What do you do if your construction project lacks collaboration among different trades?

1 Identify common goals

The first step to improve collaboration is to identify the common goals and objectives of the project, and communicate them clearly to all the parties involved. This will help to align the expectations, priorities, and responsibilities of each trade, and create a shared vision of the project's outcome. You can use tools such as project charter, scope statement, work breakdown structure, and project schedule to define and document the project goals and deliverables, and share them with the project team and stakeholders.

2 Establish clear roles and responsibilities

The second step to improve collaboration is to establish clear roles and responsibilities for each trade, and assign them to the appropriate individuals or groups. This will help to avoid confusion, duplication, and overlap of tasks, and ensure that each trade knows what they are expected to do, when, and how. You can use tools such as RACI matrix, responsibility assignment matrix, or organizational chart to define and document the roles and responsibilities of each trade, and communicate them to the project team and stakeholders.

5 Promote learning and innovation

The fifth step to improve collaboration is to promote learning and innovation among different trades, and enable them to share their knowledge, skills, and ideas. This will help to improve the quality, efficiency, and creativity of the project, and foster continuous improvement and adaptation to changing needs and challenges. You can use tools such as lessons learned, best practices, or brainstorming to facilitate learning and innovation among different trades, and leverage their collective intelligence and expertise.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?