Collaborating on Professional Projects

The best projects aren’t perfect. They are well collaborated. Errors and omissions (E&O) costs are a reality on every construction project. Even with the strongest design teams, tight budgets, and comprehensive drawings, surprises come up. In healthcare construction, where complexity is high and the margin for error is slim, managing those surprises becomes a critical part of the job. What I have found over the years is that the difference between a project that runs off track and one that stays on schedule usually comes down to proactive, transparent collaboration. It's not about pointing fingers when something is missed or a coordination issue arises. It is about bringing everyone together, including the owner, architect, general contractor, trades, and subcontractors, to share the problem and figure out how to solve it. Some of the best value engineering does not happen during early budgeting exercises. It happens when someone notices a conflict in the field, and a team gathers right then and there to work through a solution. Those quick stand-ups often protect the budget and schedule more effectively than a long chain of RFIs ever could. I also believe there is real value in being physically present. That is why I try to be the first one on site and the last one to leave. Those early mornings and late evenings are when the important conversations happen. It is when someone pulls you aside to raise a concern or talk through an idea before it grows into a bigger issue. This informal collaboration often prevents costly formal disputes later on. Perfection is not realistic in this line of work. However, mutual trust, partnership, and a willingness to tackle challenges together are what keep these projects moving forward and ultimately deliver healthcare spaces that truly serve patients and staff. This is exactly why we are moving to Collaborative Project Development (CPD). By aligning all partners early, breaking down silos, and solving problems together from the start, we are setting up projects for smarter decisions and fewer surprises. How do you keep errors and omissions impacts under control and build trust across your project teams? #ConstructionManagement #Collaboration #CostControl #HealthcareFacilities #Leadership #ASHE

You don't have to like someone to work with them effectively. But here's what most professionals get wrong about workplace relationships: They think personal chemistry equals professional success. If you want to build high-performing teams, focus on these fundamentals: • Clear communication standards • Mutual professional respect • Shared accountability measures • Results-driven collaboration Personal feelings are irrelevant to business outcomes. Clear communication standards - Establish how decisions get made - Define response timeframes - Create structured feedback loops - Document agreements and expectations Mutual professional respect - Acknowledge expertise regardless of personality - Honor commitments consistently - Address conflicts directly and professionally - Separate personal preferences from work quality Shared accountability measures - Set measurable deliverables - Track progress transparently - Hold everyone to the same standards - Focus on outcomes, not personalities Results-driven collaboration - Prioritize project success over personal comfort - Leverage individual strengths strategically - Maintain professional boundaries - Celebrate collective achievements The most successful partnerships I've witnessed involve people who respect each other's capabilities without requiring personal connection. They deliver exceptional results because they focus on what matters: getting the job done well. Stop confusing workplace effectiveness with friendship. Professional respect builds stronger teams than personal affinity ever will.

Collaborating with other researchers can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with its own set of challenges—especially when your team spans different countries, time zones, and disciplines. Here are some tips to help you build strong and productive research partnerships: Establish Clear Roles & Responsibilities: From the outset, define who is responsible for what. Clear roles prevent overlap and ensure that everyone knows their tasks and deadlines. Draft a shared document outlining these details. Pro Tip: Consider using Google Workspace or Microsoft Office 365 for collaborative documents that everyone can access and edit in real-time. Set Up Regular Communication: Frequent check-ins are essential to keep everyone on track and address any issues early on. Set a regular schedule for virtual meetings, and agree on a platform that works for all members (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet). Pro Tip: A good-quality USB microphone (https://amzn.to/4hpX2B0) or noise-cancelling headphones (https://amzn.to/4foRg0F) can make those long video calls much smoother. You can also organize your work by having a large dry erase calendar in your office (https://amzn.to/4e6GcEd) Manage Time Zones Wisely: Working with collaborators across different time zones? Use a world clock app to find suitable meeting times and avoid confusion. Apps like World Time Buddy can help you plan calls at times that work for everyone. Utilize Collaborative Tools: For managing tasks, drafts, and data, use tools that allow easy sharing and real-time collaboration. Platforms like Miro can also be helpful for brainstorming and mapping out ideas visually, even if you’re not all in the same room. Pro Tip: Check out these portable hard drives for secure data storage and sharing, especially when working with large datasets (https://amzn.to/4hpXdfE) Respect Cultural Differences: Collaborating with researchers from different cultural backgrounds can be enriching, but it’s essential to be mindful of differences in communication styles, work ethics, and holidays. Being open and respectful goes a long way in building trust and camaraderie. Celebrate Milestones Together: Don’t forget to celebrate the wins, big and small. Finished a draft? Submitted a paper? Take a moment to acknowledge it! Positive reinforcement keeps morale high and strengthens team spirit. Collaboration is a powerful tool that can lead to groundbreaking research and lifelong professional relationships. With a little planning and the right tools, your next research partnership could be your most successful yet! #ResearchCollaborations #AcademicLife #ResearchTips #TeamScience #ResearchBeast

🤝 Partnering across teams 🤝 One question I get all the time is how to manage cross team / discipline / company relationships when you are trying to collaborate on a project together. So often things go wrong - how can you make sure things go right? 📊 Understand what your partner team is measured on. What does their boss care about? What are they stressing over? If you don't know, ask what their team's OKR and goals are. Understanding this can help you understand what's important to them and where they are spending their time. ⚖️ The more your requests align with their goals, the more likely you are to get the partnership you're looking for. The best collaborations happen when goals are aligned across the team. If we're working toward a common metric, we'll be more motivated to work together on it. If our goals are completely different... or worse, sometimes opposing, this makes it really hard to collaborate, even if you want to. 💡 Be clear with folks you're collaborating with on what your goals are, how your team is measured, and how this project fits into that. The more transparency you give on this, the more you'll get.