Forman Question need advice.

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Larry O'

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Greetings!
In the very near future I will be appointed a position of Forman on a small jobsite. I could use the advice and direction on How I can be the best Forman for the company I work for. Could anyone please give me advice of what you did or are doing that helped you be sucessful as a Forman?

Thanks!
Larry O'
 
The best two things you can do is have two or three steps ahead already thought out for each guy under you, and have a plan 'B' for each guy if they can't do a particular task one day for whatever reason. If you're going to be a working foreman, get any productivity goals for yourself you might have had as a regular journeyman out of your head, because it'll just stress you out at the end of the day when you realize that you didn't get much work done with all the administration you had to do.

Figure out what each guy is good at already, and put them on those jobs primarily. Cross training guys and a new foreman doesn't really jive until you get yourself situated well.
 
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1) Be sure to order your material two days before you need it. This gives you time to correct any errors.

2) Buy coffee and donuts once in a while.

3) Let the guys go home when they want to.

4) Don't show up at 7am. Wait till 8ish, this gives all of the guys enough time to get to work w/out being late.

5) Tell the crew what to do and then leave for a while. Let them get started when they are ready.

6) Tell the GC to mind his own business. The project will get done when it gets done.

7) Make sure the crew gets paid on Thursday just in case they want to take a 3 day weekend.

I'm serious about some of these tips, some I'm not !
 
sparky 134 said:
7) Make sure the crew gets paid on Thursday just in case they want to take a 3 day weekend.
Click to expand...
I have heard that some companies have had to resort to paying after lunch on Fridays. If they paid before lunch, guys would take half a day off or come down with some sudden illness to get a 2-1/2 day weekend. Ridiculous.
 
I once worked for a company that paid on Monday.

I thought it was a GREAT idea.

1. It decreased Monday "sick" calls

2. It made Mondays not quite so bad. Fridays are already pretty good even without a paycheck.
 
One more thing. Study the prints. Learn all about the project. Compare the reflective ceiling print with the Mechanical and Plumbing prints. Look to see if the space that the duct work or plumbing pipe is going will just happen to be the same place you are running your conduits. Look and see how the light fixture layout compares to the red iron beams or the fire sprinklers. Making sure that your stuff gets installed when it's supposed to is just as important as where and how.
 
1. Take care of your guys. If you have the men on your side, they will do whatever possible to make you shine.

2. Don't micromanage. Lay the job out, and appoint a crew leader, or leader's depending on how big the job is. Express to the crew leaders what you expect. Let the crew leader worry about field issues and decisions. Walk the job every now and then and compliment the guys. If you do this, they will not get pissed when you make them fix there not so good work.

3. Make sure apprentices have the journeymen stocked up each morning. I have at least one apprentice start work 1/2 hour earlier on a weekly rotating schedule who preps before the J-men show up.

4. Rolly carts, and meat racks on wheels really speed up production. Plus everything on pallets with a pallet jack on site really keeps the job clean.

5. Pick up a white dry erase board and hang it up for all to see. I usually have the crew leaders on friday come in 30 to 45 min before quitting time to discuss any loose ends, issues, problems, questions, etc. We write it on the board, and this way we have a running tally of any items of concern. I feel a crew that is well informed and involved will far exceed expectations.
 
oops. be careful what you ask for.

oops. be careful what you ask for.

On smaller jobs make up a "To do list." Get a legal pad and or a note book or date book and keep track of time, tasks and people in the date book as a job log. Make up a to do list with small portions of the project broken down on the legal pad. These are your work assignments, make them assignable and individuals responsible. Make a take off of the materials from your to do list and make arrangements to get the parts. Its always cheaper if they are delivered or ask the "boss" what he expects. The less you shop the cheaper the job will be. Some of these tasks are done after hours, some on the job, some before the job. (PPPPPP - Piss Poor Planning Promotes Poor Performance)
The hardest part of a job is getting the materials there. When assigning those tasks see if you can create a continuity where one task is performed over and over by one person or crew. They will get faster with repetition. Always ask the help if anybody needs anything or sees a problem upcoming. Incorporate their eyes and ears and brains into the process and give them credit where credit is due. Not everyone gets along, keep the lines of communication open, clear and be available. Stay focused. Greet people by there names. First names if they work for you. Use Sir (Mr or Mrs) names if homeowners or even other Foreman. It creates a hierarchy which will bring respect to the job. No swearing, NO cell phones except at break, Everybody has a tool belt and a cloth nail apron on unless they are digging then the belt can stay nearby. Let the help work don't get into talking and playing favorites. If everyone likes you your not doing your job. Get to the job at least 60 to 30 minutes early. Coffee will help with production. Each job is different.
Good luck. Sometimes being Foreman isn't fun, be careful what you ask for. Is there a raise associated with this promotion? It needs to be substantial and not a title.
And oh yeah, Its all your fault. You have to know what is being done, what is going to be done, and what has been done; and by whom. If its not done right, its your fault so know the codes. Life safety, NEC, ASC and local customs. Knowledge is your trade now.
 
Two more-
If you have any confidance in "your" workers, manage upwards, not downwards. If an experienced JM says a task will take two days and you agree, don't let someone above you push for a one day finish on it, and certainly don't push the JM for a one day finish.

Praise the workers publicly, chastise them privately (never let one see you chew out another).
 
the main thing you need to be concentrating on is that you dont think about what you need to be doing. the only thoughts in your head is what does this person need to be doing and this person and so on. your job is to make sure it all comes together. and even if you are a working foreman you dont work until everyone has something to do and they know what they are doing and you make sure it all comes together. this is the talk i have with every foreman that i have. when everyone is working and knows what they are doing then you can get to work.
 
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