Our second call of 2025 looks at how we can use an agile approach to break out of the frustration of our individual and construction-wide modernisation challenges.
Join us on our next call at lunchtime on Friday 13th June.
SIGN UP HERE
On our last call we focused on the challenges of working in an industry that appears to be unwilling or unable to modernise. This time we will work on what we can do about these challenges as individuals and small groups.
Our last call received some great feedback, so why not join us this time? We are going to be thinking positively – constructively – about the problems.
Be constructive: Our guests
Both our speakers on this session show what an individual using an agile approach can do to make positive change. What can we learn and apply to our own work?
We’re delighted to welcome Anas Ayoub, founder of XD House a digital construction firm launched in 2022 to bridge the gap between design and construction through digital transformation. With offices in London and Dubai, XD House works across architecture, engineering, and construction, blending BIM, automation, and information management to simplify complex workflows and drive smarter delivery.
Anas will be in conversation with the Plain Language Group’s Paul Surin, who as you may know has worked in manufacturing, in IT, and now works client side. Paul will be sharing an example of how he has used innovative approach to manage the massive amount of unstructured data and documentation that contractors submit in their tenders.
Constructive mindset
Su used to work for a client whose attitude to his job was:
Act first; ask forgiveness later.
This must have been rather frustrating for his boss, but he had P&L control of his part of the business, and his attitude was, ‘they pay me to make decisions, not to ask permission’. It was very refreshing.
In some ways this is quite an attractive aspect of the businesslike world of construction. Can we build it? Yes we can!
In our Industry Voices report we described some ways in which we could change our thinking processes when it came to implementing systemic change. This included encouraging agile behaviour.
We also stressed that one of the advantages of SME businesses is they can be agile. And as an industry with 99% SMEs we should be making the most of this.
No matter who you are working in our industry, you can benefit from taking a positive attitude to your role as a problem solver. The most useful thing we have is our brains, so let’s put them to work.
Identify the obstacles and work round them
Looking at our challenges can make one despair. But don’t be downhearted! Instead of seeing the wall and being an elephant, be a mouse. Be agile.
Applying an ‘act first’ approach to the problems we meet means we recognize these problems as obstacles and then work out how we can remove them from the equation.
What is the actual barrier? How can you get round it instead of bashing up against it repeatedly? What small things can you do to change it?
We need to keep our actions small and manageable. Don’t write a huge report. Don’t take months to develop a new framework. Just get leadership buy in to an agile and inclusive process. Work out what the problem is and how you can get round it quickly, with the resources you have, then assess and adjust. If it is successful you can share it, and others can learn from your success.
You don’t know everything, but what do you know?
You can’t do everything, but what can you do?
Join our call to hear examples and explore ideas
Join our call on Friday 30th May at 1-2pm to hear examples from Paul and Anas, and then for the second half of the session, use that inspiration to explore with us how to be part of the solution.
As usual the session will be very interactive, so be prepared to take part!
SIGN UP HERE
Want to get more articles like this? Sign up to receive our emails here.
Leave a Reply