When projects end up in a nasty swirl of finger pointing and blame, it’s probably time to take a good look at clarifying goals, and roles. “Always make the customer happy,” is a nice mantra, but if it is not broken down into systemic tasks and clearly assigned responsibilities, it is not enough to guarantee success. Read on for pointers from pros.
Confusion Has A Pricetag
Even a great group of workers, who generally get along, need more to go on than “go team go.” When you own a construction company, providing your team with clarity about goals and roles, is essential for the success of every project, and ultimately the business. As Kate Zabriskie at Construction Business Owner observes, there’s a
Imagine a team starting a project with energy and optimism. Ideas are flying, everyone’s ready to contribute and the excitement is high. But a few weeks in, the team is struggling, and the wind is out of their sails. People are frustrated, deadlines are slipping and, despite all the effort, they’re behind….When teams aren’t clear on goals, roles and tasks, even the most talented group can lose direction…..When roles and responsibilities are unclear, accountability fades. If something goes wrong, the response becomes “not my job”…..Blame circulates, and soon the team is more focused on defending actions than solving problems … .Clarity isn’t just nice-to-have — it’s what keeps teams aligned, productive and, yes, drama-free. When everyone understands the bigger purpose behind their work, their unique role and the tactical steps needed to get there, teams don’t just function — they thrive….
Work toward putting more structure and clarity in place for everyone at your business by breaking sweeping goals down into specific tasks, and defining the roles associated with those tasks: “Tasks are the tactics that bring goals to life. Clear tasks provide a road map that makes daily work straightforward. Vague instructions like “make customers happy” create hesitation. But if the task is specific — “send follow-up emails to five top clients this week”— each step brings the team closer to the goal. Clear tasks are what keep the wheels turning and make meaningful progress possible.” Create the clarity people and businesses need by following Zabriskie’s pointers:
Set Specific, Measurable Goals
Goals should be like a GPS pin. Move away from vague ideas like “improve client engagement.” Instead, set a target like “increase customer satisfaction by 15% by the end of the quarter.” When goals are measurable, they give the team a clear destination — which helps everyone stay focused and motivated.
Define Roles With Purpose
Each team member should understand their specific part in the mission. If Rod is responsible for research and data analysis, make sure everyone knows that’s his lane. Defined roles mean less confusion, fewer overlaps, more accountability and more confidence.
Break Big Goals Into Actionable Tasks
General instructions leave too much to interpretation. Break big goals down into bite-sized tasks. Instead of “make the product launch successful,” assign tasks like “prepare a launch strategy proposal” or “organize a demo day with top clients.” When tasks are actionable, team members know exactly what needs doing.
Construction business coach George Hedley also advocates taking the time to put standardized systems and processes in place for sustained success in the construction industry, noting: “Some examples of systems and strategies that improve project results include pre-job planning meetings, weekly job cost production scorecards, tool and equipment checklists, regular training sessions, pre-installation inspection reports, and detailed subcontracts with inclusions and exclusions clearly identified….”
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