Communication is an essential part of construction. Three characteristics of con-
struction communication help in understanding its importance. Communication in frontline supervision productionis critical, time-consuming, and pervasive. Each of these is explored
below.
Critical
It has been determined that two-thirds of all errors at a factory or other job site are due either directly or indirectly to communication. Take a few minutes to think of instances from your experience when a communication breakdown has caused an error. These errors take many forms. Installation might not be correct, because of the fact that directions were not given correctly, not heard correctly, or not understood correctly. Accidents often happen on the construction site because of garbled communication. Production is impeded because a message was not received, resulting in lack of required resources: tools, materials, or workers at the workface. Claims or back charges are assessed because proper notification was not provided. These are just a few examples of how communications problems can affect a job. They illustrate that breakdowns in communication often cause minor
irritations, but also can result in major ramifications throughout any project.
Time-Consuming
Supervisors generally spend 60% to 90% of their time communicating. A major difference between the craft worker and the supervisor is that supervisors work primarily with people rather than the tools of their craft to accomplish their tasks. Instead of producing work directly, with their own hands, supervisors direct the work of others and accomplish their work objectives through others. They coordinate the contributions to the project of many different entities, including sub- contractors, suppliers, designers, and even the owner. They design, implement, and monitor production processes. All of this is accomplished through communication. On the job site, in the context of supervision, most of this communication is oral.
Proper communication requires time. Ideas must be organized and then appropriate words selected to effectively convey the ideas. It takes time to choose the proper words to communicate the technical message required, within the context of the other party’s knowledge, culture, and language skills.
Advances in technology have both helped and hindered communication. Communication devices are ubiquitous. If something is needed right now, it can be summoned by telephone (generally a cell phone that is immediately available), by walkie-talkie, by texting, or by many other means. This is convenient but has led to inefficiencies. It tends to minimize the emphasis on pre-planning since, if something is overlooked, it can be solicited immediately. It also tends to be disruptive to the person on the other end of the communication. When I contact someone at my convenience, it is highly likely that they will be distracted from the activity in which they are engaged.
Pervasive
Communication plays a part in virtually everything the supervisor does. Whether the supervisor is directing the work of a crew, evaluating the performance of workers, developing documentation, asking for clarifications, or providing answers to questions, it involves communication.
One of the key functions of the supervisor is to serve as the link between the worker and the rest of the world. Information the worker gets comes primarily through the supervisor. This information could be from the designer, another contractor, or the company office. Information the rest of the world needs about the work is communicated through the supervisor. Such information may be needed by the company office, other contractors involved in the project, material suppliers, or the
project owner. All of this information, whether going to the crew or coming from
the workface, passes through the supervisor.
Because of the fundamental importance of communication to the work of the construction supervisor, it can be concluded that time and effort spent in honing communication skills is well invested. The rest of this chapter focuses on oral communication. The next chapter deals with written communication and documentation.
Adapted from Construction Supervision by Gerald L. Rounds and Robert O. Segner
struction communication help in understanding its importance. Communication in frontline supervision productionis critical, time-consuming, and pervasive. Each of these is explored
below.
Critical
It has been determined that two-thirds of all errors at a factory or other job site are due either directly or indirectly to communication. Take a few minutes to think of instances from your experience when a communication breakdown has caused an error. These errors take many forms. Installation might not be correct, because of the fact that directions were not given correctly, not heard correctly, or not understood correctly. Accidents often happen on the construction site because of garbled communication. Production is impeded because a message was not received, resulting in lack of required resources: tools, materials, or workers at the workface. Claims or back charges are assessed because proper notification was not provided. These are just a few examples of how communications problems can affect a job. They illustrate that breakdowns in communication often cause minor
irritations, but also can result in major ramifications throughout any project.
Time-Consuming
Supervisors generally spend 60% to 90% of their time communicating. A major difference between the craft worker and the supervisor is that supervisors work primarily with people rather than the tools of their craft to accomplish their tasks. Instead of producing work directly, with their own hands, supervisors direct the work of others and accomplish their work objectives through others. They coordinate the contributions to the project of many different entities, including sub- contractors, suppliers, designers, and even the owner. They design, implement, and monitor production processes. All of this is accomplished through communication. On the job site, in the context of supervision, most of this communication is oral.
Proper communication requires time. Ideas must be organized and then appropriate words selected to effectively convey the ideas. It takes time to choose the proper words to communicate the technical message required, within the context of the other party’s knowledge, culture, and language skills.
Advances in technology have both helped and hindered communication. Communication devices are ubiquitous. If something is needed right now, it can be summoned by telephone (generally a cell phone that is immediately available), by walkie-talkie, by texting, or by many other means. This is convenient but has led to inefficiencies. It tends to minimize the emphasis on pre-planning since, if something is overlooked, it can be solicited immediately. It also tends to be disruptive to the person on the other end of the communication. When I contact someone at my convenience, it is highly likely that they will be distracted from the activity in which they are engaged.
Pervasive
Communication plays a part in virtually everything the supervisor does. Whether the supervisor is directing the work of a crew, evaluating the performance of workers, developing documentation, asking for clarifications, or providing answers to questions, it involves communication.
One of the key functions of the supervisor is to serve as the link between the worker and the rest of the world. Information the worker gets comes primarily through the supervisor. This information could be from the designer, another contractor, or the company office. Information the rest of the world needs about the work is communicated through the supervisor. Such information may be needed by the company office, other contractors involved in the project, material suppliers, or the
project owner. All of this information, whether going to the crew or coming from
the workface, passes through the supervisor.
Because of the fundamental importance of communication to the work of the construction supervisor, it can be concluded that time and effort spent in honing communication skills is well invested. The rest of this chapter focuses on oral communication. The next chapter deals with written communication and documentation.
Adapted from Construction Supervision by Gerald L. Rounds and Robert O. Segner
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