February 2025 - Page 2 of 2 - Elevate Constructionist

The Cult Of Disrespect For People: Why Is Escaping So Difficult?

Posted on February 13, 2025February 13, 2025 by Danny Jiménez⁩

Read 8 min

The Cult of Disrespect for People – Why Is Escaping So Difficult?

The cult of disrespect for people is rampant in the construction industry, yet many struggle to escape its grip. In this blog, I’ll break down why this toxic mindset persists, how it affects workers, and what we can do to break free.

What Is a Cult?

A cult is typically a group that employs manipulative, exploitative, and coercive behavior. When we merge this concept with disrespect for people, we see a system that prioritizes profits over human well-being.

To illustrate this, let me share a personal story.

The Root Cause of CPM’s Ineffectiveness:

I’ve spent a lot of time criticizing the Critical Path Method (CPM)—not because of the tool itself, but because of the mindset behind its widespread misuse. I even wrote a book on this, titled:

“CPM Is Not Great: How the Cult of Disrespect for People Uses CPM to Ruin Everything.”

The problem isn’t CPM; it’s the culture surrounding it.

Consider how disrespect for people is embedded in various aspects of construction:

Classical management: Leaders focus on profits and ignore workers’ well-being.
Taylorism & worker exploitation: The system prioritizes efficiency over humanity.
CPM scheduling: Workers are constantly rushed, pushed, and panicked—at the cost of their health and families.
Site conditions: No bathrooms, no lunchrooms, no basic respect for workers’ needs.

At the root of all these issues? A fundamental disregard for people.

The Devastating Effects of This System:

This disrespect isn’t just an inconvenience—it has deadly consequences.

The suicide rate in construction is 53 per 100,000, compared to 38 per 100,000 for U.S. veterans and 11 per 100,000 for the general population. That means construction workers are nearly five times more likely to die by suicide than the national average.

Why? Because of a chain reaction:

Injuries lead to chronic pain.
Chronic pain leads to opioid addiction.
Addiction leads to financial issues, divorces, and child custody battles.
Workers, already struggling with overtime, sleep deprivation, and job instability, spiral into crisis.

And what causes the injuries in the first place? Bad systems. Bad processes. A focus on profit over people.

Why Is It So Hard to Escape?

If we know the problem, why don’t we fix it? Because the current system benefits those in power:

Building owners: They don’t have much incentive to adopt better systems like Takt planning or Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) since they require more responsibility.
Owner’s reps: They can hide inefficiencies in CPM schedules and blame the team instead.
General contractors & designers: They can take shortcuts and avoid accountability.

So, escaping this cult isn’t just about switching tools—it’s about breaking a deeply ingrained mindset.

How to Escape the Cult of Disrespect for People:

If we want real change, we need to take deliberate steps to escape this toxic cycle:

Get educated. Understand what respect for people really means.
Prioritize employees over clients. Workers should come first—always.
Recognize harmful systems. Stop using push-based planning methods like CPM and poorly implemented Advanced Work Packaging (AWP) that harm workers.
Get angry. The system won’t change unless people demand it.

Are You Stuck in the Cult?

Here are some signs that you might be trapped in this system:

Working excessive hours and missing time with family.
Being blamed for others’ mistakes.
Seeing your team trade-stacked and overburdened without care.
Being yelled at in meetings.
Not having proper site facilities like bathrooms and break areas.

If any of this sounds familiar, you are in the cult of disrespect for people.

But there is a way out. We must demand change and refuse to accept systems that dehumanize workers.

That’s why I love Takt planning—because it ensures that no system can function at the expense of human well-being.

Let’s hold the line together. Change is possible, but only if we commit to breaking free from the cult.

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 Fail At Being A Lean Influencer

Posted on February 12, 2025February 12, 2025 by Danny Jiménez⁩

Read 8 min

How to Fail at Being a Lean Influencer

If you’ve ever wondered what not to do as a Lean influencer, this blog is for you. I’ve enjoyed making “How to Fail” content, and today, I’m diving into the biggest mistakes you can make in the Lean space. If you appreciate a little sarcasm, and hopefully a few laughs, keep reading!

How to Fail: Writing Badly Written White Papers

One of my biggest pet peeves is the terrible quality of white papers in Lean. Kevin Rice and I read these papers all the time—whether from universities, institutes, or associations—and they’re often a nightmare. They’re overly referenced, incoherent, and filled with complex jargon that makes them nearly unreadable.

Some are so bad we have to run them through ChatGPT just to make sense of them! I once read a paper that contradicted itself multiple times by referencing other papers, making it impossible to follow any logical conclusion.

If you want to fail as a Lean influencer, write confusing, over-referenced white papers that no one can understand. But if you actually want to make an impact, focus on clarity, grammar, and logical flow in your writing.

How to Fail: Detaching from the Field

Another big mistake? Losing touch with real-world implementation. Some Lean influencers struggle to implement Lean in the field, so they give up and retreat into academia. Suddenly, they’re full-time theorists, pontificating about Lean without actually working on the ground.

There’s nothing wrong with pursuing academic knowledge, but detaching from the field can create an air of arrogance. If you’re no longer involved in real-world implementation, your ideas become theoretical rather than practical. Stay connected to fieldwork if you want to remain relevant and effective.

How to Fail: Putting Everything Behind a Paywall

This one drives me crazy. So many companies and influencers are hiding valuable information behind paywalls. We believe at Elevate and LeanTakt that information should be free—only services should cost money.

I’ve seen companies develop great tools, only to lock them behind expensive subscriptions that make them inaccessible. If everything is behind a paywall, people won’t learn, and Lean won’t spread. If you want to fail, make everything proprietary. If you want to succeed, share freely and help others grow.

How to Fail: Being Rude

Some Lean influencers focus more on being famous than being helpful. They attack others, criticize without reason, and stir up drama instead of building connections.

Real Lean influencers—like Marco and Yos, Felipe Engineer, Paul Lures, Keon Xandy, and Joe Donarumo—don’t waste time tearing others down. They focus on collaboration, learning, and improving the industry. If you’re more interested in being right than being helpful, you’re failing at being a Lean influencer.

How to Fail: Lacking Experience

Nothing is worse than someone teaching Lean who has never actually done it. I’ve seen people give advice on running projects when they’ve never led one.

Toyota’s philosophy is clear: if you want to improve a system, you must have experience in it. Lean is built on real-world application, and without hands-on experience, your advice lacks credibility.

How to Fail: Lack of Alignment

The Lean community should be working together, not against each other. Yet, I see people dismissing great tools simply because they weren’t the ones who created them.

At Elevate and LeanTakt, we integrate Scrum, Last Planner, Takt, and other methods to build a well-rounded Lean system. The only thing we actively criticize is CPM—because it simply doesn’t work. But when it comes to Lean tools, we should be refining and improving them, not rejecting them outright.

Encouraging Lean Influencers to Be Better:

If you see Lean influencers hiding everything behind paywalls, writing incoherent papers, or being unnecessarily negative, speak up! Ask for better content, more transparency, and a focus on real-world experience.

The best Lean influencers are the ones who share, collaborate, and contribute to the industry’s growth. If we all work together, we can build something truly impactful.

If you want to learn more we have:

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

On we go

Residential: Running Lean In The Field

Posted on February 11, 2025February 11, 2025 by Danny Jiménez⁩

Read 10 min

Running Lean in Residential Construction: Practical Strategies for the Field

I often get asked, “Jason, how can we implement lean construction concepts in the field without making it overly complex?” Many residential projects don’t have large teams or the same level of resources as commercial jobs, but that doesn’t mean you can’t apply lean principles effectively. In this blog, I’ll cover key strategies you can implement right away to improve efficiency and productivity on your residential projects.

Just-in-Time Deliveries:

One of the most impactful lean strategies is just-in-time (JIT) deliveries. If you have a solid production plan in place (which you should before starting your project), you’ll know exactly when trade partners need to arrive and when materials should be on-site.

Here’s how to make JIT deliveries work:

For long-lead items, ensure they arrive with a small buffer before installation to prevent delays.
For easily available materials, schedule deliveries to arrive just in time at the specific work zone, reducing laydown space needs and keeping the site organized.
Use a simple procurement log to track materials and stay ahead of supply chain delays.

I’ve used this approach in residential projects myself, and it works. You just need to plan ahead and stay disciplined in execution.

Implement the Last Planner® System:

The Last Planner System (LPS) is an excellent way to keep your project on track. A great resource on this is The Lean Builder by Joe and Keon, which breaks down lean principles in a practical way. Here’s how you can apply LPS in residential construction:

Master Schedule: Have a clear project roadmap from start to finish.
Pull Planning: If possible, engage trade partners in a collaborative scheduling session to define the ideal sequence of work. If a full pull plan isn’t feasible, at least share a structured sequence with trade input.
Look-Ahead Planning: Even if your trades don’t actively participate, you should conduct a six-week look-ahead plan yourself to remove roadblocks before they impact progress.
Weekly Work Plan: Communicate the plan for the upcoming week through meetings, messages, or digital platforms. Everyone should know what’s expected.
Daily Check-ins: Track completed work daily or at least review progress at the end of each week.

Replace Daily Huddles with Huddle Boards:

If you’re managing multiple residential projects, daily huddles might not be realistic. Instead, use huddle boards—physical or digital—to keep trade partners aligned.

Post the weekly work plan in a visible location.
Update progress regularly so trades always know what’s next.
If you only visit a project a couple of times a week, ensure the board is accurate and up to date for the days you’re not there.

This simple change keeps communication flowing without requiring in-person meetings every day.

Maintain a Clean and Organized Site with 3S or 5S:

A clean job site improves safety, efficiency, and visibility. Residential projects should be just as clean as commercial ones. Apply the 3S system (or full 5S if possible):

Sort: Remove unnecessary materials and tools.
Straighten: Organize everything properly.
Sweep/Shine: Keep the site clean every day.
(Optional) Standardize: Create a routine for keeping the site organized.
(Optional) Sustain: Ensure this becomes a habit for everyone on-site.

Teaching your trades about these principles and maintaining a clean workspace will drastically improve productivity.

Focus on Continuous Improvement (Kaizen):

Once your project is stable—meaning you’re following lean principles consistently—you can start making incremental improvements. Ask yourself and your team:

What’s not working well?
What small changes can we make to fix it?
How can we refine our processes for the next project?

Even a quick 15-minute discussion with trade partners can lead to valuable insights and improvements.

Implement Takt Planning for Repetitive Residential Projects:

If you’re working on multi-family housing, townhomes, or any repetitive home-building process, Takt planning is essential. This method:

Aligns trades to work at a steady rhythm.
Ensures work progresses smoothly from zone to zone.
Reduces bottlenecks and delays.

Standardize Work to Improve Efficiency:

Standardizing key processes can make residential construction much more efficient. Here’s how:

Create clear production plans that everyone follows.
Use standardized procurement logs and huddle boards.
Develop installation guides with pictures and key instructions.
Document best practices and common mistakes for trade partners to reference.

The more you can standardize, the smoother your projects will run.

Consider Prefabrication and Modularization:

If you consistently face bottlenecks in certain areas of construction, prefabrication or modularization could be a game-changer. For example:

Prefabricating framing elements off-site can save significant time.
Modular components (like kitchens or bathrooms) can streamline installation.

Evaluate where prefabrication could remove complexity from your project.

Make Everything More Visual:

A core principle of lean is visual management—helping teams see what they need to see at a glance. Ask yourself:

Can my production plan be displayed more clearly?
Are procurement logs visible to everyone?
Are huddle boards easy to read and reference?

The more visual your system, the more effective it will be.

Final Thoughts:

Even though residential projects are fast-paced and might seem simpler than commercial builds, they can still benefit from lean construction principles. By implementing just-in-time deliveries, Last Planner System, Takt planning, standardized work, and continuous improvement, you’ll see dramatic improvements in efficiency and project outcomes.

If you want to learn more we have:

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

On we go

What Is CMAR In Construction?

Posted on February 10, 2025February 10, 2025 by Danny Jiménez⁩

Read 9 min

Understanding CM at Risk in Construction

What Is CM at Risk?

Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) is a project delivery method that brings the construction manager (CM) into the process early—allowing for better planning, cost control, and risk management. Unlike design-bid-build, where the contractor is only responsible for building based on completed designs, CMAR integrates preconstruction planning with execution, leading to a smoother construction process.

Having worked on CMAR projects, IPD (Integrated Project Delivery), and design-build projects, I’ve seen firsthand how CMAR improves project outcomes. In this blog, I’ll break down what CMAR is, how it works, and why it’s a powerful alternative to traditional project delivery methods.

What Does a Construction Manager Do?

In a CMAR contract, the construction manager plays a key role during Pre-construction and construction. In the Pre-construction phase, the CM works closely with the owner and design team to:

Conduct constructability reviews to identify potential issues early.
Provide real-time scheduling updates to keep the project on track.
Offer budget analysis to ensure the project stays within financial limits.
Bring in trade partners early to improve coordination.

Once preconstruction is complete, the CM transitions into the role of the general contractor (GC) at risk—taking full responsibility for executing the project.

How the Construction Manager Becomes the General Contractor at Risk:

The transition from CM to GC at risk happens when:

A Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) is established.
The Prime Agreement is signed.
A Notice to Proceed (NTP) is issued.

At this stage, the CM assumes financial and performance risk, meaning they are responsible for delivering the project within the agreed-upon budget and schedule. Unlike in design-bid-build—where planning and execution are separate—the CMAR approach ensures that the same team that planned the project is also responsible for building it.

What Is the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP)?

The Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) is the highest amount the owner will pay for the project. If costs exceed this amount, the general contractor is responsible unless the overruns are due to approved change orders.

If the project comes in under budget, there may be a shared savings clause—but this isn’t always guaranteed. In many cases, the GC will reinvest savings into labor, equipment, or project enhancements.

This structure gives owners cost certainty while holding the GC accountable for managing risks effectively.

Risk Allocation in CMAR vs. Design-Bid-Build:

One of the key differences between CMAR and design-bid-build is how risk is allocated.

In design-bid-build, the GC is only responsible for building what’s on the plans. If there’s missing or unclear information, neither the designer nor the contractor assumes responsibility, leading to costly change orders. This issue is known as the Spearin Gap—a legal loophole where the owner often ends up paying for design inconsistencies.

With CMAR, the CM is involved in preconstruction, which reduces design errors and narrows the Spearin Gap. In design-build, this gap is almost eliminated because the construction and design teams work as a single entity.

Owner Involvement in CMAR vs. Design-Bid-Build:

In a CMAR contract, the owner plays a more active role throughout the project compared to design-bid-build. Instead of just selecting a contractor after the design is completed, the owner collaborates with the CM from the beginning—leading to better decision-making and project alignment.

The CMAR Environment: Planning, Procurement, and Execution:

The CMAR approach allows for:

Early procurement of materials, reducing delays.
Better Pre-construction planning, minimizing risks.
Fast-tracking construction by overlapping design and build phases.
Phased project releases, allowing work to begin while design is finalized.

These advantages contribute to a more efficient construction timeline and improved project outcomes.

Pros & Cons of CM at Risk:

Pros:

Better cost control – The CM is involved early, ensuring budget alignment.
Improved collaboration – Owners, designers, and contractors work together from the start.
Faster project delivery – Pre-construction planning reduces delays.
Expert guidance – The CM provides real-time input during design.

Cons:

Higher upfront costs – Early involvement requires investment in Pre-construction services.
Limited competitive bidding – Unlike design-bid-build, CMAR doesn’t rely on lowest-bid selection.
Reduced flexibility after GMP – Once the GMP is set, changes require formal change orders.

Final Thoughts:

CMAR is commonly used on large commercial projects due to its ability to improve collaboration, cost control, and overall project efficiency. For projects that aren’t ready for a full Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) contract, IPD Light—which combines CMAR with IPD principles—can be an excellent alternative.

If you want to learn more we have:

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

On we go

Residential: Using The IPCS™ Method

Posted on February 7, 2025February 7, 2025 by Danny Jiménez⁩

Read 8 min

IPCS™ Method for Residential Projects

Managing residential construction projects can be challenging. Even though they are smaller in scale compared to commercial projects, they still require careful planning, coordination, and execution. That’s where the Integrated Production Control System (IPCS™) method comes in.

The IPCS™ method is a structured approach that combines lean construction principles to improve project efficiency and reduce delays. In this blog, we’ll go over the key components of IPCS™ and how you can apply them to residential projects.

Pre-Planning is Essential:

Even for small residential projects, pre-planning is the most important step. You may not have months to plan like in commercial projects, but taking the time to create a solid plan before starting work will make a huge difference.

Here are a few key things to focus on during pre-planning:

Project schedule: Define the major milestones.
Site logistics: Plan for material deliveries and storage.
Procurement: Order long-lead items early.
Trade partner coordination: Align schedules to avoid delays.

A well-planned project runs more smoothly and avoids last-minute surprises.

Build the Right Team:

Your team is more than just your in-house staff—it includes clients, trade partners, and suppliers. The success of your project depends on how well you work with them.

Make sure to:

Develop strong relationships with trade partners.
Communicate clearly and regularly with clients.
Treat everyone as a valuable part of the project.

When everyone is on the same page, work progresses faster and more efficiently.

Have a Clear Plan:

A structured schedule is crucial for keeping a residential project on track. Using a time-by-location format ensures that work is well-coordinated and efficient.

A good plan should:

Define the sequence of work in each area of the project.
Align procurement with production so materials arrive on time.
Set clear start dates for trade partners to prevent delays.

Without a solid plan, it’s easy to fall behind schedule.

Stay on Top of Procurement:

One of the biggest causes of delays in residential projects is late material deliveries. Managing procurement properly will keep your project moving smoothly.

Tips for better procurement management:

Identify long-lead materials and order them early.
Use a visual tracking system to monitor deliveries.
Review procurement status regularly to avoid surprises.

The goal is to have everything on-site when it’s needed—not too early, not too late.

Keep the Job Site Clean and Organized:

A well-managed job site is clean, safe, and organized. Even in residential construction, maintaining high standards makes a big difference.

Best practices for on-site management:

Enforce a zero-tolerance policy for mess and disorganization.
Expect all workers to clean up as they go.
Follow the same safety standards as commercial projects.

A tidy job site improves efficiency and reduces accidents and rework.

Plan With Your Trade Partners:

Regular coordination with trade partners keeps everything running smoothly. Even if you can’t meet in person, a weekly planning session ensures that everyone knows what’s coming next.

Ways to improve planning with trades:

Hold weekly virtual or in-person meetings to review progress.
Map out the schedule for the next week so trades are prepared.
Keep communication open to resolve issues quickly.

Good coordination prevents delays and keeps work flowing.

Use a Huddle Board for On-Site Communication:

If you’re not on-site every day, a huddle board is a great way to keep the team informed. It acts as a centralized place for important project information.

What to include on your huddle board:

Production plan: A visual overview of the schedule.
Weekly work plan: Tasks and priorities for the week.
Site logistics: Delivery schedules and storage areas.
Important updates: Any changes or issues to be aware of.

This simple tool helps everyone stay aligned and informed.

Key Takeaway:

Even in residential construction, applying lean principles through the IPCS™ method can significantly improve project efficiency. By focusing on pre-planning, strong team coordination, structured scheduling, proactive procurement, site organization, and clear communication, you can reduce delays, improve workflow, and deliver better results. Small projects don’t mean small challenges—a structured approach is key to success.

If you want to learn more we have:

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

On we go

Foreman Series: Zone Handoffs

Posted on February 5, 2025February 5, 2025 by Danny Jiménez⁩

Read 7 min

Foreman Series: Mastering Zone Handoffs for Seamless Project Flow

In this blog, we’re going to dive into zone handoffs—one of the most critical aspects of maintaining flow on a project site. As a foreman, you play the most important role in ensuring that work progresses smoothly. Managing your handoffs effectively will not only help you stay on track with target dates but also improve productivity for the entire job site.

I’ll break it down into specific, actionable tips that will help you ensure clean, efficient transitions between crews.

How Zone Handoffs Work:

At its core, a handoff is simply transitioning work from one trade to another. Imagine a 40,000-square-foot interior space divided into multiple zones. These zones should be balanced not by area but by work density, ensuring each one has a manageable workload.

As you complete your work in one zone, the next trade must move in seamlessly—just like a relay race where one runner passes the baton to the next. To make this transition smooth, your role as a foreman is to ensure the handoff is clean, safe, and ready for the next crew.

What Crews Need When Handing Off Zones:

A successful handoff isn’t just about finishing your own work—it’s about setting up the next crew for success. When transitioning a zone, ensure that:

It’s Clean: No debris or leftover materials.
It’s Safe: Handrails, safety features, and hazard-free conditions are in place.
It’s Inspected: All required inspections are complete.
It’s Demobilized: Your crew has cleared out and is ready to move to the next zone.

Think of the crew following you as your customer—the better experience you provide, the smoother the entire project will flow.

Planning, Building, and Reflecting in Each Zone:

To maintain efficiency, follow this three-step process:

Plan the Zone: Before work begins, involve the crew in planning the workflow and handoff strategy.
Build the Work: Execute the plan while keeping quality and safety in check.
Reflect & Review: Before moving on, conduct a post-mortem review to ensure everything is ready for the next trade.

This process mirrors the structure of a football play—you call the play, execute it, and then review what worked and what needs improvement.

When to Do Zone Handoffs:

Handoffs should be clearly identified on your weekly work plan. The general contractor should mark all handoff activities (ideally with an H) so that crews know exactly when transitions need to occur.

As a foreman, you should constantly be asking:

Is the work behind us finished and punched out?
Is the work ahead of us ready for our crew to begin?

If you’re hitting your handoff dates consistently, your pace is on track, and your crew is set up for success.

The Ideal Handoff Percentage for Successful Projects:

For a project to flow efficiently, the perfect handoff percentage should be above 80%. While 100% is ideal, maintaining a consistent 80%+ means crews are keeping pace and minimizing delays.

To achieve this:

Know your handoff dates and communicate them clearly.
Prepare your crew to hit these targets consistently.
Treat the next trade like your customer by ensuring the zone is truly ready for them.

If everyone on-site follows these principles, the project will flow smoothly and efficiently from start to finish.

Mastering zone handoffs is key to keeping a project on schedule and ensuring that each trade can work efficiently. Implement these principles, and you’ll see a major improvement in your crew’s performance.

If you want to learn more we have:

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

On we go

Are Lean Influencers Transforming Construction?

Posted on February 4, 2025February 4, 2025 by Danny Jiménez⁩

Read 8 min

Are Lean Influencers Transforming Construction?

In this blog, we’ll explore the role of lean influencers in the construction industry. As someone who strives to contribute to the lean movement, I want to reflect on whether we, as lean influencers, are truly making a difference. I’ll share key insights on what lean is, how influencers are helping (or not), and provide some guidance for those looking to amplify their impact. Let’s dive in.

What Is Lean?

Lean is all about continuous improvement and eliminating waste. At its core, lean in construction focuses on:

Respect for people and resources.
Stability (one piece, one process, one progress).
Flow (working in sync with Takt time and visual systems).
Total participation (everyone is engaged in the process).
Quality (delivering excellence through continuous improvement).

These six pillars define how we optimize construction workflows while ensuring a people-first approach.

What Is a Lean Influencer?

A lean influencer is someone who spreads awareness, shares knowledge, and encourages the adoption of lean principles. Whether through social media, books, podcasts, or other platforms, these individuals aim to help teams and organizations work smarter, not harder.

The question is: Are we truly helping the industry progress, or are we just adding to the noise? Here are five ways lean influencers can positively impact construction.

Sharing Content That is Simple & Understandable:

One of the best things about lean influencers is their ability to share valuable content. Whether it’s through YouTube, LinkedIn, or blog posts, the goal should be to make lean concepts simple, clear, and practical.

A key lesson I’ve learned is this: If your audience doesn’t understand your content, it’s not their fault—it’s yours. We must focus on:

Creating clear, engaging visuals.
Avoiding overly technical or dense explanations.
Making lean practical and applicable.

When lean influencers simplify complex ideas, they help more people adopt and implement them.

Helping to Figure Things Out:

Lean is always evolving, and influencers play a huge role in experimenting, refining, and improving ideas. Take Takt planning, for example. I didn’t invent it—many people developed and refined it over time. My role (and that of other influencers) was to connect the dots, test what works, and share insights.

The best lean influencers:

Give credit to those who came before them.
Contribute to ongoing improvements.
Remain open to learning from others.

If we are truly helping the industry, we’re not just promoting our own methods—we’re refining and expanding on the work of many.

Adding Value First:

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that giving value comes before asking for anything in return. If we focus on adding value, everything else follows.

Ways to add value as a lean influencer:

Share templates, tools, and insights for free.
Provide genuine help and guidance without a sales pitch.
Focus on solving real problems for people in the industry.

If you want to make a real impact as a lean influencer, adopt this mindset: Give. Share. Help. Then, let the results speak for themselves.

Building Meaningful Connections:

The best influencers aren’t just broadcasting information—they’re connecting with people. Some of my favorite examples:

Felipe Engineer – Shares insights on Scrum while fostering connections.
Paul Akers – Builds networks of lean practitioners worldwide.
Marco Binninger & Janos Louie – Collaborate with lean professionals globally.

What do they all have in common? They engage, connect, and collaborate instead of working in isolation.

Staying Open & Adaptable:

The worst thing a lean influencer can do is become rigid and closed off. Lean is about continuous improvement, which means we should always be evolving.

At Elevate, we update our books, improve our methods, and listen to feedback. Why? Because there’s always a better way.

The best lean influencers:

Stay open-minded and humble.
Avoid the trap of “one-size-fits-all” solutions.
Encourage experimentation and adaptation.

Are Lean Influencers Helping?

The short answer: Yes—if they follow these principles.

If you want to be a lean influencer, focus on clarity, value, connection, and continuous learning.

If you want to learn more we have:

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

On we go

Foreman Series: Operational Excellence

Posted on February 3, 2025February 3, 2025 by Danny Jiménez⁩

Read 8 min

Foreman Series: Achieving Operational Excellence on the Job Site

In this blog, I’m going to share key insights on operational excellence and what you, as a foreman, can do to elevate your crew and improve the overall job site. These are simple but crucial steps that not everyone follows. The goal here is to ensure that all foremen and crews align with the same standards, creating a more efficient and productive work environment. Let’s dive in.

The Foundation of Operational Excellence:

When looking at a job site as a whole, there are several critical areas that foremen must manage effectively. If even one trade crew neglects these basics, the site can quickly become chaotic. Here are some essential principles to follow:

Importance of Having Orderly Parking:

One of the first things that can create problems on a site is disorganized parking. It’s crucial to ensure that workers do not park in restricted areas, such as loading docks, emergency zones, or client-designated spaces. A well-organized parking system prevents unnecessary disruptions and contributes to a professional work environment. Ideally, the general contractor should provide wayfinding signage and designated restrooms near parking areas for convenience.

Importance of Orienting People on Site:

Every worker should be properly onboarded before starting. A great example of this comes from an exceptional electrical foreman I once worked with, John Bour. He didn’t just rely on the initial orientation—he personally tested his crew afterward to ensure they fully understood the site’s expectations. Making sure your team is educated and aligned with project standards from day one sets the stage for success.

Importance of Having a Morning Worker Huddle:

A strong job site starts with a well-executed morning huddle. This is where all workers come together to discuss the daily plan, create a sense of community, and align on priorities. As a foreman, ensure your crew is actively engaged—standing up front, listening, and staying off their phones. If workers aren’t focused during this time, they miss key details, weakening the overall coordination of the project.

Importance of Staying Clean, Safe & Organized:

When it comes to maintaining an efficient site, cleanliness leads to safety. Every crew must take responsibility for keeping their area clean—no waiting for laborers or others to do it for them. Provide proper trash bins, gondolas, or scissor lift baskets to keep the site tidy as work progresses. A clean site is a productive site, and enforcing this discipline makes a significant impact on efficiency.

Importance of Following the Rules:

Whether you personally agree with all safety rules or not, when you step onto a job site, you commit to following them. As a foreman, you must hold the line for your workers, ensuring they wear the correct PPE, complete pre-task plans, and follow JHAs or AHAs. Consistently enforcing these rules protects your team and keeps the project running smoothly.

Importance of Keeping Everything Organized:

A well-organized site minimizes downtime and maximizes efficiency. Make sure that every tool, material, and resource has a designated place—and that it is always returned there. This simple habit can significantly reduce wasted time and improve workflow across the site.

Key Takeaway:

Operational excellence on a job site starts with disciplined leadership. As a foreman, you set the standard by ensuring orderly parking, proper worker orientation, engaged morning huddles, a clean and organized work environment, strict adherence to safety rules, and efficient site management. When every foreman upholds these principles, productivity increases, delays decrease, and the entire project runs smoother. Lead by example, and watch your crew—and your job site—elevate together.

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