January is one of the most important periods in a development cycle, yet it is often underestimated. While projects may slowly resume after the Christmas shutdown, the decisions made in the first few weeks quietly set the stage for timelines, costs, marketing success, and overall delivery confidence for the year ahead.
At 756Group Pty Ltd, we see that developers who treat early January as a time to plan, align and set direction, rather than a gradual restart, are better positioned to stay in control and make confident decisions as the year unfolds. Clear priorities, structured communication and early action make a measurable difference.
By working through these five key steps, we can help you navigate the start of the year with confidence, keeping your project on track and setting it up for a successful year ahead.
Confirm Your Priorities for the Next 3 Months
Before re-engaging consultants or moving projects forward, it’s crucial to define the most important outcomes for the next three months. This includes confirming planning and approval milestones, identifying key design decisions, reviewing procurement or builder engagement requirements, aligning funding or investor timeframes, and adjusting contingencies to account for realistic timelines. Early clarity ensures that the team focuses on activities that genuinely advance the project while also reducing the risk of surprises later in the year.
Re-Engage Consultants with Clear Direction
Once priorities are established the next step is to bring the consultant team together with clear guidance. January is the perfect time to reconfirm scopes and deliverables, set expectations for response times, re-establish communication protocols and platforms, and clarify decision-making responsibilities. Doing this early not only sets accountability standards but also ensures smoother coordination, avoiding delays caused by misunderstandings or assumptions.
Confirm Approval Pathways and Timing
With consultants aligned, developers should confirm the status of approvals and authority processes that may have paused over the shutdown. This means checking the current status of planning applications, understanding updated assessment timeframes, anticipating likely information requests, and aligning internal decision-making with authority requirements. Addressing approvals in early January removes uncertainty, keeps timelines realistic, and reduces the risk of unexpected delays affecting the broader scope of works.
Align Construction, Procurement, and Marketing Strategy
As design and approvals become clearer, focus should shift to project delivery and market positioning. Early January is the ideal time to review procurement and tender strategies, engage with builders or key trades, confirm construction sequencing, and test current market conditions and capacity. This is also the perfect opportunity to revisit marketing goals, ensuring that project positioning aligns with current buyer expectations, anticipated market trends, and planned sales or leasing timelines. Aligning construction, procurement, and marketing early allows potential risks to be managed proactively rather than reactively.
Establish a Clear Communication Rhythm
Finally, developers should set out how information will flow throughout the year. This includes confirming reporting formats and frequency, establishing regular meetings and key touchpoints. It is also imperative to define escalation pathways, confirm approval processes, and ensure all teams know which communication platforms will be used on a consistent basis. A strong communication rhythm supports faster decision making, reduces confusion, and builds confidence among all stakeholders, including consultants, contractors, and investors.
Start your year with Clarity and Control.
January is not about rushing, it is about setting the right foundations. Developers who define clear priorities, account for realistic timelines, revisit marketing strategy, and commit to structured communication are far better positioned to manage risk, maintain momentum, and achieve success throughout the year.
At 756Group Pty Ltd, we’re by your side to help navigate the start of the year, helping you turn early-year clarity into smooth, consistent project progress. With our support, planning, and transparent communication, you can move forward with confidence and direction, setting your project up for a strong and successful 2026.
