Plumber's Licensing Exam: Project Management Tips For Plumbers

Project Management
You need a plan when you are the project manager. To a large extent, your plan will be based on the blueprints for the building you are working in. However, many other factors will affect your formula for the project. For example, you must consider the probable weather conditions that will occur during the period of construction. Temporary enclosures are desirable for some steps of construction to keep materials at a reasonable temperature. A side benefit is a bit of comfort for workers who are using temperature-sensitive materials.

The project manager must be thoroughly familiar with the codes that are used in the project’s locality. That not only includes the plumbing code, but the building code, the fire code, the electrical code, and so on. Of course, no one knows all the codes by heart, but the project manager must be able to know when a point of construction begs a code-based decision. A knowledge of where to go for code answers is invaluable. Having a network of experts is as valuable a tool as any. The names and telephone numbers of the building owner, the Authority Having Jurisdiction as far as code enforcement is concerned, the general contractor, and the subcontractors are important facts that need to be gathered and kept in one place.

It is also important for the project manager to have direct knowledge of and the ability to readily contact the material suppliers for your projects. An intimate knowledge of the availability of ordered material for your crew and delivery dates of key equipment is a must. The architect needs to be on the list of contacts and the project manager cannot hesitate to contact any and all of the key players in the project as necessary. Prompt communication and explanation from all the individuals involved makes for the smooth progression of construction.

One cannot assume anything. The project manager can only deal in hard facts and firm obligations. All too often, experienced builders fall prey to overconfidence and overwork resulting in poor decisions or no decisions, which destroys the proper sequence of a project.

If you are to be a good project manager you must be thoroughly knowledgeable in your field and you must be a masterful communicator. That does not mean you have to use all of the big words in Webster’s Dictionary, it just means that you must stay in contact with all of the individuals important to the progress of the project in a professional and assertive manner.

Tip: Only accept concrete, specific answers.

Your job is to complete the project as specified, in the time specified, and still turn a profit for your company.

You must be on top of all aspects of the project at all times.

Call for the rough-in and finish inspections at least three days ahead of time so your workers aren’t held up by waiting for an inspection.

Avoid micromanaging your workers.

You should have people in the field that you can trust. Generally, they will do better work and more work if they are given the responsibility for its completion.

As long as the job is meeting the time, quality, and cost schedules, let your workers do what they have trained for and love to do.

Keep the materials flowing and the other contractors in your loop, and you will have a successful project.