Trade Inventory Isn’t the Problem, Lack of Rhythm Is…
In today’s blog, I want to share a realization I had during a Foreman Bootcamp that completely reframed how I think about trade inventory on site.
I used to look at trades bringing out massive amounts of materials and think, “This isn’t helping anyone. We’ve got cluttered floors, wasted space, and inefficiency everywhere.” But today, it hit me: they’re not doing this because they want to they’re doing it because the system is broken.
Let me explain.
When a project doesn’t have a rhythm when there’s no predictable flow, no takt time, no stable sequence, trade partners don’t know when or where they’ll be working. The GC can change the plan last minute: “move up two days,” “switch to another area,” “wait here.” In that chaos, the only thing the trades can control is making sure they have the materials on hand… just in case.
So what happens? They stage everything. Too much stock. Too much equipment. And that overproduction of materials gives birth to every other form of waste on site, motion, defects, overprocessing, waiting. It’s all there because of one root cause: lack of rhythm.
I told the group, “This is like the mommy and daddy of all jobsite waste. Overproduction and excess inventory have all the other waste babies.”
And they laughed, but it’s true. If you’re seeing trades overstocking, don’t blame them blame the system.
The solution isn’t yelling or pushing. It’s creating rhythm. Takt planning. Predictable sequences. Reliable buffers. When we build rhythm into the system, we reduce fear and reaction, and that’s when trade inventory naturally stabilizes.
Key Takeaway:
Trade partners don’t hoard materials because they’re careless they do it because they don’t trust the rhythm of the project. If you want less clutter, less chaos, and fewer delays, fix the rhythm first. Inventory is just the symptom. The system is the problem.
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
