Month: January 2026

Schedule Comes First, Feat. Spencer Easton (THE MAN!)

Posted on by Danny Jiménez⁩
Read 18 min

Why Schedule Comes First in Construction (And How It Protects Safety, Quality, and Cost)

The industry loves to say cost, schedule, quality, and safety are all equal. That’s true—until you’re in the field and the job starts slipping. Then what happens? We “push.” We compress. We stack trades. We skip steps. We borrow time from inspections, mockups, pre-task plans, and rest. And that’s the moment we prove something important: schedule isn’t just one of the four. Schedule is the container that enables the other three. If you want safety, quality, and cost to stabilize, you have to plan the work, not chase it. That starts with the schedule.

The Real Problem: We Treat Schedule Like a Reporting Tool Instead of the Plan

Most projects build a schedule to satisfy a contract requirement, an owner meeting, or a monthly update. It’s a document we “have,” not a system we use. When a schedule is treated like reporting, the field doesn’t trust it. Superintendents build their own mental schedule. Foremen build their own micro-plan. The PM builds a financial forecast. The scheduler builds a CPM update. Now you’ve got four schedules and none of them match. The system failed them; they didn’t fail the system. The schedule has to be the shared plan. One schedule. One truth. One rhythm.

Why Schedule Comes First: It Protects Safety and Quality Before Anything Else

Here’s the core idea from the episode: cost, schedule, quality, and safety are all equal, but schedule comes first to support the other three. That doesn’t mean “schedule at any cost.” It means schedule is the first lever we must design correctly so we don’t create unsafe conditions, rework, and chaos later.

When schedule is stable, you can:

  • plan scaffolding, shoring, access, and logistics,
  • sequence work so crews aren’t stacked and tripping over each other,
  • create time for inspections and quality hold points,
  • coordinate procurement so materials aren’t late and crews aren’t idle,
  • protect people from overtime-driven errors and burnout.

If the plan requires burnout, the plan is broken. Respect for people is a production strategy.

“Days Equals Dollars”: How Schedule Drives the Real Cost of the Job

In the field, we see it every day: when the schedule slips, costs don’t politely stay inside the estimate. General conditions extend. Equipment stays longer. Temp power runs longer. Supervision gets stretched. Overtime creeps in. Coordination time doubles. Days equal dollars. Every day you add costs you didn’t plan for.

What’s worse is how we respond when we’re late: we think we can buy time with overtime and stacking. Sometimes you get a short burst. But usually you create more defects, more rework, and more coordination friction which makes the job later. The schedule isn’t “just time.” Schedule is the driver of cost behavior.

The Owner Story: What Happens When a Team Plans Early

Jason shared an example where the owner required real schedule contingency and early planning. The team planned months ahead, built in buffers intentionally, and treated the schedule like a production plan not a PowerPoint slide. What changes when you plan early?
You stop guessing. You stop hoping. You start making deliberate decisions about sequence, risk, and capacity. You can see constraints coming and make-ready before they become emergencies. That’s how projects get safer and cleaner. Not by pushing harder but by planning earlier.

The Warning Story: When Budget Sets Duration and the Team Pays for It Later

The opposite scenario is painfully common: duration is set by budget or executive expectation, not by a real plan. The schedule becomes a wish, and the team is told to “make it happen.” Then reality hits. The job needs more time, sometimes months more because the plan never reflected production truth in the first place. That’s not a leadership failure by one person. That’s a system failure: planning too late, not using the schedule as a decision tool, and not integrating builders early.

Schedule as a Safety Planning Tool: Risks, Access, and the Plan to Protect People

Safety planning needs time and sequence. If the schedule doesn’t include scaffolding install, guardrail transitions, access routes, laydown changes, crane picks, and high-risk operations planning, then the field is forced to improvise. Improvisation is where injuries live. A schedule that supports safety makes the work predictable. It gives crews a stable plan, not a daily surprise. It also creates room for pre-task planning that is not rushed. Schedule is a safety system. Treat it that way.

Schedule as a Quality Trigger: Inspections, Mockups, Hold Points, and Verification

Quality isn’t something you “inspect in” at the end. It’s built through deliberate steps:

  • mockups,
  • first-in-place reviews,
  • hold points,
  • inspections,
  • cure times,
  • drying times,
  • verification windows.

If the schedule doesn’t make space for these, quality becomes a victim of urgency. Then you get the hidden cost: rework, callbacks, schedule resets, and damaged trust. When the schedule is stable, quality can be planned. And when quality is planned, the job goes faster overall.

Flow First, Pull When You Must: Why Overburden Creates Longer Durations

Construction teams are often taught that if we’re behind, we should “push.” But pushing creates overburden: too many crews, too much WIP, too many handoffs, too much rework. Flow over busyness. This is where Takt matters. Takt is a system for stabilizing flow, limiting work in process, and creating predictable handoffs. When we plan in Takt, we protect people and production. When we ignore flow, we trade short-term activity for long-term delay.

Why Our Industry Struggles: Tools Aren’t Visual, Training Is Thin, and “Scheduler” Becomes a Crutch

CPM tools can be powerful, but they’re not naturally visual for field teams. If the schedule lives in software and never becomes a shared production plan, it won’t change behaviors. Also, we often under-train leaders in scheduling. Many superintendents and PMs never received real CPM education, so the schedule becomes “the scheduler’s job.” That’s a mistake. The schedule is the team’s job. Builders must own it. A scheduler can support, but cannot replace leadership.

How to Start Scheduling Earlier: Takt Planning at Schematic + Builders in Precon

If you want the schedule to come first, you must move it upstream. Don’t wait until after buyout. Don’t wait until the drawings are perfect. Start scheduling while design is still moving.That’s where LeanTakt and Elevate Construction systems help: you can begin Takt planning early, involve superintendents and field engineers in precon, and build a plan that reflects real production.

 When builders participate early, you get:

  • realistic sequencing,
  • better logistics planning,
  • early constraint identification,
  • fewer late design surprises,
  • better procurement lead-time awareness.

Plan it first, build it right, finish as you go.

The Integrated Team Requirement: PM + Superintendent + Field Align on One Schedule

One of the biggest breakthroughs is simple: one schedule that the PM and superintendent both believe in. If the schedule is “the office schedule” and the field runs a different plan, the project will drift. Aligning on one schedule means:

  • shared milestones,
  • shared constraints list,
  • shared weekly and daily rhythms,
  • shared make-ready system.

And when the whole team sees the plan, the whole team can protect the plan.

What Schedule Must Enable

  •  Time for safety planning: access, logistics, high-risk work prep, and transitions
  •  Quality hold points: mockups, inspections, verification, and cure/dry windows
  •  Procurement reality: lead times, submittals, approvals, fabrication, delivery
  •  Make-ready: constraints removal before crews show up
  • Predictable flow: stable handoffs, less stacking, less rework

Challenges to Implement This Now: Learn CPM, Plan Early, Increase Urgency, Drive Schedule Upstream

This isn’t a theory. You can start this now with a few practical moves. First, learn the basics of CPM. You don’t need to become a scheduling expert overnight, but you do need to understand logic ties, critical path, float, and how updates affect the plan. Second, bring builders into precon. If the superintendent isn’t part of early planning, the plan will be missing production truth. Third, plan earlier in design. Don’t wait for 100% CDs to begin thinking through flow and sequence. Fourth, build urgency around planning, not panic around execution. The right urgency is upstream.

4 Challenges to Start This Week

  •  Spend 60 minutes learning CPM basics: logic, critical path, float, and updates
  •  Pull your superintendent into the next precon planning session and make them a co-owner
  •  Identify the next 6 weeks of work and remove constraints before crews arrive
  •  Create one shared schedule conversation per week: PM + superintendent + key partners

Connect to Mission

Elevate Construction exists to help field teams stabilize, schedule, and flow. LeanTakt is built around the idea that respect for people is a production strategy—and that stability is designed, not demanded. When we put schedules first, we’re not prioritizing time over people. We’re prioritizing planning so we don’t have to hurt people later with overburden, chaos, and rework. We’re building people who build things. If your project needs superintendent coaching, project support, or leadership development, Elevate Construction can help your field teams stabilize, schedule, and flow.

Conclusion

Here’s the challenge: stop treating schedule like a report and start treating it like a plan. Move it upstream. Involve builders early. Learn CPM well enough to understand what the schedule is telling you. Use Takt where it fits to stabilize flow. Protect inspections, mockups, and safety planning windows like your project depends on it  because it does. And remember this real principle from the episode: cost, schedule, quality, and safety are all equal, but schedule comes first to support the other three.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How can schedule come first if safety is the top priority?
Schedule comes first in the planning sense because it creates time and sequence to execute safely. A stable schedule enables safe work planning, access, logistics, and proper preparation.

What’s the fastest way to reduce schedule-driven chaos?
Create one shared schedule the PM and superintendent both trust, then implement a weekly make-ready rhythm that removes constraints before crews arrive.

Do I need a full-time scheduler to have a good schedule?
No. A scheduler can help, but the team must own the plan. Leaders must understand CPM basics and use the schedule as a decision tool, not just a deliverable.

Where does Takt fit into scheduling?
Takt helps stabilize flow by aligning work packages, limiting WIP, and creating predictable handoffs. It’s especially useful when teams need rhythm and reliability in production.

What’s the biggest mistake teams make with schedules?
They build the schedule too late and treat it like a report. Planning earlier with builders involved is the biggest lever to protect safety, quality, and cost.

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.

Build a Little Better – Give it Time

Posted on by Danny Jiménez⁩
Read 18 min

Give It Time: The Career Move That Helps Construction Leaders Go Farther

You’re working hard, learning fast, and you can feel the next role calling your name. More responsibility. More money. More influence. And if you’re honest, a little bit of relief because you’re ready for things to feel easier. Here’s the truth: rushing your career in construction usually doesn’t make it easier. It makes it longer, harder, and more frustrating because you skip the exact fundamentals you’ll need to survive the next level.

The Pain in the Field

A lot of emerging leaders feel pressure to move up fast. They want immediate results, immediate recognition, and immediate reward. They see a title as the finish line, and they treat each role like a stepping-stone they have to sprint across. But construction doesn’t work like that. The work is real. The stakes are real. And the gap between “I can do the job” and “I can lead the job” is bigger than most people think.

The Failure Pattern

Here’s the pattern that shows up over and over: people move up without enough builder foundation, then they stall out mid-career. They get stuck at assistant superintendent, superintendent level one or two, or mid-range project superintendent. Not because they’re bad people. Not because they’re not talented. They get stuck because the basics never got installed early and now they have to catch up while carrying the weight of bigger projects, bigger consequences, and bigger stress.

Empathy

The system failed them; they didn’t fail the system. If the company promotes too fast, if the role path isn’t designed, if training is thin, and if leaders don’t have time-in-seat to build fundamentals, then people stall. That isn’t a character flaw. That’s a system design flaw.

The Field Story: Why “Time in the Seat” Matters

This conversation came up after an interview where the message was simple: younger folks need to give it time. Not because anyone wants to slow them down, but because there’s joy in the journey and real capability is built through repetition, exposure, and doing hard things long enough to get good.

Jason Schroeder talks about how common it is to see people stuck in the middle of the superintendent career curve. The numbers might shift by company, but the pattern stays the same: many at the lower and middle levels, fewer at the senior levels, and a big stall point where people can’t make the jump. When he and teams ran boot camps and asked, “Who knows how to schedule? Who knows how to manage field engineers? Who knows the basics?” hands went up. But as training progressed, the reality surfaced: many didn’t actually have the fundamentals needed to move into senior roles.

Why It Matters

This isn’t just about promotions. It’s about safety, quality, and the stress that leaders carry home. If you skip builder fundamentals, you end up solving problems you could have prevented. You spend your days reacting, your nights worried, and your weeks exhausted. And if the plan requires burnout, the plan is broken. Respect for people is a production strategy. Families should not pay the price for a system that promotes fast but trains slow.

Why People Get Stuck at Superintendent 1 and 2

Jason’s observation is clear: a common root cause is not enough time as a field engineer, layout person, or builder. When people move directly from a short project engineer stint or directly from craft into supervision without builder time, they often lack the base skills that senior roles quietly require. Field engineers get a chance to build without as many distractions. They do lift drawings, layout, surveying, elevations, embeds, placement checks, quality checklists, and they learn what “right” looks like. That builder time becomes their internal compass later. Superintendent roles shift toward coordinating, communicating, and leading. If you didn’t build first, you’re now trying to manage building without the builder baseline. That’s where stress and mistakes multiply.

Builder Work vs. Management Work

One of the most important distinctions is this: superintendent and PM roles are management experiences. They are not builder experiences. You can become a master builder as a leader, but you need the builder foundation first. Builder roles include field engineering, project engineering fundamentals, craft, foreman, and survey/layout. That’s where you learn the game. Leadership roles are where you call the game. If you skip learning the game, calling it becomes painful. This is also where concepts like Takt land differently. You can read about flow, but you can’t truly run a stable Takt system unless you understand work packaging, sequence, handoffs, and quality in the field. Fundamentals make advanced systems work.

What “Giving It Time” Actually Looks Like

Giving it time doesn’t mean staying stagnant. It means staying long enough to install fundamentals. Jason’s recommendation is that two years—sometimes threeof builder-focused time can accelerate your career later because it builds real capability. He shares his own path: years in field engineering, learning the methods, reading manuals, doing layout and survey, gaining real builder reps. Then years training and troubleshooting across the field. That tool belt didn’t appear overnight. It was earned through time, discipline, and repetition. And there’s a key insight here: if people knew how hard someone worked to achieve mastery, it wouldn’t seem so remarkable anymore. The growth you admire in others came from years of fundamentals.

Bullet Section: Signs You’re Rushing Too Fast

  •  You feel bored in your current role, but you can’t clearly teach someone else the basics of it yet.
  • You want the title more than you want the reps.
  •  You avoid builder work and only want coordination and meetings.
  •  You’re “good” at your role, but the work still feels reactive and stressful.
  •  You’re moving up without a clear fundamentals checklist you’ve mastered.

If any of those hit, don’t beat yourself up. Just recognize the signal. Your next step might not be “up.” It might be “deeper.”

Discipline Beats Talent Every Time

One of the strongest lines in the episode is simple and true: “Discipline will beat mere talent every time.” Talent can get you noticed. Discipline gets you promoted and keeps you there. Discipline looks like reading, training, practicing, building routines, learning software, and repeating fundamentals until they’re automatic. Discipline also looks like being patient enough to stay in the seat long enough to become dangerous—in a good way.

Enjoy the Journey: Because the Next Level Is Heavier

Jason also points out something that people don’t believe until they feel it: you won’t know what stress is until you’re the accountable leader. When you’re the project superintendent or the PM with final responsibility, the weight is real. So why rush? Enjoy the time when you can focus. Enjoy the time placing concrete, learning layout, learning procurement, learning financials, learning the craft of building. Those moments become your base. And later, when you’re leading under pressure, you’ll be grateful you didn’t skip them.

Don’t Become Indispensable: Train Your Replacement

There’s another trap that keeps people stuck: becoming so “good” at a role that you’re irreplaceable. If you haven’t trained someone to take your place, the system can’t move you. You become a bottleneck. If you want to grow, you have to show that the team can function without you. That doesn’t mean you’re not valuable. It means you’ve built capability around you. Delegation and training are career accelerators when done with intention. They prove readiness and they protect the system.

Bullet Section: A Simple “Give It Time” Career Plan

  •  Pick the fundamentals of your current role and master them before asking for the next step.
  •  Stay long enough to build reps: layout, quality checks, lift drawings, procurement basics, and scheduling fundamentals.
  •  Find mentors and role models then study what skills they built first.
  •  Train your replacement so the system can promote you without risk.
     Make decisions with your family in mind. Growth that breaks your life isn’t real growth.

This is how you go farther and faster by slowing down long enough to build a foundation.

Connect to Mission

At Elevate Construction and LeanTakt, Jason Schroeder’s message is consistent: plan it first, build it right, finish as you go. That doesn’t just apply to concrete and steel. It applies to people. We’re building people who build things. And that means we don’t rush them through roles without fundamentals. Respect for people is a production strategy. Careers should be designed, trained, and stabilized not improvised. If your project needs superintendent coaching, project support, or leadership development, Elevate Construction can help your field teams stabilize, schedule, and flow.

Conclusion

Here’s the challenge: stop measuring your career by how fast you move, and start measuring it by how solid your foundation is. Stay in the seat long enough to learn what “right” looks like. Build the tool belt. Train your replacement. Then step forward with confidence, not impatience. And when you feel that pressure to sprint, remember this real line from the episode: “Discipline will beat mere talent every time.” Give it time. Enjoy the journey. Build the fundamentals. On we go.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How long should I stay in a field engineer or builder role before moving up?
Long enough to master the fundamentals and teach them to someone else. Many people benefit from at least two years, sometimes three, depending on exposure and training systems.

Why do so many people get stuck at superintendent level one or two?
Often it’s because they didn’t get enough builder reps early field engineering, layout, quality control, and real building fundamentals so they have to catch up while leading.

Is it ever okay to move up quickly?
Yes if the system supports you with training, mentors, and time to develop. Moving fast without fundamentals creates stress and risk that can stall you later.

What does “train your replacement” actually mean?
It means you build systems and people so work continues without you. You document processes, coach others, and ensure the team can operate when you step into the next role.

How do I balance career growth with family needs and financial pressure?
Make thoughtful decisions with your spouse or family, and choose growth that’s sustainable. A promotion that creates burnout is not a win design a path that builds skills and protects home life.

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.

Artful Delegation

Posted on by Danny Jiménez⁩
Read 14 min

Delegation in Construction: How to Hand Work Off Without Losing Control

The Hook

Every builder hits the wall at some point  too many fires, too many people needing answers, and too little time to think. The irony is that we climb the ranks by being the ones who get things done  and then leadership demands the opposite. We’re no longer the “doer.” We’re the designers of systems that let others do. If you don’t redesign how you lead, the very strength that got you here will eventually burn you out.

Why Delegation Fails in the Field (And Why It’s a System Problem)

In construction, delegation usually breaks down because the system doesn’t define what follow-up looks like. The foreman gets “ownership” but not clarity, or the leader assigns responsibility without checking readiness. Then when something slips, people think the person failed when in truth, the process failed them. We need to stop treating delegation as abdication. True delegation is designing a loop, a standard follow-up rhythm that confirms the work is being done and problems are being surfaced. Leaders don’t “give it away.” They build a feedback system that keeps flow visible.

The Shift From Doer to Leader: Your Role Changes

When you move from builder to superintendent, or superintendent to project manager, your job shifts from performing tasks to orchestrating outcomes. The goal isn’t to touch every detail; it’s to ensure the right systems touch every detail. That’s a hard shift for people who take pride in control. But leadership means designing a system that performs when you’re not there. The best leaders delegate clearly, follow up predictably, and train their teams to own outcomes instead of waiting for direction.

The Delegation Lesson That Cost Real Money (Floor Flatness Story)

Jason once delegated floor flatness testing on a major deck pour. The test was assigned, but the follow-up system wasn’t. The engineer later questioned the results, suspecting deck deflection. The re-check came late, the floors had to be floated, and the fix cost real money.
The point wasn’t that someone “messed up.” It was that the delegation system failed. Delegation without follow-up is just hope. Hope is not a leadership system.

What You Can’t Delegate: Safety, Quality, and Critical Controls

There are things you can’t hand off safety verification, quality checkpoints, and major coordination alignments. You can involve others, but you still own the outcome. These are the core responsibilities that protect people and families. Delegation is not surrender. It’s prioritization. You keep what only you can ensure, and you design systems so others can own the rest.

Follow-Up Is Not Micromanagement: How Pros Communicate Under Pressure

Many leaders confuse follow-up with distrust. But professionals follow up because they care about clarity, not control. When you say you’ll check in Friday, and you do, people learn that follow-up is part of the process. It keeps flow visible, tension healthy, and accountability clean.
A “check-in rhythm” should be visible on your calendar. It’s not reactive; it’s structure. Without that, delegation fades into drift.

The Eisenhower Method for Leaders: Do, Plan, Delegate, or Drop It

The Eisenhower Matrix divides work into urgent/important quadrants — and it’s a perfect delegation lens for construction.

  • Urgent + Important: Do now.
  • Important + Not Urgent: Schedule and plan.
  • Urgent + Not Important: Delegate.
  • Not Urgent + Not Important: Drop it.

If everything feels urgent, the problem isn’t the people — it’s the lack of planning rhythm.

The Focus Myth Trap: “Everything Is Important” and “Multitasking Works”

Too many leaders try to control everything because they’ve been rewarded for busyness. But focus and flow always outperform hustle. Multitasking hides unfinished work and creates mental inventory. A stable leader sets limits a 55-hour weekly cap, a visible daily rhythm, and clear no-work zones. Boundaries force better leadership. They create space to think and to delegate intentionally.

Why Leaders Don’t Delegate (Fear, Control, and Frustration)

Most resistance comes from three fears:

  1. “They’ll mess it up.”
  2. “It’ll be faster if I do it.”
  3. “No one else cares as much.”

Those are emotional truths, not leadership strategies. Systems and standards beat personal control every time. When leaders learn to coach instead of fix, teams grow. And when people grow, projects flow.

The Step-by-Step Delegation System: Fit, Challenge, Clarify, Commit, Train, Follow Through, Let Go

Delegation is a repeatable process:

  1. Fit: Is this the right person for the task?
  2. Challenge: Is it just outside their comfort zone?
  3. Clarify: What does success look like?
  4. Commit: Do they have the resources and time?
  5. Train: Fill gaps before you expect results.
  6. Follow Through: Verify progress.
  7. Let Go: Once they’ve shown reliability, give them ownership.
    When you standardize this sequence, trust grows and chaos drops.

What to Delegate vs. What to Keep

  • Use these signals to decide what stays and what goes:
  • Delegate repetitive coordination or documentation tasks that others can perform with training.
  •  Keep anything that protects safety, quality, or family well-being.
  •  Delegate decisions within guardrails — what, not how.
  •  Keep culture, clarity, and direction — those belong to leadership.
  •  Delegate scheduling updates, but own Takt rhythm alignment.

Make Delegation Stick With Standard Systems and Leader Standard Work

Delegation fails without a predictable review system. Leader standard work is the missing piece daily, weekly, and monthly check rhythms that confirm the system is working.
Leaders who design standard checks rarely have to chase results. They know because the system tells them. That’s freedom.

Lower the Water Level: The 55-Hour Constraint That Forces Better Leadership

Jason teaches that when you limit yourself to 55 hours a week, you’re forced to delegate, clarify, and protect what matters most. It’s the leadership version of lowering the water to reveal the rocks. Every unnecessary task shows itself.
It’s not about doing less, it’s about focusing on what only you can do.

A Simple Delegation Conversation That Gets a Real Commitment

  • When handing off work, hit these checkpoints:
  •  Explain why the task matters and connect it to the mission.
  •  Clarify deliverables and follow-up timing.
  •  Ask, “What resources or support do you need?”
  • Confirm a real yes, not a reluctant one.
  •  Document the agreement in your leader’s standard work system.

The Challenge: Start Small, Protect the Critical, and Build a Delegation Culture

Start with one small task this week. Delegate it fully. Follow up once, clearly. Celebrate what worked, and adjust what didn’t. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s building a culture where ownership is shared and systems protect people. That’s how we respect our teams and our families. If your project needs superintendent coaching, project support, or leadership development, Elevate Construction can help your field teams stabilize, schedule, and flow.

Conclusion

Andrew Carnegie once said, “No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or to get all the credit for doing it.” Leadership in construction means building systems that work through people  not around them. Delegate with clarity. Follow up with respect. Protect what only you can protect. And when you get it right, your team will build remarkable things together.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I know what’s safe to delegate on my project?
If the outcome affects safety, quality, or family well-being, you retain ownership but can involve others. Use that as your guardrail test.

What’s the difference between checking in and micromanaging?
Micromanagement hides in tone and unpredictability. Scheduled follow-ups are structure, not control. They build trust and consistency.

How do I recover if a delegated task goes wrong?
Analyze the system first: was the training clear, the resources sufficient, and the follow-up defined? Fix the process before you judge the person.

How can I train my team to delegate well?
Model the behavior. Use the Fit-Challenge-Clarify-Commit-Train-Follow-Through-Let-Go sequence and review it during team huddles.

What’s the one takeaway from this episode?
Delegation is leadership design not giving away work but building systems that make ownership visible and flow predictable.

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.

What Is SPI In Project Management?

Posted on by Danny Jiménez⁩
Read 12 min

SPI in Project Management: Why “On Schedule” Can Still Mean You’re Losing Flow

SPI looks official. It looks mathematical. It looks like control. And that’s exactly why teams trust it.

The Schedule Performance Index promises clarity. A single number that tells you whether you’re ahead or behind. Green is good. Red is bad. Simple. Clean. Reassuring. But on real projects, SPI often drives the exact behaviors that slow projects down, burn out teams, and quietly destroy flow.

This isn’t a people problem. No one is trying to do the wrong thing. The system is giving the wrong signal.

When SPI drops, teams react the only way the system has taught them to react. They push. They add. They rush. And that’s where the damage begins.

SPI Feels Scientific That’s Why Teams Trust It

SPI comes from earned value management, which gives it an air of precision. Leaders see a ratio, a trend line, a curve, and assume it represents reality in the field. That assumption is dangerous.

The problem isn’t that SPI is wrong. The problem is that it’s incomplete. SPI measures financial progress against a planned baseline, not production flow against real capacity. It tells you how much value you’ve “earned” compared to what you planned to earn by a certain date. It does not tell you whether work is actually flowing, whether crews are overloaded, or whether tomorrow will start clean.

Because SPI is abstract, teams interpret it emotionally. When it dips, panic sets in. When it rises, false confidence follows. Neither response improves production.

What SPI Actually Measures: Earned Value vs Planned Value

SPI is calculated by dividing earned value by planned value. If you planned to earn $100 of work by today and you’ve earned $90, your SPI is 0.9. On paper, you’re behind.

What SPI does not measure is how that work was earned. It doesn’t see batching. It doesn’t see congestion. It doesn’t see stacked trades, waiting crews, or material staged three weeks early. It only sees dollars converted to progress.

That gap between financial progress and production reality is where projects get into trouble. Leaders assume the answer to a low SPI is to “go faster.” But faster in a constrained system almost always means more work in progress, not more flow.

The Hidden Trap: Spending More Doesn’t Mean Flowing More

When SPI signals delay, teams respond by spending. More labor. More overtime. More material staged early. More activities started “just in case.”

That response feels logical. It’s also the fastest way to overload the system.

Production does not speed up just because more work is started. In fact, starting too much work at once slows everything down. Crews context switch. Areas become congested. Quality drops. Rework increases. The project looks busy but produces less.

SPI didn’t cause this. The reaction to SPI did.

Capacity vs Work in Progress: The Line You Must Not Cross

Every project has a real, finite capacity. That capacity is defined by space, sequencing, crew size, supervision, and logistics. When work in progress exceeds that capacity, productivity collapses.

This is the line SPI encourages teams to cross.

Instead of asking, “What can our system handle right now?” teams ask, “How do we get the number back to green?” The result is too many crews, too many zones opened, and too many promises made simultaneously.

Once capacity is exceeded, recovery becomes harder every day.

The Downward Productivity Spiral: What Happens After You Cross It

Once work in progress is above capacity, everything starts taking longer. Tasks interfere with each other. Inspections stack up. Crews wait on access. Supervisors spend their day firefighting instead of leading.

The response is predictable. Add more people. Add more hours. Crash more activities. But each “fix” pushes work in progress even higher, deepening the spiral.

This is how projects fall behind while appearing busy.

Brooks’s Law and Overtime: The “Fixes” That Extend Your Schedule

Brooks’s Law tells us that adding people to a late project makes it later. Construction proves this daily.

Overtime increases fatigue. Fatigue increases errors. Errors increase rework. Rework consumes capacity. SPI might improve briefly, but the system degrades underneath.

This isn’t because people aren’t trying. The system is asking them to violate basic production physics.

What to Track Instead: Visual Production Planning and Real Field Signals

When SPI changes, it should not trigger panic. It should trigger curiosity.

The correct response is not “push harder.” The correct response is “go see.”

Go to the field. Look at work in progress. Check handoffs. Review constraints. Ask whether crews have full kit. Look at buffers, not curves.

SPI can tell you something changed. It cannot tell you what to do next.

Signs SPI Is Driving the Wrong Behavior

  • Crews starting work without full kit
  • Multiple zones opened “to stay busy”
  • Material staged far ahead of installation
  • Overtime increasing while output declines
  • Leaders managing numbers instead of production

Use SPI the Right Way: A Trigger to Go See, not a Trigger to Panic

SPI should be a signal, not a command. When it moves, leaders should slow down, not speed up. Ask better questions. Observe the system. Adjust flow.

This is where real control lives.

How This Supports Takt: Stability, Buffers, Handoffs, and Roadblock Removal

Takt depends on stability. Stability depends on controlling work in progress. When SPI is used properly, it can support Takt by prompting leaders to protect buffers, improve handoffs, and remove roadblocks instead of flooding the system.

Flow improves when leadership behavior improves.

A Better Definition of “On Track”: Flow, Not Finance

A project is on track when work flows predictably, crews start clean, handoffs are reliable, and buffers are protected. Financial indicators should confirm that reality, not replace it.

SPI is not the truth. The field is.

Better Field Metrics to Confirm You’re Actually on Track

  • Percent of clean handoffs between crews
  • Average roadblock removal time
  • Work in progress by zone vs capacity
  • Buffer health and recovery rate
  • Daily plan reliability

Where We Can Help You

If your project needs superintendent coaching, project support, or leadership development, Elevate Construction can help your field teams stabilize, schedule, and flow.

The challenge is simple. Stop managing curves. Start managing flow. As a reminder, “Go see for yourself. It’s called Genchi Genbutsu.”

FAQ

What is SPI actually good for?
SPI is useful as a high level financial signal, not a production control tool. It should prompt investigation, not immediate acceleration.

Why does SPI often make projects worse?
Because it encourages teams to add work instead of fixing constraints, pushing work in progress beyond system capacity.

Is earned value management bad?
No. It’s incomplete. Without production metrics, it can mislead leaders into making harmful decisions.

What should leaders do when SPI drops?
Go to the field. Observe flow, capacity, and constraints before taking action.

How does this relate to Takt planning?
Takt protects flow by limiting work in progress. Using SPI correctly supports Takt instead of undermining it.

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

Remarkable Leadership – Winning Teams

Posted on by Danny Jiménez⁩
Read 17 min

The Role of Leadership in Fostering Team Success

In construction, teams are everything. Whether you’re overseeing a small project or leading a massive build, the strength of your team can make or break the outcome. A successful project isn’t just about managing deadlines and budgets it’s about managing the people who will ultimately bring that project to life.

As a leader, the challenge isn’t just about getting the job done; it’s about building the team that will get it done. This is where leadership comes in. Leadership isn’t just about giving orders it’s about understanding what makes your team tick, guiding them, and helping them achieve their full potential.

In today’s blog, we’ll explore how leaders in construction can positively influence their teams by fostering a culture based on humility, hunger, and people smarts key qualities of an ideal team player that ensure team success. These aren’t just nice-to-have traits; they’re essential for creating a cohesive, high-performing team capable of tackling any challenge.

 

Team Dysfunction and Lack of Leadership

There’s a common issue I’ve seen time and time again on construction sites dysfunctional teams. The frustration of watching a project stall because the team isn’t working together cohesively is one of the biggest pains any leader can face. Maybe there’s friction between team members, or someone isn’t pulling their weight, or worse, there’s a lack of clarity around roles and expectations. Whatever the cause, when teams are dysfunctional, projects suffer.

The issue is rarely about technical skills. It’s about how people work together or fail to. I’ve been on projects where the crew was full of capable, hardworking individuals, but their collective performance was less than the sum of their parts. Why? Because they lacked the cohesion that comes from mutual respect, shared values, and an understanding of the bigger picture.

 

Lack of Humility, Hunger, and Smartness

The core failure pattern behind team dysfunction often boils down to three key qualities or the lack of them: humility, hunger, and smartness. These traits are the foundation of a high-performing team. If any one of them is missing, it becomes an obstacle to team success. Let’s break it down:

  1. Humility: Without humility, team members focus on their own recognition and success rather than working together for the greater good. They become defensive, protective of their own turf, and unwilling to give credit where credit is due.
  2. Hunger: A lack of hunger means team members aren’t motivated to go above and beyond. They’ll do the bare minimum, but they won’t push for improvement, innovation, or growth. In construction, this means delays, missed opportunities for efficiency, and ultimately, a lack of progress.
  3. Smartness: Not everyone is “smart” in the traditional sense, but a lack of people smarts can quickly derail a team. Smart people understand group dynamics and know how to engage, listen, and collaborate effectively. Without people smarts, team members can create unnecessary tension, misunderstand each other, and fail to resolve conflicts productively.

These three qualities humility, hunger, and smartness are not just “nice-to-haves” for a team; they are the foundation of success.

 

Recognizing the Struggles of Team Members

I get it. The construction world is fast-paced, high-pressure, and sometimes, it feels like everyone is just trying to keep their heads above water. It’s easy for team members to become disengaged, especially when they’re not given the right leadership or guidance. They may not understand how their role fits into the bigger picture, or they might feel unappreciated, which leads to frustration.

But here’s the thing team dysfunction doesn’t have to be permanent. As a leader, you can turn things around by recognizing where the gaps are and taking action. By focusing on developing the qualities of humility, hunger, and smartness within your team, you can create a culture where everyone is engaged, aligned, and working toward a common goal.

 

Building the Right Team Culture

I remember a time on a project when we had a team of highly skilled individuals, but there was a lack of cohesion. There was no shared sense of purpose, and the team members weren’t communicating effectively. I knew the project was going to fail if we didn’t turn things around.

Instead of pointing fingers, we focused on building a better team culture. We held regular meetings to ensure everyone understood the project goals and how their individual contributions fit into the larger picture. We made a point to celebrate achievements, no matter how small, and gave credit to those who went above and beyond.

We also encouraged open communication, where people could voice concerns and suggest improvements. This helped build trust among the team and created a culture of collaboration rather than competition. Slowly but surely, the atmosphere on the job site shifted. People started taking ownership of their roles, collaborating more effectively, and the project began to move forward more smoothly.

 

Building the Right Team Culture Starts with Leadership

The emotional insight here is that building a high-performing team isn’t just about skills it’s about culture. When your team members feel valued, respected, and connected to the project, they perform better. They go above and beyond because they care about the success of the team, not just their own success.

As a leader, your job is to create an environment where these three qualities humility, hunger, and smartness are not just encouraged, but expected. When you create a culture where these qualities are the norm, your team will thrive. And when your team thrives, your projects succeed.

 

How to Cultivate Humble, Hungry, and Smart Team Players

So how do you cultivate these key qualities in your team? Here’s a framework for fostering a culture of humility, hunger, and smartness:

  • Lead by Example with Humility
    Humility starts with the leader. If you want your team to be humble, you need to model humility yourself. Show your team that you value their contributions and are willing to put the needs of the team above your own ego. Be open about your mistakes and seek feedback. When your team sees you act with humility, they will follow suit.
  • Encourage Hunger Through Opportunities
    Hunger is about motivation and drive. To foster hunger, create opportunities for team members to take on new challenges and responsibilities. Give them the autonomy to own their work, and encourage them to seek out learning opportunities. Hungry team members are self-driven and are always looking for ways to improve, so provide the tools and resources they need to grow.
  • Develop Smartness in People Dynamics
    People smartness is about emotional intelligence and understanding how to interact effectively with others. To build this quality in your team, encourage open communication, active listening, and healthy conflict. Provide training on communication and conflict resolution, and create an environment where people feel comfortable addressing issues directly with one another. Smart teams can resolve problems quickly and maintain positive relationships.

 

Implementing This Framework in Your Team

If your project needs superintendent coaching, project support, or leadership development, Elevate Construction can help your field teams stabilize, schedule, and flow. But beyond that, the real work starts with fostering these qualities within your team. Start by assessing where your team stands in terms of humility, hunger, and smartness. Identify any gaps and begin coaching them toward improvement.

Hold regular feedback sessions, encourage team-building activities, and be intentional about cultivating the right culture. Remember, a high-performing team isn’t built overnight. It takes time, effort, and consistent leadership. But with the right approach, you can create a team that’s capable of achieving anything.

 

Connect to Elevate Construction’s Mission

At Elevate Construction, we believe that the success of a project is determined by the strength of the team. That’s why we focus on developing leaders who can foster humility, hunger, and smartness within their teams. By building a culture based on these core qualities, we help our clients create high-performance teams that can achieve exceptional results on every project.

 

A Challenge for You

Creating a high-performing team requires intentional effort. Start by cultivating humility, hunger, and smartness in yourself and your team. As Jason Schroeder always says, “When your team understands the bigger picture and is aligned with your values, your project will thrive.” The question is: are you ready to take the first step in building a team that will set your projects up for success?

 

FAQ

What makes a team player ideal for construction projects?
An ideal team player in construction is humble, hungry, and smart. They are willing to put the team’s needs ahead of their own, they are motivated to go above and beyond, and they are able to communicate and collaborate effectively with others.

How do I foster humility, hunger, and smartness in my team?
Lead by example, create opportunities for growth, and encourage open communication. Model the behaviors you want to see in your team, and provide the resources and support they need to succeed.

Why is humility important for a successful construction team?
Humility ensures that team members prioritize collaboration over personal recognition. It fosters a culture where everyone’s contributions are valued, and the team can work together toward a shared goal.

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 Be An Ideal Team Player – Winning Teams

Posted on by Danny Jiménez⁩
Read 17 min

How to Cultivate the Ideal Team Player

In construction, the foundation of every successful project lies not in the materials or machinery but in the team. If you want your team to perform at its highest level, it’s crucial to foster a culture where every individual is empowered to contribute, collaborate, and grow. But how do we achieve this? How do we ensure that each team member is not just filling a role but actively contributing to the success of the entire project?

The answer lies in identifying and cultivating the ideal team player. This concept, introduced by Patrick Lencioni, revolves around three core virtues that every team member should embody: humility, hunger, and smartness. In this blog, I’ll show you how these three qualities can transform your team, making them more engaged, more productive, and ultimately more successful.

 

Dysfunctional Teams and Misaligned Goals

The pain every construction leader knows too well is watching a project stall due to a lack of cohesion within the team. Perhaps one or two key players aren’t pulling their weight, or there’s friction between team members that hinders progress. These issues aren’t always easy to spot, but they are destructive nonetheless. The truth is, you can have the best plans and tools in place, but without the right team dynamic, nothing will get accomplished the way it should.

Dysfunctional teams lead to frustration, inefficiency, and ultimately, missed deadlines and overblown budgets. It’s not just about technical skills it’s about how people work together. When team members don’t share the same goals or values, or when there’s a lack of alignment in their approach to the work, the entire project suffers.

 

Lack of Humility, Hunger, and Smarts

The failure pattern I’ve seen time and time again comes down to three major issues: lack of humility, lack of hunger, and lack of smartness and they show up in different ways on every team.

  1. Humility: A lack of humility leads to ego-driven decisions. Individuals with excessive pride often focus on their own recognition and status rather than the success of the team. They are reluctant to ask for help and struggle to recognize the contributions of others. This can create division and resentment.
  2. Hunger: Without hunger without the drive to go above and beyond team members will do just enough to get by. They’ll only fulfill the minimum requirements, which often leads to missed opportunities for improvement or growth. A lack of hunger can slow the team down and make them more susceptible to burnout.
  3. Smartness: Not everyone is “smart with people.” A lack of people smarts leads to poor communication and decision-making. People who aren’t savvy with group dynamics can misread situations, create unnecessary tension, or fail to address problems effectively. A lack of smartness in managing people results in a team that can’t collaborate efficiently.

 

Recognizing the Struggles Within Your Team

I’ve worked with many teams where these issues were evident. The most frustrating part was knowing that these weren’t necessarily “bad” people they just weren’t the right fit for the team, or they hadn’t yet been equipped with the tools to succeed. And that’s where empathy comes in. It’s not about pointing fingers or placing blame. It’s about understanding that a lack of humility, hunger, or smarts can be changed. They are qualities that can be cultivated over time, through leadership, coaching, and a shift in culture.

As a leader, it’s crucial to recognize when these qualities are lacking and take the necessary steps to help your team grow. This isn’t about firing people or building resentment it’s about creating an environment where people can thrive and become the best versions of themselves.

 

From Struggling Team to Cohesive Unit

There was a project I managed where we struggled with team cohesion. A few of our key team members just weren’t getting along. One of them wasn’t as engaged as the others, and there were constant clashes in communication. This was especially problematic because the project required everyone’s input every single detail had to be coordinated, and every team member’s expertise was crucial.

Rather than letting the frustration simmer, I decided to get to the root of the issue. I spoke with each of the team members individually to understand their concerns and motivations. I asked them what they needed to feel more engaged and connected with the project. Through these conversations, it became clear that a few of them lacked humility in how they communicated with each other they were unwilling to listen and collaborate openly. Others lacked hunger for taking on additional responsibility or pushing the project forward. And finally, a couple of people lacked the smartness to navigate the dynamics of group work—tensions kept escalating instead of being resolved.

We implemented changes to address these gaps, focusing on humility through active listening exercises and hunger by giving team members more autonomy and responsibility for specific tasks. We also worked on people skills, providing the tools and coaching to improve communication and conflict resolution. Over time, the team began to click. The project moved forward faster, and the morale of everyone on-site improved. We turned a group of individuals into a high-performing team, and it was amazing to see.

 

Culture Drives Results

The emotional insight here is that building a team isn’t just about picking the right people it’s about cultivating the right culture. A culture of humility, hunger, and smartness doesn’t just happen overnight, but it’s something that can be developed with the right leadership. When your team embraces these qualities, they become more than just workers they become a united, high-performing unit that will push through challenges, meet deadlines, and exceed expectations.

When people feel like they’re part of something bigger, when they know that their work matters, they perform at their highest level. The key to fostering this environment is leading by example. You, as the leader, must embody these values and instill them in everyone on your team.

 

Teaching the Framework: Cultivating the Ideal Team Player

To build a successful, high-performing construction team, focus on cultivating these three key qualities:

  • Humility: Humble people don’t seek the spotlight they lift others up and share credit. They know that the success of the team is greater than individual accolades. As a leader, it’s essential to model humility and encourage your team to do the same. Foster a culture where everyone’s contributions are recognized, and encourage team members to put the needs of the group ahead of personal gain.
  • Hunger: Hungry people don’t wait for someone to tell them what to do, they take initiative. They’re self-motivated and constantly look for ways to add value. Encourage hunger by providing opportunities for team members to take on new challenges, learn new skills, and grow in their careers. When people are hungry to improve and succeed, they inspire those around them to do the same.
  • Smartness: People smarts are essential for successful collaboration. Smart team players understand the dynamics of the group and know how to communicate effectively. Help your team develop these people skills by encouraging open, honest communication and providing them with the tools to resolve conflicts. When team members understand each other’s perspectives, they work together more effectively.

 

Implementing These Principles on Your Project

If your project needs superintendent coaching, project support, or leadership development, Elevate Construction can help your field teams stabilize, schedule, and flow. But the first step in building a high-performing team is to lead by example.

Start by assessing your team and identifying areas where humility, hunger, or smartness might be lacking. Create an environment where these qualities are encouraged and developed through coaching, feedback, and positive reinforcement. Be transparent about your own challenges and demonstrate the behaviors you want to see in your team.

 

Connect to Elevate Construction’s Mission

At Elevate Construction, we’re passionate about building high-performance teams. We help construction teams cultivate a culture of humility, hunger, and smartness so that they can work together effectively and achieve project success. When your team is aligned and motivated, everything else falls into place.

 

A Challenge for You

Building the right team starts with being the right leader. If you want to create a high-performing, engaged team, start by focusing on humility, hunger, and smartness. These are the qualities that will set your team apart and ensure long-term success. As Jason Schroeder always says, “A team that understands the bigger picture, communicates openly, and is aligned in their goals will always succeed.” The question is: are you ready to build that team?

 

FAQ

What are the three key traits of an ideal team player?
The three key traits are humility, hunger, and smartness. Humble people put the team first, hungry people take initiative and strive for growth, and smart people understand and navigate group dynamics.

How can I cultivate humility, hunger, and smartness in my team?
You can foster these qualities by leading by example, offering opportunities for growth, and encouraging open communication. Provide feedback and mentorship to help team members develop these traits.

Why are humility, hunger, and smartness important for a construction team?
These qualities ensure that team members collaborate effectively, take responsibility, and communicate openly. When these traits are present, the team becomes high-performing and capable of overcoming any challenges.

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

Remarkable Communication – Winning Teams

Posted on by Danny Jiménez⁩
Read 16 min

How to Build a High-Performance Team on Your Construction Projects

In construction, communication can make or break a project. Whether it’s a complex multi-phase job or a straightforward build, clear and consistent communication ensures that everyone from the project managers to the field workers is on the same page. But here’s the problem: communication in construction is often siloed, inconsistent, or even misunderstood. This leads to confusion, mistakes, and delays.

The truth is, there is no such thing as too much communication. The more we communicate, the more aligned we become, and the more successful the project will be. This blog is all about scaling up communication, ensuring that everyone on your team not only hears the message but understands it, and most importantly, acts on it.

 

Communication Breakdowns

You’ve likely experienced it confusion on the job site, misunderstandings between team members, and important messages lost in translation. It happens when communication isn’t clear, or when people on the project aren’t on the same wavelength. Maybe the schedule isn’t communicated clearly to the workers, or maybe the safety plans aren’t being followed because people didn’t fully understand the expectations.

This lack of communication doesn’t just create frustration it costs time, money, and quality. When team members aren’t aligned, the project grinds to a halt, and that’s where the real pain lies. The inability to communicate effectively on the job site is a major barrier to productivity and success.

 

Misunderstandings and Lack of Clarity

The failure pattern behind poor communication often comes down to a few key factors. One of the main issues is that we don’t communicate for understanding we communicate for the sake of communication. A leader might say, “I told them,” but telling someone something is not the same as ensuring they understand it.

This is where we start to see the breakdown. People have different communication styles. Some are visual learners, others are auditory, and some prefer hands-on, kinesthetic learning. When we communicate without considering these different learning styles, it’s easy for messages to be misinterpreted or ignored altogether.

The second issue is lack of transparency. If team members don’t know what’s going on, they can’t act on the information they’re given. A project manager may think everything is clear, but if the crew doesn’t understand the vision or the plan, nothing gets done. The failure pattern here is simple: when communication is not aligned or clear, it creates confusion and inefficiency.

 

Understanding the Struggle with Communication in Construction

I get it. Construction is fast-paced, and it’s easy to fall into the habit of pushing information through the quickest channel possible. But here’s the problem: just because you communicated something doesn’t mean it was understood. I’ve been there, trying to make things clear, only to realize that the message didn’t land the way I intended.

That’s why it’s so important to empathize with your team. Not everyone processes information in the same way, and it’s our job as leaders to recognize that. The frustration that arises from miscommunication is real, and it impacts everyone involved, from the subcontractors to the client. But when we take the time to communicate effectively when we tailor our messages to our audience we eliminate that frustration and move the project forward smoothly.

 

Transforming Communication on a Complex Project

I remember a large project I worked on where communication was constantly breaking down. We were working with a large team, and everyone was getting the information, but no one seemed to be on the same page. This led to confusion, delays, and mistakes on the job site.

So, we made a change. We started having regular huddles short, daily meetings where the foremen could voice their concerns, highlight potential roadblocks, and share updates with the entire team. We didn’t just talk about the schedule we made sure everyone knew what was happening at every step of the process.

We also started using visual aids: maps, schedules, and even pictures. For the crew, we created visual roadmaps of the project so they could see the bigger picture. This made a world of difference. It wasn’t just about talking it was about showing, engaging, and ensuring everyone understood the plan.

The shift was remarkable. Not only did the team become more engaged, but they also started taking more ownership of their tasks. Communication wasn’t just a one-way street it became a shared effort. This change in communication led to smoother operations and fewer delays.

 

Communication for Understanding is the Key to Success

The emotional insight here is this: effective communication is the backbone of success on any project. If your team understands the plan, knows what’s expected, and can visualize the outcome, they are more likely to engage with the project and perform at their best. Communication isn’t just about getting the information out it’s about ensuring it lands with the right people and that they feel connected to the project.

When you create a space where communication flows freely, everyone becomes more accountable. People are not just completing tasks they are working toward a shared goal. This creates momentum, energy, and passion for the work. And that’s where you see true project success.

 

How to Scale Communication Effectively

So how can you ensure that your meetings are productive and drive results? There are three core principles that will help you turn your meetings around:

  • Know Your Audience
    People communicate differently, and the more you understand how each member of your team learns and processes information, the better you can communicate with them. Visual learners respond best to maps, charts, and pictures. Auditory learners need to hear the information, while kinesthetic learners need to physically engage with the work. Tailor your communication to each type to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
  • Create a Culture of Transparency
    Communication should be open and transparent. Share the schedule, the risks, the goals, and the challenges. When everyone on the team knows where the project stands and what needs to happen, they can act accordingly. Transparency eliminates confusion and ensures that everyone is aligned with the same goals.
  • Focus on Communication for Understanding
    As I mentioned earlier, it’s not enough to simply communicate; you need to ensure that the message is understood. This means checking in with your team and asking questions like, “Do you understand this?” or “Can you explain it back to me?” By testing for understanding, you ensure that your communication is effective and that everyone knows what’s expected.
  • Use Visual Aids and Tools
    People need to be able to see the plan. Visual tools like schedules, maps, and diagrams help make the plan tangible. When people can see what needs to be done and where they fit into the bigger picture, they are more likely to stay engaged and committed to the task.
  • Encourage Regular Check-ins and Feedback
    Communication shouldn’t just happen at the beginning of the project it should be ongoing. Regular check-ins, huddles, and feedback sessions help keep the lines of communication open and ensure that problems are addressed early. When people know that their input is valued, they are more likely to contribute their best ideas and solutions.

 

Implementing Communication Strategies Today

If your project needs superintendent coaching, project support, or leadership development, Elevate Construction can help your field teams stabilize, schedule, and flow. But it all starts with building a culture of communication. Start by ensuring that your meetings are structured and purposeful, that everyone knows their role, and that the project’s goals are clearly communicated.

Make use of visual tools and ensure that all members of your team can easily access the information they need. Take the time to understand your team’s communication preferences and tailor your approach to their learning styles. Most importantly, ensure that communication isn’t just happening it’s happening with understanding.

 

Connect to Elevate Construction’s Mission

At Elevate Construction, we’re committed to helping teams build better through effective communication. By focusing on transparency, accountability, and clear communication, we help you create high-performance teams that work together seamlessly. When everyone on the project is aligned and understands the plan, success follows.

 

A Challenge for You

If you want your project to thrive, you need to scale up communication. It’s not just about talking more; it’s about ensuring that everyone is aligned and understands what needs to happen next. As Jason Schroeder always says, “When your team understands the plan, your project will succeed.” The question is: will you take the steps today to improve communication on your job sites?

 

FAQ

How can I improve communication on my construction project?
Start by understanding the communication styles of your team members. Use visual aids, ensure transparency, and make sure that every message is communicated for understanding.

Why is communication so important in construction?
Effective communication ensures that everyone is aligned, reducing the risk of mistakes, delays, and confusion. It also boosts team morale and fosters collaboration.

What are some tools I can use to communicate effectively with my team?
Use visual tools like maps, diagrams, and schedules to make the plan tangible. Hold regular meetings to check in with your team and ensure that they understand the goals.

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

Creating Positive Work Environments Feat. Ricky Davenport

Posted on by Danny Jiménez⁩
Read 16 min

Building a Winning Team

In the world of construction, project success isn’t just about quality, deadlines, or budgets it’s about people. When your team is motivated, engaged, and connected, everything else falls into place. A positive culture is the foundation of any successful project, and it all starts with how you lead and treat the people on your team.

In this blog, we’re going to dive into how to create a positive culture on your construction projects, and how doing so can transform your team’s productivity, morale, and ultimately the success of the project. From fostering collaboration to making sure everyone feels valued, these steps will help you build a culture where people thrive and projects excel.

 

Dysfunctional Teams and Low Morale

We’ve all been there on projects where the team just isn’t clicking. Maybe the work gets done, but it’s often late, over budget, or with a lot of friction between team members. People don’t want to be there, and the atmosphere is tense. The real pain here is not just the delays or the mistakes it’s the impact on the team. When morale is low and people don’t feel valued, the entire project suffers.

It’s a painful cycle: when the team is disengaged, the work becomes harder, and the frustrations multiply. But the opposite is also true. When the culture is positive, when people feel like they are a part of something bigger, the energy shifts. People are more motivated, they collaborate more effectively, and the project moves forward smoothly. Creating a positive culture can turn around even the most challenging projects, and that starts with leadership.

 

Lack of Connection and Engagement

The failure pattern that leads to a toxic work environment is often rooted in lack of connection and engagement. This happens when people don’t feel like they’re part of the team, when their contributions go unnoticed, or when communication is poor. The result? A disengaged workforce that doesn’t feel motivated to give their best effort.

This disconnect isn’t always obvious at first, but it’s something that every leader needs to watch out for. It’s easy to fall into the trap of focusing only on the tasks at hand and ignoring the emotional and personal needs of the team. However, when you neglect the importance of engagement and connection, you risk creating a culture of indifference that erodes morale and productivity.

 

Understanding the Struggles of Building a Positive Culture

Building a positive culture takes time, effort, and intention. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and overlook the personal connections that make a team thrive. But I can tell you from experience: when you focus on the well-being of your people, the results speak for themselves.

I’ve seen firsthand how a lack of engagement can bring a team down. When people feel ignored or undervalued, they stop contributing their best work. The team dynamic breaks down, and the project becomes harder than it needs to be. But when the team is engaged, when they feel seen and heard, it’s a completely different story. They collaborate, they take pride in their work, and they go above and beyond. That’s the power of a positive culture, and it’s something every leader can build.

 

Turning Around a Project by Focusing on People

I once worked on a project where morale was rock-bottom. The team was disengaged, and there were constant miscommunications. It was clear that something needed to change. So, we started focusing on the people. I made a point to connect with every team member, not just to discuss work but to get to know them as individuals. I found out what motivated them, what challenges they were facing, and how we could work together to make the project more enjoyable.

The shift was incredible. We began to see a change in the team’s attitude. People started showing up with more energy, they communicated more effectively, and the atmosphere on the job site became more positive. By fostering that sense of connection and engagement, we were able to turn the project around and create a work environment where everyone felt motivated to contribute their best.

 

Building a Culture Starts with Leadership

The emotional insight here is simple: leaders set the tone. If you want to create a positive culture on your project, you need to lead by example. That means being present, being engaged, and showing your team that you care about their well-being. When you create an environment of trust, communication, and mutual respect, the team will follow suit.

It’s easy to focus only on the work and the deadlines, but the truth is, the best projects are built by teams that work well together, that trust each other, and that care about each other’s success. Creating that culture starts with you as the leader. When you prioritize connection and engagement, you set the stage for success, not just in terms of productivity but in terms of team morale and long-term project success.

 

How to Build a Positive Team Culture

To build a positive culture on your project, focus on these key principles:

  • Know Your People
    It all starts with connection. As a leader, it’s your job to get to know your team—not just their job titles, but who they are as people. Understand what motivates them, what challenges they’re facing, and what they need to feel supported. When people feel like they matter, they’ll be more engaged and willing to contribute their best work.
  • Lead with Positivity
    Positivity is contagious. When you approach your team with energy, enthusiasm, and gratitude, they’ll respond in kind. Make a point to acknowledge their hard work, celebrate successes, and create an atmosphere where everyone feels valued. This can be as simple as offering a sincere thank-you or a compliment for a job well done.
  • Encourage Communication and Transparency
    Communication is the backbone of any successful project. When your team knows that they can speak openly and that their ideas will be heard, they’re more likely to be engaged. Foster an environment of open communication where team members feel safe sharing their thoughts, concerns, and feedback.
  • Create a Sense of Shared Purpose
    When everyone on the team understands the larger goals and how their individual work contributes to the success of the project, they become more invested in the outcome. Make sure everyone understands how their role fits into the bigger picture, and remind them often of the importance of the work they’re doing.
  • Foster Accountability and Responsibility
    A positive culture is one where everyone holds each other accountable, not through fear or intimidation, but through mutual respect. Encourage your team to take responsibility for their work and hold each other to high standards. This creates a culture of trust and accountability where everyone works together to achieve the project’s goals.

 

How to Start Creating a Positive Culture Today

If your project needs superintendent coaching, project support, or leadership development, Elevate Construction can help your field teams stabilize, schedule, and flow. But the first step in creating a positive culture is to start leading with intention. Start with small changes get to know your team, foster open communication, and set the tone with positivity and accountability.

Encourage your team to share their ideas, celebrate their successes, and create an environment where everyone feels like they matter. It’s not about big, grand gestures it’s about consistently making small, meaningful changes that add up over time.

 

Connect to Elevate Construction’s Mission

At Elevate Construction, we believe that the key to success is a healthy, engaged team. We work with teams to create systems that foster collaboration, accountability, and mutual respect. By focusing on team health, we help our clients achieve sustainable success on their projects. A positive culture leads to better outcomes both in terms of project results and team satisfaction.

 

A Challenge for You

Creating a positive culture isn’t just a nice idea it’s essential for project success. As Jason Schroeder always says, “When your team is engaged, your project will thrive.” The question is: will you take the first step in creating that positive culture today?

 

FAQ

How do I create a positive culture on my construction project?
Start by connecting with your team. Get to know them as people, foster open communication, and lead with positivity and accountability. Make sure everyone understands the bigger picture and their role in the team’s success.

Why is positivity important in construction?
Positivity creates an environment where people feel valued, leading to increased engagement, better communication, and higher productivity. A positive culture helps teams work together more effectively and achieve better results.

What are the key elements of a high-performing construction team?
A high-performing team is built on trust, communication, accountability, and shared purpose. When each team member understands their role and feels supported, they perform at their best, leading to project success.

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 Is Scaling In Project Management

Posted on by Danny Jiménez⁩
Read 13 min

What Does Scaling in Project Management Mean?

Scaling in project management refers to the ability to grow a project or business while maintaining or even improving the quality of service and output. This means that as a business or project increases in size, the systems, processes, and people involved must also scale effectively. Without this, growth can lead to inefficiencies, poor communication, and declining performance.

The key to successful scaling lies in balancing three crucial elements: people, process, and quality. Scaling involves more than just expanding the workforce or increasing the project size it’s about implementing systems that help manage the growing complexity and ensuring that quality is maintained throughout the scaling process.

Scaling from a Business and Operational Perspective

From a business standpoint, scaling requires developing systems that allow the organization to handle a larger customer base without compromising service. Jason shared a personal story about how his wife, Kate, CEO of their company, identified that scaling without the proper systems in place would lead to a “mess.”

The core takeaway is that growth must be intentional. Systems should be in place to ensure that employees and processes remain efficient as the business grows. This is where lean thinking and structured scaling methods come into play, allowing businesses to grow with their people, ensuring that everyone involved shares the same vision and values of quality and performance.

The Importance of Culture in Scaling Your Business

A strong company culture is a foundational element when scaling. Jason highlights that in their company, most employees are young, yet they provide a high level of service because of the systems and culture they’ve built.

When scaling, it’s critical to ensure that the company culture supports the growth. For instance, building a collaborative culture where every employee feels connected to the company’s mission helps maintain consistency in quality. As you scale, having employees who are aligned with the organization’s values will ensure that every team member can provide the same level of service as the leadership does.

Internal Training: The Key to Effective Scaling

Training is an essential component when scaling a project or business. Without a solid training program, the growth of your team will be limited. Jason shares how his company has put extensive resources into training everything from onboarding to position-specific training, ensuring that every employee is well-prepared for their role.

Having a visual training board and scorecards for every position helps ensure that all employees know their responsibilities and the standards they need to meet. By focusing on building a well-trained workforce, you can scale effectively without sacrificing the quality of work.

Phase Gates: Ensuring Quality and Stability During Growth

One of the key strategies for scaling that Jason uses in both business and construction is phase gates. These are checkpoints during a project or process where you check the progress and quality of the work completed. In construction, this means breaking down the project into phases and checking in at milestones to ensure that everything is on track.

These phase gates ensure that the quality and performance standards are being met before moving on to the next stage. They help manage the complexity of larger projects and ensure that work isn’t rushed or compromised for the sake of speed.

Segmenting Large Projects: How to Scale Successfully in Construction

Scaling in construction involves breaking down large projects into bite-sized chunks. When working on mega projects, it’s important to divide the work into functional areas with dedicated teams for each part. For example, a billion-dollar project can be divided into 4-10 smaller projects, each with its own Project Manager, Project Superintendent, foreman, and project management system.

By segmenting large projects, you make them more manageable and less prone to chaos. This allows teams to work more autonomously, with clear goals and accountability, while still being connected to the larger project vision.

Breaking Down a Large Project: Functional Areas and Teams

Once a large project is broken down into smaller pieces, each functional area needs its own dedicated team. This structure allows for more focused work, reduces complexity, and makes the scaling process smoother. Each team should have its own Project Manager and Superintendent, ensuring that each segment of the project is running efficiently.

These smaller, autonomous teams can work more effectively and be more responsive to challenges, which helps in maintaining the overall project schedule and budget. The goal is to create stability and continuity at every level, ensuring that all teams are aligned with the overall objectives of the project.

Building Humans, Processes, and Quality for Long-Term Success

As Jason points out, the real value in scaling comes from focusing on people, process, and quality. It’s not enough to just grow in size; growth must be sustainable. This means building up the human capital of the company through extensive training and support, ensuring that systems are clear and efficient, and maintaining a relentless focus on quality throughout the process.

Building people before building things is a principle taken from lean thinking, and it’s essential for long-term success. When your workforce is trained, aligned with the culture, and committed to quality, scaling becomes much more manageable.

Best Practices for Scaling a Construction Project

To scale a construction project successfully, follow these best practices:

  • Break the project into functional areas: This allows for focused teams that can manage their specific tasks while contributing to the larger project.
  • Ensure proper training: A well-trained workforce is essential for maintaining quality and efficiency as the project grows.
  • Use phase gates: Implementing checkpoints at various stages of the project ensures that each segment is progressing according to plan.
  • Foster a strong culture: A company culture that emphasizes collaboration, respect for people, and high-quality work is essential for successful scaling.
  • Segment teams for autonomy: Smaller, autonomous teams are more adaptable and efficient, reducing the risk of delays and rework.

FAQ

What does it mean to scale in project management?
Scaling in project management refers to the ability to manage and grow a project effectively without compromising quality. This involves breaking down large projects into manageable sections, ensuring team autonomy, and maintaining a focus on people and processes.

How can culture support scaling in construction?
A strong culture aligns the team with the company’s goals, ensuring that even as the team grows, the quality and values of the company are upheld. This helps maintain consistency across all teams, even as the project or business expands.

What are phase gates in project management?
Phase gates are checkpoints during a project where progress is reviewed, and quality is ensured before moving on to the next phase. They help manage complexity and ensure that the project stays on track.

Why is training so important when scaling a project or business?
Training ensures that every member of the team understands their responsibilities and the standards they need to meet, which helps maintain consistency and quality as the project or business grows.

How do you break down large projects into smaller, manageable ones?
Large projects should be broken down into functional areas, each managed by a dedicated team. This allows for better focus, efficiency, and accountability, while still contributing to the larger project goals.

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

    faq

    General Training Overview

    What construction leadership training programs does LeanTakt offer?
    LeanTakt offers Superintendent/PM Boot Camps, Virtual Takt Production System® Training, Onsite Takt Simulations, and Foreman & Field Engineer Training. Each program is tailored to different leadership levels in construction.
    Who should attend LeanTakt’s training programs?
    Superintendents, Project Managers, Foremen, Field Engineers, and trade partners who want to improve planning, communication, and execution on projects.
    How do these training programs improve project performance?
    They provide proven Lean and Takt systems that reduce chaos, improve reliability, strengthen collaboration, and accelerate project delivery.
    What makes LeanTakt’s training different from other construction courses?
    Our programs are hands-on, field-tested, and focused on practical application—not just classroom theory.
    Do I need prior Lean or takt planning experience to attend?
    No. Our programs cover foundational principles before moving into advanced applications.
    How quickly can I apply what I learn on real projects?
    Most participants begin applying new skills immediately, often the same week they complete the program.
    Are these trainings designed for both office and field leaders?
    Yes. We equip both project managers and superintendents with tools that connect field and office operations.
    What industries benefit most from LeanTakt training?
    Commercial, multifamily, residential, industrial, and infrastructure projects all benefit from flow-based planning.
    Do participants receive certificates after completing training?
    Yes. Every participant receives a LeanTakt Certificate of Completion.
    Is LeanTakt training recognized in the construction industry?
    Yes. Our programs are widely respected among leading GCs, subcontractors, and construction professionals.

    Superintendent / PM Boot Camp

    What is the Superintendent & Project Manager Boot Camp?
    It’s a 5-day immersive training for superintendents and PMs to master Lean leadership, takt planning, and project flow.
    How long does the Superintendent/PM Boot Camp last?
    Five full days of hands-on training.
    What topics are covered in the Boot Camp curriculum?
    Lean leadership, Takt Planning, logistics, daily planning, field-office communication, and team health.
    How does the Boot Camp improve leadership and scheduling skills?
    Yes. You’ll learn how to run day huddles, team meetings, worker huddles, and Lean coordination processes.
    Who is the Boot Camp best suited for?
    Construction leaders responsible for delivering projects, including Superintendents, PMs, and Field Leaders.
    What real-world challenges are simulated during the Boot Camp?
    Schedule breakdowns, trade conflicts, logistics issues, and communication gaps.
    Will I learn Takt Planning at the Boot Camp?
    Yes. Takt Planning is a core focus of the Boot Camp.
    How does this Boot Camp compare to traditional PM certification?
    It’s practical and execution-based rather than exam-based. You learn by doing, not just studying theory.
    Can my entire project team attend the Boot Camp together?
    Yes. Teams attending together often see the greatest results.
    What kind of real-world challenges do we simulate?
    Improved project flow, fewer delays, better team communication, and stronger leadership confidence.

    Takt Production System® Virtual Training

    What is the Virtual Takt Production System® Training?
    It’s an expert-led online program that teaches Lean construction teams how to implement takt planning.
    How does virtual takt training work?
    Delivered online via live sessions, interactive discussions, and digital tools.
    What are the benefits of online takt planning training?
    Convenience, global accessibility, real-time learning, and immediate application.
    Can I access the virtual training from anywhere?
    Yes. It’s fully web-based and accessible worldwide.
    Can I access the virtual training from anywhere?
    Yes. It’s fully web-based and accessible worldwide.
    What skills will I gain from the Virtual TPS® Training?
    Macro and micro Takt planning, weekly updates, flow management, and CPM integration.
    How long does the virtual training program take?
    The program is typically completed in multiple live sessions across several days.
    Can I watch recordings if I miss a session?
    Yes. Recordings are available to all participants.
    Do you offer group access or company licenses for the virtual training?
    Yes. Teams and companies can enroll together at discounted rates.
    How does the Virtual TPS® Training integrate with CPM tools?
    We show how to align Takt with CPM schedules like Primavera P6 or MS Project.

    Onsite Takt Simulation

    What is a Takt Simulation in construction training?
    It’s a live, interactive workshop that demonstrates takt planning on-site.
    How does the Takt Simulation workshop work?
    Teams participate in hands-on exercises to learn the flow and rhythm of a Takt-based project.
    Can I choose between a 1-day or 2-day Takt Simulation?
    Yes. We offer flexible formats to fit your team’s schedule and needs.
    Who should participate in the Takt Simulation workshop?
    Superintendents, PMs, site supervisors, contractors, and engineers.
    How does a Takt Simulation improve project planning?
    It shows teams how to structure zones, manage flow, and coordinate trades in real time.
    What will my team learn from the onsite simulation?
    How to build and maintain takt plans, manage buffers, and align trade partners.
    Is the simulation tailored to my specific project type?
    Yes. Scenarios can be customized to match your project.
    How do Takt Simulations improve trade partner coordination?
    They strengthen collaboration by making handoffs visible and predictable.
    What results can I expect from an onsite Takt Simulation?
    Improved schedule reliability, better trade collaboration, and reduced rework.
    How many people can join a Takt Simulation session?
    Group sizes are flexible, but typically 15–30 participants per session.

    Foreman & Field Engineer Training

    What is Foreman & Field Engineer Training?
    It’s an on-demand, practical program that equips foremen and engineers with leadership and planning skills.
    How does this training prepare emerging leaders?
    By teaching communication, crew management, and execution strategies.
    Is the training on-demand or scheduled?
    On-demand, tailored to your team’s timing and needs.
    What skills do foremen and engineers gain from this training?
    Planning, safety leadership, coordination, and communication.
    How does the training improve communication between field and office?
    It builds shared systems that align superintendents, engineers, and managers.
    Can the training be customized for my team’s needs?
    Yes. Programs are tailored for your project or company.
    What makes this program different from generic leadership courses?
    It’s construction-specific, field-tested, and focused on real project application.
    How do foremen and field engineers apply this training immediately?
    They can use new systems for planning, coordination, and daily crew management right away.
    Is the training suitable for small construction companies?
    Yes. Small and large teams alike benefit from building flow-based leadership skills.

    Testimonials

    Testimonials

    "The bootcamp I was apart of was amazing. Its was great while it was happening but also had a very profound long-term motivation that is still pushing me to do more, be more. It sounds a little strange to say that a construction bootcamp changed my life, but it has. It has opened my eyes to many possibilities on how a project can be successfully run. It’s also provided some very positive ideas on how people can and should be treated in construction.

    I am a hungry person by nature, so it doesn’t take a lot to get to participate. I loved the way it was not just about participating, it was also about doing it with conviction, passion, humility and if it wasn’t portrayed that way you had to do it again."

    "It's great to be a part of a company that has similar values to my own, especially regarding how we treat our trade partners. The idea of "you gotta make them feel worse to make them do better" has been preached at me for years. I struggled with this as you will not find a single psychology textbook stating these beliefs. In fact it is quite the opposite, and causing conflict is a recipe for disaster. I'm still honestly in shock I have found a company that has based its values on scientific facts based on human nature. That along with the Takt scheduling system makes everything even better. I am happy to be a part of a change that has been long overdue in our industry!"

    "Wicked team building, so valuable for the forehumans of the sub trades to know the how and why. Great tools and resources. Even though I am involved and use the tools every day, I feel like everything is fresh and at the forefront to use"

    "Jason and his team did an incredible job passing on the overall theory of what they do. After 3 days of running through the course I cannot see any holes in their concept. It works. it's proven to work and I am on board!"

    "Loved the pull planning, Takt planning, and logistic model planning. Well thought out and professional"

    "The Super/PM Boot Camp was an excellent experience that furthered my understanding of Lean Practices. The collaboration, group involvement, passion about real project site experiences, and POSITIVE ENERGY. There are no dull moments when you head into this training. Jason and Mr. Montero were always on point and available to help in the break outs sessions. Easily approachable to talk too during breaks and YES, it was fun. I recommend this training for any PM or Superintendent that wants to further their career."

    agenda

    Day 1

    Foundations & Macro Planning

    • Introduction to Takt Production System® principles
    • CPM vs TAKT comparison
    • Macro planning, zoning, and density analysis
    • Quantities and production rates
    • Hands-on application to participants’ projects with LeanTakt PM experts

    day2

    Norm Planning & Flow Optimization

    • Review and refinement of Day 1 work
    • Pull planning and sequence optimization
    • Work packaging for balanced flow
    • Project integration session with LeanTakt PM coaching

    day3

    Advanced Tools & Comparisons

    • Macro work packaging and example walkthrough
    • Calculator Norm for production optimization
    • Stacking comparison to avoid trade conflicts
    • Hands-on application to participants’ own schedules

    day4

    Buffers, Controls & Finalization

    • Review of Day 3 implementation
    • Buffer management strategies and placement
    • Takt control principles and steering methods
    • Project plan finalization with expert guidance

    day5

    Control Systems & Presentations

    • Takt steering, control systems, and real project examples
    • Participant project presentations with LeanTakt PM feedback
    • Wrap-up, feedback, and action planning for post-training implementation

    faq

    UNDERSTANDING THE TRAINING

    What is the Virtual Takt Production System® Training by LeanTakt?
    It’s an expert-led online program designed to teach construction professionals how to implement Takt Planning to create flow, eliminate chaos, and align teams across the project lifecycle.
    Who should take the LeanTakt virtual training?
    This training is ideal for Superintendents, Project Managers, Engineers, Schedulers, Trade Partners, and Lean Champions looking to improve planning and execution.
    What topics are covered in the online Takt Production System® course?
    The course covers macro and micro Takt planning, zone creation, buffers, weekly updates, flow management, trade coordination, and integration with CPM tools.
    What makes LeanTakt’s virtual training different from other Lean construction courses?
    Unlike theory-based courses, this training is hands-on, practical, field-tested, and includes live coaching tailored to your actual projects.
    Do I get a certificate after completing the online training?
    Yes. Upon successful completion, participants receive a LeanTakt Certificate of Completion, which validates your knowledge and readiness to implement Takt.

    VALUE AND RESULTS

    What are the benefits of Takt Production System® training for my team?
    It helps teams eliminate bottlenecks, improve planning reliability, align trades, and reduce the chaos typically seen in traditional construction schedules.
    How much time and money can I save with Takt Planning?
    Many projects using Takt see 15–30% reductions in time and cost due to better coordination, fewer delays, and increased team accountability.
    What’s the ROI of virtual Takt training for construction teams?
    The ROI comes from faster project delivery, reduced rework, improved communication, and better resource utilization — often 10x the investment.
    Will this training reduce project delays or rework?
    Yes. By visualizing flow and aligning trades, Takt Planning reduces miscommunication and late handoffs — major causes of delay and rework.
    How soon can I expect to see results on my projects?
    Most teams report seeing improvement in coordination and productivity within the first 2–4 weeks of implementation.

    PLANNING AND SCHEDULING TOPICS

    What is Takt Planning and how is it used in construction?
    Takt Planning is a Lean scheduling method that creates flow by aligning work with time and space, using rhythm-based planning to coordinate teams and reduce waste.
    What’s the difference between macro and micro Takt plans?
    Macro Takt plans focus on the overall project flow and phase durations, while micro Takt plans break down detailed weekly tasks by zone and crew.
    Will I learn how to build a complete Takt plan from scratch?
    Yes. The training teaches you how to build both macro and micro Takt plans tailored to your project, including workflows, buffers, and sequencing.
    How do I update and maintain a Takt schedule each week?
    You’ll learn how to conduct weekly updates using lookaheads, trade feedback, zone progress, and digital tools to maintain schedule reliability.
    Can I integrate Takt Planning with CPM or Primavera P6?
    Yes. The training includes guidance on aligning Takt plans with CPM logic, showing how both systems can work together effectively.
    Will I have access to the instructors during the training?
    Yes. You’ll have opportunities to ask questions, share challenges, and get real-time feedback from LeanTakt coaches.
    Can I ask questions specific to my current project?
    Absolutely. In fact, we encourage it — the training is designed to help you apply Takt to your active jobs.
    Is support available after the training ends?
    Yes. You can access follow-up support, coaching, and community forums to help reinforce implementation.
    Can your tools be customized to my project or team?
    Yes. We offer customizable templates and implementation options to fit different project types, teams, and tech stacks.
    When is the best time in a project lifecycle to take this training?
    Ideally before or during preconstruction, but teams have seen success implementing it mid-project as well.

    APPLICATION & TEAM ADOPTION

    What changes does my team need to adopt Takt Planning?
    Teams must shift from reactive scheduling to proactive, flow-based planning with clear commitments, reliable handoffs, and a visual management mindset.
    Do I need any prior Lean or scheduling experience?
    No prior Lean experience is required. The course is structured to take you from foundational principles to advanced application.
    How long does it take for teams to adapt to Takt Planning?
    Most teams adapt within 2–6 weeks, depending on project size and how fully the system is adopted across roles.
    Can this training work for smaller companies or projects?
    Absolutely. Takt is scalable and especially powerful for small teams seeking better structure and predictability.
    What role do trade partners play in using Takt successfully?
    Trade partners are key collaborators. They help shape realistic flow, manage buffers, and provide feedback during weekly updates.

    VIRTUAL FORMAT & ACCESSIBILITY

    Can I access the virtual training from anywhere?
    Yes. The training is fully accessible online, making it ideal for distributed teams across regions or countries.
    Is this training available internationally?
    Yes. LeanTakt trains teams around the world and supports global implementations.
    Can I watch recordings if I miss a session?
    Yes. All sessions are recorded and made available for later viewing through your training portal.
    Do you offer group access or company licenses?
    Yes. Teams can enroll together at discounted rates, and we offer licenses for enterprise rollouts.
    What technology or setup do I need to join the virtual training?
    A reliable internet connection, webcam, Miro, Spreadsheets, and access to Zoom.

    faq

    GENERAL FAQS

    What is the Superintendent / PM Boot Camp?
    It’s a hands-on leadership training for Superintendents and Project Managers in the construction industry focused on Lean systems, planning, and communication.
    Who is this Boot Camp for?
    Construction professionals including Superintendents, Project Managers, Field Engineers, and Foremen looking to improve planning, leadership, and project flow.
    What makes this construction boot camp different?
    Real-world project simulations, expert coaching, Lean principles, team-based learning, and post-camp support — all built for field leaders.
    Is this just a seminar or classroom training?
    No. It’s a hands-on, immersive experience. You’ll plan, simulate, collaborate, and get feedback — not sit through lectures.
    What is the focus of the training?
    Leadership, project planning, communication, Lean systems, and integrating office-field coordination.

    CURRICULUM & OUTCOMES

    What topics are covered in the Boot Camp?
    Takt planning, day planning, logistics, pre-construction, team health, communication systems, and more.
    What is Takt Planning and why is it taught?
    Takt is a Lean planning method that creates flow and removes chaos. It helps teams deliver projects on time with less stress.
    Will I learn how to lead field teams more effectively?
    Yes. This boot camp focuses on real leadership challenges and gives you systems and strategies to lead high-performing teams.
    Do you cover daily huddles and meeting systems?
    Yes. You’ll learn how to run day huddles, team meetings, worker huddles, and Lean coordination processes.
    What kind of real-world challenges do we simulate?
    You’ll work through real project schedules, logistical constraints, leadership decisions, and field-office communication breakdowns.

    LOGISTICS & FORMAT

    Is the training in-person or virtual?
    It’s 100% in-person to maximize learning, feedback, and team-based interaction.
    How long is the Boot Camp?
    It runs for 5 full days.
    Where is the Boot Camp held?
    Locations vary — typically hosted in a professional training center or project setting. Contact us for the next available city/date.
    Do you offer follow-up coaching after the Boot Camp?
    Yes. Post-camp support is included so you can apply what you’ve learned on your projects.
    Can I ask questions about my actual project?
    Absolutely. That’s encouraged — bring your current challenges.

    PRICING & VALUE

    How much does the Boot Camp cost?
    $5,000 per person.
    Are there any group discounts?
    Yes — get 10% off when 4 or more people from the same company attend.
    What’s the ROI for sending my team?
    Better planning = fewer delays, smoother coordination, and higher team morale — all of which boost productivity and reduce costs.
    Will I see results immediately?
    Most participants apply what they’ve learned as soon as they return to the jobsite — especially with follow-up support.
    Can this replace other leadership training?
    In many cases, yes. This Boot Camp is tailored to construction professionals, unlike generic leadership seminars.

    SEO-BASED / HIGH-INTENT SEARCH QUESTIONS

    What is the best leadership training for construction Superintendents?
    Our Boot Camp offers real-world, field-focused leadership training tailored for construction leaders.
    What’s included in a Superintendent Boot Camp?
    Takt planning, day planning, logistics, pre-construction systems, huddles, simulations, and more.
    Where can I find Lean construction training near me?
    Check our upcoming in-person sessions or request a private boot camp in your city.
    How can I improve field and office communication on a project?
    This Boot Camp teaches you tools and systems to connect field and office workflows seamlessly.
    Is there a training to help reduce chaos on construction sites?
    Yes — this program is built specifically to turn project chaos into flow through structured leadership.

    agenda

    Day 1

    Agenda

    • Intro to Camp
    • Set Expectations
    • Morning Routine
    • Plan Day
    • Explain "Why"
    • Teams Intros + Yells + Expectation
    • Focus, Physiology, Words + Yells
    • Blocks to Leadership
    • 50 Million
    • Biggest Thing
    • Choose Your Word
    • Marketing Exercise
    • Interview for the Project
    • PO Homework and Close the Day

    Outcomes

    • Understand how to get into a proper state to lead
    • Understand how to dig deep to find the confidence to lead
    • Team work and collaboration
    • Understand marketing
    • Understand how to interview for and win a project

    Day 2

    Agenda

    • Morning Routine
    • Day Planner
    • Plus & Delta
    • Macro Takt planning
    • Setup jobs + Signs + Logistics
    • Explain the IPCS™
    • Detailed logistics training
    • Team balance & health training

    Outcomes

    • Learn the IPCS™ understand how to integrate the entire project from start to finish with First Planners™ and Last Planners® through the Takt Production System®
    • Learn how to review a project
    • Learn advanced logistics
    • Learn team balance and health

    Day 3

    Agenda

    • Morning Routine
    • Day Planner
    • Plus & Delta
    • Review How Big Things Get Done
    • Review IPCSTM
    • Fix (Schedule, zone, logistics, trailer, org & procurement)
    • Fresh Eyes Meeting
    • Pre-Con Overview
    • TAKT SIMULATION
    • Recap and Review

    Outcomes

    • Understand why and how to plan
    • Understand the benefits of using a Takt production plan
    • Learn the steps to proper pre-con that sets the project up for success
    • Learn how to review a project in a Fresh Eyes Meeting
    • Learn flow from Takt planning

    Day 4

    Agenda

    • Morning Routine
    • Day Planner
    • Plus & Delta
    • Opposing Squares
    • Pull Plan
    • Takt Remaining
    • Norm Update
    • Re Zoning
    • Risks & Pre-Con Align
    • Meeting System
    • Problems
    • Recap

    Outcomes

    • Understand the Norm level Takt plan for weekly/daily planning
    • Benefits and outcomes of rezoning strategies
    • Using meetings to feed information through the system and to the Foremen

    Day 5

    Agenda

    • Morning Routine
    • Day Planner
    • Plus & Delta
    • Huddle I.D.S
    • Day Plan
    • Worker Huddle
    • Norm Update
    • Team Huddle
    • Lean Systems Recap
    • Feedback Exercise
    • Final & Close

    Outcomes

    • Know what information is needed and how to get it to the Workers
    • Better understand how to give feedback and why it’s crucial for everyone
    • How to problem solve as a team
    • Understand how all systems tie together
    • Know how the information gets all the way to the worker
    • Have perfect clarity on the individual’s personal organization planner