor this in the late Stephen Hawking’s Legacy

Good Construction Managers accept responsibility for the project and for the actions of their delegated team. Not one that places blame. They bring about change to benefit the project and protect the Owner’s interest.

Don’t forget…

That butterfly is always lurking. Ready to flap its wing and unleash the chaos! Floods, protests, bears, oh my!! Hey, I’m certainly not working while there’s a grizzly bear on my site.

So until next time, stand firm and brace for Chaos!