Railway management tycoon Alfred Edward Perlman said, “After you’ve done a thing the same way for two years, look it over carefully. After five years, look at it with suspicion. And after 10 years, throw it away and start all over” (New York Times, 3 July 1958).

Although Perlman, former president of New York Central, was talking about the rail transit industry, his counsel applies to all industries, and particularly, construction. Ask yourself:
* How long have we been doing business in its current manner? Are we duplicating work processes? If so, why?
* Which current practices are effective? Which ones are not?
* Do we use technology to help further the business or does it hinder work processes? If it hinders production, what needs to change?
* Are we using old technology, why? Are we afraid to learn new skills? Or, is it an investment issue? Will the newer technology improve business practices?

This month’s issue of Construction Project Controls helps call attention to some of these areas where you could make improvements. And sometimes, the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy does work best. After all, “All change is not growth, as all movement is not forward,” said Pulitzer Prize novelist Ellen Glasgow.