Disputes and conflicts are a part of life, especially when a group of people works together. In construction projects, arguments and confrontations occur due to many reasons, and these disputes badly affect the construction project’s progress. There are certain ways to resolve conflicts and make things work smoothly.
But certain steps can help in reducing the number of disputes and conflicts from happening. Here we will discuss the reasons behind the conflicts and how to avoid them.
How to avoid disputes?
1. Do proper planning:
Disputes are more likely to happen when there is no proper planning, and the goals and objectives are not clear. Make appropriate plans on how to perform the tasks, interact with the vendors and contractors, what steps are necessary to perform, when is the time to complete the project, and what to do when the risks are identified. All this planning will help the employees and management better understand their work, and no ambiguities mean no conflicts and disputes.
2. Documentation and proper reports
Keep a proper record and documentation of every aspect of the construction project, whether about the employees or contractors. Keeping a report is like proof, which will help in minimizing the disputes.
3. Ask for expert advice
Whether it is about planning or resolving an issue, take expert advice. Experts will guide you on how to avoid disputes in the workplace from their experience. You can take the quantum expert‘s advice even after encountering a conflict to resolve them with proof and proper inspection strategies.
4. Clear duties and tasks
Make the duties and tasks clear to each person on the construction site; this way, they will have a full understanding of their duties and be responsible for the task’s failure. When the jobs are not clear, workers tend to blame co-workers for the tasks’ failure resulting in conflicts.
5. Clear and discuss all the contract terms
Before you start the construction, make all the terms in the contract clear to everyone. Revise them and ask for any review from the people affiliated with the contract. It will minimize the chances of conflicts by taking every person’s consent.
6. Make communication essential
Communication is key to resolve conflicts and, most importantly, to avoid them. Organize frequent meetings and sessions with the people that are a part of the construction project.
7. Use the latest technology
Make use of the latest technology to keep the records and keep track of the tasks; this technology use will help avoid conflicts.
8. Time management
Time is crucial in construction projects; not coping with time in completing the project will result in conflicts with the owners, vendors, and contractors. Always keep track of your time with your activities.
9. Stick to goals and objectives
Deviating from previously specified goals and objectives mostly frustrates the people working on those objectives. That is why it is always necessary to stick to the goals that are a part of the plan. Changing them every time will confuse the workers.
What are the reasons behind the disputes?
1. Behavioral changes
People come from different backgrounds, and they may have different behaviors; working with people with other behaviors is very difficult, and there are higher chances of conflicts.
2. Misconceptions in understanding contract terms
When the contract’s terms are not fully understood and are not clear, misunderstandings are likely to occur in the future.
3. Failure and incompetency of the site manager
One of the main reasons for the disputes is the incompetency of the site supervisor or the manager who cannot handle the activities of the construction project or handle the stress.
4. Construction delays
Disputes due to construction delays are very common; construction delays increase the project’s cost, which puts a burden on the shoulders of the person financing the project.
5. Exceeding budget limit
The budget limit exceeds due to various factors; one cannot properly utilize the resources and not complete the project on time. To resolve claims and other disputes, construction claim consultants step forward to bring things back to normal through their experience.
6. Continuous change in plans and objectives
Continuous changes in plans will frustrate the workers, and they get aggressive. The workers’ aggressiveness will result in disputes with the other workers and the contractor or the manager.
7. Not understanding the problems well
One must understand the problems and risks that will come with the progress of the construction project. When a person fails to understand such factors, they are more likely to have stress, resulting in conflicts.
Impact of the disputes on the construction progress
The conflicts in the workplace badly affect the progress of the construction project. All the operations and activities are on hold till the disputes are not solved. The project will delay, and the goals you will achieve will not be the same as those you have planned.