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Month: September 2024

How Does A Superintendent Get Fired?

Posted on by Jason Schroeder
Read 4 min

How Superintendents Get Fired: Understanding the Causes

In this blog, I’m diving into a topic that might make some people uncomfortable but is crucial for understanding how things really work in the construction industry: how superintendents get fired. While I’ve covered why or whether they should get fired in the past, this post breaks down the reality of how it happens. If you’re wondering whether you’re at risk or just observing this process from the sidelines, this information will be invaluable.

The Simple Truth: Value vs. Difficulty

At its core, a superintendent gets fired when the value they bring to a company is perceived to be less than the difficulty of keeping them employed. This may sound harsh, but it’s the reality. The deciding factor often comes down to whether the superintendent’s performance, attitude, or behaviors outweigh the effort it takes to deal with them.

Here are some common reasons why a superintendent might find themselves on the chopping block:

Common Reasons for Getting Fired:

  1. Poor Job Performance:
    • You’re not keeping the project clean, safe, or organized.
    • You’re constantly out of role, doing tasks like running to Home Depot.
    • You’re missing key project milestones or failing to finish on time.
    • You’re not effectively managing the supply chain or using technology.
  2. Violation of Company Policies:
    • This could be anything from appearance and conduct issues to drug or alcohol violations.
    • Harassment and discrimination, in particular, are absolute deal-breakers in any company.
  3. Misconduct:
    • Engaging in theft, fraud, dishonesty, or sexual harassment is an automatic way out.
    • Companies today don’t tolerate unethical behavior, and legal departments don’t either.
  4. Insubordination:
    • If you’re not following company policies or constantly defying leadership, that’s a big red flag.
    • Disobedience is a quick way to lose your job.
  5. Poor Work Ethic:
    • Not showing up on time, or simply being unreliable, will land you on thin ice.
    • Even the best performers can’t survive with a lazy or disengaged attitude.
  6. Substance Abuse:
    • Drugs and alcohol are a hard line. Companies don’t mess around with behaviors that jeopardize safety on the job.
  7. Negative Attitude:
    • Even if tolerated by some, a bad attitude can eventually get you fired. Toxic behavior undermines team morale and performance.
    • High-performing but toxic team members—those “high-performing a-holes”—are becoming less accepted. The emphasis is shifting toward trust and collaboration over raw individual performance.
  8. Legal or Ethical Violations:
    • Crossing legal or ethical boundaries puts your career at risk, whether it’s related to fraud, harassment, or other infractions.

What’s Not Tolerated

Here are a few superintendent behaviors I personally refuse to tolerate:

  • Keeping the project plan in your head and not sharing it.
  • Refusing to adopt a growth mindset or learn new systems.
  • Disrespecting the team or the company’s core values.
  • Ignoring safety and quality standards.

Why the Industry Tolerates Too Much – and Why That Needs to Change

One of the biggest issues I see in the construction industry is the excessive tolerance of bad behavior from superintendents. The construction industry puts up with a lot before finally deciding to let someone go. It’s time for that to change.

We need to start holding superintendents accountable, especially when they refuse to adapt to modern practices like using technology, documenting plans, or collaborating effectively. If we raised the bar for what’s expected from superintendents, we’d have a stronger workforce that’s better equipped to drive this industry forward.

What Should the Future Look Like?

The future demands a new kind of superintendent: a Superintendent 2.0. This new breed of leaders will be:

  • Tech-savvy.
  • Growth-minded.
  • Team-oriented.
  • Committed to safety and quality.
  • Willing to adapt to new methods like the Last Planner System and other lean construction techniques.

In conclusion, we can’t afford to tolerate poor performance, bad attitudes, or outdated practices any longer. It’s time for superintendents to step up, evolve, and lead with accountability, or risk being left behind.

Final Thoughts

I hope this blog has given you insight into why and how superintendents get fired and how to avoid that fate. If you’re in a leadership position, don’t hesitate to hold the line on performance, and if you’re a superintendent, strive to add value every day. Stay accountable, stay adaptable, and stay on top of your game.

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

Posted in All

What Does An Operations Manager Do In Construction?

Posted on by Jason Schroeder
Read 4 min

In this blog, I want to dive into a key role in construction that is often misunderstood: the Operations Manager. I’ve talked before about Project Directors and Project Executives, but now it’s time to discuss what it takes to excel as an Operations Manager. Having worked at Hensel Phelps for many years, I’ve had the unique opportunity to see this role in action, and I believe I have an edge in explaining what makes it so crucial to the success of a construction company.

An Operations Manager is no ordinary position. It’s an executive-level role that requires a unique combination of skills: sales, networking, project oversight, resource management, and more. It’s like being the CEO of multiple projects, and it’s not for the faint of heart. In this blog, we’re going to break down the responsibilities of an Operations Manager, from ensuring projects stay on time to managing resources and overseeing pre-construction.

  1. Overseeing All Projects

One of the main responsibilities of an Operations Manager is project oversight. Whether it’s managing a single project or a portfolio of projects, the Operations Manager ensures everything runs smoothly. If your projects are delayed, it’s on you to fix it. This role demands accountability at every step of the construction process. If you’re not ensuring deadlines are met, you’re not doing your job.

  1. Managing Resource Allocation

Operations Managers also act as resource brokers. You’re not just managing people—you’re responsible for hiring the right team members, selecting trade partners, and securing resources for every phase of the project. It’s your job to make sure every project team has what it needs to succeed, just like a CEO ensures their company has the tools it needs to thrive.

  1. Monthly Check-Ins

Great Operations Managers conduct monthly check-ins with their projects. These check-ins include financial forecasting, reviewing project status reports, and ensuring that everything is on track from a budgetary standpoint. It’s not just about cutting costs—it’s about strategically allocating resources to maximize project profitability.

  1. Ensuring Quality and Safety

As an Operations Manager, you set the standard for quality and safety. You’re not on the job site every day, but you hold your project managers and superintendents accountable for maintaining the highest standards. If they don’t meet those expectations, it’s your responsibility to step in and correct it.

  1. Client Relations

Operations Managers are the primary point of contact for clients. You need to be people-focused, always checking in, addressing concerns, and being available to the client whenever needed. This role requires excellent soft skills and the ability to influence and build strong relationships with both the project team and the client.

  1. Solving Problems

Finally, the Operations Manager is the ultimate problem-solver. When issues arise that can’t be resolved by the project team, it’s up to you to step in and handle them. Whether it’s a resource conflict or a major delay, you’re the one responsible for finding solutions and keeping the project on track.

Conclusion

Being an Operations Manager in construction is no small feat. It requires a deep understanding of the industry, the ability to juggle multiple projects, and the skills to manage people, resources, and relationships. If you want to excel in this role, you need to be a builder—someone who not only manages but actively participates in the success of each project.

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

Posted in All

What Is MEP In Construction?

Posted on by Jason Schroeder
Read 4 min
What exactly is MEP in construction? For many of us unfamiliar with this trade, the term can seem daunting, especially if you haven’t had much exposure to it. So, what does MEP entail? How can you manage it effectively, and what approach should you take? Let’s break it all down in this blog.

What is MEP in Construction?

MEP stands for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. These are the core systems that make buildings functional and livable. Let’s explore each one briefly:
  • Mechanical systems include heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), as well as components related to climate control. These may include boilers, chillers, air handlers, fans, and ductwork.
  • Electrical systems involve power distribution, lighting, and communication infrastructure throughout the building. They cover everything from wiring and outlets to emergency lighting, fire alarm systems, and data networking.
  • Plumbing systems handle the distribution of water and the disposal of wastewater within a building. This includes water supply, drainage, and fixtures like sinks and toilets.
In short, MEP systems are fundamental to creating safe, comfortable, and functional environments in modern buildings. These systems need to be understood not just as separate components but as interconnected networks that work together to form a building’s backbone.

How to Think of MEP as Systems

When considering MEP in a building, it’s helpful to view it not in terms of individual components but as an integrated system. Here’s a way to visualize it:
  • Electrical and plumbing systems connect to the central mechanical systems to provide heating, cooling, and electricity throughout the building.
  • All these systems must be installed and maintained in a way that allows them to communicate with each other. For instance, thermostats connect to air handlers, which, in turn, connect to exhaust fans, and so on.
Rather than seeing each floor as a separate entity, it’s more useful to think of these systems as flowing throughout the building, from floor to floor and room to room. Each system’s equipment, from electrical feeders to hydronic piping, has to talk to one another, usually through a building automation system that ties everything together.

Visualizing the Connections Between Systems

Consider the connections between systems in your building:
  • Domestic water enters the building and branches into drinking water, firewater, and irrigation.
  • Water also feeds into heating and cooling systems, which, in turn, connect to air handlers to heat or cool the air.
The key takeaway here is that everything is connected. Once you start looking at the systems as interconnected networks, you’ll find it easier to understand how they’re installed and how they function.

Tips for Managing MEP in Construction

Here are some helpful tips if you’re managing MEP systems in construction:
  1. Learn the language of the drawings: MEP drawings can be intimidating, but understanding them is key to managing your systems effectively.
  2. Focus on one-line diagrams and schematics: These diagrams show how the systems are tied together, helping you to plan and schedule installations accordingly.
  3. Ask questions: Don’t hesitate to ask your foreman or trade partners about the systems. The more questions you ask, the better you’ll understand the interconnections.
  4. Establish patterns: Every floor or system installation follows a pattern, such as overhead work first, followed by in-wall work, equipment installation, and then system connections. Once you recognize these patterns, managing the process becomes easier.
  5. Track progress by the system, not by location: Focus on completing entire systems before moving on to other tasks. Use flow diagrams and highlight the systems as they are installed to ensure nothing gets overlooked.
  6. Plan milestones: Create a milestone pull plan for the different systems, coordinating with trade partners to ensure everything comes together smoothly.
  7. Create a detailed commissioning plan: Commissioning is a critical phase that ensures all systems are working as expected. Plan this phase carefully, and consider moving it up by at least six weeks to avoid delays at the end.
By following these tips and staying organized, you’ll be able to manage MEP systems with greater confidence. Remember, understanding MEP is essential to ensuring the success of any construction project.

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!

Posted in All

How To Solve Labor Shortage Problems In Construction

Posted on by Jason Schroeder
Read 5 min
In this blog, we’ll uncover the truth behind the labor shortage crisis in the construction industry and explore actionable solutions. What can we do as an industry? What can you do as a company? Plus, I’ll point you to a valuable resource to help you tackle this issue head-on.

The Current Labor Shortage Problem in Construction

First, let’s address the problem: We currently lack over 500,000 workers in the construction industry, just to meet current demand. For every one person entering the industry, five are leaving, especially in regions of North America. In the next five years, 20% of the workforce is expected to retire. Post-COVID-19, millions of people in the U.S. are not actively working or seeking jobs. This is a number we’ve never encountered before. Compounding this, training is scarce, leaving new entrants underprepared, and the industry as a whole frustrated.

How We Can Control the Situation

The situation may not be entirely our fault, but we are in control of it. Often, people blame the newer generation, labeling them as lazy or uninterested. While such views are common, they’re not accurate. If we resign to the idea that the current workforce is fundamentally flawed, we lose any power to improve the situation. However, by adopting a mindset of Extreme Ownership, we can begin to make real changes.

Major Causes of Labor Shortage in Construction

One of the major culprits is the faulty systems we rely on. We have outdated schedules that burn people out, leading to high turnover and the highest suicide rates compared to other industries. Additionally, construction sites still often lack basic amenities like proper bathrooms, handwashing stations, and decent lunch areas. These conditions deter workers, and those within the industry don’t encourage their children to follow in their footsteps. Moreover, there’s rampant disrespect toward workers, coupled with sexism and racism, which drives potential talent away.

Importance of Planning Projects Properly

One of the key steps to resolving this issue is better planning. Contracts that don’t incentivize planning lead to rushed projects, which, in turn, burden workers with overtime, fatigue, and unsafe conditions. We need to transition from outdated systems and adopt Lean Thinking and better contract methods like IPD (Integrated Project Delivery), Scrum, and Last Planner systems. These tools allow for better collaboration and more efficient project execution.

Respecting Workers is Key to Solving the Labor Shortage

Respecting workers should be a top priority. This includes providing clean facilities, organizing worker huddles to foster communication, and creating a safe, welcoming work environment where families would want their loved ones to work. Simple actions like providing lunch areas with microwaves and fridges go a long way toward retaining workers.

Stop Overemphasizing College Degrees

We need to rethink the emphasis on college degrees as the only path to success. There are many talented individuals—police officers, military veterans, and high school graduates—who can fill these roles if we provide them with the right training.

Doing More Training and Opening the Doors to Outsourcing

We must provide more training for new workers—doubling or even tripling our efforts. Additionally, the labor shortage problem cannot be solved without opening the doors to skilled workers from other countries. The U.S. needs to embrace immigration and work visa programs, especially for talented individuals from neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico.

Practical Tips for Companies to Attract Workers

Now, let’s look at what your company can do:
  1. Create a Great Culture: Build an environment where people want to work. Focus on a strong leadership team, efficient systems, and a positive company culture.
  2. Find Good Hiring Sources: Build partnerships with trade schools, veteran organizations, and local high schools. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
  3. Referrals Work: Encourage employees to refer family and friends. The best employees often come through personal referrals.
  4. Treat Employees Well: Focus more on employee satisfaction than recruitment. A company that treats its people well will naturally attract more talent.
  5. Train Continuously: Invest in ongoing training programs. Build people before you build things. Continuous improvement should be a core principle of your company.
  6. Create Career Paths: Ensure every employee knows their growth potential within the company. When workers have a clear career trajectory, they’re more likely to stay.
By following these steps, you can significantly reduce your labor shortage problems and create a company culture that naturally attracts and retains talent.

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!

Posted in All

What Is A Look-Ahead Plan In Construction?

Posted on by Jason Schroeder
Read 5 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!

Posted in All

How To Estimate Time For A Project

Posted on by Jason Schroeder
Read 5 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:

  1. Identify a start date and, if you have one, the target completion date.
  2. Break down the building by phase. For example, you might have phases for foundations, superstructure, interiors, exteriors, roof, and site work.
  3. 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:

  1. Identify potential risks to the timeline.
  2. 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:

-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!

Posted in All

What Is Underground Utility Construction​?

Posted on by Jason Schroeder
Read 5 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:
  1. Solid Business Systems: Many use EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) to keep their leadership teams aligned and committed to excellence.
  2. Standard Processes: They have well-defined processes for dealing with common challenges.
  3. Continuous Training: They ensure that their team is always learning and improving.
  4. 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:
  1. Quality Checklists: Reviewed every morning.
  2. Layout Sheets: Used to double-check inverts and elevations.
  3. 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:
  1. One-Piece Flow: Focus on completing one section at a time rather than tackling multiple areas simultaneously.
  2. Avoid Busyness: Don’t mistake activity for productivity. Efficiency is key.
  3. Reduce Waste: Train your team to identify and eliminate waste.
  4. 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:

-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!

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What Is A Weekly Work Plan In Construction?

Posted on by Jason Schroeder
Read 4 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:
  1. Master Schedule: Identifies the project’s duration and milestones.
  2. Pull Plan: Establishes a sequence for trade partners to agree on durations and task flow.
  3. Look-Ahead: Provides a short-term view of upcoming tasks (to be covered in future blogs).
  4. Weekly Work Plan (WWP): A collaboration tool where trades commit to specific tasks for the week.
  5. Day Plan: Outlines daily tasks.
  6. 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:
  1. Trade Stacking: Multiple trades working in the same location simultaneously.
  2. Burdening: Overloading a trade with too many tasks at once.
  3. 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:

-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!

Posted in All

What Are 5 Good Communication Skills?

Posted on by Jason Schroeder
Read 3 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:

-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!

Posted in All