With the inherent nature of surveying not being "cookbook", how do you handle scheduling? For instance, if you think Job A will take 6 hours to do, but then due to unforseen items beyond your control, it takes 12 hours to do, what are you telling people? Now, before you grill me, I do use some scheduling software, and as well as having a BS in Geomatics, I have a BS in Business as well, so I'm not an idiot. The reason I say all this, is b/c it's a legitimate issue where I'm working at now. We are constantly having to adjust the schedule to the point that if somebody asks me exactly what day I'm going to be on their job, and the best I can do is an estimate. Am I just being too picky, trying to please the clients or...? I'm always looking for a better way to build a mousetrap, so I'm all ears when it comes to how you schedule. Some other background is we do all kinds of work, from design surveys to small/large boundary surveys, elevation certificates, right of way surveying, etc. There's really not a lot we WON'T do. Anyways, like I said, always looking for improvement.
It might help to know how many crews you are scheduling. What I have always found with a broad range of projects and multiple crews that if one crew got held up on a project longer than expected, we could pull another crew off of a project that was not as critical. By having all kinds of projects allowed us the freedom to shuffle crews without the clients knowing it, unless a particular client was requesting a certain crew.
Yes, sorry about that. Typically one crew, but I also have the ability to add myself as a one man GPS/Robotic crew. So 1.5 crews then....lol. 😉
That's the issue you are having then. If it's only one crew, then you're doing the best you can with that schedule. If you had two crews, you could prioritize the jobs that HAD to be done a by a certain day and the people who are in less of a rush would still get their work completed within the allowable time frame.
However, you'd have to have work for two crews. It sounds like maybe you have enough work for 1.5 crews, but that becomes problematic as you have seen. I can't see a way around your dilemma with only one crew.
I put clients on a list and tell them how far I estimate my backlog and ask if there is a due date and/or how soon it needs to be done.
Everything from that point is the getting it done.
They commit and wait or they go down the road.
Some days I turn off the phone so I can get work done.
😉
hlbennettpls, post: 356374, member: 10049 wrote: With the inherent nature of surveying not being "cookbook", how do you handle scheduling? For instance, if you think Job A will take 6 hours to do, but then due to unforseen items beyond your control, it takes 12 hours to do, what are you telling people? Now, before you grill me, I do use some scheduling software, and as well as having a BS in Geomatics, I have a BS in Business as well, so I'm not an idiot. The reason I say all this, is b/c it's a legitimate issue where I'm working at now. We are constantly having to adjust the schedule to the point that if somebody asks me exactly what day I'm going to be on their job, and the best I can do is an estimate. Am I just being too picky, trying to please the clients or...? I'm always looking for a better way to build a mousetrap, so I'm all ears when it comes to how you schedule. Some other background is we do all kinds of work, from design surveys to small/large boundary surveys, elevation certificates, right of way surveying, etc. There's really not a lot we WON'T do. Anyways, like I said, always looking for improvement.
We have a scheduling meeting every Thu. morning. I usually get at least one phone call or email during that meeting that forces rescheduling immediately after that meeting. Adjusting the schedule thereafter can be a daily process. We have a 48-hr staking notice for construction staking and some clients actually respect it. We try to keep our repeat clients happy when possible. I have not learned to schedule the weather - the 30" snowfalls do interefere sometimes...
I will be there when I get there. Not before. Not later. Precisely then without exception.
Under promise. Over deliver. Add more cushion.
Brad Ott, post: 356435, member: 197 wrote: Under promise. Over deliver. Add more cushion.
Exactly....if I think I can have it in a week I tell the client two weeks. It's much more pleasant to surprise them with the "hey I got it done early" phone call.
A Harris, post: 356415, member: 81 wrote: I put clients on a list and tell them how far I estimate my backlog and ask if there is a due date and/or how soon it needs to be done.
Everything from that point is the getting it done.
They commit and wait or they go down the road.
Some days I turn off the phone so I can get work done.
😉
This is about where I'm at as well. Just hate to see those guys that go down the road...
I know most would say "add another crew". Not as easy as it sounds though...
hlbennettpls, post: 356374, member: 10049 wrote: With the inherent nature of surveying not being "cookbook", how do you handle scheduling? For instance, if you think Job A will take 6 hours to do, but then due to unforseen items beyond your control, it takes 12 hours to do, what are you telling people? Now, before you grill me, I do use some scheduling software, and as well as having a BS in Geomatics, I have a BS in Business as well, so I'm not an idiot. The reason I say all this, is b/c it's a legitimate issue where I'm working at now. We are constantly having to adjust the schedule to the point that if somebody asks me exactly what day I'm going to be on their job, and the best I can do is an estimate. Am I just being too picky, trying to please the clients or...? I'm always looking for a better way to build a mousetrap, so I'm all ears when it comes to how you schedule. Some other background is we do all kinds of work, from design surveys to small/large boundary surveys, elevation certificates, right of way surveying, etc. There's really not a lot we WON'T do. Anyways, like I said, always looking for improvement.
Like Brad said.
If the job I thought was going to take 6 hours, took 12. Doesn't matter because I am still days ahead of what was promised.
Plus this method allows me time to squeeze in a rush job for regular clients at premium cost!
Two more things: Stay in close contact with the client by email or phone. Often when I think the client is going to be mad about a deadline and I call to find out all is good. Secondly, if all else fails. Drive out to the job and tie some flagging on some trees or lath. Call the client and tell them you got started. Will be back soon [emoji6]
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