THE 6 PILLARS OF CONSTRUCTION WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT
Workforce management (WFM) is an organizational approach used to optimize efficiency and effectiveness of employees. Used widely in numerous industries all over the world, this institutional practice is used by businesses to strategically optimize productivity.
In the construction industry, proper WFM means ensuring the right person is at the right place at the right time, creating the right plan. Contractors across the globe are practicing WFM, but most are doing so unknowingly and unequipped, which means their processes are often fragmented, unstandardized, redundant and high risk. In turn, this creates miscommunication, inaccurate scheduling, mismanaged data and wasted time. Unable to properly forecast or analyze data, contractors waste time and money with outdated, analog practices, creating an industry-wide gap. Fundamentally, there are six pillars that support WFM: communication, scheduling, data management, people management, forecasting, actuals and analytics. When done correctly, these pillars create alignment within an organization and uncover new efficiencies.
Before we dive deeper into each pillar, let’s start with the groundwork that’s necessary before implementing a true WFM practice at your construction company.
When combined, these six pillars can successfully support construction WFM from preconstruction to closeout as you move from one project to the next. In the age of the labor shortage, your team can fight the statistics and make the most of the talent you have.
With improved communication, contractors know who they have on staff and how to properly schedule them to the best advantage of all stakeholders. Data at contractors’ fingertips means that information and personnel can be instantaneously and professionally aligned and managed. Whether looking ahead with forecasting or analytically taking a look back, digital WFM presents a holistic view of project information.
With construction WFM, your organization can go from fragmented processes and confused personnel to aligned and on-time with the right technology, helping you get the right person at the right place at the right time.
