Tracking Production

Lynn Jackson

                             Tracking Production

We are all aware of the need for tracking production to determine how our crews are performing on each job. As a result, this critical task must be performed early and often! Remember, painting contractors can make this a fairly simple task by using time cards. Often, you can purchase them online or create them yourself. Usually, these are just basic spread sheets. Contractors populate the sheets with the project information, and track each task and the hours estimated for them.

                Field Budgets to Help with Tracking Production

In addition field budgets are also an indispensable tool. Typically, your field budget is generated from your bid. The amount of time and materials you have bid for each phase of the project makes up your field budget.  Effectively, this tells your superintendent and foreman on the job how much labor and materials you bid for each step of the process. Once on the job, your superintendent and foreman use this tool as a guideline to help them steer the project in the right direction. It also acts as an early warning system to alert them to the fact that corrections are needed. This is a far better approach than waiting until the project is completed. Figure out if you are winning or losing, before the project is over!.

                                                                           Time Cards are Indispensable Tools

Finally, hand in hand with the field budget are your time cards.  These are basically simple spreadsheets that will be filled out by your foremen. Have them turn the cards into the office, on a weekly basis. Effective management of your jobs requires consistent tracking of your production. Also, this tool allows you to have an accurate measurement of whether you are winning or loosing. In order for this process to be successful, do this early and often, and without fail. There have been many times in my career that by paying attention to my field budgets has saved us from significant loses.

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