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Project Management in Home Improvement. By William Millard May 3, 2006. Agenda. Introduction What is Project Success? Planning Communications Customer Requirements The People (Workers) Juggling the Schedule Pricing Tools and Techniques Summary. Introduction. A Bit of History
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Project Management in Home Improvement By William Millard May 3, 2006
Agenda • Introduction • What is Project Success? • Planning • Communications • Customer Requirements • The People (Workers) • Juggling the Schedule • Pricing • Tools and Techniques • Summary
Introduction • A Bit of History • From army medic to accounting to home improvement • 30 years in the construction and home improvement business • Typical Projects • Small projects, relatively speaking • 7 Employees
What is Project Success? • Results • Satisfied customers • The attainment of realistically set project goals • The attainment of personal goals • Planning and Communications are Key
Planning • Understand customer requirements • Hint: Read between the lines • Plan for time allotted, materials needed, personnel requirements • Plan for TROUBLE!! • “You don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate!”
Communication • Communications before, during, and after • Before: • Establish working relationships • During: • Be proactive • Keep customer apprised of progress • Manage changes • Communicate unexpected changes (problems) • Customer changes (update timelines, budget; reset expectations) • After: • Follow up with customer on satisfaction • Let the customer know they are important to you • Value in having a return customer
Customer Requirements • Customer satisfaction • Meet or exceed requirements • Know when and how to communicate with customers • Managing changes (always an issue) • Analyze impacts of changes, but… • We do them all; this requires flexibility • Communicating with customers • Be accessible, attentive, and accommodating • Be proactive • Remember the fear of the unknown
The People (Workers) • Employ the best people you can find • Match people to requirements • Be the example; be a knowledgeable respected leader • Reward good work • Quality control • Philosophy: Quality is more important than making the quick $ • Trust but verify (for completeness and quality)
Juggling the Schedule • Planning ahead – is it possible? • Weather impact • Negotiate the schedule and include slippage • Squeaky wheel factor • Meeting multiple project demands • I juggle 7 to 12 projects at any one time • I provide hands-on assistance when I can • *** Flexibility is key
Pricing • Fixed Cost vs Time and Materials • Charging for changes • How good was the estimate?
Execution: Tools and Techniques • Know your suppliers • Choose the right tools • Use quality materials • Monitor the work • Do it right the first time (make it last)
Summary • Know your business (technical know-how) • Solve your customer’s problems the right way the first time (it’s worth the extra effort) • Find the best people and reward them appropriately • Use quality products and tools • Know how/when to communicate with customers • Learn to estimate; use a buffer • Be flexible • Remember the main goal – improve people’s lives (and their homes)