How intricately do you all plan and document your days? I have downsized to a crew of myself and a helper and have found the challenge of wearing all hats to be interesting to say the least.
Do you sit down at the start of the day and say; “I am going to get this this and this done.”? Do you write it down?
How far out do you plan? A day, week, month?
Do you document hours on the job? Each phase of the job? Do you compare it against your estimated time?
Have never seen a post like this before and am just wondering.
I look down my nose at people who dare to look down their nose at people.
Replies
Pete,
I cant comment on most of your questions because I work for a company and not myself but in responce to:
"Do you document hours on the job? Each phase of the job? Do you compare it against your estimated time?
The answer to all 3 is yes, at least for the company I work for in kansas. We (being all employees, kind of small 6 total) are responsible for keeping a time sheet what day, how many hours, which job and what task for how long you worked are all to be included. After the job is over the "boss" goes back over and compares the estimate to the actual time, Its been my experience he does this for the knowledge of weather his estimate was accurate. Using this to better gauge and estimate future similiar jobs.
Good Morning Pete, I was just setting here planning my day when I came across your post.
I write it down if I've got various jobs or tasks I want to complete in a given day but if it's a big project that can't be finished in one day I just think about how much of it I can complete and work toward that goal. You've got to plan but you'll drive yourself crazy if you get too anal about it.
I keep track of how much time each job takes. I just use a spiral notebook and also keep track of material and supply costs on each job. If I'm very far off my estimate I make notes of anything unusual that made the difference, either over or under. Helps for future estimating.
As far as future planning I only plan a week at a time. Too many variables can cause longer planning to be revised too frequently.
I work by myself doing small remodeling jobs and home repairs so I don't have to be concerned with keeping a crew busy otherwise my approach would different. I'd have to be a lot more detail oriented. Productivity benchmarks met and material costs contained etc.
Hope this helps. Merry Christmas!
Harry's Homeworks
Rhode Island