How can Construction professionals avoid problem-solving mistakes?

Problem-solving is a crucial skill for construction professionals, as they often face complex, dynamic, and uncertain situations that require creativity, logic, and adaptability. However, problem-solving can also be prone to errors, biases, and pitfalls that can lead to suboptimal or even disastrous outcomes. How can construction professionals avoid problem-solving mistakes and improve their decision-making process? Here are some tips and strategies to consider.

1 Identify the root cause

One of the most common problem-solving mistakes is to jump to conclusions or solutions without properly defining and analyzing the problem. This can result in wasting time, resources, and energy on addressing symptoms rather than causes, or solving the wrong problem altogether. To avoid this mistake, construction professionals should use a systematic approach to identify the root cause of the problem, such as the 5 Whys technique, the fishbone diagram, or the fault tree analysis. These methods help to break down the problem into smaller and more manageable components, and to trace the causal relationships between them.

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Soliman Abusamra, Ph.D, PMP, ENV SP, CLSSBB, CCM

Civil & Infrastructure (AEC) | Asset Management | TED Speaker | Major Projects Management & Engineering Professional | Educator | CNAM Board Member | OSHA |ASP | Author | ISO 55000 9001 19011 | 5x Top Voice | Marathoner
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The very first step is to identify the problem. The identification includes understanding the problem, identifying the root cause, analyzing the full scale impacts on the project including time, cost, resources, milestones, quality, etc. and analyzing potential solutions to resolve the situation. In some cases, accepting the situation would be your only option (e.g delay in a delivery of a key system in your critical path from your supplier). In other cases, full or partial mitigation might be possible with crashing and fast tracking. Fishbone and fault tree analysis were both great techniques that we have used to identify the root cause of major problems and effectively resolve them at minimal impacts to the project.

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Muhammad Yaseen

MEP Coordinator | Sr. Electrical Engineer @ RCC, JODP Makkah KSA
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Construction professionals can avoid problem-solving mistakes by prioritizing proactive planning, maintaining clear communication channels, regularly assessing project risks, and leveraging past experiences to inform decision-making. Additionally, fostering a collaborative team environment and embracing innovative technologies for project management can contribute to more effective problem-solving in the construction industry.

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2 Seek multiple perspectives

Another problem-solving mistake is to rely on one's own assumptions, preferences, or experiences without considering other sources of information, feedback, or input. This can lead to confirmation bias, groupthink, or tunnel vision, which can impair the quality and diversity of solutions. To avoid this mistake, construction professionals should seek multiple perspectives from different stakeholders, experts, or peers, and use them to challenge, validate, or improve their own ideas. They should also be open to new information, evidence, or alternatives that may contradict or expand their initial assumptions or hypotheses.

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Soliman Abusamra, Ph.D, PMP, ENV SP, CLSSBB, CCM

Civil & Infrastructure (AEC) | Asset Management | TED Speaker | Major Projects Management & Engineering Professional | Educator | CNAM Board Member | OSHA |ASP | Author | ISO 55000 9001 19011 | 5x Top Voice | Marathoner
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In my experience, brainstorming with colleagues and peers works great to avoid relying on one perspective and missing on a better one. Furthermore, we use peer review for major problems to ensure that the solution has been reviewed by multiple eyes and feedback is shared with the assigned resource to handle the problem.

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3 Evaluate the pros and cons

A third problem-solving mistake is to select a solution based on intuition, emotion, or pressure, without weighing the pros and cons of each option. This can lead to overlooking potential risks, costs, or trade-offs, or choosing a solution that is not feasible, effective, or sustainable. To avoid this mistake, construction professionals should use a rational and objective criteria to evaluate the pros and cons of each solution, such as the SWOT analysis, the decision matrix, or the cost-benefit analysis. These tools help to compare the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of each option, and to rank them according to their expected value, impact, or return.

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Soliman Abusamra, Ph.D, PMP, ENV SP, CLSSBB, CCM

Civil & Infrastructure (AEC) | Asset Management | TED Speaker | Major Projects Management & Engineering Professional | Educator | CNAM Board Member | OSHA |ASP | Author | ISO 55000 9001 19011 | 5x Top Voice | Marathoner
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I agree, comparing alternatives and evaluating the pros and cons is key to select the best solution. However, this can be very subjective and thus, a fair criteria has to be set and standardized to avoid biased solutions. For instance, you can use decision matrix, cost benefit analysis approaches to rank the alternatives based on their scoring against each criteria. Along with the efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability, innovation, risks, benefits, I would also strongly recommend adding the schedule and cost impact to the project. Those are usually key aspects that are highly considered to render a decision and select the best solution (under the assumption that all the solutions are technically feasible and would overcome the problem).

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4 Test and refine the solution

A fourth problem-solving mistake is to implement a solution without testing and refining it first. This can lead to unforeseen problems, errors, or failures that can compromise the quality, safety, or performance of the solution. To avoid this mistake, construction professionals should test and refine the solution before deploying it on a large scale, using methods such as prototyping, piloting, or simulation. These methods help to identify and correct any flaws, gaps, or issues in the solution, and to optimize its functionality, efficiency, or usability.

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5 Learn from the results

A fifth problem-solving mistake is to ignore or disregard the results of the solution, whether they are positive or negative. This can lead to missing valuable lessons, insights, or feedback that can improve future problem-solving skills and outcomes. To avoid this mistake, construction professionals should learn from the results of the solution, using methods such as monitoring, evaluation, or reflection. These methods help to measure and assess the effectiveness, impact, or satisfaction of the solution, and to identify and document any best practices, challenges, or opportunities for improvement.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can Construction professionals avoid problem-solving mistakes?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify the root cause

2 Seek multiple perspectives

3 Evaluate the pros and cons

4 Test and refine the solution

5 Learn from the results

6 Here’s what else to consider

Construction

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How can Construction professionals avoid problem-solving mistakes?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify the root cause

2 Seek multiple perspectives

3 Evaluate the pros and cons

4 Test and refine the solution

5 Learn from the results

6 Here’s what else to consider

Construction

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