In the construction industry, the supply chain is the heart of any project. Without it, you can’t build anything as it’s the foundation upon which all projects are built and maintained.

The good news is that this aspect of your operations has been honed to a science for decades—but what about disruptions? Do you know what it takes to maintain a strong supply chain during these times? And if something goes wrong with your supply chain, how do you respond effectively? Here’s how:

The best way to combat supply chain disruption is to plan ahead. If you know what you’re dependent on, and what the risks are to those dependencies, it’s easier to identify alternatives or solutions. This won’t prevent the disruption from happening in the first place, but it will make it easier for you to recover quickly once it has happened.

Planning ahead means doing some research into your suppliers—not just who they are and how much they cost (though those things are important too), but also how reliable they are at shipping products on time and within budget. Check with them before approaching clients about using their materials and products because this will help you identify any potential risks or issues that may arise when they do not meet an agreed-upon deadline or budget.

Planning ahead also means identifying alternatives—what other materials could work instead? And if nothing else works, what resources do we have access to outside of our current network? Having this kind of mindset can also help identify potential opportunities as well as threats.

For example, you may stumble upon a new supplier or material that is more cost effective and takes way less time to install than what was proposed. On the flip side, you may discover through your careful interview process that the proposed supplier has a long track record of missed deadlines and budget overrun, allowing you to steer clear of a potential delay.

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