The issue and how to fix it
Often, project managers and superintendents in the construction industry feel that they have competing interests when, in fact, they work toward the same goal just from two different angles. There are some ways to help improve the relationship and communication between your project manager and your superintendent for a more unified team experience.
Define project manager and superintendent roles early
To get your project manager and superintendent off to a great start, sit down, once you’ve been awarded the project, to work through a shared vision of the upcoming build. During this time, clearly define the roles and responsibilities.
- Your project manager (PM) should be in charge of long-term goals such as schedules, budgets and financials. They should track design changes and overall project progress.
- Your superintendent (Super) is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of the physical jobsite. They coordinate the site layout, direct equipment, receive deliveries and maintain site safety, quality and morale. They’re also responsible for relaying vital information from the field to the office.
If you take this step, your PM and Super will know from the start where they stand on critical areas of the project, which will prevent confusion and miscommunication down the road. This will avoid the typical conflict between these two key team members.
Regular meetings keep the construction project on track
Commit to regular meetings to maintain the working relationship. Consider weekly or even daily, discussions between the PM and Super (and invite other team members who have information to contribute, such as architects, owners reps and / or subcontractors) to coordinate, plan and solve problems. This can be a great time to anticipate potential hiccups and get Plan B and C worked out. These frequent, productive, proactive problem-solving communications will keep your project on track, schedule and budget.
Use effective communication tools between meetings
Use the phone or a quick text to manage most conversations, but regarding more complex situations, such as handling RFIs or managing change orders, you need a more sophisticated approach. And it helps to have a solid record of those situations to refer to if necessary. A collaborative construction management platform can be a tremendous asset in this area.
A construction management platform enables your team to work quickly and efficiently using cloud-based servers and mobile access technology for real-time collaboration on crucial project documents, schedules, financials and more. These tools help avoid gray areas and miscommunications between the field (superintendent) and the office (your project manager). This will improve their ability to work together seamlessly toward their shared goal of a successful build.
Reinforce supportive communications with incentives
Teamwork is the name of the game in the construction industry. A successful project depends on team members supporting each other in meeting or exceeding planned project milestones. Your project manager should organize the schedule so your superintendent can have the jobsite ready for the right tasks. Superintendents should ensure the jobsite runs smoothly. Project managers are responsible for adjusting the plan when there are delays.
It’s essential to reinforce and reward a cohesive working relationship to avoid a superintendent vs. project manager mindset. Project owners or managers might offer individual and shared incentives for PMs and Supers tied to completing goals and meeting deadlines. The focus should be the success of the overall project.
To learn more about how RedTeam can help you improve communication between your superintendent and project manager, watch a demo to find out which RedTeam solution is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the main roles of a construction project manager and superintendent?
A construction project manager (PM) is responsible for long-term goals such as schedules, budgets and financials. They track design changes and overall project progress. On the other hand, a superintendent (Super) oversees the day-to-day operations on the jobsite, including coordinating the site layout, directing equipment, receiving deliveries, maintaining site safety and relaying information from the field to the office.
Q: Why is it important to define the roles of project managers and superintendents early in a construction project?
Defining roles early helps prevent confusion and miscommunication down the road. When the project manager and superintendent know their responsibilities from the start, it reduces the likelihood of conflicts and ensures that both are working towards the same goals from different angles.
Q: How can regular meetings between project managers and superintendents keep a construction project on track?
Regular meetings, whether weekly or daily, help maintain a strong working relationship. These discussions allow team members to coordinate, plan, solve problems and anticipate potential issues. This proactive approach ensures that the project stays on schedule and within budget.
Q: What communication tools are effective for managing complex situations in construction projects?
While phones and texts are useful for quick conversations, complex situations like handling RFIs or managing change orders require more sophisticated tools. A collaborative construction management solution is ideal as it enables real-time collaboration on crucial project documents, schedules and financials, helping to avoid miscommunications.
Q: How can a construction management solution improve communication between the field and the office?
A construction management solution uses cloud-based servers and mobile access technology to facilitate real-time collaboration. This ensures that both the superintendent in the field and the project manager in the office can access and update crucial project information immediately, leading to seamless teamwork and efficient project execution.
Q: What are some incentives that can reinforce supportive communication between project managers and superintendents?
Offering individual and shared incentives tied to completing goals and meeting deadlines can reinforce a cohesive working relationship. These incentives encourage both the project manager and superintendent to support each other in achieving the project milestones, fostering a team-oriented environment.
Q: What are the benefits of using a construction management platform like RedTeam?
RedTeam offers a range of solutions designed to improve communication and collaboration between project managers and superintendents. By providing tools for real-time project management, document sharing and financial tracking, RedTeam helps ensure that all team members are aligned and working efficiently towards the project’s success.
Q: How can project managers and superintendents anticipate potential issues in a construction project?
By committing to regular and proactive problem-solving meetings, project managers and superintendents can anticipate potential issues before they arise. Discussing possible hiccups and developing contingency plans (Plan B and C) helps prepare the team to handle challenges smoothly.
Q: Why is it important to have a solid record of communications in construction projects?
Having a solid record of communications is crucial for reference in case of disputes or misunderstandings. It ensures that all decisions and changes are documented, providing clarity and accountability for all parties involved.
Q: How does a collaborative approach benefit construction projects overall?
A collaborative approach ensures that all team members are working towards the same goals with clear communication and mutual support. This leads to better problem-solving, efficient project execution and a higher likelihood of meeting or exceeding project milestones.
