Change orders during a project can cause stress as crews and their leaders rush to pivot and accommodate the change. It is important field leaders such as superintendents and foremen can adjust and adapt accordingly, and communication is a crucial part of the process.
The National Center for Construction Education and Research shares the following five tactics field leaders can use to communicate effectively and prevent potential change order chaos.
- Clarify the scope daily. Checking in frequently is important. Brief daily scope reviews with crews can help ensure everyone is aligned and address any changes to upcoming work so they can be made in a timely manner.
- Monitor continuously. Field leaders should always be observing and monitoring the job site to look for potential issues and concerns. When field leaders say something as soon as they see an issue, it can be resolved efficiently.
- Close the loop with clients and general contractors. Field leaders are the connection between project owners and contractors, and it is crucial to establish consistent, frequent communication between all parties to ensure everything is clear regarding expectations. Providing updates and keeping everyone aware of potential changes can lead to smoother project adjustments.
- Take thorough documentation. Documentation is essential for communicating project status updates. Take written notes and photo documentation daily to show progress and highlight a potential need for changes. Any meetings regarding the project should have notes taken and distributed for review.
- Debrief every change. Every time a change order comes in and is implemented, field leaders can use it to help coach their teams. Discuss what was done well and identify any issues that arose, as well as how the change order process can be improved in the future.
