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Importance Of Effective Communication In The Construction Industry

by Edward G. Guest Blogger

Construction companies face a lot of complexities in today’s unpredictable and evolving business environment.

From rising construction costs to uncertainty surrounding the US trade war with China, there are plenty of issues that impact their profitability.

One of the most important aspects that many businesses fail to recognize is effective communication.

The importance of maintaining seamless communication channels cannot be overstated. Effective communication is so critical yet, and it often fails to get the attention it deserves.

In this article, we’ll shed light on the importance of effective communication at your construction site.

Let’s get started!

What is effective communication?

In the construction industry, communication refers to the exchange of information to deliver a message or instructions.

Similarly, effective communication means conveying information, so that it’s received and understood appropriately.

READ: Effective Communication

While it may seem like an oversimplification, that’s pretty much the gist of it.

And it’s easier said than done, especially in the construction industry where time is of the essence and safety hazards are always present at the job site.

Effective communication in the construction industry

Effective communication is imperative for the successful execution and completion of any project, even more so when it comes to construction projects that involve a massive number of moving parts and hundreds of people working together in demanding conditions.

Excellent communication leads to better collaboration and teamwork, prevents misunderstandings, and helps avoid construction delays.

As a result, the project remains on track and completed within deadlines.

How to maintain effective communication?

Clear lines of communication to avoid ambiguity

From the inception to its completion of the construction project, a clear line of communication must be established at every hierarchical level.

First, you should make sure the contract documents clearly outline the scope and responsibilities in great detail.

The rules of the protocol should be established and explained to the members involved in the construction project.

The lines of communication and authority levels should be clearly defined to prevent conflicts and disagreements.

READ: What Are the Lines of Communications in a Business?

Clear and concise communication is the key

Project managers should ensure that the construction workers can comprehend the messages and instructions before actually delivering them.

Avoid using vague terms or jargon that can cause confusion and misunderstandings. It’s also important to use clear and concise language. The message should be brief and to the point.

There should be a balance between cohesiveness and comprehensiveness to ensure the recipients can make sense out of the information efficiently.

Furthermore, it’s a good practice always to proofread written messages before sending them and check whether they can be more concise without omitting vital information.

When talking on the phone, it’s better to be brief and to the point to avoid ambiguity.

Listen to your team and respond to their queries

If you want your construction workers and operators to listen to your instructions, it’s essential that you listen to them as well.

They should be able to voice their concerns and ask questions related to the construction process, schedule, or any other issue.

It’s essential to understand the problems experienced by the team members, irrespective of the hierarchy.

Remember, communication is a two-way process; giving instruction and not receiving feedback will only result in a failed operation.

READ: Effective Communication Through Two-way Feedback

Managing expectation

Construction work involves a lot of intricacies, and there are numerous stakeholders and parties involved in the project.

It can be complicated to manage and meet everyone’s expectations, which leads to disagreement and causes disruptions during operations.

Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that an accurate documentation process system is in place.

From construction designs to project schedules, all the elements involved in construction work should be documented in writing.

The reason is that the communication is only as effective as written documents and records.

If there are discrepancies in the construction work, they will help resolve the conflicts as well as provide a remedy for the problems.

Effective channels of communication

Due to the advancements in technology, there are numerous channels of communication available for construction businesses.

READ: What Are Communication Channels Within an Organization?

The trick is to identify the method for each hierarchy that helps deliver the message in the most effective and efficient way.

Offsite communication, which involves strategic planning, can be conducted via video conferences using smartphones and laptops.

Email is also an effective and professional way to maintain a smooth flow of communication.

However, when it comes to on-site communication, these forms of communication don’t prove to be viable choices.

It’s essential to have a device that can circumvent wind noise and provide resistance to vibration.

Moreover, the device should also be able to withstand extreme environments and offer clear communication in any condition.

A Crane Two Way Radio perfectly fits these descriptions. They are used extensively in construction sites due to lightweight durability and reliability.

You might consider investing in high-quality two-way radios to ensure effective communication on site.

It’s important not to compromise on the quality and pick the ones that offer water-resistance with a sturdy build that can endure impact and extreme temperatures.

Final words

Effective communication is the foundation of a successful construction project. The better the collaboration and teamwork, the higher the chances of success.

It’s recommended to develop a comprehensive plan to maintain good communication channels throughout the construction process.

This will reduce the risk of accidents and conflict, which can cause delays and help ensure that the project goes smoothly and completes within deadlines.

About the author

Jacob Bale is a senior business analyst who has been regularly contributing to the website. He specialized in business communication and provides professional consultancy to construction companies in the United States. The author is currently working as a consultant for Crane Warning Systems Atlanta. To find out more about the company and RaycoWylie products, visit their website.