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Month: April 2025

What Is The Last Planner System Look-Ahead Plan?

Posted on by Jason Schroeder
Read 4 min

Mastering the Look-Ahead Plan: How to Remove Roadblocks and Make Work Ready in Construction

One of the most underutilized yet powerful tools in construction planning is the Look-Ahead Plan—a key component of the Last Planner® System. In this blog, we’ll explore how a well-executed Look-Ahead Plan helps trade partners prepare for upcoming work, find and eliminate roadblocks, and drive reliable production.

We’ll walk through core concepts from the book Takt, Steering, and Control (starting on page 142) and show how to bring them to life on your projects.

What Is a Look-Ahead Plan?

A Look-Ahead Plan is a short-interval planning tool that allows you to see and manage work scheduled to happen over the next 4 to 6 weeks.

I recommend a six-week window. Why? Because it gives teams enough time to:

  • Spot roadblocks early (by week 6).
  • Resolve them proactively (within 4 weeks).
  • Ensure the work is ready by the time it enters the Weekly Work Plan.

This approach creates a buffer zone between identifying problems and executing work—exactly what’s needed in high-variability construction environments.

The Purpose Behind Look-Ahead Planning:

According to Takt, Steering, and Control, the Look-Ahead Plan serves three primary purposes:

  • Make Work Ready by verifying all prerequisites are in place.
  • Align procurement and logistics with the work plan.
  • Identify and remove roadblocks before they impact field productivity.

This isn’t just about pushing a schedule. It’s about enabling the team to do their best work by setting them up for success—intentionally and consistently.

A Practical Workflow:

Here’s how to put the Look-Ahead Plan into action:

  1. Print the plan and distribute it to trade partners.
  2. Set a timer for 5–10 minutes.
  3. Ask each trade to confirm that they have everything they need to execute their work in the next 6 weeks.

17-item checklist that covers essentials like:

  • Permits and approvals.
  • Field layout.
  • Safety and quality planning.
  • Access and staging.
  • Material availability.

If even one item is missing, it’s a roadblock—and it needs to be logged and resolved before it threatens execution.

Use IDS to Solve Problems Proactively:

Borrowing from Gino Wickman’s book Traction, I emphasize the IDS method:

  • Identify the issue.
  • Discuss it with the team.
  • Solve it collaboratively.

The Look-Ahead Plan gives structure to this approach, ensuring that problems are surfaced early and tackled before they snowball.

Why Time-by-Location Format Matters:

The Look-Ahead Plan should be structured in a time-by-location format—a visual way to map work across zones and time periods. This format:

  • Clarifies trade flow.
  • Shows handoffs between crews.
  • Aligns buffers and milestones.
  • Makes planning intuitive for field teams.

Each plan should clearly highlight the Weekly Work Plan area (usually outlined in red) and the Look-Ahead zone (often purple), along with zone maps, QR codes, and activity status indicators.

Look-Ahead vs. Weekly Work Plan:

It’s important to note: the Look-Ahead Plan and the Weekly Work Plan are not the same.

  • The Look-Ahead Plan is focused on preparation—ensuring all work is “made ready”.
  • The Weekly Work Plan is focused on handoffs and execution—managing who does what, when, and where.

A successful Weekly Work Plan is only possible if the Look-Ahead Plan has done its job.

How It Fits into the Last Planner® System:

Here’s how the Look-Ahead Plan integrates into the broader Last Planner® System:

  1. Macro-Level Takt Plan: Your high-level, contractual roadmap.
  2. Pull Planning: To define reliable workflows and trade coordination.
  3. Look-Ahead Plan: To identify constraints and prepare work packages.
  4. Weekly Work Plan: To manage trade handoffs and ensure reliable commitments.

The Look-Ahead Plan is the bridge between long-term strategy and short-term execution. Without it, the system breaks down.

Key Takeaway:

The Look-Ahead Plan is not just a scheduling tool—it’s a proactive system for identifying and removing roadblocks before they impact production. When used correctly, it empowers teams to make work ready, align logistics, and deliver consistent, reliable results on-site.

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

A Day In The Life Of A General Superintendent

Posted on by Jason Schroeder
Read 5 min

A Day in the Life of a General Superintendent

This blog is going to be remarkable because I’m going to talk to you about what truly makes the role of a general superintendent successful—and steer you away from the watered-down expectations often pushed by the industry. If you’ve ever wondered what this role should look like, stay with us. You’re about to find out.

The Common Trap: Neutralizing the Builder

Let’s start with one of the biggest problems I see in construction companies today: taking great builders and completely neutralizing them.

What often happens is that a superintendent moves from assistant superintendent to project superintendent to general superintendent—only to get pulled into corporate tasks like proposal writing or overseeing way too many projects. The company takes someone who knows how to build and says, “Let’s cut their feet out from under them.”

Why would we do this?

If I’ve got a general superintendent who knows how to build, I’m going to let them keep building—maybe with one team or two or three max. I’m going to pay them well, and I’m not going to bury them in corporate. These are master builders, and we need to keep them doing what they do best.

Effective Visits Start with Visuals:

When a general superintendent visits a project site, it’s often reduced to a pat on the back and a “good job” if they can’t actually see what’s going on.

That’s why we need visuals. I want to walk onto a jobsite and see:

  • A macro-level Takt plan on one page.
  • Zone maps.
  • The current logistics plan.
  • The site’s organizational chart.
  • A risk and opportunity register.
  • A procurement log.

If we can’t see the plan, we can’t coach it. That’s what makes Takt planning so powerful—you get the full story visually on one page.

If a GS goes on a walk without a 6-week lookahead or a weekly work plan in hand, it’s just lip service. But with real visuals, you can dig into the schedule, review handoffs, talk about procurement, and really understand the project.

We’ve got to move away from this “paperless” nonsense that hides everything behind a screen. Let’s print the plans, put them up on the wall, and bring back real field walks.

Morning Routine: Start with the Right Energy

The general superintendent helps shape company culture—along with the CEO, COO, and leadership team. That’s why your morning routine matters.

You’re not just anyone. You’re a cultural leader.

Wake up, take care of your health and hygiene, get your coffee, say a prayer, read a business or spiritual thought, and most importantly—do box breathing. This calms your nervous system and sets your mindset. Then, say what you’re grateful for and decide what you’ll give to others today.

You can’t show up to the job angry, frustrated, or empty. Your energy transfers to the team.

Weekly Planning: Adapt and Focus

Unlike a project superintendent who can have the same time-blocked schedule every week, a general superintendent’s calendar looks different every week—especially when overseeing multiple projects.

You need a weekly work plan. Each Friday, look ahead and map out your week:

  • Monday: Morning prep, afternoon on-site.
  • Tuesday: Corporate tasks in the morning, job visit in the afternoon.
  • Wednesday: All day at a high-priority project.
  • … and so on.

Then each morning, before diving into your day, plan your schedule using that weekly template. Don’t start your day until it’s finished on paper.

Continuous Learning: Fill Your Mind

You can’t pour into your team from an empty cup.

Always be learning—listen to audiobooks or podcasts during your commute. Here are some must-reads:

  • Elevating Construction Superintendents.
  • Elevating Construction Senior Superintendents.
  • Elevating Pre-construction Planning.
  • Takt Planning, Takt Steering, and Control.
  • Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss.
  • How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.
  • Books by Patrick Lencioni.

You need to stay sharp so you can lead well and bring valuable insights to your teams.

Field Walks & Site Engagements: Be Intentional

When you engage with a project team, it’s not just about checking in or saying “great job.”

Show up knowing what you’re looking for. Follow a system. Dig into at least three areas. Leave with clear assignments and a challenge for the team to do better.

And here’s the truth: if the site isn’t clean, safe, or under control—shut it down. Don’t tolerate poor performance. The worst behavior you allow sets the ceiling for that job’s success.

On every walk, look for progress. Keep track of what you’ve asked them to improve, and hold the team accountable.

Enable the Team: Plan, Mentor, Equip

Always ask:

  • Do they have a clear plan?
  • Is it tied to a timeline?
  • Do they have the right training or mentorship (maybe that’s you)?
  • Do they have the resources they need?

That’s your job—remove roadblocks and enable your team to succeed.

Wrap Up and Reflect:

At the end of the day, close out your assignments, do your box breathing again, and head home ready to recharge for another day.

This job can be chaotic if you don’t have a personal organization system—but if you follow these principles, it can also be one of the most rewarding roles in 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

Posted in All

How To Manage A Construction Project During Foundations

Posted on by Jason Schroeder
Read 4 min

How to Manage a Construction Project During Foundations

When managing a construction project, the foundation phase is a critical milestone. Whether it’s a basement with shoring or a simple foundation system, ensuring everything is in place at this stage sets the tone for the entire project. This blog will walk you through the key elements of foundation management, from logistics planning to inspections and double-checks.

Structural Considerations:

Before diving into construction, it’s essential to plan for structural logistics. Depending on whether your project is a steel or concrete structure, you must account for:

  • Laydown areas for gang forms, reinforcement, and forming systems.
  • Crane setup and hoisting logistics.
  • Concrete truck washout locations.
  • Staging areas for materials.

Without proper spatial planning, workflow disruptions can delay progress. Ensuring adequate space for each component prevents bottlenecks later.

Logistics Planning:

Every project requires multiple logistics plans. For foundations, having a dedicated concrete logistics plan is crucial. There are six logistics plans that should be in place:

  1. Safety logistics.
  2. Wayfinding and signage.
  3. Mobilization and make-ready.
  4. Concrete logistics (specific to this phase).
  5. Exterior and interior logistics.
  6. Closeout and site work logistics.

A well-structured logistics plan ensures that all site activities align efficiently, reducing delays and confusion.

The Importance of Sequencing:

Managing foundations requires a precise sequence of operations. A day-by-day analysis helps visualize site conditions and anticipate space constraints. Printing out a sequence plan for each day—especially for long foundation phases—helps track:

  • Reinforcement placement.
  • Concrete truck movement.
  • Pump locations.
  • Excavator positions.
  • Worker access and material flow.

Without this foresight, space constraints can lead to unexpected delays. Proper sequencing keeps the workflow efficient and prevents site congestion.

Field Engineering Teams:

Field engineering plays a critical role in foundation construction. From primary control points to layout verification, field engineers ensure accuracy at every step. Their responsibilities include:

  • Verifying control points and baselines.
  • Laying out footings and walls.
  • Double-checking structural elements before placement.

Regardless of whether you self-perform or subcontract, having dedicated field engineers ensures quality control. If errors go unchecked, they can snowball into costly rework.

Coverage for Concrete Placements:

Concrete placements often occur at unconventional hours—early mornings or late at night. It’s important to plan for coverage during placements, ensuring that:

  • Superintendents or assistants are available.
  • There is adequate manpower for each shift.
  • Operations remain seamless across all working hours.

Failing to plan for these time-sensitive tasks can result in poor execution and quality issues.

Inspections and Quality Control:

Foundations require rigorous inspections and testing to meet structural standards. Inspections should include:

  • Pre-pour reinforcement checks.
  • Concrete cylinder tests (for compressive strength).
  • Temperature and slump tests.
  • Grid leveling and floor flatness tests.

Having a dedicated inspection area and personnel ensures compliance with city, third-party, and owner expectations. This phase is the foundation for quality—getting it right now prevents problems down the line.

Double-Checking Everything:

Skipping double-checks is like playing Minesweeper—every unchecked element is a potential disaster waiting to happen. You must verify:

  • Survey control points.
  • Concrete placements and alignment.
  • Lift drawings and dimensions.

Unchecked errors in the foundation phase magnify over time, leading to major construction issues. Prevent this by making double-checking a non-negotiable standard.

Conclusion:

Managing the foundation phase of a construction project requires meticulous planning, sequencing, field engineering, and quality control. By ensuring a logistics plan, inspections, and proper sequencing, you set the stage for a smooth construction process.

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