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:

D. Brown Management Profile Picture
Share
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. 




Build Your Most Valuable Asset
There are five main value levers that contractors can pull to truly increase the value of the business as measured in long-term return on capital and valuation during a succession.
Management Systems - 10 Principles for Effectiveness
Management systems are the glue that connects a contactor's strategies, plans, projects, people, and resources together to make progress toward its vision. Management systems are the foundation for growth and must evolve as conditions change.
Building Your Target Talent Model
Talent is the most constrained resource in the construction industry through at least 2030. With the industry's growth outlook, the contractors with the best Talent Value Streams (TVS) will dramatically outperform. Sadly, there will also be failures.