The Project Didn't Fail; It Was Set Up to Fail
- Gil Rosa
- May 12
- 2 min read
Most problems are born before the shovel hits the ground.
When a project goes off the rails, everyone scrambles for answers.
The client points at the contractor.
The contractor points at the architect.
The subs blame the schedule.
And everyone blames the weather.
But in our experience at GRPM, most projects don't fail during construction.
They fail in pre-construction, long before the first form is set.
That's when expectations are misaligned.
That's when missing details go unnoticed.
That's when the budget gets divorced from the scope.
That's when systems don't get built, but assumptions do.
The real cause of failure?
The project was set up to fail from the start.
Problems in Construction Usually Start on Paper
We've walked into hundreds of chaotic job sites that had the same origin story:
A poorly defined scope
A budget that couldn't support the vision
A schedule built from optimism, not logic
A team that never aligned on roles, deliverables, or risk
By the time the project team realizes it, the damage is already underway, including cost overruns, change orders, mistrust, and burnout.
That's why we say: don't rescue the project. Design it right the first time.
What Smart Developers and Builders Do Differently
They don't just plan the work.
They build a system that protects the work before it starts.
Here's how:
1. Align the Team Before the Contract
You can't fix team culture with paperwork.
Bring the architect, builder, and key trades into alignment on vision, budget, and sequencing before design development.
2. Tie the Budget to the Real Scope
Don't guess. Don't round. Don't assume.
Build your budget based on field-tested assemblies, trade input, and constructability, not wishful thinking.
3. Build a Schedule That Can Breathe
Don't just list tasks; sequence them around flow, access, and material lead times.
Use a hybrid system that blends milestone planning with weekly field pull planning.
4. Create Accountability Before the First RFI
Every person on the team should know:
What they're responsible for
What success looks like
How to communicate delays, risks, and decisions
A job that starts with clarity rarely ends in chaos.
The Setup Is the System
Pre-construction is your only chance to stack the deck.
Miss it, and you'll spend the rest of the project trying to "fix" what was never properly built.
You can't out-manage a broken setup.
But you can design for success from day one.
Final Thought:
Projects Don't Fail in the Field. They Fail in the Setup.
If you're heading into a new build, don't just hire a GC.
Hire a strategic partner who helps you ask the right questions before mistakes are made.
At GRPM Services, we work with developers, general contractors, and design teams to get ahead of the failure curve so you don't spend the next 18 months fighting fires that could've been prevented.
Let's make sure your next project is built to succeed.
Book a pre-construction strategy session today. https://calendly.com/grpmservices
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