9 Project Management Tips for Tradespeople in South Africa

Be honest. How many of your projects finish on time, on scope, and on budget? If it’s the majority, then you're in the minority.

Consider this,

research shows

that over 50% of construction project owners have experienced project failures despite being confident in their project planning and controls. In fact, only 31% of projects are delivered within 10% of the budget, and 25% within 10% of the original timeframe.

While South African stats are scarce, these challenges are no doubt just as relevant to the local trade industry.

In this article, we’ll share actionable tips for South African tradespeople to improve their project management skills, to help ensure projects are completed successfully and their business continues to grow.

1. Communication is Key

2. Set Goals for Project Success

3. Use the Right Project Tools for the Job

4. Build the Right Blend of Project Skills and Flexibility

5. Fuel Your Team's Success with Motivation

6. Manage Project Risks Like a Boss

7. Focus on Getting the Job Done

8. Whether You’re Rassie or Siya - Lead Your Project Team

9. Ask Questions to Continuously Improve

How Project Management can Help Grow Your Trade Business

Managing a project without open communication is like navigating in the dark. Even the best tools aren’t effective without clear communication.

This is especially true here in South Africa where we’ve got so many different languages, cultures, and literacy levels that you can’t take for granted that your whole team understands what you’re saying or writing.

According to the

Project Management Institute's Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge

(PMBOK) project managers spend 75-90% of their time communicating.

There are many ways you can make sure you have open communication in your projects, including:

In the South African trade landscape, where effective communication is crucial, you need to discuss project details with your customers and document them.

Tools like

ServCraft

can help you make sure that your project communications with your customers stay open by letting you customise and automate notifications to keep your customers in the loop at key points before, during, and after the work.

A good project manager sets clear goals and progression markers to finish projects and make stakeholders happy. Why is this important? If your project goals aren't clear, it can make it hard to get things done.

According to research, a lack of clear goals is the most common factor (37%) for project failure.

To set clear goals:

In South Africa, where factors like managing leads, budgets, and shifting timelines due to unexpected challenges like load shedding or taxi strikes can be tough, setting SMART goals is crucial.

After setting goals, use project tools like Gantt charts, time tracking, and Kanban boards to help your team see how well they're doing

Want to learn more about how to set SMART goals?

Check out this video

to help make sure your projects succeed.

When it comes to project management for tradespeople, having the right tools is like having a well-stocked toolbox.

In South Africa, where

54% of workers spend five or more hours per week on repetitive tasks

, the right software becomes a game-changer.

Project management software is crucial in ensuring that your team operates like a well-oiled machine. When selecting the software, make sure that your team enjoys using it. You need them to trust the tool or else they won’t use it at all.

Here's what to consider when choosing project management tools:

Tools like

ServCraft

can simplify processes like scheduling, quoting, and customer management, reducing tedious tasks, and improving the efficiency of your team.

The success of your projects depends on the skills of your team. If you want your projects to be successful, you need a strong team that has the right mix of skills and personalities. In South Africa, finding and retaining great team members is especially challenging due to the wide range of skill and education levels.

When selecting project team members, they should have:

But, even those team members with advanced skill sets might need training so that they reach their full potential. That’s why it’s important that you invest in their personal and professional development and improve the skills that you need so that you have an effective team that works well together.

Want to know more about finding the right team members?

Check out this video

that shares 7 questions you can ask to help find the best people.

Project management tools like Gantt charts can only do so much to keep your trade project on track.

Motivation is crucial to keeping your team engaged and committed to your trade project's success. This is especially true in South Africa, where thanks to the many different cultures, languages, and education levels, trade business owners need to work harder to motivate their teams.

Some strategies to motivate your team include:

Looking for more ways to keep your team motivated?

Check out this video

that has 6 more tips you can use to get the most out of your team.

Identifying and planning for risks is an important aspect of project management. In South Africa, where factors like the infamous Cape Town wind or unexpected Joburg rain can impact projects, you have to plan for these and other kinds of potential risks that could derail your trade project.

To identify and plan for risks, follow these steps:

By considering challenges, such as load shedding, water outages, or your staff struggling to get to the site on time due to unexpected events like taxi strikes, risk planning can help foresee and find solutions to these issues, ensuring your trade projects are executed smoothly.

For an overview of how to identify risk in your trade projects,

check out this video

.

In the South African trade industry, completing projects on time is often more important than doing it perfectly. Balancing quality with efficiency is key.

Decide where you can cut certain corners or bend rules to meet deadlines without compromising the scope of your trade project and your customer’s expectations.

Consider these factors when focusing on completing your trade project:

In the South African trade market, where projects may face diverse and unpredictable conditions, being flexible and focusing on completing your trade projects is essential for long-term success.

Check out this video

for a great overview of why “done is better than perfect”.

For a project to succeed you need effective leadership. Being a role model for your team, much like Siya Kolisi leads the Bokke, has a positive impact on how your team approaches their work and creates a sense of unity.

Leading by example shows your team what kind of behaviour you’re after and encourages them to follow those actions.

Ways you can lead by example include:

Check out this video

for four more tips on how you can lead by example to get the most out of your team.

Being humble is a valuable attribute in project management. Instead of pretending you know everything, use trade industry-specific membership associations and tap into your network for support and knowledge.

Asking questions ensures that you and your team have all the necessary information to overcome challenges and successfully move your trade project forward.

For some tips on how to ask for help when you’re stuck,

check out this video

.

Effective project management not only ensures the timely and on-budget completion of your trade projects but also sets the stage for the sustained growth of your trade businesses.

By embracing these principles, tradespeople can create a work culture that thrives on collaboration, adaptability, and a commitment to delivering exceptional results.

As the South African market evolves, the ability to manage projects effectively becomes a key differentiator, propelling your trade business toward long-term success and growth.