Almost all contractors fill out daily reports, but few do it well.
Too often they are simply a notation of weather and manpower, rather than a true barometer of project progress and impacts. Frequently there are no delays or problems identified as many supervisors writing the reports are more focused on “running the work” than filling out tedious forms.
Contractors can make these forms more user friendly by creating a “check the box” type form designed to capture:
- Delays encountered;
- Inefficiencies experienced;
- Photos of important job conditions by location/time;
- What was agreed upon in job site meetings or discussions; and
- Specific descriptions of the labor and equipment on site.
If the right form is utilized, critical information can be contemporaneously gathered and shared with other project participants and surprises later about “time and money” requests can be minimized. And if a formal claim becomes necessary, these daily reports prepared – while memories are still fresh and before conditions are disturbed – can become powerful evidence later.
