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About Us News Most Common Project Disruptions and How You Can Overcome Them

MOST COMMON DISRUPTIONS TO YOUR PROJECTS AND HOW YOU CAN OVERCOME THEM

 

In any industry, disruptions can happen to even the most carefully planned projects. Whether you’re working on a large-scale construction renovation, managing a highly regulated mining operation or running day-to-day operations of a medical facility, Murphy’s Law may come at the worst time and stop your project in its tracks. However, disruptions don’t have to mean disaster. By understanding your project’s most common obstacles and making plans now to address these challenges, you can overcome the bend in your road and make the turn to ultimate success.

TOP DISRUPTOR #1: NATURAL DISASTERS

Hurricanes, floods, tornados and wildfires can wreak havoc on your worksite without regard for your deadlines and bottom line. Natural disasters can destroy your building or project in a matter of hours. Even if your immediate area is untouched, the effects of a widespread community event can leave your business struggling to get the materials it needs. With prior planning and quick action following the disaster, you can still overcome this impactful disruption.

OVERCOMING NATURE’S WORST

Before a disaster is even on the horizon, you can begin to plan for success by creating an emergency plan. Work with your team to establish a communication strategy and confirm evacuation procedures. You can also prepare for locally relevant weather events like tropical storms by completing preventative maintenance on your property to buffer the event’s impacts. For complete preparation guides, reference these Hurricane Preparedness, Wildfire Preparedness and Winter Storm Preparedness checklists to help keep your workforce and property safe. Prior preparation can help speed up your project’s recovery once the weather returns to normal.

If your property or worksite sustains damage after a natural disaster, you can overcome disruptions by employing temporary support services. A provider like Cotton Logistics can supply your business with temporary facilities, tent structures and emergency catering so you can continue operations seamlessly. Cotton Logistics can provide turnkey services to bring temporary power, generators and shelter wherever your project requires it. By quickly setting up temporary solutions, you can minimize nature’s impacts on your project’s success.

TOP DISRUPTOR #2: SAFETY INCIDENTS AND MANMADE DISASTERS

Some of the biggest threats to your project’s efficiency may come from within your facility or workforce. Depending on your industry, chemical spills or hazardous leaks could occur at your business and bring progress to a halt. The effects of such an event could also cause serious harm to your workforce if not handled correctly.

OVERCOMING SAFETY HAZARDS

Take proper steps before a safety event occurs to minimize possible disruptions. Review safety plans and best practices with staff and ensure those who work around hazardous materials use the correct personal protective equipment (PPE). If a spill or hazardous leak warrants it, notify the proper authorities immediately to handle the event. Identify the source of the hazard and take steps to clean and dispose of the material properly.

For swift recovery after a spill or explosion, a company like Cotton Logistics can help with spill clean up and address recovery post-explosion. Cotton’s staff are trained to safely contain, neutralize and dispose of materials rapidly using the right equipment. If the damage is severe enough, Cotton can also provide temporary solutions to keep your business flowing. For example, Cotton provided continued meal services and a temporary dining hall to a university following a boiler explosion so students could continue using the facility. When your disruption is as serious as an explosion or hazardous spill, prioritize safety so you can protect your workforce and return to operations as quickly as possible.

TOP DISRUPTOR #3: SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS

Some disruptions may appear less critical than natural disasters or human-caused explosions but can nonetheless be extremely impactful to your project. When you can’t get the materials you need at the time you need them, your project will likely suffer. These supply chain disruptions may slow down or indefinitely pause your operations until the right materials are restocked. 

OVERCOMING LOGISTICAL BREAKDOWNS

To address this obstacle, develop backup plans for the types of materials and resources that may experience delays. Taken a step further, you can monitor your own inventory levels and use automation to stay ahead of shortages to continue operating at peak efficiency. Tracking resources that are running low can help you prevent unforeseen disruption.

Even through manual or automated resource tracking, you may still find that your project lacks essential items that have not reached your worksite. If you need critical support items like potable water, fuel or power, a company like Cotton Logistics has the temporary support services to bring these essentials to you when and where you need them. Establishing a partnership with a support services provider like Cotton before a shortage can help minimize the disruptive impact of a supply chain breakdown on your project.

TOP DISRUPTOR #4: LABOR SHORTAGES AND STRIKES 

Without proper staffing, your project may be destined for inefficient and slow progress. Labor shortages can cause your project to go off-schedule and leave your remaining workforce burned out, unable to contribute their best effort. Worse yet, if your workforce strikes and leaves you without the manpower to complete necessary tasks, your project could be seriously delayed.

OVERCOMING STAFFING CHALLENGES

As a first, proactive step to preventing staffing disruptions, invest in your current workforce with training, recognition and benefit programs that reward and retain your people. When staff feel appreciated, they may be more likely to stay and contribute effectively to your project. By increasing your company’s emphasis on safety, you can also help your people feel they are in an environment focused on their well-being, thereby helping employee retention. Approach recruitment with a focus on what attracts employees to your field, even if that means looking for unique, non-monetary rewards like flexible work hours or a strong company culture.

If a full strike or devastating labor shortage does impact your business, a turnkey services company like Cotton Logistics can help. With experience providing facilities and catered meals during a labor strike, Cotton understands the critical nature of continuing operations even amid staffing concerns. Keep your project online and fully operational by investing in your staff and partnering with a turnkey services provider to fill in any gaps.

TOP DISRUPTOR #5: REMOTE LOCATION

If your worksite is located in a distant, difficult-to-reach location, your project may experience disruptions. Remote locations may pose a challenge not only to obtaining and maintaining proper materials but also to staff who may find it burdensome to travel far distances or live in secluded regions. Obtaining and maintaining efficiency in far-off locations is still possible with proper preparation for the unique challenges the geography brings.

OVERCOMING GEOGRAPHIC DIFFICULTIES

Some disruptions related to your job site’s location may overlap with the prior two disruptors: supply chain challenges and labor shortages. To help address these in conjunction with your project’s location, you may need to invest in temporary housing and other facilities to adapt to the environment.

Cotton Logistics’ temporary facilities can provide remote crew camp housing for staff. The arrangements offer clean and inviting living arrangements for your workforce so they can live in comfort close to your worksite. Additional temporary facilities could provide further storage for your project’s materials to help prevent item shortages and supply chain disruptions. If your project does not require housing but you still find it difficult to get the resources you need, Cotton can also deliver water, power and other essential resources and facilities to you when you need it most. With Cotton’s fully integrated camp systems and temporary assets, you can minimize disruptions from a distant project location.

TURNING TOWARD SUCCESS AFTER DISRUPTIONS

When disruptions threaten your project, you can still stay on target with prior preparation. Knowing the most common disruptors in your industry and planning for the worst can help you maximize efficiency and avoid lost time and money from a poorly handled recovery. For holistic, all-in-one assistance in mitigating disruptions, partner with an experienced provider like Cotton Logistics. With Cotton’s turnkey solutions designed to keep disruptions at bay, you can rest assured your project will stay on the road to success and keep turning in the right direction.