Planners vs. Doers

Often, everything from project plans to business development plans to career plans don't always work as intended.

D. Brown Management

January 6, 2019 2 minute read

To understand why, it is important to understand the psychological concepts of ego depletion and decision fatigue.

Quote: We are superior planners but become inferior doers as our environment exerts its influence through the course of our day. Marshall Goldsmith.

Many of us would simply prefer to “Get to Work” and start doing things, but we intellectually know that it’s important to create a plan so we can prioritize then execute most effectively.

Most things that come in “Off-Plan” are due to failures in disciplined execution rather than bad plans or lack of capabilities.

Focus heavily on the routine processes that will help you achieve your plan.
Create regular habits and routines that keep you and your team on-track.
Build motivation through disciplined execution.

Marshall Goldsmith does a great job discussing these in his book Triggers, including 6 Daily Questions we should all ask ourselves.

Work Conversion Cycle and Backlog Run-Off

PARADOX: A contractor can’t focus on the bigger strategic issues until they have a predictable backlog of work. If a contractor doesn’t have a solid market strategy and organizational structure in place it’s very difficult to build a consistent backlog.

Two Planning Dimensions

Some of the impacts you see on a project are not as clear as a design change, conflict, or obviously changed condition. Some impacts, such as poor project sequencing or congested work areas are hard to notice if you don’t have good tracking systems.

budget management change management foreman training project management project planning schedule management

Advanced Business Development for General Contractors

Finally, a resource designed specifically for Senior Management in the construction industry. This workshop will help explain the “Art and Science of Business Development” and what you can do to maximize the processes you already have.