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Built Environment

SIMPLAR FOUNDATION NEWSLOG

Business of Construction

SIMPLAR FOUNDATION NEWSLOG

Facility Management

SIMPLAR FOUNDATION NEWSLOG

Organizational Change Management

SIMPLAR FOUNDATION NEWSLOG

Partnering, Planning, Project Management

SIMPLAR FOUNDATION NEWSLOG

Project Delivery

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Back To the Beginning

Back To the Beginning

Back To the Beginning

Thomas C Schleifer, Ph.D.

For 30 years I have been researching the causes of construction business failure. The study began years ago when I operated the largest national consultancy firm completing projects interrupted when bonded contractors suddenly failed. I originated research into the extent of contractor … Read the rest “Back To the Beginning”

The Next Normal

The Next Normal

The Next Normal

Thomas C Schleifer, Ph.D.

Long term “trends”, not temporary disruptions, are reshaping the construction industry. Last week we cited research that identified 15 construction industry long-term trends. Let’s examine four of them more closely: 

  1. Specialization – To improve margins companies will start to specialize in target niches
Read the rest “The Next Normal”
Disruption

Disruption

Disruption

Thomas C Schleifer, Ph.D.

For the past eight weeks we have been focusing on managing under disorderly market conditions. The feedback I have been getting from industry leaders is that they believe this current disorderly market is a temporary phenomenon caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, our discussion last … Read the rest “Disruption”

Building A Stable Organization from Within

Building A Stable Organization from Within

Building A Stable Organization from Within

Thomas C Schleifer, Ph.D.

Our industry’s skilled labor shortage is not new. It is just worse with the pandemic. A growing shortage of skilled labor has haunted the construction industry for the past 15 years. Research has identified three major causes of this shortage:… Read the rest “Building A Stable Organization from Within”

Strategic Flexibility–Managing in Disorderly Markets

Strategic Flexibility–Managing in Disorderly Markets

Strategic Flexibility–Managing in Disorderly Markets

Thomas C Schleifer, Ph.D.

Last week in a Case Study of Disorderly Markets – we summarized the series of management decisions made by governments in response to post-pandemic economic developments. I think it’s fair to say that each reflexive decision seemed to make matters worse. … Read the rest “Strategic Flexibility–Managing in Disorderly Markets”

Disorderly Markets–A Case Study

Disorderly Markets–A Case Study

Disorderly Markets–A Case Study

Thomas C Schleifer, Ph.D.

Contractors are used to managing in volatile markets that go up and down in predictable cycles. This post pandemic market, however, is not simply cyclical or volatile. It is disorderly. It veers from pillar to post without warning or logical … Read the rest “Disorderly Markets–A Case Study”