Sequence like the Railroad & Bridge in The Ghost and the Darkness

How to Sequence Work like a Railroad Hitting a Bridge

Let’s talk about sequencing on construction projects and why it matters more than most people realize.

Picture this, you’re building a railroad. Out ahead, there’s a bridge under construction. By the time the rail line reaches that point, the bridge has to be ready. That’s how sequencing should work on a jobsite every phase should intersect seamlessly with the next, like a train rolling straight onto a finished bridge.

Use Maps like a General

General Patton once said a study of the map shows where the commander should be. In construction, maps, zone plans, and logistics visuals don’t exist to look good. They show where problems exist and where leadership should focus. Right now, our team is applying this principle in full force. We’re working on a massive, complex project and validating a macro level tech plan to sequence zones within large phases.

We’re creating detailed maps of every functional area, phase, and zone. For each zone, we’re using voice to text to describe all relevant constraints what’s above it, below it, adjacent to it, what dependencies exist and more.

We’ll then upload these descriptions, maps, drawings, and preferred sequencing into ChatGPT Pro to generate five optimized build scenarios. The goal? Save time not by working faster, but by thinking smarter.

Real World Example, Reordering for Results

On a previous $80M office project in Scottsdale, the schedule was tight, and the design was chopped up. We came in late and still found ways to accelerate though a two week elevator delay ate some of the gain.

Instead of sequencing the exterior in the typical northeast-southwest pattern, we used production areas and built a Gantt chart for each one. We loaded in all constraints and optimized the sequence to deliver the fastest overall schedule. The final sequence looked odd northeast to southeast to southwest to middle and so on but it worked.

Why? Because jumping zones gave the team room to stage materials and align critical activities. It allowed the exterior crew to hit key corners at the right time, accommodate long lead materials, and keep the project flowing.

The Ghost and the Darkness Principle

In the movie The Ghost and the Darkness, a railroad is being built through Africa while a bridge is constructed far ahead. The goal? Make sure the train hits the bridge at exactly the right time. That’s the image to keep in your mind. Every part of your project should be building toward that alignment.

Sequencing isn’t just a task list its strategic timing. Great builders know this. They lead with intent. They map it, plan it, and anticipate it.

Key Takeaway

Smart sequencing isn’t just about getting the order right, it’s about timing and alignment. Great builders don’t just stack tasks, they align them with intention. By mapping constraints and planning around them, they create flow instead of friction. This approach prevents delays before they happen and that’s how you gain time without ever needing to rush.