You can learn a lot from team sports, especially if you are pursuing a career in management. And Hockey is one of the closest to Construction Management I can think of. It’s non-stop, fast paced, and above all – chaotic! Or so it seems… But don’t worry. As I discussed in the previous blog post “Introduction to chaos“, you can control chaos with the right game plan.

But How Do These Different Teams Relate?

While there are certainly obvious differences between construction and a hockey, there are also some similarities between the teams:

1. Leadership: Both have leaders utilizing diverse resources to manage their own versions of chaos. In construction management, the project manager must be able to lead the team effectively and make decisions that keep the project on track. In hockey, the captain and coaches must provide leadership to the team both on and off the ice.
2. Clear Roles: Both teams have clear roles that each member must fulfill in order for the team to succeed. In a construction management team, there are project managers, engineers, architects, and contractors, each with their own responsibilities. Similarly, in a hockey team, there are forwards, defensemen, and a goalie, each with their own specific role on the ice. All operating separately, but concurrently towards a common goal.
3. Collaboration: Both teams rely on collaboration and communication to achieve their goals. In construction management, the team must work together to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget, and each member must communicate effectively with one another. In hockey, players must work together to score goals and defend against the opposing team, and communication is key to achieving these objectives.
4. Adaptability: Both teams must be adaptable to changing circumstances. In construction management, unforeseen issues may arise that require the team to change course, while in hockey, a team must be able to adjust their strategy during a game if it’s not working effectively.
5. Performance: Both teams are ultimately judged on their performance. In construction management, the success of the project is measured by how well it meets the goals of the client, while in hockey, success is measured by the team’s record and how far they advance in the playoffs

Your only as good as your weakest link

In hockey, your shift is only as good as your worst teammate on the ice… But what do I mean by that? Simply put, you can’t be everywhere at once. You will have to rely on your team to help at some point. The defense supports the offence, and vice versa. Even Wayne Gretzky, arguably the greatest hockey player ever, needed support from his teammates. Don’t believe me? Ask anyone who played against Gretzky about his enforcer: Dave Semenko. Hockey is a very physical game. And Semenko was Gretzky’s protector. If anyone messed with Gretzky, Semenko would take them out. So if Gretzky didn’t have someone like Semenko protecting him, he might not be the leagues leading scorer of all time. I mean, you can’t score goals while laying on the ice knocked out.

But to score goals and win games, you need more support than just a couple of bodyguards. Hockey is a non-stop action sport. The puck can change hands so quickly, that the offence needs a good defense behind them. So if the offence crashes the net, but loses the puck, they won’t have to use up all their energy trying to get back to help their goalie. A good defender will right there, ready to intercept and prevent the fast break away.

This idea easily translates into managing a construction team. I always lead my pre-construction meetings by saying something like we’re all in this together. That if you fail, we all can fail.

For example, if a steel erector fails to procure the roof deck, the interior cannot start. The roofer cannot install the roof to make the building weather tight. The drywall cannot be hung; although you might be able to get away with metal studs. Electrical rough-in cannot even start without being protected from the weather. You get the point. Its like the butterfly affect I mentioned in a previous post. When one contractor fails, the whole project can fail. If your using a CPM schedule, the critical path could push like dominos falling. One activity after another, compounding delay after delay… Chaotic right?

Let’s next talk about time and schedule..

Hockey and Construction Teams are Both up against the clock

Both teams are competing against time. An NHL regular season has 82 games. With each game split up into three 20 minute periods. Whoever scores the most goals in the three period game, wins. And teams with the most wins at the end of the season make it into the playoffs. To gain the chance to play in the final series and win the Stanley Cup.

Likewise, a construction project has a duration established by a firm completion date. Some projects may even have a couple interim milestones to help keep the contractor on track. Construction Managers then develop a schedule to meet those completion dates. More importantly they create schedule milestones to organize each activity that must be completed.

Now let’s think of each game in a season like an activity in a construction schedule. And each period in a game like the duration of that activity. So managing a game is like managing a schedule, just a lightly different game plan but same old chaotic mess.

Everyone Needs a Plan

Hockey teams develop new game plans every game based on the opponent, players available, and if their home or away. Its used to promote the teams strengths, and exploit the other’s weakness. And the plan should also have the ability to adapt during the game in case the initial plan isn’t working.

Likewise, Construction Managers develop project plans and assemble project teams based on the workers available, climate, location, etc. The project management plan is used to complete the project on time and under budget. This plan will also predetermined approaches for dealing with unforeseen conditions discovered during the project. Which will help minimize delays and additional costs.

So close, but so far away

Of course, Hockey and Construction are nothing alike. But as you can see, both teams manage their own forms of chaos in a similar fashion.

Bottom line… Go play Hockey! It’s the only way to become a successful Construction Manager. Ha I’m just kidding.. Of course with the right tools and proper preparation, anyone can succeed!

And remember, construction projects used to be complex, until we came along. Now lets expand our toolbox once more… Chaos doesn’t have a chance!!