Construction projects perpetually run on tight deadlines and tighter margins. Even under optimal conditions, it doesn’t take much to throw a wrench in the works and cause everything to grind to a halt. Optimising construction site productivity might seem challenging, but it is essential to ensure that crews meet their deadlines. Here are some of the best ways to improve construction site productivity.

1. Maintain fleet equipment
Regardless of the cause, downtime can be both expensive and detrimental to workplace productivity. Neglecting equipment maintenance can result in equipment breakdowns. Taking a vital piece of equipment offline at a critical moment can make it impossible to meet or maintain deadlines.

Utilising regular preventive maintenance schedules or incorporating machine learning and predictive maintenance can help to keep things running smoothly and prevent costly and inconvenient breakdowns.

2. Create a safety culture

The construction industry remains one of the most dangerous sectors to work in. Approximately one out of every five workplace deaths occurs in construction. Accidents or fatalities in the workplace, in addition to being tragic, can shut down an entire construction site during an investigation.

Prevent this or mitigate some of the risks by creating a safety culture. Make safety everyone’s responsibility and priority to reduce the chance of accidents or deaths occurring on the job.

3. Adopt automation
There are many mundane or repetitive tasks on the average construction site. There is no reason why these tasks need to be completed by a human crew member. Automation for mundane tasks can free up skilled workers to complete other jobs on-site. It can also help keep workers safe by taking over dangerous tasks that might otherwise put them at risk. Investing in automation is a large step that will help improve worksite productivity.

4. Embrace the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
The Internet of Things comprises a massive network of interconnected devices. The industrial version of this network can serve the construction industry well. These sensors can complete various tasks, from monitoring equipment health to providing proximity alerts if an employee walks too close to a piece of equipment while it’s in operation.

Like automation, integrating the IIoT can be a significant and often costly step, but it is a move in the right direction for companies focused on productivity.

5. Utilise existing data pools
Modern companies generate massive amounts of data every single day. Instead of allowing that data to languish in digital limbo, utilizing machine learning to turn this data into actionable suggestions can make a difference in productivity.

In its raw form, much of this data is too jumbled for the average human analyst to make sense of in a reasonable amount of time. A machine learning program can complete that same task in a fraction of the time, finding patterns and creating actionable insights that can help improve productivity on construction sites.

6. Expand talent pools
Technology isn’t the only place that companies can change when finding ways to improve workplace productivity. Bringing in new talent can also help kickstart the productivity engine, especially for those willing to cast their talent net wider than their local area.

Bringing in new talent and improving the existing talent pool will also give business owners access to new skills, new ways of thinking, and new ways to improve productivity on construction sites.

7. Improve communication
Communication is integral to the success of any construction project. Project managers should take a closer look at their existing communication practices. Where do they fall short, and where could they be improved?

At the same time, consider creating a definitive chain of communication so everyone knows who they need to be in contact with at all times. That way, important messages can follow the proper channels and no one has to worry about stepping on anyone else’s toes.

8. Explore prefabricated construction
Prefabricated construction isn’t a new concept, but it is gaining momentum as a tool for creating more sustainable construction practices. It can also improve job-site productivity by reducing the amount of time necessary to complete a project.

Instead of building everything from the foundation up, prefabricated units are manufactured in a factory and shipped to the job site. From there, they can be assembled in a fraction of the time. Opting for prefabricated construction can also make it easier to keep up with looming deadlines.

Maintaining construction site productivity
Keeping construction sites productive can be challenging, especially in today’s uncertain world. Simple changes like improving communication and creating a safety culture can help prevent entirely avoidable delays. Other changes, like adding automation or adopting IIoT, may require a more significant investment, but it will pay for itself in the long run. With challenges like labor shortages and supply chain disruptions making the job more challenging, it often takes a bit of ingenuity to keep things moving forward.

About the author:
Emily Newton is a tech and industrial journalist and the Editor-in-Chief of Revolutionized Magazine.