Have you ever stopped to think about what you’re actually paying your team to do?
Let’s say you’re paying an admin to type data into a computer. Seems simple enough, right? But here’s the kicker, if the only thing that admin is doing is punching keys, you’re wasting your money. What you’re really paying for is accuracy. You’re paying for the right contact information to be in the right place at the right time so your team can serve a customer without dropping the ball.
Same goes for your field crew. You’re not paying a Journeyman Ironworker just to “connect steel.” You’re paying them to help erect a building to spec, meet quality standards, and deliver a safe, finished structure on time. This is the critical difference between activities and construction job responsibilities.
Shifting how you think about this can make your whole operation more profitable, more effective, and much less stressful.
The Difference Between Activities and Responsibilities
Simply put, activities are what someone does and responsibilities are the outcome.
When people understand what they’re responsible for and the activities they need to do to accomplish it, they’ll be more profitable, more engaged, and less stressed.
Take a Journeyman Ironworker, for example. Here’s how the breakdown looks when you stop thinking about what they’re doing and start thinking about what they’re delivering:
- Core Responsibility: Erect structural and miscellaneous steel.
- Activity: Connect steel using bolts or welds.
- Responsibility: Ensure job site safety policies and procedures are followed.
- Activity: Conduct daily inspections and participate in safety talks.
- Responsibility: Interpret and execute plans accurately.
- Activity: Mark steel placement and welding locations and cross-check dimensions.
- Responsibility: Support and mentor apprentices and new team members.
- Activity: Answer questions without judgment to support growth without frustration.
If your team only understands their activities, they’ll keep busy, but they may never hit the mark. But when they know their construction job responsibilities, they get the “why” behind the work, and that clarity is where everything changes.
What you’re really paying the Journeyman Ironworker to do is be part of erecting the building to the specifications of a client while following quality control standards.
Why You Should Define Job Responsibilities for Every Role
When your team understands what they’re responsible for, they:
- Make smarter decisions.
- Take more ownership.
- Solve problems without waiting on you.
- Reduce rework and miscommunication.
- Become more invested in the outcome.
Take your Estimator, for example. If you’ve got someone submitting 20 bids a week, that might look productive. But if none of those jobs are profitable or within your capabilities, what are you actually getting?
Afterall, you’re not paying an Estimator to “write estimates.” You’re paying them to win profitable work. That’s the responsibility. Activities like gathering quotes or using estimating software support that goal, but the outcome is what moves the needle for your business.
How to Shift Your Team’s Thinking from Tasks to Outcomes
Making this shift doesn’t mean tossing your existing job descriptions. It means rewriting them with clear construction job responsibilities at the top and listing the supporting activities underneath.
Here’s how to do it:
- Start with the outcome. What are you really paying this role to deliver?
- Define the core responsibilities. These should be outcome-based.
- List the supporting activities. What does someone have to do to make sure the responsibility gets done?
- Communicate the difference to your team. Train them to see the bigger picture.
- Hold them accountable. Focus on the outcome, not the busy work.
Stop Hiring for Tasks, Start Hiring for Impact
If you’re wondering why you’re constantly putting out fires, fixing mistakes, or micromanaging your team, chances are you’re hiring for activities, not responsibilities.
Every construction company needs to build their roles around clear, outcome-based construction job responsibilities. Because when your people know what they’re really there to do, they’ll deliver results you can count on.
At Core Matters, we offer customizable Role Packages designed to take the guesswork out of hiring and onboarding. Whether you need support for one position or several, you can choose the roles that matter most to your business. Each package includes clearly defined responsibilities, outcome-driven job descriptions, and tools to help your team hire with confidence and clarity. Let us help you build a crew that owns their role and delivers results.
