Motivating Foremen on Large Construction Projects

Preliminary results on foremen motivation to produce are reported from a study designed to understand the factors reducing morale and productivity of the lower-level supervisors and craftsmen on large energy production construction projects. Group interviews with 35 foremen (pipefitters, electricians, carpenters) on five nuclear construction sites indicated that the most frequent productivity barrier experienced by these foremen was waiting for decisions, particularly from engineering. Waiting for decisions, materials, and tools and having to do work over because of design changes or errors reduced foremen motivation to produce. The foremen suggested a number of ways management could shorten decision turnaround time through decreasing the length of the communication chain between design engineers and the workforce and increasing the number of engineers. Other morale effects and suggestions are also included.