In the landscaping industry, efficiency is the name of the game. Most business owners and managers are well aware that estimated vs. actual efficiency is one of the key metrics that drive profit margins. However, there’s a critical flaw in relying solely on this metric—by the time you see how well a project performed, it’s already too late to make improvements.
So, what can you do to get ahead of the game? The answer lies in focusing on scheduled vs. actual efficiency instead.
Why Estimated vs. Actual Efficiency Isn’t Enough
Many companies focus on estimated vs. actual efficiency because it directly impacts profit. After all, if your crews finish a job faster than estimated, you increase profitability. But this is a backward-looking metric. It’s reactive, not proactive. By the time you’re analyzing the numbers, the opportunity to make adjustments has already passed.
The real power lies in scheduled vs. actual efficiency—a forward-thinking metric that allows you to set your crews up for success before they even arrive on site. When you start scheduling hours more intentionally and measuring scheduled vs. actual performance, you gain the ability to influence your estimated vs. actual efficiency before the project ends.
How Scheduling Impacts Efficiency
At the core of any landscaping business is your crew. And while it might seem obvious, it’s worth stating: crews generally do what is expected of them. That means if you’re not giving them a clear schedule with the right number of hours, they’re left to guess or work inefficiently.
Here’s where things often go wrong. If you’re not intentional with your scheduling and simply set a blanket number of hours without considering the job’s specifics, it’s highly likely your actual hours will not align with what was scheduled. This leads to overstaffing, understaffing, or wasted time, all of which hurt your bottom line.
But when you take a more strategic approach to scheduling, you can proactively set your teams up for success. By focusing on the right number of hours, you can ensure crews have just enough time to complete the job without overshooting estimates.
BomData: Helping You Schedule for Success
One of BomData’s key features is its ability to highlight exactly where your scheduled vs. actual efficiency went off track. The platform provides insights into how your crews are performing against their schedules, allowing you to see exactly where things didn’t match up. Whether it’s overstaffing, underscheduling, or hours not being met, BomData makes it easy to identify inefficiencies and adjust accordingly.
With BomData, you’re not just reacting to the past. You’re actively shaping the future. By continuously refining your schedules and monitoring crew performance, you can take control of your estimated vs. actual efficiency before it’s too late.
Why Focus on Scheduling?
When you prioritize scheduled vs. actual efficiency, you’re not just measuring results—you’re driving them. By scheduling intentionally and tracking performance closely, you give your crews the structure they need to work efficiently, which in turn improves your overall profit margins.
Key Takeaways:
- Estimated vs. actual efficiency is important, but it’s a backward-looking metric.
- Focusing on scheduled vs. actual efficiency gives you the chance to improve performance before it’s too late.
- Your crews want to do what is expected of them — make sure you’re scheduling the right number of hours for each job.
- BomData highlights scheduling inefficiencies and gives you the insights you need to improve.
Start scheduling more intentionally today, and watch as your efficiency and profitability skyrocket.
Get started with BomData now and schedule a free demo at BomData.io.