5 Traits That Make an Effective Construction Superintendent

Being a construction superintendent isn’t easy. From upper-level management to field crews, you have a lot of people (with very different needs) to keep happy. You also have to track and coordinate everything on the jobsite.

Want to know if you’re a good superintendent? Here are five traits that make a great one.

1. You have good writing and communication skills.

A good superintendent can communicate well with anyone on the team. This includes clearly explaining all site duties and protocols to your field workers. (And making sure they get the extra assistance they need.) You should also be fluent enough with industry lingo to do more technical reporting.

Effective communication goes a long way on the jobsite. The more people kept in the loop, the better everyone can do their jobs. Attaching photos and notes to your daily reports is a great way to improve visibility on all fronts.

Not sure what a good daily report looks like? Check out our construction daily report example.

2. You walk the walk—especially when it comes to safety.

The construction industry is all about safety. All superintendents are required to educate workers on proper safety measures and protocols. But practicing what you preach makes all the difference.

An effective supervisor leads by example. Following the same protocols on safety, visitors, and personal conduct will further encourage your workers to be safe. Meaning less jobsite injuries—and higher compliance.

3. You do your research before starting a new project.

The best construction supervisors always come prepared. Taking on a new project is exciting, but there’s a lot of prep involved to ensure things run smoothly.

Before you start work at a new construction site, be sure to:

Also make sure to address any questions or concerns your crews have. That way, everyone can feel comfortable (and safe) at work.

4. You delegate tasks, and empower your team.

As a site supervisor, you can’t be everywhere at once. Delegating tasks to other workers will help you keep projects on track, and improve productivity.

Sharing the responsibilities will also help you build trust among your team. With more collaboration, your crews will feel empowered to share ways to improve projects. An effective supervisor implements good ideas, without sacrificing safety or industry standards.

5. You use construction software to manage your projects.

There’s a lot of construction management software out there, but they’re all made to do one thing—increase your efficiency. Different apps help you with different workflows, like daily reports, task management, communication, or production tracking. Some construction tech (like Raken) even have a mobile app you can use in the field to track your progress.

Managing your projects with construction software can vastly improve your documentation. With better field data, you can take your projects to the next level. Shifting away from paperwork will save you time and money in the long run, too.

Try Raken’s digital field tools for free today.

Streamlining your field workflows is easy with Raken. From daily reports to production tracking to budget management, you can do it all on the go.

In a personalized demo, we’ll show you how Raken can work for your business. (It even comes with a free trial.)