There are a number of factors that will ensure your next contracted remedial waterproofing project is a successful one.
Relying on professional, experienced remedial waterproofing specialists is one. But the best waterproofing experts are not only proficient at diagnosing, restoring and maintaining waterproofing applications, they’re also effective when it comes to stakeholder management.
What is a Stakeholder?
A stakeholder is any individual or group of individuals, such as within an organisation, that has an interest or is affected by the implementation and completion of your remedial waterproofing project.
Stakeholders, in varying degrees, are not just affected by the project but can affect the project, and they can do so in various ways:
- Changing the scope
- Amending the timing
- Affecting the budget
- Influencing the quality
What is the role of Stakeholder Management?
This is why stakeholder management is so important.
Effective stakeholder management involves the communication and coordination with the multiple stakeholder parties, from strata committees and residents to engineers and contractors.
Engaging the right remedial contractor can:
- Effectively manage expectations
- Minimise disruption and delays
- Ensure everyone is informed
- Make sure everything is aligned for success
- Reduce the risk of disruption and delay
The more parties – or stakeholders – are involved, the more important communication and coordination is.
Without effective stakeholder management, your timeline, budget and project outcomes could be at risk
What are Examples of Stakeholders in Remedial Waterproofing Projects?
There are a number of potentially common stakeholders in remedial waterproofing projects:
- Strata committees
- Building managers
- Residents
- Owners
- Engineers
- Consultants
- Contractors
- Tradespeople
- Regulatory authorities
- Insurers
- Financiers
Strata Committees
These groups of people are often the ones in charge of approving the project and providing funding. It is their role to represent the interest of the building or property’s owners.
Building Managers
The building manager ensures day-to-day operations are coordinated and are instrumental in ensuring access for works to be carried out.
Residents
The people who live or work onsite are likely the ones most directly impacted from disruptions, schedule changes and project results.
Owners
Owners of a building or property can vary in involvement but will always have a financial and personal interest in the progression and success of the project.
Engineers and Consultants
These technical specialists are responsible for overseeing the project and designing the remedial waterproofing solutions.
Contractors and Tradies
These skilled workers are the ones who execute the actual solution and, during that activity, are responsible for reporting and communicating on the progress of their work.
Regulatory authorities
The regulatory authorities are in charge of ensuring all remedial waterproofing work complies with:
- Industry codes
- Safety standards
- Environmental regulations and expectations
Insurers and Financiers
These stakeholders assess project risks, determine specific requirements for the project, and can provide funding in line with their agreement.
Does Stakeholder Management really matter in Waterproofing Projects?
Keeping stakeholders updated and informed through effective management is nice but is it really necessary?
After all, remedial waterproofing is a technical undertaking with complex building conditions and requirements. What does stakeholder engagement contribute?
Ultimately, the success of a project is not just about executing with technical precision but ensuring built and maintained trust between all parties. That is the role of stakeholder management.
Effective stakeholder management ensures:
- Everyone is aligned on the project objectives nice and early.
- That there is minimal disruption to tenants and residents.
- Manage project expectations and required approval processes.
- Prevent costly delays that could be caused from miscommunication or misunderstanding.
- Strong levels of transparency and accountability throughout the remedial work.
What Makes Effective Stakeholder Management So Hard?
There are a number of key challenges and risks associated with stakeholder management
Some of these are communication hurdles and others are unique logistical barriers. But the most common include:
- Diverse stakeholder interests
- Limited technical understanding
- Schedule disruption due to accessibility issues
- Scope and budget creep
- Unclear communication channels
1. Diverse Stakeholder Interests
Different stakeholders require and expect different types of communication. For example, strata committees want to focus on the long-term value of a project whilst a tenant or resident wants more understanding of the short-term disturbance and liability during project works.
2. Limited Technical Understanding
Without the required technical knowledge, it can be difficult for stakeholders to understand reports, problems and potential solutions and thus make key decisions regarding remedial waterproofing needs.
3. Schedule disruption due to accessibility issues
Coordinating all the various parties to ensure minimal disruption but maximum accessibility is one of the biggest challenges of waterproofing works and also one of the biggest risks to schedule blow out. That’s why careful and precise communication is critical.
4. Scope and budget creep
Without clarity and communication early on, stakeholders can begin to expect changes and additions mid-project and, on the flip side, misaligned budgets and timelines can develop.
5. Unclear communication channels
Much of stakeholder engagement comes down to communication, and good communication often boils down to:
- Clear and defined communication channels
- Structured communications
- Two-way feedback
- Regular and frequent updates
If you really want the best out of your next remedial waterproofing project, make sure your stakeholder management considerations are taken into account in their own right and not as an afterthought.
What Are the Top Strategies for Effective Stakeholder Management?
1. Identify your stakeholders early
Identify and map every individual or group who is influenced by the project, this can range from building managers and owners who commission services to the engineers, trades, and residents coordinated with.
2. Define communication channels
Determine how you will share information. The communications channels need to work for both parties and should enhance decision-making and prevent confusion.
3. Set realistic expectations
Avoid overpromising and under-delivering. Always use evidence-based reports to explain likely outcomes, schedules, and result limitations as early on in the planning phase as you can.
4.Always be transparent in reporting
Your regular updates and reports are only as good as they are accurate and transparent. For example, offering defect tracking might sound like an admission of failure but can actually maintain trust and engagement.
5. Implement disturbance management plans
Schedule your noisy or intrusive remedial work with consideration for residents’ needs. By communicating often and early, you would be surprised how tolerant and patient many residents can be during disruptions to building operations.
6. Encourage feedback
Communication must flow both ways. Allow your stakeholders to raise their concerns and answer their questions promptly. Make sure to document the communication as well.
7. Use digital project management tools
Nowadays, digital reporting, progress dashboards, and collaborative portals are cost effective, easy to set up and highly effective at distributing communications, minimising misunderstandings and keeping everyone informed and cared for.
How does BIM Remedial deliver Stakeholder Management?
Here at BIM Remedial, we know how important effective stakeholder management is.
That is why our team of remedial waterproofing experts integrate stakeholder management into every phase of our projects. From comprehensive strategic planning up front and open communication throughout, to our use of digital project management tools, when you work with BIM Remedial, you’re not just working with the remedial building specialists in Sydney and surrounds.
You’re working with a team that cares.
To find out more and get started on your remedial waterproofing project, contact our team today.
