Hospital Construction on the Brink
A global healthcare corporation was on the verge of collapse. The construction of a new hospital was threatened by contractual penalties and budget overruns, the project manager was on the verge of burnout, and the team was worn out.
Chaos on the Construction Site
The project team was overworked, and the 30 site managers were working without clear direction. Time pressure due to impending delays in commissioning, uncertainties regarding defect rectification, and mistrust between site management and executive management further exacerbated the situation.
Levers for the Turnaround
The interim manager relied on agile construction management methods such as daily takt time control and digital Kanban boards to create transparency. Coaching sessions with the site managers were intended to increase motivation, while LEAN principles were meant to improve process efficiency.
From Crisis to Control
Daily site visits and progress checks helped set short-term goals. Digital Kanban boards structured communication with the site managers, and the team was expanded to meet demands of the project. Coaching sessions resolved conflicts while commissioning processes were planned. Defect rectification was prioritized, and clear communication restored overall trust.
