Business

5 Tips for Keeping Your Construction Project on Schedule

Published

3 years ago

January 18, 2023

Construction projects are known for getting behind schedule. In fact, McKinsey & Company reports that large projects across asset classes typically take 20% longer than planned and are up to 80 percent over budget.

There are many things that can delay a construction project: bad weather, supply chain issues, faulty workmanship, overbooked crews, and more.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. To keep your construction project on schedule, here are five things you can do:

Review construction plans

Before you break ground, it’s important to review construction plans. These include the scope of work, construction drawings, and other project documents.

Make sure you and all your subcontractors review them so that everyone is on the same page. If there are any questions, be sure to answer them.

Then have everyone sign a written contract outlining their responsibility and deadlines. When it’s all in the contract, things are more likely to stay on schedule.

Create a master schedule

Create a master schedule for everyone to see. Break the project down into phases and put tasks and assignments into the proper sequence.

The master schedule gives everyone visibility into what stage the construction project is currently at. For example, it can help painters know when the insulation has been installed so they know when the walls are ready for them to paint.

Communicate and collaborate

Next, you need to establish standard forms of communication, whether that be by text message, email, or some other method. Determining how information will be communicated is critical in avoiding confusion and disputes later on.

Good communication needs to be built on trust and respect for all team members. Everyone should have access to project updates so they stay in the loop. To prevent unnecessary delays, an open door policy with project managers is best.

Monitor and document progress

Unfortunately, projects rarely adhere to schedule 100% of the time. Chances are you will need to make minor adjustments here and there, and that’s okay.

The key is to closely monitor a project’s progress so you can quickly get back on schedule. One way to do this is to create daily reports on milestones hit. That way, everyone knows where the project currently sits.

Another way to monitor and document construction progresss is to use construction enterprise asset management (EAM) software. It allows you to input project updates and easily disseminate them across your team. But that’s just one feature of construction EAM software. It can also help you:

Meet construction industry safety and compliance requirements
Increase revenue and profitability
Reduce costs and capital requirements
Prevent equipment breakdowns
Maintain optimum parts inventories
And optimize project budgets

When it comes to construction project management, construction EAM software has you covered.

Make contingency plans

Lastly, it’s important to have a plan B (and C and D) if things don’t go according to plan.

For example, your construction project might be delayed by a storm or supply chain issues. In this case, you may want to alter the construction schedule or assign overtime to make up for lost time.

Keep a close eye on progress reports to manage risks and delays and find creative ways to minimize and make up for them.

The bottom line

Despite most construction projects getting delayed, you can still finish yours on time.

By reviewing construction plans, creating a master schedule, communicating and collaborating, monitoring and documenting progress, and making contingency plans, you can mitigate the threat of delays and even finish ahead of schedule.

The key is to have a proactive mindset. With good planning and prevention, you’ll be ahead of the game.

Business

Click for Counsel: YesLawyer Wants to Make Lawyers as Accessible as Wi-Fi

Published

5 days ago

April 1, 2026

Matthew Wiles

Photo Courtesy of: YesLawyer

Byline: Andi Stark

For many people facing a legal problem, the most difficult part is not understanding their rights but finding a lawyer willing to speak with them in the first place. Long wait times, unclear pricing, and administrative hurdles often delay even the most basic consultations. YesLawyer, an AI-enabled plaintiff firm operating across all 50 states, is testing whether technology can shorten that gap.

Founded in 2024 by 25-year-old entrepreneur Rob Epstein, the platform offers free intake, automated screening, and, in many cases, same-day conversations with licensed attorneys. The idea is simple: reduce the friction between a client’s first request for help and an actual legal discussion. In this interview, Epstein explains how the system works, where artificial intelligence fits into the process, and what problems the company is trying to address in the broader legal system

Q: When you say you want lawyers to be “as accessible as Wi-Fi,” what does that mean in practical terms?

A: It’s a way of describing speed and availability. Someone dealing with a workplace dispute, a serious injury, or an immigration issue should be able to move from an online form or phone call to a real conversation with counsel in hours, not weeks. YesLawyer is structured so that a client begins with a free case evaluation, goes through automated conflict checks and basic screening, and, in many instances, speaks with a lawyer the same day.

Q: How does the process work once someone contacts the platform?

A: We use a structured workflow. It starts with a short questionnaire and an initial conversation to capture basic facts. That information feeds into conflict checks and internal review. The system then proposes a match with a licensed attorney and provides a calendar link for a virtual consultation, often within 24 hours. After the meeting, the client receives a written legal plan outlining next steps, deadlines, and estimated fees.

Q: Where does artificial intelligence fit into that process, and where does it stop?

A: AI is used for organizing and routing information, not for giving legal advice. It helps with conflict checks at scale, case categorization, and structured summaries so attorneys can focus on the substance of the matter. Every consultation is conducted by a licensed lawyer, and all decisions about strategy or next steps are made by humans.

Q: What problem is this model trying to solve in the current legal system?

A: Delay and cost are still major barriers. Many civil plaintiffs face long waits just to get a first appointment, along with high retainers and hourly billing that make early legal advice risky. We try to respond with faster consultations, flat-fee options, and financing. The idea is to remove administrative friction so lawyers spend less time on logistics and more time speaking with clients.

Q: Some critics say platforms like this blur the line between a technology company and a law firm. How do you describe YesLawyer?

A: We describe ourselves as a national, AI-enabled plaintiff firm that connects clients with independent attorneys. That structure does raise regulatory questions, especially around responsibility and oversight. We focus on licensing verification, attorney-written case plans, and clear communication about fees and services.

Q: You’ve said the main bottleneck is “systems” rather than people. What do you mean by that?

A: The issue isn’t that lawyers don’t want to help more people. It’s that the systems around them make it hard to scale their time. Intake, scheduling, and document handling take hours. Automating those parts means attorneys can handle more matters without being overwhelmed by repetitive tasks.

Q: Does this model risk favoring only the most profitable cases?

A: That’s a real concern in legal technology. Automation often works best for repeatable, high-volume disputes. Our view is that lowering administrative cost can actually make it easier to take on smaller or more complex cases that might otherwise be turned away. Whether that holds over time depends on the data.

Measuring Impact Over Time

YesLawyer’s attempt to compress the timeline between inquiry and consultation reflects broader changes in how legal services are being delivered. As artificial intelligence becomes more common in administrative work, firms are experimenting with new ways to reduce wait times and clarify costs.

The company’s early growth suggests that many clients value faster access to an initial conversation, even before considering long-term representation. Whether this platform-based model becomes widely adopted or remains one of several emerging approaches will depend on regulatory developments, lawyer participation, and measurable outcomes for clients. For now, YesLawyer’s experiment highlights a central question in modern legal practice: how quickly can help realistically be made available to the people who need it.