June 2025 - Page 2 of 3 - Elevate Constructionist

What Does A Field Engineer Do With Survey And Layout?

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

Read 7 min

What Does a Field Engineer Do with Survey and Layout?

What does a field engineer do with survey and layout? That’s a question I got the other day, and I thought it was so good, I had to turn it into a blog.

If you’ve ever wondered what role survey and control play on a construction site or what a field engineer actually does with them, this blog will give you clarity. Let’s break it down.

Survey vs. Control:

When we talk about survey, we’re referring to the actual measurement process like picking up a backsight and shooting a foresight with a total station or automatic level. It’s how we gather elevation data or locate a point on the site.

Control, on the other hand, refers to establishing and maintaining the correct location of the building. Whether it’s primary, secondary, or working control, it ensures everything is built in the right place.

Types of Control:

Primary Control:
This surrounds the entire job site and is usually established by working with the project surveyor. Using a traverse and level loop, we network control points around the perimeter to keep everything aligned.
Secondary Control:
This is where we bring the control closer to the structure. Say you’re laying out a building grid you’ll establish a baseline using your total station and tie it back to the primary monuments. From there, direct and reverse shots help create intermediate points.
Working Control:
This is temporary control that supports layout for specific components. For example, you might snap offset lines for a wall or column, and use a benchmark to set elevations. This control guides the placement of materials like concrete, steel, or even above-ceiling systems.

Field Engineer’s Role:

So how does a field engineer use all this?

To translate control into precise layout for real components on-site.
To verify locations and set out points based on lift drawings.
To ensure all parts of the structure from embeds to walls are in the correct position.

Using tools like benchmarks, offset lines, and layout points, the field engineer acts as the guide who keeps construction accurate and aligned.

Lift Drawings & Layout:

If the field engineer also has a lift drawing which pulls together information from multiple plans into one detailed drawing they can lay out everything with confidence. It’s like having a cheat sheet for installation accuracy.

Key Takeaway:

A field engineer uses survey and control from primary to working control to accurately position building components on-site, ensuring precision, quality, and successful execution through methods like lift drawings and layout benchmarks.

Learn More:

If you’re interested in diving deeper, I recommend checking out the Field Engineering Methods Manual, also known as Construction Surveying and Layout by Wesley G. Crawford.

You can also check out more content on this topic over on the Lean Survey YouTube channel.

Getting survey and layout right is critical and understanding it is key for any field engineer. I hope this blog brought some clarity.

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

What Does A Field Engineer Do With Lift Drawings?

Posted on June 13, 2025June 29, 2025 by Danny Jiménez⁩

Read 6 min

What Does a Field Engineer Do with Lift Drawings?

In this short blog, we’re diving into a powerful tool that every jobsite should be using i.e. lift drawings. If you’ve ever wondered what they are, why they matter, and how field engineers use them, you’re in the right place.

Where Lift Drawings Fit In:

A question recently came up from a great superintendent: What exactly does a field engineer do with lift drawings?

To answer that, let’s start with the basics.

On any project, you’ve got:

Architectural drawings.
Structural drawings.
Mechanical, plumbing, and technology drawings.
Civil drawings.
Specs, shop drawings, AHJ requirements, and building codes.

A lift drawing brings all the essential information for one specific element say, a perimeter wall into one place. It lifts details from all those documents and consolidates them so you can actually build that one component in the field.

The Power of Lift Drawings:

Let’s break down what lift drawings help you do:

Learn the Scope:
There’s no better way to train a new field engineer than by having them read through every document and create a lift drawing. It forces them to understand what they’re going to help lay out, support, QC, or enable.
Find and Solve Problems:
A wise mentor once told me: If you can’t draw it, you can’t build it. If there’s not enough information to create the drawing, then there’s not enough to build confidently. Creating a lift drawing uncovers gaps before they hit the field.
Create a Drawing for Installation:
Even if you’re not self-performing the work, and even if the crew “doesn’t need” your drawing to install, you still need lift drawings. Why? Because they are the best training tool for building future supers. Creating these drawings teaches field engineers to read, visualize, and piece together complex structures in 3D.

Bonus: Helpful Tools

There are resources that can make this easier like a Lift Drawing Review Card and tools to build them in Revit, AutoCAD, or SketchUp.

Final Thoughts:

Even if the drawing itself never makes it to the field for install, the act of creating it turns a field engineer into a true builder. That’s what lift drawings are really for: they train the mind to think and build like a superintendent.

So, if you’re not using lift drawings yet, it’s time to start.

If you want to learn more we have:

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

On we go

What Do The First Few Weeks Look Like For A Brand New Assistant Superintendent?

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

Read 7 min

What Do the First Few Weeks Look Like for a Brand-New Superintendent?

Starting a new role as a superintendent especially when you’re new to both the job and the company can feel overwhelming. In this blog, I want to share some real advice, encouragement, and tactical steps to help you navigate the first few weeks and come out strong on the other side.

You’re Not Alone If You Feel This Way…

Let’s start with a little honesty: the first 4–6 weeks will probably feel chaotic. Thoughts like,
“I’m not good enough,”
“I’m going to ruin my career,” or
“What have I gotten myself into?”
…are incredibly common. You’re not failing, you’re adjusting. It’s a tough mental space, but totally normal.

The most important mindset shifts here? Focus on process over perfection. Keep your head down and follow a reliable structure. That’s where this list of tips comes in.

Get to Know the Team:

No matter how awkward it feels, introduce yourself. Shake hands, make eye contact, build rapport. The people you meet now will shape your experience moving forward. Trust comes from showing up and being human especially early on.

Understand the Drawings:

If you don’t know what you’re building, you can’t lead it. Spend serious time reviewing the drawings. Lock yourself in a room if you have to. Even one or two late nights upfront can create months of confidence down the road.

Understand the Project:

Do a thorough field walk. Learn the general schedule, phasing, deadlines, and site logistics. Think of yourself as a general surveying the battlefield know what you’re working with.

Connect with the Trades:

Go meet the trade partners. Yes, it may feel awkward but skipping this step will hurt you later. Be upfront about being new, share your intentions, and offer support. You don’t need all the answers; you need relationships.

Manage Your Mindset:

Your brain will try to protect you by imagining worst-case scenarios. Instead of arguing with it, write those fears down and revisit them in six months. Early doubts are natural, but they don’t define your potential.

Make a Risk Plan:

Worrying about risks isn’t helpful, planning for them is. During your plan and schedule reviews, identify risks, write them down, and decide how you’ll handle them. Create a system to review and adjust regularly.

Get Into Builder Habits:

This is your safety net. Start building daily and weekly habits to stay focused and in control:

30 mins/day in the drawings: stay close to the design.
30 mins/day in the schedule: keep production on track.
Field walks daily: connect and correct on-site.
Pull plan every phase: no exceptions.
Manage procurement: sequence and materials must align.
Look-ahead planning: clear roadblocks 3–6 weeks ahead.
Adopt IDDS: Identify, Discuss, and Solve problems with your team.

Make Problem Solving Your Focus:

The ultimate habit: make problem-solving with your team your daily mission. If you’re constantly helping to solve field issues, there’s no way your brain can say you’re not succeeding six months from now.

Starting as a new superintendent isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being consistent, coachable, and connected. Stick to these principles, and you’ll not only survive your first few weeks, you’ll thrive.

If you want to learn more we have:

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

On we go

What Advice Would You Give Someone Brand New To Site Supervision Coming From A Technical Background?

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

Read 8 min

What advice would you give someone brand new to site supervision coming from a technical background?

That question recently came my way, and it struck me as one worth exploring in depth. So, in this blog, I’m sharing four essential mindset and behavior shifts to help anyone transitioning from a technical background into the world of construction leadership. This isn’t a criticism—quite the opposite. It’s a call to action, and a helpful framework, for making that leap successfully.

Understand the Extroverted Nature of Construction:

If you’re used to a world of focus, solitude, and data—welcome to the opposite. Construction is chaotic, fast-paced, and people-driven. It thrives on communication and collaboration. That doesn’t mean your thoughtful, methodical mindset isn’t valuable—it is. Introverted people bring depth and clarity to decision-making. But you’ll have to balance that with the demands of an extroverted environment.

Common traits of technical professionals transitioning in:

Camera off in virtual meetings.
Preference for closed-door work.
Minimal communication—texts, emails, maybe a call.

Now, you’ll need to flip the switch and step into the “people framework.”

Read “How to Win Friends and Influence People” – Seriously:

This is not optional advice. I’ve given this suggestion more times than I can count, and it always lands.

Read the book. Listen on Audible. Do it yearly.

You’re going from a role that required 80% technical skill and 20% people skill… to the reverse. Leadership is 80% people, 20% technical. This book will teach you how to thrive in that new landscape.

Also: Get out. Get into meetings. Join huddles. Walk the site. Talk to foremen. Even if it’s outside your comfort zone—especially then. Take a nap later if you need to. But show up.

Shift from Expert to Question-Asker:

As a subject matter expert, you may have been used to having answers. But as a leader in construction, your strength lies in your curiosity and your ability to leverage the genius of the team.

You’ll be working across 20, 30, even 40 scopes of work. You can’t be the expert in all of them. So, ask questions. Build relationships. Create clarity. This is what Jocko Willink’s “Laws of Combat” are all about:

Cover and Move – Build the team.
Simplify – Make things visual and clear.
Prioritize and Execute – Focus on the right tasks.
Decentralized Command – Everyone leads.

You’re moving from “I lead my area” to “we lead together.”

Connect Like It’s Your Job—Because It Is:

Connection is your superpower now.

Connect with your family and support system.
Connect deeply with your project team.
Connect genuinely with people in the field, especially foremen.

Look people in the eye. Shake their hand. Say kind things. Eat lunch with them. Help remove roadblocks. Praise their work. Create psychological safety.

If you remember one thing from this blog, let it be this: Leadership is connection.

Bonus Insight: Balance Compassion with Command:

With people: Be Brene Brown or Simon Sinek—loving, empathetic, connected.

With the environment: Be General Patton—clean, safe, organized, no compromise.

By maintaining command of the site conditions, you earn the freedom to support, empower, and lead people with humanity.

In Summary:

If you’re coming into construction leadership from a technical background, here are your four keys:

Embrace the extroverted chaos—your calm mind will be an asset.
Study how to connect with people—start with How to Win Friends and Influence People.
Let go of always being the expert—become a team-powered question-asker.
Prioritize connection—every day, every interaction.

Key takeaway:

Construction leadership isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about connecting with people, asking great questions, and building a team that thrives together.

If you want to learn more we have:

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

On we go

Are There Any Certifications or Licenses That Would Be Helpful In The Superintendent Role?

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

Read 7 min

Top Certifications and Training for Superintendents in Construction

Are there any certifications or licenses that would be helpful in the superintendent role?

This is a question I was recently asked and in this quick blog, I’m sharing the ones that made the biggest impact on my own career in construction. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow as a superintendent, this blog will point you in the right direction.

Let’s dive into four of the most relevant certifications today, followed by a few additional resources that are absolutely worth your time.

CM-Lean (Construction Management Lean Certificate):

This certification was a game changer for me. Not only did it introduce Lean concepts in a practical way, but it also inspired a lot of what we do at Elevate Construction—like our contractor grading system. The course is interactive, highly respected, and great for networking. My only caution: if your instructor is big on CPM (Critical Path Method), feel free to skip that part and focus on the Lean practices.

My rating: 8/10

The Lean Builder Certification:

Developed by Joe Donarumo and Keyan Zandy—two incredible professionals—this certification is based on The Lean Builder book. It’s a well-produced online course designed specifically for superintendents. It provides a clear, simple introduction to the Last Planner System, and it’s professional without being overwhelming.

My rating: 8/10

DBIA Certification (Design-Build Institute of America):

If you’re looking for a comprehensive, holistic training that ties everything together—Pre-construction, contract law, delivery methods—this one is for you. Even if you don’t have Design-Build experience, the Associate Certification is still a great start.

My rating: 9/10

Safety Certifications (OSHA 10/30, STS, etc.):

These might not be the flashiest courses, but they’re essential. OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 may feel dry, but they provide foundational knowledge that every superintendent needs. Safety training is a must.

Additional Resources:

Here are a few more recommendations that don’t necessarily give you credentials, but offer serious value:

Super/PM Bootcamp (Elevate Construction):
This course does come with a certification and is top-notch training tailored for superintendents.
Books by Patrick Lencioni:
His entire catalog is pure gold for leadership, team dynamics, and communication. We recommend all of them to our project managers.
Books by Jocko Willink:
Especially his Muster event—ideal for any leader in construction.

One to Avoid: PMP Certification

It may be controversial, but I don’t recommend the PMP certification for superintendents. It’s confusing, time-consuming, and not particularly useful in the field. Save your time and invest it elsewhere.

Other Notables:

NCCER Superintendent Training Program: This is a solid training path. Jesse Hernandez does great work with it.
Miscellaneous Programs: There are plenty of other certifications out there, some neutral but still worthwhile depending on your focus and goals.

Key Takeaway:

The most valuable certifications for superintendents aren’t always the ones with the flashiest titles—they’re the ones that shape your mindset, improve your leadership, and teach practical tools for the field. Focus on Lean principles, design-build fundamentals, safety training, and resources that strengthen your ability to lead and problem-solve on the jobsite.

If you want to learn more we have:

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

On we go

What Field Management Software Should I Become Proficient In (e.g., Procore, PlanGrid, Fieldwire)?

Posted on June 6, 2025June 6, 2025 by Danny Jiménez⁩

Read 7 min

Top Field Management Software Every Construction Pro Should Master

“What field management software should I become proficient in?”

This is a question I got recently, and I’m excited to tackle it right here in this quick blog. If you’re looking for direction on which applications will make the biggest impact on your construction career, this blog will give you a practical overview.

Let’s get right into it.

Excel:

You might roll your eyes at this, but Excel is still the king. It’s the most versatile tool you can master. From production plans to budgets, from custom databases to simple drawing functions—Excel does it all.

You can even do basic site logistics plans in Excel. We still use it for a lot of our Takt planning. Any software company that tries to get you to “ditch Excel” doesn’t get it. Excel is here to stay, and it’s one of the most powerful tools in construction. Period.

Revit & AutoCAD:

If you want to program your brain to think like a builder, learn Revit (3D) and AutoCAD (2D/3D). These tools have shaped how I visualize plans, coordinate geometry, and understand systems.

Even if you don’t use them daily down the line, the thinking they teach you is invaluable.

Canva:

Sounds odd, right? Canva is a fast, user-friendly design tool. You can use it to create signage, logistics plans, updated designs—even books! We write all of ours in Canva. It’s intuitive, visual, and empowering, especially for superintendents who need quick, clear communication tools.

Miro (and Mural):

These are online whiteboards, and they’re game-changers. For brainstorming, pull planning, sketching, or logistics mapping, Miro makes it easy to collaborate visually with your team—whether you’re in the trailer or working virtually.

Bluebeam & SketchUp:

While not essential for everyone, these are long-time favorites of mine. They help with markup, modeling, and communication in a way that’s visual and field-friendly.

Snagit:

This simple screen capture tool is perfect for superintendents. See something in the drawings? Snip it and send it to your team. Found a detail in the schedule? Screenshot it and share. Snagit saves time and gets your message across fast.

WhatsApp:

The rest of the world has this figured out. For some reason, in the U.S., we’re stuck with outdated messaging systems. Get your team on WhatsApp. It’s reliable, platform-agnostic, and perfect for group chats with foremen and internal craft.

Note Vault & Photo Syncing Apps:

You need a fast way to record daily reports—Note Vault is great for that. And you need a system to auto-sync project photos to a shared drive like Box. That way, everything is organized and easy to pull up during your afternoon huddles.

Summary: Your Core Software Stack

If you’re a superintendent or aspiring to be one—here’s your must-have software list:

Excel.
Revit & AutoCAD.
Canva.
Miro or Mural.
Bluebeam & SketchUp.
Snagit.
WhatsApp.
Note Vault.
Photo syncing solution.

Of course, there’s Procore and other big-name tools out there. But from a “program your mind for excellence” standpoint, these are your core.

Key Takeaway:

To truly elevate your performance as a construction professional, focus on mastering versatile, brain-training tools like Excel, Revit, AutoCAD, and visual collaboration platforms such as Canva and Miro—these foundational programs will sharpen your thinking, improve communication, and enhance your impact far beyond what traditional field management software alone can offer.

If you want to learn more we have:

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

On we go

How Do You Enforce Safety Rules While Keeping A Good Relationship With The Crews?

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

Read 7 min

How to Enforce Safety Without Ruining Relationships on the Jobsite

“How do you enforce safety rules while keeping a good relationship with the crews?”

It’s a great and controversial question. In this blog, I’ll Walk you through how to answer it in a way that’s rooted in respect, not punishment. When you build your approach around that, you’ll not only enforce safety effectively, but you’ll also strengthen your relationships with the trades.

The Two Safety Camps:

There are generally two camps in our industry:

The Asking Camp:
This approach is about connection. You talk to the person, explain the why, ask for a change, document it, and use those insights to improve the system. It’s supportive and gentle—like the STOP program from DuPont. This camp is about recommending, not policing.
The Zero Tolerance Camp:
This is the camp I align with—but with an important distinction. Within this camp, there are two subgroups:
- The Punishment Camp (which I reject).
- The Respect Camp (which I advocate).

Why I Reject Punishment:

Our culture, especially in North America, is steeped in punishment. It’s a framework built on the idea that if you mess up, you pay the price. That approach may be familiar, but it’s toxic. It leads to control, fear, and often chaos.

Good people who reject punishment often swing to the other extreme: asking without enforcing. But human nature doesn’t thrive in a “just ask” environment. You’ll end up constantly reminding the same folks 50–80 times a day. It doesn’t work.

The Respect-Based Zero Tolerance Model:

Here’s the difference:
Zero tolerance with punishment is controlling.
Zero tolerance with respect is empowering.

Respect means we hold high standards because we care. It’s not about being mean—it’s about protecting people. Let’s look at a few examples from our job sites:

Clean bathrooms: Because I respect the craft.
Good lunch areas and BBQs: Because I respect the team.
Enforcing cleanup and sending people home when unsafe: Because I respect their lives, their families, and everyone around them.

A Framework That Works:

This approach relies on three key elements:

Build the Team:
Be visible. Be human. Be present. Meet people in orientations, huddles, and around the site. Shake hands. Know names. Show you care.
Be Clear About the Rules:
Everyone should know what’s expected. Repeat the basics—safety glasses, fall protection, cleanliness—at every huddle, meeting, and event.
Enforce Consequences with Respect:
If someone breaks a rule, don’t yell or embarrass them. Instead, say, “I love you, man. But I have to send you home. Come back through orientation tomorrow.” Not because we’re mad—but because we care enough not to let something tragic happen.

The Results

Here’s what happens when you really follow this model:

Over the course of two years, you may only have to send 20 people home.
People love the environment and the culture.
You’ll hear things like:
“I don’t want to work anywhere else.”
“This is the cleanest, safest site I’ve ever been on.”
“I respect you and want to come back.”

This isn’t theory. I’ve done it—over and over again—and it works.

Final Thoughts:

You can be friendly and still enforce the rules. Real friends don’t let each other get hurt. They care enough to draw a line when it matters most.

If you want to learn more we have:

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

On we go

What Are The Most Important Quality Control Checks I Should Be Looking For During Construction?

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

Read 8 min

The Most Important Quality Control Checks in Construction: Where to Focus Your Energy

In construction, trying to be perfect with every single detail—outside of safety—can lead to burnout and inefficiency. That’s why one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is this: you must know where to invest your limited time and energy.

Years ago, a respected project executive gave me a powerful analogy: imagine you have 100 energy units. You can invest them wherever you want, but once they’re gone—they’re gone. That concept transformed how I approach construction leadership. Especially when it comes to quality control, your energy must be targeted and strategic.

This blog will help you zero in on where to focus your quality efforts so you’re not overwhelmed—and your projects don’t suffer.

The Trade Partner Preparation Process: Plan – Build – Finish

I follow a simple but powerful sequence for quality management: Plan, Build, Finish.

Here’s how it works:

Buyout Meeting:
Establish expectations for safety, quality, submittals, RFIs, and documentation.
Pre-Mobilization Meeting:
Gather everything the trade needs before mobilizing. Don’t just prepare to start—prepare to finish.
Pre-Construction / Pre-Installation Meeting:
Define exactly what “good” looks like with visual aids and bullet points.
First-in-Place Inspection or Mock-Up:
The first time something gets built—inspect it thoroughly.
Follow-Up Inspections:
Check progress and completion against expectations.
Final Inspection:
Ensure everything is buttoned up and ready to turn over.

This approach ensures quality is baked in, not inspected in after the fact.

Focus Area 1: The Owner’s Top 10

From the buyout meeting to final inspection, always ask: What does the owner care about most?
Communicate those priorities constantly. On one project, the owner’s top 5 included:

Neighbor relations.
Safety.
Waterproofing.
Cost.
Schedule.

Every crew member heard those five priorities over and over. When it came time for final walkthroughs, there were no surprises—and we nailed the waterproofing.

Focus Area 2: The Inspector’s Top 10

Your inspector has pet peeves. Know them. Respect them. Plan for them.

For example, I worked with an inspector in Tucson who was laser-focused on:

Concrete slump and mix.
Reinforcing steel.
24-hour close-out of inspection report comments.

Loop your inspector’s top 10 into your quality control conversations and pre-construction meetings. If you don’t, you’re setting yourself up for failed inspections.

Focus Area 3: Pre-Construction Visuals

During the pre-con meeting, develop what I call a Feature of Work Board—a visual reference with:

Pictures.
Bullet points.
Install expectations.

Without this, your field teams will either over-inspect everything or miss what matters. This simple visual tool keeps everyone aligned.

Focus Area 4: Testing & Inspection Register

Every job should have a Testing & Inspection Register that outlines:

What gets tested.
When it gets tested.
The frequency.
Spec sections.
Required actions.

Use ChatGPT or a project engineer to build a testing log directly from your plans and specs. You’ll identify key items like:

Window testing.
Waterproofing tests.
Sanitary sewer inspections.
Exterior envelope testing.

Discuss this list weekly in your tactical meetings to stay ahead of issues.

Focus Area 5: Don’t Forget the “Big Five”

If you remember nothing else, don’t overlook these critical areas:

Soils:
Bad compaction leads to settling and structural issues. Always test.
Concrete:
It’s never too late… until it’s gray and hard. Triple-check before every pour.
Waterproofing:
Improper QC here can lead to multi-million dollar failures. Inspect aggressively.
Closed-In Work:
Anything in a wall, ceiling, or chase must be inspected before it’s hidden.
Life Safety:
Always double-down on fire-stopping, egress, and safety systems.

Final Thoughts:

If you try to check everything, you’ll miss the most important things. Focus your energy on:

The Owner’s Top 10.
The Inspector’s Top 10.
Items from the Pre-Con Meeting.
The Testing & Inspection Register.
The Big Five Quality Areas.

If you follow this approach, your project quality will soar—without burning out your team.

If you want to learn more we have:

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

On we go

How Do You Keep Upper Management Or The PM Informed Without Overloading Them?

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

Read 6 min

How to Keep Upper Management Informed Without Overloading Them

In any construction project or professional setting, keeping upper management, project managers (PMs), and owners informed is essential—but it must be done without overwhelming them. In this blog, we’ll explore how to maintain effective communication with leadership using a practical framework rooted in transparency, clarity, and efficiency.

Radical Transparency vs. Smart Transparency:

There’s a spectrum of transparency:

Radical Transparency: Sharing everything—how the sausage is made, the process, the results. This works well in high-trust environments but can overwhelm some clients or PMs.
Basic Transparency: Always essential. Budgets, problems, schedules, staff updates—these must be communicated regularly, even when radical openness isn’t practical.
Lack of Transparency: Never acceptable. Withholding or siloing information leads to mistrust and misjudgment.

If you don’t share what’s happening, people will assume the worst. That assumption can erode your credibility—even if you’re doing excellent work.

A Proven Framework for Keeping Leaders in the Loop:

Once you’ve assessed the relationship dynamics and trust levels, here are tools and methods that ensure effective communication without information overload:

Dashboards:

Use project dashboards to display the current state of work. Include:

Visual production plans.
Procurement logs.
Zone maps and logistics plans.
Current issues and statuses.

Whether automated through Power BI or manually updated, a well-maintained dashboard is a powerful visual tool to keep everyone aligned.

Meeting Minutes (Condensed Format):

Forget long-winded documents. Instead, send concise summaries with:

Key decisions made.
Action items.
Next steps.

Deliver them through email, text, or project management apps to ensure leadership stays in the loop—even if they miss the meeting.

Quick Burst Communication:

Short texts or app notifications (like WhatsApp or Asana) can keep PMs updated without lengthy emails. Quick, direct, and effective—this method is ideal for fast-paced environments.

Meetings and Huddles:

Weekly Tactical Meetings: Involve PMs or directors at the beginning of the week to align on strategy.
Daily Huddles: Even 10–15 minutes per day can maintain clarity and cohesion on ongoing tasks.

Looping leadership into these touchpoints helps with problem-solving and roadblock clearing.

Two Key Reminders:

Don’t Assume They’re Too Busy:
Never hold back information because you think someone is too busy to hear it. Most leaders would rather be kept in the loop than left in the dark.
Share Anyway:
If leadership doesn’t see your work, they may underestimate your efforts. Regular, transparent updates remove the barrier of misunderstanding and build trust.

Final Thoughts:

Transparency isn’t optional—it’s a leadership tool. By using dashboards, concise updates, and short meetings, you can maintain alignment without creating noise. These are tried and tested methods that protect your reputation and help your projects run smoothly.

If you want to learn more we have:

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

On we go

How Takt Ties to other Systems – Takt Production System For Students

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

Read 8 min

Welcome to our free Takt University series. Today’s topic is one of the most powerful lessons in lean construction: how different planning systems — Takt, Last Planner®, CPM, Scrum, Advanced Work Packaging — all come together to form a cohesive and efficient production model.

If you’ve ever wondered how to integrate lean tools without confusion or redundancy, this blog is for you.

Starting Point: Takt as the Base System

At the heart of our planning model is the Takt Production System. Why? Because Takt organizes your project in a time-by-location format, offering a 4D production plan that visualizes the flow of work — not just the tasks.

Here’s what Takt incorporates:

Location-based scheduling (vertical axis).
Time-based progression (horizontal axis).
Flow of trades like a train on tracks.
Visual bottlenecks (zones or trades).
Integrated principles from:
- Gantt charts.
- Line of balance.
- Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM).
- Theory of Constraints.
- Lean tools (e.g. pull planning).
- Production theory (Little’s Law, etc.).

Takt isn’t just a pretty schedule — it’s a unified system that brings structure, motion, and clarity to the chaos of project delivery.

Pre-construction Planning: The First Planner

Before any boots hit the ground, you need a rock-solid strategy. That’s where the First Planner System comes in. Think of it like baking a cake — if you want your trades (the ones who eat the cake) to enjoy the outcome, you better plan the recipe right.

In this phase, you:

Analyze your CPM.
Optimize zoning.
Select the right takt time.
Identify trade and zone bottlenecks.
Validate all major constraints.
Ensure readiness before the Notice to Proceed.

Bottom line: Pre-construction is where you build your base (your Takt plan), and the First Planner process ensures it’s sound.

CPM: Use Only As Summary, Not Strategy

Let’s clear this up: CPM should NOT drive your production. The theory behind CPM — increasing WIP, removing buffers, pushing work — is flawed for execution.

However, if your contract requires a CPM schedule:

Use it as a Level 2 summary.
Avoid using it to plan or execute.
Align it to reflect your Takt production system.

It can serve as a summary or as-built, but never the master plan. In the book Takt Planning, this approach is clearly laid out using sequence or phase summaries.

Last Planner®: From Milestones to Daily Plans

Last Planner® is the system that brings your production plan to life — with the trades. Here’s how it beautifully ties into Takt:

Master Plan: Your macro-level Takt plan with contractual milestones.
Pull Planning: Maps sequences into your Takt zones.
Look Ahead Planning: Filters from Takt to identify roadblocks.
Weekly Work Plan: Focused, ready work, still aligned to flow.
Daily Plans: Keeps execution rhythmic and responsive.

Each plan is a filtered view of the Takt plan, maintaining diagonal trade flow throughout. It saves time, removes guesswork, and keeps trades aligned with production.

Advanced Work Packaging (AWP): Aligning Supply Chains

AWP focuses on system-based, not just zone-based, thinking. It enhances your production plan by:

Breaking work into Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Work Packages.
Aligning supply chains to support field work.
Using BIM for planning paths of construction.
Preparing visual dos/don’ts, Lego sheets, and clear scope definitions.
Ensuring all 17 pre-task items are ready before mobilization.

Paired with Takt, AWP works well. Paired with CPM? It creates unnecessary complexity and headaches.

Scrum: Solving Problems Before They Hit the Field

Scrum isn’t just for software. In lean construction, Scrum becomes the problem-solving engine of your project management team.

Here’s how:

Field issues get tracked on a Scrum board.
Roadblocks go from backlog → sprint backlog → doing → done.
Office teams handle constraints before they impact work.
Daily stand-ups ensure continuous communication and progress.

Scrum works best when integrated into the daily rhythm of your Takt system.

Putting It All Together: The Unified System

Each of these systems plays a vital role. But they’re not competitors — they’re complements. Here’s the full integration model:

System	Role
Takt Production System	The base — your 4D production plan.
Pre-construction/First Planner	Planning the base and making it robust.
CPM	Contractual summary only.
Last Planner®	Translating plans to field-friendly actions.
AWP	Packaging work and aligning procurement.
Scrum	Clearing roadblocks and enabling flow.

This is Lean Project Delivery, and it’s the future of construction.

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