Hitesh Tharwani

Hitesh Tharwani

Construction Manager
Civil, L&T Buildings and Factories Division
L&T Construction
PGEMP 96

How to Improve Project Management in India

Publication: Construction World | Date: June 19, 2025

Project management has become a critical enabler of India’s infrastructure and industrial growth. Effective project execution will be central to supporting India’s ambition to expand capital stock and sustain long-term economic growth. However, project delivery continues to face structural challenges. Acute shortages of skilled construction labour and high workforce turnover remain major bottlenecks, delaying timelines, inflating costs, and eroding profitability. These challenges are compounded by heavy reliance on subcontracted labour, limited skill development, and weak workforce engagement, all of which affect productivity and quality. To overcome these constraints, leading organisations are strengthening workforce practices, leveraging digital tools, and improving labour engagement—balancing productivity, project certainty, and ESG priorities.

Key insights for practitioners:

  • Strengthen vendor and subcontractor partnerships: Treat subcontractors as strategic partners by improving grievance redressal, administrative processes, and timely payments, which can enhance subcontractor loyalty and workforce continuity.
  • Invest in continuous skill development: Implement structured training programmes to upgrade worker skills, which boosts productivity and raises the return on labour employed (ROLE) while reducing turnover.
  • Improve worker wellbeing and retention: Enhance housing, food, and safety infrastructure, and align safety training with ESG goals to help reduce workforce attrition and improve morale.
  • Adopt digital workforce and resource management tools: Use digital platforms to monitor attendance, productivity, and resource deployment, while applying AI and analytics for demand forecasting and optimal allocation.
  • Reduce workforce turnover ratios: Target turnover improvements (e.g., from ~5–6 exits per new joiner toward 1–2) through retention incentives and better direct engagement, stabilising project execution.

Looking ahead, improving project management effectiveness will not only accelerate project delivery but also enhance operational excellence, profitability, and worker satisfaction — positioning India’s construction and infrastructure sectors for sustainable, long-term growth.

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