For contractors, the challenges that emerge due to the uncertainty and imperfection inherent in a complex construction project become evident during the construction phase. More than any other stakeholder, contractors need to be able to effectively manage uncertainty.

Headed by the continued strength in the multi-family residential market and the emerging growth for institutional projects, demand for design services continues to be healthy as exhibited in the latest Architecture Billings Index (ABI). As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending.

A well written proposal is one of the keys to winning future projects and the growth of your company. So what is your company’s proposal missing? Is your company chasing the right projects? Should your company consider teaming with another company to edge out the competition? These and many more questions will be addressed during the Winning Work: Proposals that Sell webinar.

With all geographic regions and building project sectors showing positive conditions, there continues to be a heightened level of demand for design services signaled in the latest Architecture Billings Index (ABI). As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending.

Construction industry employment hit a new five-year high in November as the sector added 20,000 jobs and its unemployment rate fell to 7.5 percent, the lowest rate for November in seven years, according to an analysis by AGC.

Take the Survey Today Each year around this time, AGC asks you – our members – to predict what next year will be like for your business.  Questions focus on expectations for market performance, hiring, labor market conditions, plans to acquire equipment, etc.  Please take a moment to complete the survey here. We will spend the rest of November and the better part of December asking members to complete the survey.  After that we will work with AGC’s chief economist Ken Simonson to analyze the results, which we will release in early January to the media and members. As in the past, we will also prepare state-specific outlooks for every state where we have a sufficiently robust response. 

Implementing Lean Construction as a business operating system in an organization represents a powerful improvement opportunity, which requires company-wide change, especially for top management. Great two-way communication is the cornerstone for the development of organizational teamwork and the accomplishment of company goals. Everyone pulling in the same direction toward the company goals is the ultimate destination of teamwork.

Do you have a project that benefitted from collaboration? Then consider creating and submitting a Collaboration Chronicle!

Construction spending decreased for the second consecutive month in September as declines in public and private nonresidential construction, as well as multifamily projects, offset growth in single-family home building, according to an analysis by AGC of America. Association officials said the new spending figures underscore how challenges current market conditions are for many firms.

Early Registration Deadline Approaching No one knows the future, but gaining a comprehensive view of where you are, where you are going and where you need to be can only strengthen the educated decisions construction professionals have to make everyday. Tuesday, Nov. 4 is the early registration deadline for the 2015 AGC Annual Convention, March 18-20 in San Juan, PR. Save $150.00 off standard registration rates, register today!