Lessons Learned

[Runs; With Scissors]

I’ve worked a whole lot on a big project this year and there’s been a dozen times that I’ve thought: we could have done X better, we could have saved money by doing Y and I have Z and I don’t know what to do with it.

I want to make a lessons learned and common problems type thing to look at when I start planning next year. This is what I have so far, can you help me build on it? For the problems I've noted, do you have other tricks?

1. We run to the hardware store daily.

Possible solutions:
Buy common supplies in bulk online. This includes things like glue and staples. Buy more than we need because we tend to underestimate and over use.

2. The CORE camp is skinny and has all of the infrastructure set up by one person, because the rest of us are all too busy working on the project itself.

3. We have too many people come on some work days. We run out of power, tools and work and work space. If people come and it is too crowded, they leave and do not come back.

Possible solutions:
If we run out of things to do, have some people who are working on an infrastructure as a secondary support team who are being led by that one guy.
Set up a secondary team that is working at another site?

4. Tools get broken. Some members of our team do not know how to set them up or how to change blades, but do not ask either.

Possible solutions:
Have a tool manager who ensures that all tools are packed away neatly at the end of every build and have them replace blades and manage plug strips so they do not overload.
It was suggested and nobody took interest: Have a class on how to use the power tools.

5. People like working in sandals / without safety glasses and you cannot stop them. It makes sense to tell someone once and hand them glasses when they're about to use the chop saw - but I've not found a successful way to not run a risk of losing their support if they say no or continually babysitting them.

[caffeineslinger]

It sounds like you should be a manager.
Tough job. I wish I was better at it.

[Sham]

It sounds like standard business/management problems.
There is one person in charge and you are just trying to get people to come and work on the project.
I would suggest that you get a core group of people to help manage the project and break it up into smaller groups. Everyone should understand the larger picture and take some ownership in the project. Recognition and acknowledgement of the progress is a big part.
You may even consider putting a business person within the group in charge of the project.

[Elderberry]

^^What he said^^

[theCryptofishist]

Can't you send the extra bodies to buy the things you don't have?

(Drop in the bucket, I know.)