Did you manage to stay focused this week? Did you possess the energy required to fulfil your objectives and meet your teams’ needs? Did you deliver to your clients’ expectations? We most certainly did. Our week was varied, from an ISO 9001 framework handover meeting to a coffee catch‑up with a prospective client to learn a little more about their business.
Let’s dive into what we have been up to and what we have learned! (Poor pun given the wet weather this week.)
Monday: Laying the ISO foundations
We kicked off the week a little early by travelling to Ipswich to ensure we were suitably fresh for an ISO 9001 framework handover meeting with a new client and to introduce them to the full workings of their management system. Together, we agreed the next steps, including establishing milestone dates for the Stage One Certification Audit. The purpose of the Stage One Audit? It is a certification readiness review whereby the management system documents and processes are evaluated to ensure alignment with the ISO 9001 standard.
Monday also saw the team hard at work serving our clients on various tasks, including SSIP assistance, CDM management processes and Safe System of Work (SSoW) development.
Tuesday: Team day and project support
After leaving Suffolk on Monday, we headed for Oxfordshire for the next overnight. This time it was for a Tuesday team day where we undertook various functions, including:
- Team briefing on a Safe System of Work we helped develop for a unique build
- Attendance at the bi‑monthly project meeting
- Site health and safety compliance tour
- General advice and guidance to the project team
Our team also continued with their various duties: providing CDM support, developing SSoWs, carrying out a site compliance inspection closer to home, and progressing vital administration tasks.
Wednesday: Client focus from dry offices
Wednesday saw the team mostly grounded, in part due to the continued wet weather. This gave us the opportunity to focus on client‑focused activities from the comfort of a dry office or two, and a reliable coffee machine.
We also met up with a client over a welcome lunch to discuss the development of their masonry Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs), which are going to be tested on a new project that starts for them next week. There will be no overnights for this one as it is in our neighbourhood. The ITP was well received, and we look forward to seeing the results in action – continual improvement in motion!
Thursday: Supporting a driven client
One of the team was on an early train, another travelled to collect them, and both headed to a very energised client for the day. One of the team assists the manufacturing process and the other the commercial works. Collectively, we supported the whole team in developing systems and practices in their drive for continual improvement.
Outside of the above, we also continued to provide client support in various forms, from compliance advice to ongoing system development.
Friday: Good news and new opportunities
The day started with two items of good news:
- We have been appointed by a new client to develop a quality management system aligned with ISO 9001.
- We have been asked to submit a fee proposal for CDM Principal Designer support.
Not only this, but we also met with a prospective client to discuss their requirements for LCS Project Solutions to provide health and safety assistance. An exciting possibility for the future, and a roadmap was discussed for the various stages of a possible appointment. We welcome this opportunity and look forward to the potential of a future working relationship.
Closing thought – Plan–Do–Check–Act in practice
Last week we focused on building momentum; this week we channelled that energy into planning and doing across ISO frameworks, SSoWs and client support. Next week will be about checking the impact of these actions and acting on what we learn, keeping Plan–Do–Check–Act at the heart of how we work.
I think that is quite enough for the week. Well done team.
P.S. 637 miles travelled in the Tesla this week, with a total of 140.5 kWh used – a very impressive 4.5 miles/kWh!
