Strategic planning in construction simplified:

Strategic planning cover

Breakthrough Academy’s aim is to help construction professionals evolve from doers of all things to delegators using smart systems. Since their start, they’ve established some of the industry’s best standard operating procedures, hiring frameworks and project management resources. Breakthrough Academy coaches work with company owners to implement processes that promote business growth. They understand that building a lucrative construction business takes dedication.

This strategic planning template allows builders to outline the goals and actions required to achieve long-term success in their construction business. It includes:

  • Simple directives to get you started
  • A complete example for reference
  • An editable template to start using immediately

Outline your strategic business plan using these 9 steps

Define your company values

Visualize your five-year plan

Understand your purpose

Establish your annual goals

List your initiatives

Figure your critical annual numbers

Specify your quarterly goals

Determine your theme

Celebrate

Using a construction strategic planning template, allows industry professionals to organize their thoughts, set clear objectives, optimize resources, manage risks and adapt to changes. Having a plan in construction ultimately leads to improved performance and competitiveness.

A strategic planning template tailored to the specific goals of a construction business allows the owner and their team to see a comprehensive overview of company goals – quarterly, annually and five years down the road. Priorities may shift over time, but having a plan gives everyone something to work toward.

This one-page strategic planning tool is the perfect way to get your big-picture vision down on paper, and it’s way less complicated than you think.

Benji Carlson

Host of Contractor Evolution at Breakthrough Academy

Once you use Breakthrough Academy’s strategic planning template to determine your business goals, Buildertrend can help your put your initiatives into motion.

It can be stressful thinking about how you’re going to put your plans into action. Buildertrend’s project management software has everything business owners need to take their companies where they want to go. All you need are the right tools for marketing, project planning, job management and financial tracking – and Buildertrend has it all in one convenient platform.

No matter a company’s size, the right software can make a world of difference in daily operations and the overall success of the business. Buildertrend’s extensive list of features and all-in-one construction software makes construction businesses more efficient from initial sale to final walkthrough.

Here are some of the larger goals you might include in your strategic plan that Buildertrend can help you accomplish:

  • Increase the number of leads
  • Land more sales
  • Ensure a superior client experience

A client relationship management or CRM tool is one of best ways to achieve these goals. With Buildertrend you can manage leads, double your sales in three years and have clients who are 40.7% more engaged.

Your construction strategic planning template combined with Buildertrend’s construction management software will ultimately ensure company success. Builders who have a vision for their businesses, set clear objectives and follow through with efficient processes are guaranteed to thrive in an industry that’s always evolving.

Construction strategic planning template FAQs

Get answers to the most common questions for strategic planning in construction.

The key components of a construction strategy typically include:

  • Mission, vision and core values: Clear statements that define the purpose, long-term aspirations and fundamental beliefs of the construction company.
  • Market analysis and positioning: Understanding the construction market landscape is crucial. Analyze market trends, identify target segments and assess competition.
  • Goals and objectives: Clearly defined, measurable and achievable goals aligned with the company’s vision.
  • Resource allocation: Determine the resources required to execute the strategies effectively.
  • Risk management: Identify potential risks and uncertainties that could impact construction projects or business operations.
  • Technology integration: Evaluate and integrate new technologies and innovative practices that can improve construction processes, efficiency, safety and sustainability.
  • Monitoring, evaluation and adaptation: Establish key performance indicators and mechanisms for monitoring progress towards goals.

A construction strategic planning template is a tool that helps builders, remodelers, contractors and other professionals in the construction industry determine short- and long-term visions for their businesses. It’s a structured framework or outline design to help pinpoint objectives, tactics and goals required to achieve success.

Strategic planning in construction serves as a guide for company initiatives, plans for growth and defining what the future looks like. It typically includes categories such as theme, purpose, annual and quarterly goals and a five-year outlook.

The template is designed to be user-friendly and can be modified to fit the needs of any construction company.

Strategic planning in construction, like in any other industry, comes with its own set of challenges. Some common challenges faced by construction companies in strategic planning include:

  • Market volatility and economic uncertainty: The construction industry is susceptible to economic fluctuations, market volatility and changes in government regulations.
  • Complex projects: Construction projects are often complex, involving multiple stakeholders, intricate logistics, tight schedules and unpredictable variables.
  • Sustainability and environmental compliance: Meeting sustainability goals and adhering to environmental regulations in construction projects can be demanding.
  • Skilled labor shortage: Recruiting and retaining qualified personnel can be challenging, affecting project timelines and overall productivity.

Measuring the success of strategic planning in a construction company involves evaluating various factors to determine if the company is meeting its objectives and progressing toward its defined goals. There are several ways a construction company can measure the success of its strategic planning including:

  • Goal achievement: Assess whether the company has achieved the specific goals and objectives outlined in the strategic plan. These goals could include financial targets, completion of projects within set timelines, market expansion, customer satisfaction metrics, etc.
  • Key performance indicators: Define and track KPIs related to various aspects of the business, such as project completion rates, profitability, revenue growth, safety records, employee productivity, client retention rates, etc. Analyzing these KPIs against predetermined benchmarks helps gauge performance.
  • Financial performance: Evaluate financial metrics such as revenue growth, profit margins, return on investment, cost savings and adherence to budgetary goals outlined in the strategic plan.
  • Project performance: Assess the performance of individual construction projects against planned budgets, schedules, quality standards and client satisfaction levels. This includes monitoring project milestones, completion rates and identifying any deviations from initial plans.
  • Employee engagement and performance: Measure employee satisfaction, retention rates, skill development and productivity levels. Engaged and motivated employees often contribute to the successful execution of strategic plans.

Ultimately, the level of detail in your construction strategic planning template should align with your specific business goals and long-term vision for success.