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- Lessons From This Week in Project Management
Every week on site is a reminder that project management isn’t about one big decision — it’s about small choices and details that build up over time. A delayed quote, a missed exclusion, or an outdated assumption might seem minor, but each can shape outcomes in ways that ripple across budget, schedule, and trust.
Here are six lessons from this week — practical reminders that may resonate with your own projects too.
Table of Contents
1. The Two-Week Wait for Contractor Quotes
Waiting two weeks for a refined contractor quote can feel like lost momentum, but it protects against surprises later. Contractors need time to validate supplier pricing, freight costs, and labour availability.
Action: Use waiting periods to double-check assumptions and prepare clear updates for stakeholders.
2. Exclusions Are Not Minor Details
Exclusions in proposals, like stress analysis or mechanical tie-ins, often land back on the project team if missed. Calling them out early prevents scope gaps and disputes later.
Action: Log every exclusion into your risk register and evaluate its impact on cost, schedule, and accountability.
3. Reconfirming Quotes Before Commitment
Quotes from months ago rarely reflect today’s prices. Reconfirming avoids approving outdated assumptions that lead to costly variations.
Action: Request updated quotes with a short “delta note” highlighting what has changed and why.
4. Why Site Walkthroughs Still Matter
Drawings help, but nothing replaces walking the floor. Conditions evolve, and a walkthrough ensures everyone resets their understanding together.
Action: Before re-engaging suppliers or confirming costs, schedule a walkthrough to catch unseen issues.
5. Turning Uncertainty into Opportunity
When contractors say, “We don’t know yet,” it’s not a setback but a chance to influence. Design is still flexible, and your input can shape practical, cost-effective solutions.
Action: Don’t wait for answers — propose options early to help steer the design.
6. Managing a $2.8M Spend Plan
Budgets succeed when spending matches progress. Linking payments to milestones ensures accountability and balances contractor cash flow with client protection.
Action: Review your spend plan and confirm that each payment milestone is tied to a deliverable.
Final Thought
Projects don’t stumble because of one massive failure — they slip because of small details left unchecked. Taking time to reconfirm, clarify, or revisit now prevents bigger problems later.
✅ Action Step: Pick one project this week and ask: Where do I need to reconfirm, clarify, or revisit before moving forward?
P.S. Let’s stay connected beyond this newsletter. Join me on LinkedIn and keep the dialogue alive on projects, productivity, and growth.
See you next Saturday!