Downtime between projects can often feel like lost productivity, but what if you could transform that time into an opportunity for meaningful growth? Recently, one of our clients encountered this exact scenario: their superintendent had a three-week gap between projects, and they saw it as a perfect chance to invest in their team’s development. They reached out to us for ideas, and we took on the challenge.
Our Solution: A Comprehensive Training Program in 72 Hours
Within just 72 hours, we crafted a tailored three-week training plan that not only covered a range of learning and development needs but also set up the superintendent for ongoing growth throughout the year. We delivered:
- A detailed growth plan that mapped out training objectives and milestones
- A budget breakdown, so the client knew exactly what to expect in terms of costs
- Additional strategies to maximize the superintendent’s downtime
This wasn’t just any training plan. We wanted to ensure our client was getting the most value possible, so we included a range of practical suggestions to enhance on-the-job learning.
Beyond Training: Ways to Make the Most of Downtime
In addition to the formal training plan, we suggested several initiatives to help the superintendent gain valuable, hands-on experience during the downtime. These included:
- Job Description Review: Taking a closer look at the superintendent’s role to identify areas for targeted growth and development.
- Job Site Shadowing: Arranging opportunities to observe key construction milestones at other job sites, such as concrete pours or structural steel installations. This exposure provides practical insights that can be directly applied in future projects.
- Process Documentation: Encouraging the superintendent to document key processes and SOPs, creating valuable resources for both personal use and team-wide knowledge sharing.
- Certifications: Suggesting additional certifications, like the Fire Prevention Program Manager (FPPM) certification from NFPA, which is both affordable and relevant to industry standards.
- Curated Learning Resources: Providing a list of top online industry experts and educational videos, allowing the superintendent to continue professional development on their own schedule.
How Are You Utilizing Downtime?
This experience raised an important question for us: How are you using the time between projects to support your team’s growth? Is there untapped potential to upskill your team, so they’re even more prepared when the next project begins?
At Building PPL, we believe that every moment can be a catalyst for growth—even the quiet ones. Our mission is to create L&D solutions that not only align with your business’s goals but are also practical, impactful, and actionable. Our recent work with this client is a great example of how we bring that mission to life.
If you’re looking for ways to transform downtime into a valuable growth opportunity, Building PPL is here to help. Let us work with you to create a plan that aligns with your team’s goals, builds valuable skills, and maximizes productivity.
