Paris Olympics 2024: What’s construction got to do with it?

The power of teamwork is never more apparent than during a major sporting event, but unlike the elite level athletes that have gathered in the French capital this summer for a show of high-standard sporting competition, the fluid nature of construction supply chains means that teams are less likely selected and more often thrown together without adequate preparation.

One of the built environment’s unique challenges is unlike many other industries, the “team” on-site for any particular project isn’t one team at all, but many disparate parts drawn together. However, this is not to say that they are not all individual specialists contributing to project success in their own way.

With this challenge in mind, how can contractors best place themselves to mitigate the risk posed by a lack of cohesion and belief? Using the Olympics as an example of high performing teams in action, we’ve explored two key questions relating to the construction industry and where it can improve.

What do an Olympian and a construction site worker have in common? No, this isn’t the start of a joke. They are both responsible for the end result and put in years of hard work and dedication to give themselves the opportunity to compete at a higher level. They are at the centre of a much wider operation with many moving parts, but with the same interest in success.

There are differences in perception, which we believe should be addressed. While an Olympian may receive a medal and the applause, they know that the result they claim is the culmination of a well-oiled team effort. The Olympian, although deserving of the credit they receive, must be managed by others as effectively as they manage themself. To reach the necessary performance levels to compete at the top, they maintain an elite mindset. Maybe if we all saw ourselves as Olympians in the little things that we do, we’d be maximising our potential.

Every Olympian needs a good coach, much like each construction scheme requires a project manager. A coach, or project manager, doesn’t just look at the obvious approaches to success. They seek advantages that can be gained from managing each unique situation to achieve an overall consistency and high level of expectation. Relationships are important in this role, to ensure you’re not only getting the best from yourself but from others too.

As sporting set ups have increased in sophistication, the importance of data analytics has become clearer and clearer. Marginal gains and the ability to predict different outcomes are both key to a data analysts contribution, similar to that of a quantity surveyor. Involved throughout the course of a training programme or construction project respectively, both professions involve monitoring progress and feeding into the management of potentially game-changing solutions for the entire team.

Achieving peak performance is hugely helped by creating a healthy and reliable system. Whether that’s the human body or a construction project’s technology infrastructure, there is overlap in the way that nutritionists and transformation managers think. Cooking up something new is what makes these professionals tick, as well as knowing that their innovative thinking is contributing to wider team success – making everyone’s lives easier in the process.

Sometimes things can go wrong, but any respectable team will manage risk that jeopardises everyone. This is where physios align with health and safety managers, both taking responsibility for putting the provisions in place to protect and prevent. A lot of trust is placed in these team members, so they take a proactive rather than reactive approach to increase reassurance.

Finally, the importance of social value is acknowledged by many, no less in sport and construction. Included within a significant number of community benefits, social value-based activity has the potential to start careers and ignite a passion within young people who may not otherwise have the opportunity. Within our Olympic-themed comparison, the role of The National Lottery as a social value enabler is very similar to that of a social value manager for any contractor. National Lotery funding has helped Team GB win a huge number of medals since its support began, by increasing participation in UK sport. Though many sports do not struggle with participation levels, it’s all about equal opportunity – which is a core motivation for social value professionals everywhere.

With all these comparisons in mind, from a construction perspective we must begin to appreciate workforces more and the contributions that each role makes to an overall team goal. Better still, proper workforce management can unlock so much potential. While so different in many ways, comparisons prove we’re all so similar in other ways.

To read part two, visit here

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