Ever wondered what it's like to be a superintendent? Perhaps you're already in the construction industry and are shifting your role to becoming one. Or maybe you're just interested in what superintendents are up to when managing modern job sites.
If so, you'll love this episode of Digital Builder, where you'll meet Erin Saiki, a superintendent at DPR Construction.
Erin has had an exciting career journey so far, having graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Most folks with this degree would spend their career as a project engineer, project manager, or eventually even a project executive. While Erin started off on the same path, she soon realized that her skills and interests would be better suited for the field.
Fortunately, DPR gave her room to explore her passions and pivot her career. In her current role as superintendent, Erin manages complex construction projects, champions technology, and fosters an inclusive environment where everyone is empowered to learn.
You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and anywhere else you get your podcasts.
We discuss:
Erin is optimistic about the present and future of construction. She says that now is one of the most exciting times to be a superintendent. She's thrilled to see the blending of more traditional superintendents with those who bring a more diverse, often less traditional background to the role.
"It's fascinating to see these new superintendents come in who definitely have different backgrounds but still get to interact with this generation of really talented builders who became superintendents. And when you mix them together, we get to see the full spectrum of a project, and that's exciting."
This, combined with emerging tech, makes for a transformative era in construction.
"Technology is being introduced into the construction world, and while some people may resist these changes, owners are ultimately expecting projects to be delivered quicker. They're expecting products to be delivered cheaper, and to a certain degree, you can only do that by keeping up with the times and evolving yourself."
Regardless of what type of superintendent you identify with or which generation you belong to, Erin says it's essential to be open to learning. As someone who didn't come from a traditional superintendent career path, one thing she's done is to leverage mutual learning opportunities.
"I can't come in thinking I know everything because I don't have that building experience. But I can say, 'Hey, we can sit together on a computer and work on those skills, and in return, can you go walk the field with me and show me why this is the best way to set up the scaffold or to plan this work?'"
In doing so, she's built strong, collaborative relationships that enhance her knowledge and the team's overall effectiveness.
Tech-savviness is increasingly becoming vital for superintendents, but that doesn't mean traditional tradespeople are at risk of getting left behind. According to Erin, their hands-on experience is even more valuable than ever.
"This is a golden opportunity for those [with a craft background] who seize it. It shouldn't be a time for insecurity or feeling like you're getting pushed out of an industry. There is so much more value that you bring when you come from a craft background because that is going to be dying out as more superintendents are coming from college to fill the gap."
She continues, "If anything, folks that are in the trades should be really excited and should be driving for that path because the door is not closing on them. That door is opening to them right now."
Our conversation also touched on how superintendents can set up field teams for success and ensure they get the job done well.
To that, Erin says it's all about communication and removing obstacles.
Her first advice? Actively listen to field teams and take action based on their input.
"Go and talk to the workers that are doing the work; hear where their constraints are. As long as we're removing the physical constraints in the field, the job will get done. You'll end up losing more money and time if you're sitting in a trailer environment, going through emails trying to resolve all these issues and ignoring what's happening with the craft."
In line with this, Erin says superintendents should build an environment where teams are empowered to speak up.
Her ideal scenario is having "an environment and culture on site where everyone feeds you all the information you need to win and succeed."
Speaking of managing information, Erin cautions against superintendents becoming bottlenecks that delay critical decisions.
She recommends creating processes where information flows smoothly so that field teams are empowered to make decisions.
"Coming up with ways to share information with the craft is super, super important, whether that be through tools like Autodesk Construction Cloud or taking the time to make sure they understand how to use that software and be able to leverage it."
Beyond that, superintendents should strive to democratize access to information.
"Look for opportunities where not just the foreman but the journeymen, lead men, and the apprentices on site can access information and know what they're building. It could be as simple as renderings and photos of what the final product can look like," Erin says.
"Half the time, the guys in the field don't even know what they're building because they're never in the model or in the drawings and seeing this is the final product. But if they had that opportunity and information, they could make better decisions."
Erin's advice for companies that want to bolster their team? Make it about the people.
"We must remind ourselves to treat our recruits as people, not numbers. Try to figure out what sparks their interest. There are so many avenues within construction, whether VDC, innovation, or preconstruction. There are so many avenues that as long as you find the fit and they're part of the family, chances are there's something in one of those avenues that they'll be excited to do."
She says that young folks coming out of college need guidance and opportunities to explore different paths.
"Most people in college, even if they are getting their degree, don't know what they want to do. They have no industry experience and don't know what excites them. The most powerful thing is building a relationship and being genuine with them. And if they click with you, that's the best door to open to have them be interested in coming into construction."
Erin wants the next generation to know that it's okay to change paths and recommends finding a company that supports career shifts and growth.
"Hopefully, as the industry gets more and more involved, companies will be open-minded to that. But if you're not currently at one or you're not currently looking at one, maybe that's an indication to look somewhere else."
Beyond that, Erin emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and curiosity.
"Come from a place of learning. Be a sponge and absorb all the information because it is a fire hose on site. You learn so much, especially if you're working on the GC side, interacting with every trade partner and subcontractor."
"So, enjoy the learning process, ask a lot of questions, and that'll ultimately get you to a place where your foundation is sturdy enough to run work and to feel confident interacting with everyone that you see on site."
Digital Builder is hosted by me, Eric Thomas. Remember, new episodes of Digital Builder go live every week.
