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Remote Director of Project Controls, Breaking Pain Points, Tackling Material Management

Remote Director of Project Controls, Breaking Pain Points, Tackling Material Management

Micah Piippo
January 20, 2025

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Let’s face it—construction projects can feel like an endless uphill battle. Deadlines slip, budgets stretch, and communication falters. The frustration? It’s real. But here’s the thing: the path to improvement starts with facing that discomfort head-on.

💡 Here’s how to address the pain point directly:

1. Stop Avoiding the Symptoms

Broken processes are often the hidden culprits behind chaos. Confusing workflows, unclear roles, or clunky tools can slow everything down. Ask yourself: where is the process breaking? Are approvals taking too long? Is critical information getting lost in emails or outdated spreadsheets? Tackling these process inefficiencies first can unlock major improvements across the board.

2. Talk About the Elephant in the Room

Too often, teams shy away from addressing what’s broken. Schedule a “pain-point huddle” to let everyone voice their frustrations—no blame, no defensiveness. You’ll be amazed at what surfaces when the team feels heard.

3. Get Specific About the Problem

Saying “our scheduling is bad” won’t cut it. Instead, pinpoint specifics:

Are dependencies unclear?
Is the data outdated or hard to access?
Do teams lack a shared process for updating progress?

The clearer the problem, the clearer the solution.

4. Create a List of Fixes and Quantify Them

Once you’ve identified the pain point, brainstorm a list of potential solutions. Involve the team to ensure all ideas are captured—no matter how small. Then, take it one step further: assign a dollar amount to each fix by estimating the cost of implementation versus the potential savings. For example:

Switch to an AI-driven scheduling tool → $50,000/year, with an estimated $200,000 in saved delays annually.
Streamline the approvals process → $5,000 in training costs but eliminates $20,000/month in bottlenecks.

This step not only prioritizes solutions but also ensures buy-in from stakeholders who want to see the ROI.

Addressing pain points isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about methodically breaking down the issues and investing in meaningful change. What process pain point will you tackle first?

Identify and Fix Issues

Copy and paste this prompt into ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude.

Act as an experienced consultant helping a construction project manager identify and resolve inefficiencies. Provide clear, actionable guidance:

Assess Symptoms:
Identify breakdowns by asking:
"Are approvals delayed? Why?"
"Is information lost in emails or spreadsheets?"
Summarize key inefficiencies.
Facilitate a Huddle:
Suggest a non-confrontational, structured meeting for the team to discuss frustrations and focus on solutions.
Clarify Problems:
Refine complaints into specifics by asking:
"Are task dependencies clear?"
"Is data outdated or inaccessible?"
Develop Solutions and ROI:
Brainstorm fixes, estimating costs vs. savings. Example: "An AI scheduling tool costs $50,000 but could save $200,000 in delays."
Implement and Monitor:
Propose a phased action plan with KPIs like reduced delays or cost savings.