Observe, Hypothesize, and Experiment

Contractors would run much better including improved field productivity if they applied the simple lesson we all learned around middle-school science class:

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Quote: Stop debating and start experimenting. Because if you don't run experiments you can't learn. Adam Grant from Power Moves.

The Scientific Method:  

  1. Make an observation
      
  2. Ask questions about the observation and gather information

  3. Form a hypothesis about what created the outcome and make predictions about the future state based on the hypothesis

  4. Test the hypothesis in an experiment that can be reproduced

  5. Analyze the data from the experiments that either validates or invalidates the hypothesis

  6. Reproduce the experiment until there are no discrepancies between observed results and theory

Experiments are hard to run in complex environments like a construction company.  That does not mean that you should not attempt to make the best observation, hypothesis, and experiments you can for a given situation.  

Adam Grant talks with the CEO of Goldman Sachs in the book Power Moves about experimentation in what works best for recruiting and retention. 




Definitions for The Business of Building
Building a project requires knowledge and skill in using thousands of construction specific definitions, acronyms, and metrics. Building a business including the development of people has its own vocabulary that forms the foundation of communication.
Org Structure Planning (Current State)
Taking an objective look at your current-state organizational structure and the people in each role forms the foundation for your recruiting, development, and business planning.
Project Income Projections
For a contractor to be effectively involved in the early stages of a project beyond understanding the whole project development budget, they must also understand the financing and cash flow of the project.