Process Improvement and Cycle Times

When contractors grow inefficient processes usually get substantially more inefficient dramatically changing the Return on Investment (ROI) model.

D. Brown Management Profile Picture
Share

Saving 5 minutes per cycle for something done 100 times per month is only worth $6,000 over a couple years. At 1,000 cycles per month it’s worth investing up to $60,000 to make the process more efficient.  

Management Tools: Graph representing Saving Seconds Adds Up with Increased Cycle Times.

Where are your opportunities?

Too many times as contractors scale they look primarily at the technology tools and get poor results. One factor often underestimated is the investment in rolling out the new standards versus just the cost of the technology

Corbins Electric and NOX Innovations are really good at is looking at the whole workflow, talent, culture and technology. They give a great example of this with their purchasing process improvement.  

Everything stated here seems easy enough but is VERY difficult to execute consistently.  The team at Corbins has done an amazing job balancing high-level strategic direction, culture and process streamlining.  They are also great about sharing with their peers in the industry.




First of a Kind: Managing to Accelerate Outcomes and Mitigate Risks
Special attention is required for all "First of a Kind" projects, job roles, processes, and tools. This is often overlooked, slowing down progress and creating unnecessary risks for contractors.
Premature Optimization
Construction technology innovation has exploded and is continuing to accelerate. The quantity of experienced talent is at a low point and will continue to decline throughout the next 10+ years. There are probably more unknowns than knowns.
Operational Clarity Over Optimum Tax Efficiency
The tax code is complex and that can make deal structures overly complex. The legal system is just as complex. Trying to get every possible issue contingency covered can also make the deal structure extremely complex.