Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
With labor shortages and supply chain hiccups, delays are becoming more common. I’d love to hear what control strategies have worked for others to keep projects on track.
Saving Changes...
In my previous projects, we tend to keep several supply chain partners (RC subbies, for example), just in case one of the preferred subbies gets into labour shortages, we can have some backup to fall back on.
If it's a specialist trade, supply chain risk should be considered before getting into the contract.
Alternatively, review the construction methodology or work sequence where there might be opportunities for concurrent work or resequence to maximise the current resources to reduce delays.
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Jun 30, 2025 11:23 AM
Rami Kaibni
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Aung, thank for your input. In my experience, even if you keep multiple SC Partners on the list, there is still a decent risk that your fallback plan won't come through if it's a global issue. We've been through this during COVID.
One thing that worked for us is buying all material in advance and putting it in a consolidated construction storage area.
This is a challenge across multiple industries and the solutions are common across verticals as well: maintain optionality when it comes to solution approaches and suppliers, build in buffers, and keep a Plan B in your back pocket which can still deliver the core business outcomes with reduced scope.
Kiron
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Jun 30, 2025 11:25 AM
Rami Kaibni
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Kiron, I'm not sure I fully agree that the solutions are quite common. Each industry and situation tends to require tailored approaches, making the solutions more unique than generic.
Regarding Plan B, I also question whether a single fallback is sufficient in today’s environment. Given the complexities of labor shortages and supply chain disruptions, I believe it's essential to have multiple contingency plans in place.
I’ve found that combining short interval planning with proactive risk logs and daily stand-ups helps spot issues early. Clear scope, real-time progress tracking, and strong vendor communication also play a big role. Visibility and collaboration are the best defenses against delays.
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Jun 30, 2025 11:28 AM
Rami Kaibni
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Pavan, those are common project control strategies, especially for improving visibility and spotting issues early. That said, while short interval planning and daily stand-ups help with coordination, they don’t fully address the root challenges of labor shortages and supply chain disruptions. What’s worked for us is supplementing those methods with more targeted strategies:
1) Workforce planning and flexibility, including cross-training, tapping into subcontractor networks, and even adjusting scopes to match available labor.
2) Proactive procurement, like securing critical materials earlier, qualifying backup vendors, and building buffer inventory when feasible.
3) Scenario planning and lead time analysis to identify where delays are most likely and to develop contingency responses in advance.
In my previous projects, we tend to keep several supply chain partners (RC subbies, for example), just in case one of the preferred subbies gets into labour shortages, we can have some backup to fall back on.
If it's a specialist trade, supply chain risk should be considered before getting into the contract.
Alternatively, review the construction methodology or work sequence where there might be opportunities for concurrent work or resequence to maximise the current resources to reduce delays.
Aung, thank for your input. In my experience, even if you keep multiple SC Partners on the list, there is still a decent risk that your fallback plan won't come through if it's a global issue. We've been through this during COVID.
One thing that worked for us is buying all material in advance and putting it in a consolidated construction storage area. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Jun 30, 2025 7:29 AM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
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Rami -
This is a challenge across multiple industries and the solutions are common across verticals as well: maintain optionality when it comes to solution approaches and suppliers, build in buffers, and keep a Plan B in your back pocket which can still deliver the core business outcomes with reduced scope.
Kiron
Kiron, I'm not sure I fully agree that the solutions are quite common. Each industry and situation tends to require tailored approaches, making the solutions more unique than generic.
Regarding Plan B, I also question whether a single fallback is sufficient in today’s environment. Given the complexities of labor shortages and supply chain disruptions, I believe it's essential to have multiple contingency plans in place.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Jun 30, 2025 9:25 AM
Replying to Pavan Maddi
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I’ve found that combining short interval planning with proactive risk logs and daily stand-ups helps spot issues early. Clear scope, real-time progress tracking, and strong vendor communication also play a big role. Visibility and collaboration are the best defenses against delays.
Pavan, those are common project control strategies, especially for improving visibility and spotting issues early. That said, while short interval planning and daily stand-ups help with coordination, they don’t fully address the root challenges of labor shortages and supply chain disruptions. What’s worked for us is supplementing those methods with more targeted strategies:
1) Workforce planning and flexibility, including cross-training, tapping into subcontractor networks, and even adjusting scopes to match available labor.
2) Proactive procurement, like securing critical materials earlier, qualifying backup vendors, and building buffer inventory when feasible.
3) Scenario planning and lead time analysis to identify where delays are most likely and to develop contingency responses in advance.
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