Yesterday in a marketing meeting, a discussion came up regarding the use of AI and avatars, and, to my surprise, the younger participants were the more opposed. Further research confirmed they are not a consideration when it comes to looking like one of us; after all, we are all about genuinuity.

Further confirmation came when I showed my husband an Instagram video of an incredible docking job a yacht captain did, only for him to tell me it wasn’t real, which immediately made me feel deceived and want to unfollow the page.

In September 2022, I shared an article from Trimble on the benefits of AI in construction, which improves schedules and accuracy, ultimately helping with the bottom line on a jobsite and in preconstruction, but what about avatars?

In further reading, I found a 2008 white paper from Science Direct titled “Avatars in social media: Balancing accuracy, playfulness and embodied messages.” Flash forward to today, and LinkedIn is discussing how the next generation of social media will replace our profile pictures with avatars. This is a proposed solution for them for outdated profiles because although it takes all of five minutes for a LinkedIn user to update their profile picture people rarely do. If that is you and you need a tutorial, click here. So that brings me to the intended topic of this blog: Justification or Verification?

Impact of Verification versus Justification in Construction Management

Justification is the action of showing something to be right or reasonable, a good reason for something that needs to be done. Whereas verification is the process of ensuring the truth, accuracy or validity of something. Is it human nature to justify something as right or reasonable, or in their mind, does it need to be done when in actuality it may be counterproductive? I decided to ask ChatGPT to share with me data regarding financial and time losses when employees justify instead of verifying data in the workplace. Here is the answer:

The financial and time losses in the workplace due to employees justifying instead of verifying information can be significant, though quantifying it precisely varies by industry and context. Studies across various fields offer insights into how this inefficiency impacts businesses:

1. Time Wasted: When employees justify rather than verify information, it leads to delays in decision-making, rework and potential project failures. Time spent justifying inaccurate or incomplete information could otherwise be used for productive activities. According to studies by McKinsey and Harvard Business Review, the average worker spends around 20%–30% of their workweek on unproductive tasks. If justifying inaccurate information forms a portion of this time, it could amount to several hours lost each week per employee.
2. Cost of Errors: In industries like construction, healthcare and finance, where precision is critical, justifying incorrect information rather than verifying it can lead to significant errors, impacting budgets, timelines and safety. Research in sectors like construction and IT points out that rework can account for up to 5%–15% of total project costs, as noted in reports by Dodge Data & Analytics and the Project Management Institute (PMI).
3. Impact on Decision-Making: Poor decision-making based on unverified information can result in costly missteps. Delays caused by decisions made with justified but inaccurate data often require revisiting issues, incurring additional costs in labor, materials, or even penalties. Reports from consulting firms like PwC and Deloitte highlight the financial impact of poor decision-making due to incomplete or inaccurate data, which often leads to budget overruns and project delays.
4. Employee Morale and Turnover Costs: When mistakes due to unverified information come to light, it can affect team morale, leading to disengagement and higher turnover. This adds recruitment and training costs for new employees, which can average 50%–60% of an employee’s annual salary, according to HR studies from SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management). In some cases, this cost can be even higher depending on the role.

Reducing Time and Financial Losses in Construction through Verification

This collection of data, although based on industry-wide estimates and general research findings, reflects commonly accepted truths about workplace productivity, project management and error costs. Addressing these inefficiencies can significantly reduce time and financial losses.

As the lead executive of my company working daily with leading executives in construction management, discussions often take place regarding relational challenges due to an employee justifying their behavior or actions and sharing backstories to explain, further exasperating the situation instead of providing solutions to correct and move forward with verification. Most executives at that point will then see if this is a pattern with the employee to justify, or did that employee now learn a valuable lesson that backup data is critical to their and the business’s success?

Reasons for Verifying versus Justifying Information in Construction

When deciding whether you should verify information beyond simply ensuring it is real and correct, here are justifications for verification:

• Real: Verifying confirms that the information is based on actual facts, data or events, ensuring it is not fabricated or misleading.
• Correct: Verifying ensures the accuracy of the information and that it is free from errors or inaccuracies.
• Credibility: Verifying builds trust in the accuracy of your information, especially if others rely on it.
• Accountability: Verifying ensures that any information shared holds up under scrutiny and minimizes the risk of mistakes or misinformation.
• Consistency: Verifying ensures the information aligns with previously established facts or standards.
• Risk Mitigation: Verifying reduces potential risks or consequences of acting on incorrect information, especially in high-stakes decisions.
• Transparency: Verifying shows a commitment to openness and clarity, which is essential in professional settings.
• Compliance: Verifying is often necessary to meet legal or regulatory requirements, ensuring adherence to rules.
• Reputation: Frequent verification helps protect your professional and personal reputation by preventing the spread of inaccurate information.
• Continuous Improvement: Verification can highlight areas for improvement or development by exposing gaps in knowledge or processes.

Here are three top areas in construction where I commonly see relationship breakdowns, along with their justifications:

1. Hearsay: One of the biggest relationship breakdowns occurs when managers or employers hear something negative about an employee, consultant or vendor from a third party and don’t take the time to verify with the individual being spoken about. This leads to misplaced trust and resentment. Often, the person reporting the issue frames the situation in their favor, leaving the one being discussed without a fair opportunity to provide their perspective. This lack of direct verification erodes trust and fairness.
2. Project Selection: Another common issue arises when companies justify signing contracts for projects that fall outside their “Go/No-Go” criteria, often with reasons like, “It will get our foot in the door for bigger projects,” or, “We’ll take a loss now but make it up later.” Many also justify entering adversarial relationships, thinking they can manage the client or owner’s rep better in the future. However, without proper verification and planning, such decisions often lead to project losses and failure. A Go/No-Go process is a critical verification tool to avoid this mistake. (Learn more at floridaconstructionconnection.com/go-no-go).
3. Insubordinate Behavior: Many executives justify keeping uncoachable or untrainable individuals on the team due to their technical expertise or personal connections, such as nepotism or friendships. They excuse the person’s poor behavior because of their perceived technical value or connections, but this justification causes ongoing issues within the team. Failing to address and correct such behavior leads to greater dysfunction and resentment over time.

In closing, while artificial intelligence and avatars are becoming increasingly common in and out of the workplace, studies consistently show that the most productive, happy and profitable workplaces are those driven by the right people. When it comes to leading a business or project and maintaining jobs, the key to success lies in refining your processes, understanding the “why” behind them, and setting clear expectations for both culture and performance. The better you and your team become at following these principles, the less room there is for justifying poor decisions over verifying the right ones. If you need a guide for your construction management career, call or text us at 305-361-0094.

To Your Verified Success,

Suzanne Breistol