Managing a construction project in Colorado involves many different pieces that must run smoothly for a successful project. A delay in any one of these pieces could delay or derail the entire project.
Delays are almost inevitable in any construction project. In fact, recent data shows that almost 86% of construction projects were completed late, with nearly 60% being delayed by more than two months.
While this data reflected trends during the pandemic years, delays remain something you should anticipate. Knowing how to handle delays when they arise can minimize the impact on the construction project.
Build delay time into your project
When you create your timeline for the project, include time for potential delays. Some delays you can reasonably anticipate but some may be unexpected, such as weather delays or a sudden shortage of materials. Build extra time into the schedule in case of unexpected delays such as these.
Have a contingency plan in place for when delays affect the project. Contingency plans can provide an outline for handling the delays and allow you to see how they may impact the project’s overall timeline.
A contingency plan should be tailored to each specific project rather than a boilerplate contingency plan. Communicate your contingency plans to project managers and teams involved in the project so everyone is on the same page.
Part of a contingency plan should be a system to track delays when they happen. Have project managers check in with their team members regularly to learn the status of the delays and answer any questions.
Determine the cause of the delay
While some causes, such as weather might be obvious, other delays might not have a clearly identifiable cause. Take time to thoroughly research every piece of the project to determine the cause of the delay and potentially prevent it from happening again in the future.
You cannot avoid delays but creating a comprehensive system to address delays will result in successful outcomes and reduce your chance of legal liability.