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Scaling Up Without Losing What Matters
A fast-growing builder relying on fragile, undocumented systems one resignation away from chaos.
INDUSTRY
Construction
A fast-scaling builder still working off handwritten site forms, scattered payroll hacks, and undocumented system knowledge. The diagnostic revealed fragility hiding behind growth and a single resignation away from chaos.
Challenges
This construction company was growing fast, with an ambitious plan to triple revenue, but its systems and internal knowledge were lagging behind. Everything from H&S forms to subcontractor payments was spread across email chains, handwritten notes, and a mix of on-site and home-administered documents. Payroll was correct, but the process to get there was exhausting and manually patched across departments.
Critically, the Director responsible for innovation and quality, the only person who knew how multiple systems held together, was due to leave. Nothing was documented. No cross-team training had occurred. Strategic risk was growing with every tender.
Challenges and Objectives
{ 1 } What We Did:
360 Strategy applied the Edge Strategy to map out internal capability, structural risks, and missed AI enablers. We conducted full operational walkthroughs across sites, offices, and leadership functions. Interviews with field teams revealed H&S checklists being filled in with pen, scanned into email, and manually collated for compliance. Critical records were stored in vans, kitchen tables, and personal folders. At every level, team members were making it work, but at a hidden cost to quality, resilience, and growth-readiness.
{ 2 } The Risk Ahead:
Health & Safety checklists were being filled out by hand, scanned, and emailed — then manually compiled for compliance. Critical records were stored in vans, kitchen tables, or personal folders. Teams were doing their best to keep things moving, but this patchwork approach came at the cost of quality, resilience, and readiness for growth.
Recommendations
{ 01 }
Establish a real-time reporting and dashboard layer in Power BI across HR, project, and cost data
Leverage horizon scanning and PESTLE insights to identify emerging opportunities like eco-conscious strategies and digital innovation for a future-ready business model.
{ 02 }
Deploy Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) to digitise compliance and onboarding
Strengthen competitive positioning with a focus on customer loyalty, unique offerings, and cultural relevance in saturated markets.
{ 03 }
Build a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with a local university to support change
Create a seamless customer journey by merging digital and physical experiences, driving growth through exclusive online collections.
{ 04 }
Develop a board KPI for succession risk and documentation discipline
Empower leaders to embrace agility and innovation, ensuring sustained growth in evolving market conditions.
{ 05 }
Use AI to support bid margin modelling and project resourcing forecasts
Balanced scorecards ensured data-driven decisions and team accountability toward strategic priorities.
Impact
The diagnostic gave the board a clear roadmap for protecting operational resilience, digitising institutional knowledge, and aligning technology with growth. Implementation was not pursued, but the report is now embedded in board strategy.
30-40%
Administrative Duplication
25%
Of office team hours
