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News Release from: Chartered Management Institute | Subject: Survey
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 18 November 2005
Construction industry inability to make
decisions
Senior managers in the construction industry are frustrated by an inability to reach decisions, according to a survey by the Chartered Management Institute.
Senior managers in the construction industry are frustrated by an inability to reach decisions, according to a survey published by the Chartered Management Institute The research reveals that managers are confident in their own ability, but face hurdles in the shape of pressure from colleagues, bureaucracy and a lack of resources
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 28 Nov 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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Conducted during October and November 2005, the survey also identifies the key characteristics that make good decision-makers and highlights how construction managers make up their minds.
Key findings include:.
* Lack of support: 4 in 10 senior managers in the construction industry have taken a decision against their better judgement in the past six months.
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A number of reasons were cited for this.
Of those, 1 in 5 claimed undue pressure from colleagues affected the way they made decisions and 13 per cent suggested they lack the time to consider problems carefully.
A further 13 per cent blamed poor decisions on bureaucracy.
* Considered confidence: 9 in 10 managers in the construction industry are confident about their own decision-making abilities.
Many recognise the need to consult others, with 59 per cent consulting their team and 33 per cent with stakeholders.
The results demonstrate that managers prefer to make decisions based on rational analysis with only 18 per cent admitting to relying on 'gut feelings'.
* Personality profile: asked what characteristics make good decision-makers, top answers included logical thinking (46 per cent), experience (64 per cent), and objectivity (51 per cent).
Only 3 per cent claimed that intuition was an essential character trait, with almost one-half of respondents (46 per cent) suggesting that active listening is vital.
According to the survey, 41 per cent of respondents in the construction industry believe they are better equipped to make decisions due to their management status.
However, signalling that they understand the importance of experience, 74 per cent suggested that training has influenced their ability.
31 per cent said they have gained confidence from international experience and 54 per cent from undertaking development programmes.
Jo Causon, director, marketing and corporate affairs, at the Chartered Management Institute, says: "Decisions are a key part of any manager's day to day activities, but they are not easy and people need to be prepared and informed in order to make them correctly".
"The last thing anyone should do is leave decisions to chance, because of the potential damage that can be done to productivity, morale and the bottom line".
Responding to the findings in the research, the Chartered Management Institute is issuing guidance about the art of decision-making.
Top tips include:.
Remain objective: decisions impact on those around you, so consider the effects on colleagues or team members before making your mind up.
That doesn't mean opting for the easy way out, but considering the issue from the point of view of what will work best for them.
Take your time: too many people believe that they have to make up their mind quickly.
They believe that a fast decision keeps the pressure off.
Instead, allow yourself time to weigh up the risks and assess all the options and you are more likely to reach a conclusion based on clear, considered arguments.
Of course, sometimes you will need to make a quick decision, but recognise that this is not always the case.
Communicate your decision: outline clearly what you expect from people.
They are unlikely to know why you want things done a certain way unless you tell them.
So explain your reasons and make sure colleagues understand them.
If you don't do that, the likelihood of others accepting your decision is greatly reduced.
Detailed support, covering issues that range from decisions about recruitment, change management and conflict resolution, is also available via a website dedicated to the art of decision making.
The site, www.managers.org.uk/2005 offers practical tips, case studies and suggestions about how to deal with workplace dilemmas.
Jo Causon adds: "Often people are afraid about making mistakes".
"But it's worth remembering that, sometimes, more can be learnt from errors than from getting things right".
"It's important to accept that you may not always get things right, but by making sure that you are informed and well prepared before making your final decision, you will minimise the potential for errors and wrong choices.".
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