What does operational excellence mean to you? Dynamic is highly focused on achieving strategic objectives while maintaining a high-performance culture, and that is how we define operational excellence. It is that perfect blend of productivity and quality, executed by a collaborative and trusting team that is driven by common goals and shared beliefs of the organization (culture). Operational excellence is not something that is developed overnight. It takes commitment, dedicated effort, and continuous bar raising to maintain.

Ten key attributes of a high-performing estimating team include:

1. Consistent development of competitive bids that are strategic, high-quality, and logical.

2. Dedicated, focused, and consistent handoffs from estimating to the field (one team mentality).

3. Welcomed and encouraged solicitation of feedback through all phases of the project lifecycle (bid vs. built communication).

4. Schedule driven culture in which missing deadlines is not an option (strategy sessions, bid reviews, bid closes, post-bid submittals, etc.).

5. Routinely going out of the way to help one another and promote a culture of fun collaboration in which everyone supports each other, working toward the overall success of the business.

6. A healthy hit rate between 20% and 25%, in which projects that are bid are strategically selected, avoiding the “shotgun blast” approach at all times.

7. Leaving as little on the table as possible, which is a key indicator of market knowledge and understanding the competitive environment. However, if the occasional “bomb” is dropped, be sure that the team is supportive. A strong team wins and loses together.

8. Accountability up and down the ranks, with people consistently raising the bar for one another and striving for continuous improvement.

9. The B-WIT mentality and culture! Bid what it takes and leave emotion out of the estimates. Allowing aggression or conservatism in the bid room is a recipe for disaster.

10. A sense of pride amongst the team with regards to quality and thoroughness, making good bids a standard practice and an overall part of the culture.

If any of this is resonating with you, and you would like an objective review of your existing preconstruction processes and procedures, please give us a call. We are here to help, and we can often find simple ways to increase productivity, quality, and performance. It’s the Dynamic way!