Learn key strategies for managing your boss's expectations as a construction manager, ensuring project success and clear communication.

Plan / Do / Check / Act : is a four-stage method that includes solutions testing, analyzing results, and improving the process to enable teams to avoid recurring mistakes and improve operations. Through its iterative approach, PDCA is introduced to improve products, services, and overall team performance continuously and will lead to successful plan

Last updated on Apr 27, 2024

Here's how you can effectively manage expectations with your boss as a construction manager.

As a construction manager, you're the linchpin between your team on the ground and your boss in the boardroom. Understanding how to manage expectations effectively is crucial to maintaining a smooth operation and a positive working relationship. It's about clear communication, realistic goal-setting, and ongoing feedback, but there's more to it than just talking a good game. Let's explore how you can keep everyone on the same page and ensure that your projects are successful, your team is supported, and your boss is satisfied.

1 Know Goals

To effectively manage expectations with your boss, you must first understand what those expectations are. Engage in detailed discussions to grasp the project's scope, deadlines, and the resources at your disposal. Communicate any constraints that might impact project delivery early on. By aligning your understanding of the project goals with your boss's vision, you can set realistic targets and avoid misunderstandings down the line.

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Pouya Partonia

Construction Engineering and Management(Faculty of Civil Engineering)
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It is essential for a project manager to fulfill the primary requirement of a employer, which is to achieve their objectives. The employer expects the project goals to be met according to their expectations. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly understand the manager's objectives and ensure there are no ambiguities regarding the goals.

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2 Plan Clearly

Once goals are established, develop a clear plan of action. This should outline every stage of the construction process, from initial designs to final inspections. Use this plan to set benchmarks for progress and to keep your boss informed. A transparent timeline ensures that both you and your boss can track the project's progress, which helps in managing expectations if any delays or issues arise.

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Youssef Meslam

Construction Management |subsystems Installations | Railway Electrification|Quality Management | Infrastructure| Railways |Transportation |MEP | Project delivery | Environment&Safety |EPC Projects|Coordination. 🇱🇾🇪🇬
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Plan / Do / Check / Act : is a four-stage method that includes solutions testing, analyzing results, and improving the process to enable teams to avoid recurring mistakes and improve operations. Through its iterative approach, PDCA is introduced to improve products, services, and overall team performance continuously and will lead to successful plan

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Pouya Partonia

Construction Engineering and Management(Faculty of Civil Engineering)
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The most powerful weapon for a project manager is to have a clear, explicit, and accurate plan in all aspects, which, by following the plan, can easily fulfill all client's requirements. Having a good planning is like a lantern in a cave that shows you the way out.

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3 Communicate Often

Regular communication is key in managing your boss's expectations. Provide updates on project milestones, budget status, and any challenges faced. This doesn't mean inundating them with every minor detail, but rather keeping them informed about significant developments. Effective communication can prevent small issues from becoming major problems and demonstrates your proactive approach to project management.

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4 Adjust Promptly

In construction management, flexibility is essential. When unexpected issues occur, assess the situation, consider the impact on the project timeline and budget, and communicate these changes to your boss as soon as possible. Being upfront about adjustments needed allows for timely decision-making and shows that you are in control of managing the project effectively.

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5 Educate Tactfully

Sometimes, your boss may not fully understand the technical aspects of construction management. It's your role to educate them tactfully about what is feasible within the given constraints. Explain technical challenges and their potential solutions in a way that is clear without being condescending. This will help in setting realistic expectations and fostering mutual respect.

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6 Reflect Regularly

Finally, take time to reflect on each project with your boss. Discuss what went well and what could be improved. This reflection is not just about accountability but also about learning and growth. By regularly reviewing performance, you can adjust your strategies for managing expectations and ensure better outcomes for future projects.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Anton Hardy

Project Manager/Engineering Manager/Construction Manager
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When giving a commitment for a short term target, always ask for something from the boss. Ask for the status of a recruitment, additional marking pens, a whiteboard or just a chocolate. No need for actual relevance. Especially if you are confident of achieving the goal! That way they will feel like being included in the team, even though not doing anything useful. The boss will be more helpful, less critical, and you might get your chocolate.

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SANTHIRAJ S.

Consultant - Trainer - Power & Energy Professional-FEED,PMC/EPCI Manager, SME I&C SCADA TÜV Functional Safety Engineer
(edited)
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Changes are inevitable in any construction project. How one manages such changes, matters most to win the support of the boss. To do this effectively, I recommend the following, based on my experience 1. Identify potential concerns at the nascent stage, in every progress review meeting 2. Evaluate the impacts and risks associated with each concern after listening them. 3. Collaborate with the team to address the top priority concerns without much implications on triple constraints 4. Communicate to the boss, the concerns that need change orders in advance 5. Orchestrate the team in such a way, the boss is not caught by any surprises

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Here's how you can effectively manage expectations with your boss as a construction manager.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know Goals

2 Plan Clearly

3 Communicate Often

4 Adjust Promptly

5 Educate Tactfully

6 Reflect Regularly

7 Here’s what else to consider

Construction Management

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Here's how you can effectively manage expectations with your boss as a construction manager.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know Goals

2 Plan Clearly

3 Communicate Often

4 Adjust Promptly

5 Educate Tactfully

6 Reflect Regularly

7 Here’s what else to consider

Construction Management

Rate this article

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