The Superintendent's Day

Learn to control your day!

Last week one of our superintendents approached me to apologize for not keeping up with photos and daily reports.  I gave him some advice and told him that HE needs to run his day- NOT the subcontractors!  The jobsite is a very hectic environment but you CAN decide to take control of your day and be more productive.

I  used to give a mini seminar on this very issue.  Most superintendent give little thought to each day and go out and just do the best they can.  Each day is precious.  In the blink of an eye it will be gone!  Below is portion of the instruction that I provided in discussing how to be productive on the jobsite. Enjoy!

The Superintendent’s Day:  Most Superintendent’s don’t have a set plan or a routine to their day.  They are at the mercy of the subs and the subs pull on them all day to answer questions and be their personal "answer man".  They must take control of their day.  They need to learn to follow a routine schedule EVERY day.  Here is my routine when I was on site:

Arrival to 10:00 am:  Walk the entire site and talk to EVERY trade foreman.  Talk briefly about schedule goals, issues and problems.  Ask them this specific question: “What do you need from me to do your job”.  This is extremely powerful as it shifts the responsibility to them to identify issues that they need.  Don’t gab- stay on task.

10:00-12:00:  Shut the door to the trailer and make your phone calls and schedule your work.  Most guys are in the office by 10:00 and they have got their crews out and they are able to take calls.  Keep the door shut and think.  Think ahead two weeks and one month.  Call subs at least two weeks in advance and make them meet you on site to see the existing conditions.  Cancel subs when the work is not ready.  If subs come to the trailer and want to show you something in the building tell them they are too late- they had the opportunity in the morning.  Handle emergencies if you have to, but get the subs to work on YOUR schedule.  Once they know that you walk first thing they will be prepared with questions.  They will start to think also.  It’s amazing- it works.

1:00-2:30:  Walk the site quickly and handle problems or issues.  Work on the issue items only.  Don’t gab- you are killing their productivity also.  Problem solving only.

2:30-3:30:  Do your paperwork.  Take care of your daily reports.  Send notices to the subs.  Use e-mail to document your requests.  An e-mail is as good as a registered letter in this day.  Send written notices.  You must document!  If you want results you must paper the file.  It’s gold.  Verbal direction is good but written is always better.

3:30-end:  Lock up.  Do QC inspections as you walk.  The site is now quiet so you can really LOOK at the work.  Make a list of deficiencies.  You must carry a notepad and tape measure at all times!  Hit the subs with the deficiencies the very next morning.

Let YOUR schedule work for you!  Once the subs know your schedule and you tell them “no” a few times they start to manage themselves better.  Yes this works.  I know because I have personally used it.

Either you run your day or they will run it for you.  They can pull you around like a puppet.  Just the act of walking from the trailer to the building is a waste of time.  DON'T let them do it!  Take control of your day.  Be productive and organized!  Your job WILL be easier.  And you will get much better results!  I promise!