Howard Humffray – Construction is 90% about people
“Construction is 90% about people; build a culture that will support one another like a successful football team….”
My name is Howard Humffray. I have worked in the construction industry for over 40 years, on large infrastructure projects. Here is a list of my experience and expertise:
- Project delivery experience in all aspects of multidisciplinary projects including roads, bridges, tunnels, rail, water and waste – water, power stations and pipelines.
- Delivery of projects and management of bids throughout Australia, Asia and the Middle East in areas with complex operational environments as well as to remote greenfield locations.
- Project Director Melbourne CityLink ($1.3 billion 1996) and General Manager Construction on Melbourne’s EastLink Project ($2.5 billion 2005) which was the winner of the 2009 Construction Achievement Award.
- Line management operations expertise with Tier 1 contractors.
- Design & Construct Bid Director. Projects include Peninsula Link in Melbourne ($2 billion) , two bids (net US$5 billion) for Doha Metro in Qatar, a Target Outturn Cost submission in Hong Kong to expand the Hong Kong Metro for MTR ($900 million AUD), the Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnels and Stations bid ($6 billion), the successful WestConnex package 3A in Sydney ($3.3 billion) and the successful Mordialloc Freeway tender ($450 million) in Melbourne.
What I have Learnt:
- Construction is 90% about people; build a culture that will support one another like a successful football team – culture is much more than “the way we do things around here” and in fact includes in excess of 30 separate factors.
- If team members are struggling, encourage them to ask for help. Foster an environment where “I don’t know”, “I need help” and “I’ve made a mistake” is never seen as a weakness. Typically, if the problem is identified early enough, it can be addressed and mitigated. Problems should not be driven underground due to “management by fear”.
- Listen to the client early and try to clearly understand their drivers, needs and contract requirements. It will avoid assumptions; going down the wrong rabbit hole, & help to build a healthy, long-term relationship because you will be building what they intended.
To find out more, contact us at ask@www.new.constructionadvisor.com.au