September 2024 - Page 5 of 11 - Elevate Constructionist

What Is A Look-Ahead Plan In Construction?

Posted on September 23, 2024October 16, 2024 by Danny Jiménez⁩

Read 9 min

Let’s jump straight into the concept of the look-ahead system. As you may already know, the Last Planner System is driven by the master schedule, which sets the project’s duration and milestones. From there, we have the pull plan, which is a collaborative effort with the trades to sequence these milestones efficiently. This collaborative process ensures proper buy-in, duration, and sequencing.

The look-ahead plan, which we’ll focus on in this blog, is the key to making your weekly work plan actionable. It essentially “makes work ready” by helping you identify potential roadblocks and constraints. If you’re not familiar with weekly work planning, don’t worry — we’ll provide a link to more detailed resources at the end.

In addition, we have the daily plan, another essential part of the Last Planner System. This daily plan maps out the specific tasks for each day, which is tracked through the Percent Plan Complete (PPC) metric. These plans fit into a broader meeting structure that keeps the entire team aligned and ready to execute efficiently.

How to Implement the Last Planner System

Typically, the project team will review the master schedule during weekly tactical or procurement meetings, making necessary adjustments based on the team’s input. These discussions ensure that the entire team, especially the trade partners, is aligned and committed to the upcoming tasks.

For example, one effective method is using an afternoon huddle where teams discuss the next day’s plan. This routine, from the overall project plan to the look-ahead and weekly work plan, allows for a smooth flow of information, enabling teams to plan, execute, and communicate tasks clearly. This structure fosters collaboration, respect, and commitment — the cornerstones of a successful Last Planner System.

Creating a Look-Ahead Plan Using the Takt Planning Format

Often, teams will rely on a CPM (Critical Path Method) schedule to set milestones and sequences. However, these schedules are not always vertically aligned, which can lead to inefficient planning. In contrast, a more effective approach is to use a Takt Planning Format, where a project is broken down into zones.

By focusing on one zone at a time and conducting a pull plan, teams can commit to specific durations and sequences. These individual pull plans stack on top of each other, creating a cohesive Takt plan that ensures smooth trade flow and workflow. Once established, this system will allow you to filter out a six-week look-ahead plan, ensuring all tasks are aligned and properly sequenced.

How to Format a Look-Ahead Plan in Construction

Now, let’s talk about the format of a look-ahead plan. Typically, a six-week time frame is ideal. You’ll have your Monday through Friday schedule for each week, and it’s essential not to include weekends to avoid clutter and false expectations.

Your plan should include specific activities organized by phases, areas, and zones. It may seem new to some, but this format allows for easy visualization of trade flow, the single most important flow in construction.

Using Look-Ahead Plans to Identify Roadblocks

The main objective of the look-ahead plan is to identify roadblocks and constraints. Every six weeks, as you look ahead at each activity, ask yourself: do I have the labor, materials, equipment, permissions, and layout I need? If the answer is yes, great! If not, you need to mark that activity as a roadblock or constraint. Roadblocks are temporary, while constraints may require workarounds. Identifying these issues early allows you time to solve them, ensuring a smoother workflow.

Helping Trade Partners Stay Prepared

A practical tip: during trade meetings, ask your partners to come up with at least three potential problems for each of their activities. Encourage them to think through every detail, from labor and materials to the 2D and 3D environment they’ll be working in. You can even provide a checklist to guide this process.

One innovative solution I’ve seen involves using color-coded cards for daily activities, where a red card signifies an area that needs attention. This simple visual aid can help teams stay proactive in addressing roadblocks before they become issues.

Key Elements of a Successful Look-Ahead Plan

Here are a few must-haves for any successful look-ahead plan:

Include all activities for the next six weeks, ensuring procurement is aligned with each task.
Mark roadblocks and constraints in red.
Plan for quality inspections, ensuring that the team is ready for each new scope of work.
Encourage collaboration and commitment from all trades. The plan should not be forced upon them but rather created with their input to ensure buy-in and realistic execution.

By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to stay ahead of potential issues, set clear expectations, and foster better collaboration among your trade partners.

If you want to learn more we have:

-Takt Virtual Training: (Click here)
-Check out our Youtube channel for more info: (Click here)
-Listen to the Elevate Construction podcast: (Click here)
-Check out our training programs and certifications: (Click here)
-The Takt Book: (Click here)

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

Meet Jason Schroeder, the driving force behind Elevate Construction IST. As the company’s owner and principal consultant, he’s dedicated to taking construction to new heights. With a wealth of industry experience, he’s crafted the Field Engineer Boot Camp and Superintendent Boot Camp – intensive training programs engineered to cultivate top-tier leaders capable of steering their teams towards success. Jason’s vision? To expand his training initiatives across the nation, empowering construction firms to soar to unprecedented levels of excellence.

On we go!

How To Estimate Time For A Project

Posted on September 23, 2024October 16, 2024 by Danny Jiménez⁩

Read 10 min

In this blog, I’ll walk you through the process of estimating time for a project effectively, using methods commonly practiced by builders. I’ll also share some key insights on how sketching plays a critical role in the planning process and provide tips to avoid the pitfalls that can undermine a project’s success. Let’s get started!

How I Learned to Estimate Time for a Project

Early in my career, I had the opportunity to sit down with a project executive who showed me the basics of project time estimation. He simply sketched a timeline, breaking down major milestones. For example, if mobilization took three weeks and the basement six weeks, he would draw a line representing each stage, ultimately reaching the target project completion date.

While this method provided a helpful visual, I soon learned that it often leads to underestimating the project’s duration. It lacks the depth needed for effective planning. However, sketching remains a valuable tool, and I’ll show you how to refine this approach to avoid such mistakes.

Studying Drawings to Estimate Time for a Project

When estimating project duration, I recommend starting with the drawings. Grab your drawing set and thoroughly review each page, noting key components that need to be included in the schedule. By doing this, you’ll develop a 3D mental image of how the building will come together.

Once you’ve reviewed the drawings, you’re ready to move on to the next phase: sketching.

Sketching the Phases of a Construction Project

Sketching the phases of a project is an art form that improves with practice. When you get familiar with this process, you’ll be able to create a macro-level plan that guides the entire project. If you’re new to this, or need further guidance, you can reach out in the comments or refer to additional resources, including recommended books on the subject.

Here’s how I approach it:

Identify a start date and, if you have one, the target completion date.
Break down the building by phase. For example, you might have phases for foundations, superstructure, interiors, exteriors, roof, and site work.
Sketch out each phase as a separate bar. For example, the foundation might have three zones, while the superstructure could have 12. This visual helps you see how each part of the project fits into the bigger picture.

This method is far more effective than simply drawing a single line, as it accounts for the complexity of the project, ensuring you won’t underestimate the time needed for each phase.

Why Sketching Phases is Key to Estimating Project Duration

By sketching the phases, you can better understand how different parts of the project interconnect. For instance, the superstructure might enable the interior work, while the roof may depend on other areas being completed first. Seeing these interdependencies allows you to create a realistic schedule, identify potential bottlenecks, and optimize sequencing.

Once the sketch is done, the next step is to input the phases into a tool like Excel, where you can begin adding details, such as trade sequences and timelines.

Creating Sequences for Trades

Once the sketch is ready, start coordinating with trade partners to create a sequence that fits within your schedule. For example, you may need to adjust the timeline based on how long it will take for exterior work on different sides of the building. Inputting this information into your master plan helps ensure everything is aligned and no phase gets delayed unnecessarily.

Reviewing the Overall Structure

After sketching the phases and reviewing the schedule, it’s time to collaborate with your project team. Consult with builders, project managers, and key stakeholders to ensure that the plan is solid. This is where you’ll catch potential issues, such as insufficient buffers or unrealistic expectations for overlapping phases.

Using Buffers and Zoning Strategies

One thing you’ll want to check is whether you’ve allocated enough buffers. If not, consider revisiting your zoning strategy. For example, if you’re working with five zones but falling behind schedule, expanding to nine zones may allow the work to progress faster without overwhelming trade partners.

What to Do After Estimating Time for a Project

Once you’ve completed your estimate, you’ll want to:

Identify potential risks to the timeline.
Compare your plan with previous projects to see if adjustments are needed. Did a similar project go over by three months? Use that as an anchor to adjust the current timeline or implement strategies to mitigate those risks.

Benefits of Properly Estimating Time for a Project

By following these steps, you’ll create a project plan that is realistic, achievable, and supported by the team. You’ll be able to confidently promise a completion date, knowing that you’ve accounted for risks, allocated enough time, and ensured proper coordination with trade partners. Most importantly, this method ensures you have the right budget and timeline in place, setting up your project for success from the start.

In conclusion, estimating time for a project requires careful planning, sketching, and collaboration. By taking the time to map out phases, interdependencies, and risks, you’ll be able to create a reliable schedule that helps your team deliver on time and within budget.

If you want to learn more we have:

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

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What Is Underground Utility Construction?

Posted on September 23, 2024September 23, 2024 by Danny Jiménez⁩

Read 9 min

In this blog, we will explore the concept of underground utility construction, discuss the process, share tips and tricks, and introduce lean methodologies that can improve efficiency and success in the field.

What Is Underground Utility Construction?

Underground utility construction involves the installation, repair, or upgrading of essential underground utilities such as water supply, wastewater collection, stormwater drainage, natural gas distribution, telecommunications, electricity distribution, and sometimes heating and cooling systems. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with numerous underground utility contractors, particularly excavating contractors. There is a standard process that works every time. In fact, if you’re interested, feel free to reach out to me, and I can provide a presentation or examples on how to excel in underground utility construction, whether you’re a civil contractor, grading contractor, or utility contractor.

Characteristics of the Best Underground Utility Contractors

The most successful underground utility contractors have certain characteristics in common:

Solid Business Systems: Many use EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) to keep their leadership teams aligned and committed to excellence.
Standard Processes: They have well-defined processes for dealing with common challenges.
Continuous Training: They ensure that their team is always learning and improving.
Field Walks: Monthly field walks help to ensure that everything is being implemented correctly.

These contractors typically achieve a gross profit margin of 15-30%. If you’re not seeing these numbers, it’s likely you’re missing out on some key strategies.

How to Plan & Design Installations for Underground Utilities

Effective planning and design are crucial for a successful project. Contractors need to:

Collaborate with designers on potholing, modeling, and routing.
Develop a high-level project plan, including scheduling, zone maps, and profiles.
Create logistics maps, grading drawings, and strategies for handling soil.

A comprehensive plan also includes a budget, risk/opportunity register, and procurement log for early ordering of necessary materials.

How to Present & Review Plans for Underground Utilities

Once the team has won the project, it’s essential to hold a “stand and deliver” or risk review meeting. This allows the project team to review the plan, schedule, zone maps, logistics plans, and procurement logs. This step ensures that potential problems are addressed early and that everyone is aligned.

Importance of Examining Soil Conditions

Before beginning, it’s critical to assess the soil conditions. This includes boring tests, test pits, and checking for potential dewatering issues. Soil quality directly impacts excavation success and can make or break a project. I recall a story about my great-grandfather, who worked in Southern California. He was called in to recover a project where miles of trench kept collapsing due to sandy soil. His solution was to work in smaller segments, backfilling and securing the trench each day, which prevented further collapses.

Important Reminders When Installing Underground Utilities

When installing utilities, use a quality checklist to ensure accuracy with elevations and fixtures. Double-check every step, particularly during compaction, to avoid costly rework later.

How to Check Connection & Integration

It’s important to test systems for leaks or other issues before backfilling or paving. Catching problems early can save significant time and resources later.

Developing a Testing & Inspection Process

The best contractors have crews with three essential tools:

Quality Checklists: Reviewed every morning.
Layout Sheets: Used to double-check inverts and elevations.
As-Built Records: Kept up to date to prevent rework.

Ensure you’re inspecting as you go and conducting pressure tests, flow checks, and line inspections.

Important Reminders for Backfilling

Backfilling should be done with the right materials and densities to prevent settlement or future issues. Ensure that your team is meeting all safety standards.

Importance of Ensuring Safety on the Project Site

Safety is always the top priority. A good underground utility contractor ensures a safe environment for workers through continuous training, mentoring, and field inspections.

Key Lean Concepts to Remember

To excel in underground utility construction, consider these lean principles:

One-Piece Flow: Focus on completing one section at a time rather than tackling multiple areas simultaneously.
Avoid Busyness: Don’t mistake activity for productivity. Efficiency is key.
Reduce Waste: Train your team to identify and eliminate waste.
Daily Improvements: Continuously look for ways to enhance productivity and minimize waste.

Final Thoughts

By following these guidelines—planning effectively, training your team, ensuring safety, and embracing lean concepts—you can achieve great success in underground utility construction.

If you want to learn more we have:

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What Is A Weekly Work Plan In Construction?

Posted on September 23, 2024September 23, 2024 by Danny Jiménez⁩

Read 8 min

A weekly work plan (WWP) in construction is a critical tool that helps manage tasks effectively and ensures smooth project execution. In this blog, we will explore what a weekly work plan is, how it ties into the broader construction planning system, and how to use it to avoid mistakes, save time, and achieve success.

How the Weekly Work Plan Fits into the Last Planner System

The weekly work plan is a vital part of the Last Planner System (LPS), which aims to enhance collaboration and commitment among all team members. The system consists of several key elements, starting with the master schedule, which outlines the project’s milestones and duration. Then comes the pull plan, designed to create a sequence of work that aligns with the trade partners’ input. Here’s a breakdown of how the different components work together:

Master Schedule: Identifies the project’s duration and milestones.
Pull Plan: Establishes a sequence for trade partners to agree on durations and task flow.
Look-Ahead: Provides a short-term view of upcoming tasks (to be covered in future blogs).
Weekly Work Plan (WWP): A collaboration tool where trades commit to specific tasks for the week.
Day Plan: Outlines daily tasks.
Percent Plan Complete (PPC): Tracks how well the team adheres to the plan.

The weekly work plan is the anchor for coordinating between trades and ensuring the project stays on schedule.

How to Create a Weekly Work Plan

The traditional way of creating a weekly work plan involves gathering input from trade partners on what activities need to be done, aggregating them, and reviewing the plan in a meeting. However, this approach has its challenges—foremen often spend hours crafting tasks from scratch, leading to inefficiencies. A better method is to integrate the tact production system, breaking the project into zones and sequencing tasks effectively. By adopting this system, you can filter your six-week look-ahead and weekly work plan directly from your tact phase, ensuring a smooth workflow that minimizes errors and delays. This structured approach reduces stress on foremen and fosters collaboration among trades.

How to Format a Weekly Work Plan

To ensure clarity and avoid confusion, it’s essential to follow a standardized format for your weekly work plan:

Time on Top: Each week’s timeline should be clearly visible at the top.
Location on the Side: Organize tasks by location to track where the work will occur.
Activities and Durations: Display activities with their respective timeframes, formatted as a Gantt chart or similar matrix.

By maintaining this time-by-location format, you ensure that the plan is easy to follow and that all trades are aware of what’s happening in specific areas of the project.

Optimizing Operations Using a Weekly Work Plan

The main goal of the weekly work plan is to identify and solve problems before they impact the project. Common issues include:

Trade Stacking: Multiple trades working in the same location simultaneously.
Burdening: Overloading a trade with too many tasks at once.
Missed Handoffs: Poor coordination between trades, leading to delays.

To prevent these problems, encourage open communication in weekly meetings. Set aside time for each trade to identify potential issues and collaborate on solutions. This ensures that tasks are executed smoothly, and problems are addressed proactively.

How to Calculate Percent Plan Complete (PPC)

The PPC metric is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of the weekly work plan. It measures how many planned activities were completed on time. To calculate it, use this simple formula:

PPC = (Completed Commitments ÷ Total Commitments) × 100

For example, if 8 out of 10 tasks were completed, your PPC is 80%. The goal is to maintain a PPC above 80% to ensure project success.

Conclusion

A well-structured weekly work plan, integrated into the Last Planner System, can significantly enhance your construction project’s efficiency. By aligning trade partners, optimizing workflows, and proactively solving problems, you’ll improve task flow and achieve a high PPC.

If you want to learn more we have:

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What Are 5 Good Communication Skills?

Posted on September 23, 2024September 23, 2024 by Danny Jiménez⁩

Read 6 min

In this blog, we’ll discuss the five essential communication skills that can elevate your career in construction and prevent you from making the same mistakes that others have faced. These skills are critical for anyone looking to improve collaboration and efficiency on a job site.

1. Active Listening

Active listening means truly hearing and understanding the other person, seeing things from their perspective without putting your own filters on the conversation. It’s about engaging fully in the communication process, responding thoughtfully, and connecting empathetically. When you listen without preempting your response, you’ll gain clarity, avoid misunderstandings, and foster better working relationships. A good listener shows empathy and makes the speaker feel understood, which is key to building trust on a construction site.

2. Clear and Concise Expression

In the construction industry, where time is of the essence, clear and concise communication is vital. You must articulate your point succinctly to maintain the attention of your team. Long-winded explanations or vague instructions can lead to confusion and mistakes. Speak clearly, project your voice, and avoid trailing off at the end of your sentences. Whether you’re in a meeting or briefing your crew on-site, ensure your message is delivered with authority and focus.

3. Empathy and Understanding

Empathy goes a long way in construction management. It’s not about experiencing someone else’s feelings but about believing in their reality. When your team feels listened to and understood, they are more likely to collaborate effectively. This doesn’t mean you always have to agree, but acknowledging someone’s feelings and validating their perspective helps in creating a harmonious work environment. Empathy helps in resolving conflicts and maintaining a productive atmosphere on the job site.

4. Non-Verbal Communication

Non-verbal cues, such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, play a significant role in communication. Negative body language can create barriers between you and your team. For instance, a stern or disapproving expression may make workers hesitant to approach you with issues or suggestions. Positive body language, on the other hand, encourages openness and collaboration. Use gestures, eye contact, and a welcoming demeanor to foster better team dynamics.

5. Adaptability in Communication

Everyone communicates differently—some are more visual, while others respond better to verbal or hands-on explanations. As a construction leader, it’s essential to adapt your communication style to suit your audience. Whether it’s explaining complex details to a visual learner with diagrams or giving concise verbal instructions to an auditory learner, adaptability ensures your message is received and understood.

If you want to learn more we have:

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How To Do Coordinate Geometry

Posted on September 23, 2024September 23, 2024 by Danny Jiménez⁩

Read 9 min

In this blog, we’ll explore the essentials of coordinate geometry and why it’s a crucial skill in your construction career. Understanding coordinate geometry frames a strong mindset that will set you up for success. We’ll break down key concepts that will help you use it effectively on job sites.

Advantages of Learning Coordinate Geometry

Understanding coordinate geometry is essential because it helps you visualize project sites from a technical standpoint. As we piece together components on a job site, the ability to manage them spatially is vital. This knowledge helps to conceptualize how different elements fit together in 3D space and ensures everything aligns perfectly. In construction, we’re not just dealing with 3D visualization (X, Y, and Z axes) but also the concept of time (T), forming a four-dimensional approach to project planning. This mindset enhances your ability to plan schedules, visualize spatial relationships, and avoid potential issues on-site.

The Basis of Coordinate Geometry

At its core, coordinate geometry revolves around a central origin point (0,0). Construction sites use three key dimensions: X (easting), Y (northing), and Z (elevation). These coordinates help pinpoint the precise location of every element on a site, from buildings to individual components.

How to Map Coordinates on a Plane

Coordinates are mapped on a 2D plane with X and Y axes. For example, the coordinate (2,3) means moving two units along the X-axis and three units along the Y-axis. When adding elevation, the coordinate (2,3,1) indicates the third value as the elevation in a 3D plane. Everything on a construction site has a coordinate, whether it’s a corner of a building or a specific point for installation. Knowing these coordinates ensures accurate placement and alignment of structures.

Importance of Knowing the Coordinates for a Building

In construction, the coordinates for a building play a vital role in positioning it correctly within a region or state. In the U.S., we use state plane coordinates to reference all buildings and benchmarks. These coordinates help ensure that buildings align correctly within their environment, avoiding misalignments or conflicts with nearby structures.

How to Apply Coordinate Geometry on a Project Site

When dealing with MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) trades or other contractors on-site, it’s crucial to use accurate coordinates to place components like unistrut or inserts. To do this, you’ll often create a site-specific coordinate system that aligns with the project’s overall layout. This system ensures all contractors can work from the same set of coordinates, preventing misalignments and errors.

How to Label Coordinates Based on Different Quadrants

The coordinate system is divided into four quadrants. The positive or negative values of X and Y depend on which quadrant you’re working in:

Quadrant 1: Positive X, Positive Y
Quadrant 2: Negative X, Positive Y
Quadrant 3: Negative X, Negative Y
Quadrant 4: Positive X, Negative Y

It’s essential to correctly label coordinates based on their quadrant to ensure accuracy.

Key Formulas in Coordinate Geometry

Distance Formula To calculate the distance between two points, use the following formula: $Distance=(x2−x1)2+(y2−y1)2\text{Distance} = \sqrt{(x_2 – x_1)^2 + (y_2 – y_1)^2}$ This formula helps determine the distance between any two points in space.
Azimuth Formula (Direction of a Line) To find the direction of a line, you can calculate the azimuth by using: $Azimuth=arctan⁡(x2−x1y2−y1)\text{Azimuth} = \arctan\left(\frac{x_2 – x_1}{y_2 – y_1}\right)$ This helps you identify the angle between two points relative to the Y-axis.
Latitude & Departure If you know the distance and azimuth between two points but need the new coordinates, calculate:
- Latitude: Distance × Cosine of Azimuth
- Departure: Distance × Sine of Azimuth

These formulas allow you to find new coordinates and navigate a site effectively.

Overview of Basic Coordinate Geometry

Coordinate geometry gives you a powerful tool to visualize and manage a project site. Whether setting up a site-specific coordinate system, calculating distances, or finding new coordinates, these skills are essential for any construction professional. Understanding these concepts will not only help you manage your site more efficiently but also enable you to work seamlessly with trade partners and contractors. With practice, you’ll develop the mindset of a builder, capable of visualizing projects in 3D and ensuring everything fits together perfectly.

If you want to learn more we have:

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What Does A3 Stand For In Lean?

Posted on September 21, 2024September 21, 2024 by Danny Jiménez⁩

Read 8 min

In this blog, we’ll dive deep into understanding what A3 stands for in Lean methodology. Rather than getting too hung up on the format, let’s focus on the concept behind it. I’m confident that by the end of this post, you’ll feel comfortable with A3 and how it works.

What is A3 and Where Can You Use It?

In Lean methodology, an A3 refers to a specific problem-solving and communication tool, named after the ISO 216 standard paper size, commonly known as A3. The core idea is that all relevant information is summarized on a single page. While it’s possible to see A3 documents with multiple pages, the intent is usually to condense everything into one visual document. Lean tools, processes, and systems are designed to be “seeing systems”—their goal is to allow everyone to see, know, and act together. The A3 is no different. It enables problem-solving and clear communication on one sheet. Whether you’re facing a complex problem, pursuing a strategic goal, or even considering large-scale changes, the A3 format can help you organize and present your thoughts effectively.

Key Components of an A3

Let’s break down the essential components of an A3:

Problem Statement: This is usually positioned on the top left. The problem statement clearly defines the issue at hand so that there’s no confusion about what the team is trying to address. A well-articulated problem ensures that the right solutions are proposed.
Current State Analysis: This section provides context. It describes the conditions as they currently are, supported by data. It answers the questions: What is happening right now? What led to this problem? Understanding the current state is essential before proposing any solutions.
Goal Statement: After defining the problem and current state, the goal statement outlines what a successful outcome would look like. This is where you define the conditions of satisfaction. What will a positive resolution entail? What would “winning” look like?
Root Cause Analysis: In most cases, you’ll use the “Five Whys” method to dig deep and identify the contributing factors to the problem. Keep asking “why” until you uncover the root cause.
Proposed Countermeasures: Here’s where you get to suggest possible solutions or countermeasures to address the root cause. I recommend listing multiple options with their associated costs, schedules, and benefits. This allows the team to weigh different solutions before deciding on the best course of action.
Plan of Action: After evaluating countermeasures, the team will decide on a plan of action. This plan should directly address the root cause and include specific steps to implement the chosen solution.
Follow-up and Evaluation: In this section, you’ll describe how you’ll measure the success of your solution. What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or other metrics that will show whether the plan is working?
Reflection and Learning: Finally, every A3 process should include a reflection on what was learned. There’s always room for improvement, and reflecting on the process helps the team get better at problem-solving over time.

Where and How to Use A3 in Construction

A3s are incredibly versatile and can be used in various ways within Lean construction:

Evaluating Process Problems: A3s are often used to analyze and solve problems in processes or systems.
Integrated Project Delivery (IPD): A3s are useful tools for group decision-making during design and construction, ensuring that key stakeholders can see the problem and proposed solutions on one page.
Business Decisions: A3s are great for strategic planning and complex business decisions.
Project Sites: Use A3s on construction sites to visualize and solve complex issues more quickly with the team.

A3s are also effective for scheduling, with Lean tools like Takt planning and the Last Planner system functioning like an A3 for scheduling.

If you want to learn more we have:

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What Does A Field Engineer Do?

Posted on September 21, 2024September 21, 2024 by Danny Jiménez⁩

Read 8 min

In this blog, I’ll explain the crucial duties of a field engineer, their mindset, main responsibilities, and how to succeed in the role. This is a topic I love! Every construction project, in every company around the world, should have field engineers. While we often see project engineers handling the office side of things, it’s the field engineers who truly enable the craft in the field. If I ever found myself back in the construction industry, I wouldn’t take on a job or work at a company that didn’t have field engineers. Their role is vital to the systematic training of future superintendents and the development of a builder mindset across all teams. Even if your company doesn’t currently have this role, there’s still time to create a culture and program that will nurture and train future leaders. Let’s dive into what field engineers do and why they’re so important.

What Field Engineers Focus On

Unlike project managers or engineers who focus on “what,” “why,” “how,” and “when,” the field engineer’s focus is on “where.” They determine where critical components like embankments, walls, reinforcing structures, and building gridlines go. Without a field engineer, companies can lose hundreds of thousands of dollars due to mistakes in location and quality control.

The Role of Field Engineers in Construction

The primary role of field engineers is to train future superintendents. Their number one skill? Figuring things out. Many current superintendents struggle with technology, understanding plans, and adopting new methodologies like Lean Construction. Field engineers, however, excel at learning, adapting, and solving problems. Field engineers also serve to enable the craft. When field engineers collaborate with craft workers—doing layouts, checks, and placements together—it forms a deep connection. This experience ensures that future superintendents respect the craft workers throughout their careers.

Field Engineers Are the Honey Badgers of Construction

Field engineers are fearless. They’re like honey badgers—bold and determined, getting things done no matter the challenge. They embrace the grind, solve problems, and do what it takes to support their craft. This mindset allows them to execute their duties with confidence and determination.

Learning Construction as a Field Engineer

To succeed, field engineers must learn construction as fast as possible. They’re responsible for frontline safety, ensuring safety plans are executed in the field. Field engineers are the “boots on the ground,” enforcing safety protocols and holding the line on quality.

Quality Control and Layout

Field engineers are integral to maintaining quality. They participate in pre-construction meetings, create quality checklists, and conduct thorough inspections. They are also responsible for layout and control, ensuring proper placement and elevations in a building. Field engineers visualize and coordinate the work in 3D, which becomes invaluable when they transition to roles as superintendents.

Creating Lift Drawings and Solving Problems

Field engineers are responsible for creating “lift drawings” to coordinate complex installations like electrical, structural, and equipment layouts. This process helps them spot potential problems early, reducing errors and delays. Moreover, field engineers act as problem solvers. They handle technical issues, respond to RFIs (requests for information), and review submittals. They are a valuable resource for the project team, alleviating the burden on superintendents by solving problems before they escalate.

Supporting Superintendents and Office Duties

Field engineers also assist with various office duties, from preparing reports to reviewing submittals and even helping with subcontractor payments. Their support extends to field crews, ensuring everything runs smoothly on-site.

The Importance of Field Engineers in Construction

The role of field engineers is crucial for growing the next generation of superintendents. You can’t expect to have superintendents without field engineers to nurture and develop them. If you want to grow your construction team, you must invest in field engineers. They are the future of successful, sustainable construction projects. In the resources section below, you’ll find links to a podcast series that dives even deeper into this topic. I hope this blog helps you understand the importance of field engineers and inspires you to integrate them into your construction projects.

If you want to learn more we have:

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Is Project Manager A Leadership Role?

Posted on September 20, 2024September 20, 2024 by Danny Jiménez⁩

Read 12 min

In this blog, I’m going to make the case that project management is more than just managing tasks and schedules—it’s a leadership role. The word “manager” might confuse some, but make no mistake: project managers are leaders. I’ll explain why this role qualifies as a leadership position and explore how a project manager can go beyond traditional management to truly lead teams and projects to success. Let’s dive in!

The Reality of Being a Project Manager

A project manager’s job isn’t just about handling logistics, resources, and deadlines. While those are important, they only cover the management aspect of the role. The real power of a project manager lies in leading people—motivating, inspiring, and guiding them to success. Leadership is about creating a shared vision, solving problems, and bringing out the best in your team. Here are several reasons why project managers are leaders.

How Project Managers Lead in Strategic Planning & Execution

While the execution of a plan might be a management task, the creation of a strategic plan is a leadership endeavor. A project manager doesn’t just sit back and assign tasks—they guide the planning process. This often involves collaborating with clients, design teams, consultants, trade partners, and internal teams to come up with a clear and actionable strategy.

Leadership in this context is about getting people on board with a vision and ensuring they are committed to the plan. You don’t manage your way to a strategic plan; you lead people to create one as a team.

Team Leadership in Action

A project manager’s leadership doesn’t stop with the plan—it extends to building and maintaining the team. This involves hiring, training, and promoting the right people, but also managing the soft skills like conflict resolution, team-building, and goal-setting. A good project manager understands that the first step to success is getting the right team in place and fostering an environment of trust and collaboration.

Leading a team means being a connector, someone who resolves conflicts, helps set shared goals, and holds the team accountable. It takes strong leadership to unite a team and ensure they work seamlessly together toward project success.

How Project Managers Lead in Decision Making

Decision-making isn’t simply about choosing a direction—it’s about involving the team in the process. A great project manager leads by gathering input, facilitating discussions, and helping the team weigh the pros and cons of various options. It requires active listening, which is key to understanding different perspectives and arriving at a decision that everyone supports.

This type of leadership is collaborative and people-centered. It’s not about dictating; it’s about rallying the team around the best possible outcome, which is what true leaders do.

Effective Communication is Leadership

Leaders are masters of communication, and project managers need to be just that. Good communication is more than sending emails or memos—it’s about creating clarity and inspiration. Leadership in communication means reinforcing key messages, ensuring everyone understands their roles, and keeping the team motivated even when times get tough.

Whether it’s onboarding a new partner or keeping the team’s morale high during difficult phases, a project manager must communicate clearly and consistently. This takes leadership, not just management.

Leading Through Resource Management

Managing resources might sound like a task for a manager, but true leadership comes into play when a project manager fights for the resources their team needs to succeed. It’s not just about working within the budget or sticking to schedules—it’s about having the bravery and commitment to ensure the team is well-equipped, even when that requires difficult decisions or pushback from higher-ups.

Leaders go beyond just managing the logistics—they stand up for their team, ensuring they have everything they need to succeed.

How Project Managers Lead in Quality Control

Quality control is another area where leadership plays a key role. A project manager must lead the team through important preparation processes, such as preconstruction meetings and inspections, even when others might be resistant. It takes strong leadership to ensure that quality is upheld at every stage of the project.

A project manager leads by holding the team accountable for maintaining quality standards, pushing through the difficult but necessary steps to ensure excellence.

Client Relations Require Leadership

Strong client relationships are critical to project success, and managing these relationships requires leadership. A project manager who leads will always be transparent, honest, and proactive in their communication with clients. They don’t shy away from tough conversations or hide behind excuses. Instead, they build trust through real relationships and hard-earned credibility.

Leading the client relationship means being brave enough to have difficult discussions, ask the right questions, and maintain transparency throughout the project.

Leadership in Safety

Safety is a top priority on any project, and it requires strong leadership to ensure it remains the focus. A project manager who leads by example will set the tone for safety, holding the team to high standards and maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for safety risks.

When a project manager leads in safety, the team follows, and the result is a safer, more effective project.

Leading in Negotiation & Conflict Resolution

Great project managers are leaders in negotiation and conflict resolution. Instead of looking for shortcuts or fake solutions, they work hard to find win-win scenarios that benefit everyone involved. It’s about empathy, vision, and a commitment to doing what’s best for the project and the team.

Leadership in these moments isn’t about getting the easiest solution but finding the right one—something that benefits all parties and creates long-term success.

Final Thoughts: Why Project Management is a Leadership Role

So, is project management a leadership role? Absolutely. A project manager needs to be more than just a task master—they need to be a leader. Visionary thinking, decisiveness, empathy, and integrity are all hallmarks of great leadership, and they are the qualities that make a project manager successful.

To all the project managers leading their teams to success: we see you, and we appreciate you. For those looking to step up, now is the time to embrace the leadership aspect of your role and inspire your team to new heights.

If you want to learn more we have:

-Takt Virtual Training: (Click here)
-Check out our Youtube channel for more info: (Click here)
-Listen to the Elevate Construction podcast: (Click here)
-Check out our training programs and certifications: (Click here)
-The Takt Book: (Click here)

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How Are Superintendents Chosen?

Posted on September 19, 2024September 19, 2024 by Danny Jiménez⁩

Read 8 min

How to Choose the Right Superintendent for Your Project: Key Considerations

In this blog, I’m going to walk you through the process of choosing the right superintendent for your construction project. I’ll cover exactly what to look for, the steps you should take, and how to ensure you’re not left with a leaderless job site. This is a crucial decision, and if you’re into creating smooth, successful construction operations, you’ve come to the right place.

The Common Issue with Superintendents in Construction

This is a topic that not only gets searched frequently online but is also a common challenge in the industry. Many companies hire superintendents based solely on experience. What often happens is that the superintendent will show up on the job site and begin acting as the lead foreman, digging into the details, solving day-to-day problems, and in doing so, neglecting their true role. Meanwhile, the project goes leaderless, systems fall apart, and the overall job site environment suffers.

Understanding the Role of a Superintendent

A foreman is the lead worker on a crew, but a superintendent is not supposed to be a “lead foreman.” The superintendent’s job is to synchronize the entire job site, ensuring all systems are in place for success. They are process-driven and systems-oriented professionals. Their focus should be on the big picture: setting the rhythm of work, organizing collaborative meetings, and creating the right environment for trade partners to do their best work.

When superintendents get bogged down in foreman-type tasks like managing materials and solving every small issue, they’re not focusing on critical areas like how the team operates, how to maintain the job site’s flow, and how to set up systems that ensure project success.

The Key Qualities to Look For

So, what should you look for when hiring a superintendent? It’s not just about experience. Yes, experience is important, but it’s not everything. The best superintendents know the processes, systems, and how to build teams. Here’s what really matters:

Cultural Fit: Are they aligned with your company’s values?
Growth Mindset: Are they willing to learn, adapt, and implement new systems?
Process-Driven Thinking: Can they run processes and systems effectively?

By focusing on these qualities, you’ll find superintendents who can truly lead, not just individuals with years of experience repeating the same tasks without growth.

How to Hire a Superintendent

Project Needs: First, outline what type of project you’re hiring for. The superintendent’s experience should align with the project type (civil, industrial, etc.), but prioritize their ability to manage systems over their experience in a specific niche.
Job Requirements: Make it clear what the superintendent will be in charge of. Use a scorecard to list out responsibilities and ensure the candidate understands exactly what they are signing up for.
Recruitment and Sourcing: Advertise the role internally and externally, and look for candidates who not only have relevant experience but also demonstrate a growth mindset and a focus on systems.
Evaluation: Evaluate candidates against your scorecard and conduct scenario-based assessments. See how they handle real-world job site challenges.
Interviews: Conduct a 360-degree interview process with multiple rounds and input from different team members. Get a broad perspective on each candidate.
Cultural Fit: Ensure the candidate aligns with your company’s core values and long-term vision. This is critical for long-term success.
Support: After hiring, provide ongoing support. It takes time to adjust to a new company culture, so stay involved in the first three months to ensure they’re the right fit.

Final Takeaway

The role of a superintendent isn’t just about solving problems on-site or overseeing the work directly. It’s about running a system, managing processes, and creating an environment where the project can thrive. By focusing on cultural fit, growth mindset, and process-driven thinking, you’ll be able to hire superintendents who not only lead but excel in their roles.

If you want to learn more we have:

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On we go

How to Implement the Last Planner System

Creating a Look-Ahead Plan Using the Takt Planning Format

How to Format a Look-Ahead Plan in Construction

Using Look-Ahead Plans to Identify Roadblocks

Helping Trade Partners Stay Prepared

Key Elements of a Successful Look-Ahead Plan

What Is Underground Utility Construction?

Characteristics of the Best Underground Utility Contractors

How to Plan & Design Installations for Underground Utilities

How to Present & Review Plans for Underground Utilities

Importance of Examining Soil Conditions

Important Reminders When Installing Underground Utilities

How to Check Connection & Integration

Developing a Testing & Inspection Process

Important Reminders for Backfilling

Importance of Ensuring Safety on the Project Site

Key Lean Concepts to Remember

Final Thoughts

How the Weekly Work Plan Fits into the Last Planner System

How to Create a Weekly Work Plan

How to Format a Weekly Work Plan

Optimizing Operations Using a Weekly Work Plan

How to Calculate Percent Plan Complete (PPC)

Conclusion

1. Active Listening

2. Clear and Concise Expression

3. Empathy and Understanding

4. Non-Verbal Communication

5. Adaptability in Communication

Advantages of Learning Coordinate Geometry

The Basis of Coordinate Geometry

How to Map Coordinates on a Plane

Importance of Knowing the Coordinates for a Building

How to Apply Coordinate Geometry on a Project Site

How to Label Coordinates Based on Different Quadrants

Key Formulas in Coordinate Geometry

Overview of Basic Coordinate Geometry

What is A3 and Where Can You Use It?

Key Components of an A3

Where and How to Use A3 in Construction

What Field Engineers Focus On

The Role of Field Engineers in Construction

Field Engineers Are the Honey Badgers of Construction

Learning Construction as a Field Engineer

Quality Control and Layout

Creating Lift Drawings and Solving Problems

Supporting Superintendents and Office Duties

The Importance of Field Engineers in Construction

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