The Remaining Buffer Ratio

In this blog, I want to talk about something that I just realized was amazing about the remaining buffer ratio. I want to tell you a story about how this metric really struck me as powerful and how it can help us finish projects on time.

We are going to cover what the remaining buffer ratio is and why it is so crucial to your project.

First, a quick update. Lean build is going really well. We just went out to bid for electrical, and we are getting back most of our site work and structural bids soon. I am excited about those and about the project overall. We also have some new videos coming out showcasing what we are doing, and things are moving forward with new carpenter candidates as well.

Now let’s get into the main topic. The remaining buffer ratio is fantastic. Let me describe it.

The remaining buffer ratio compares how many buffers you should have used by now to how many you have actually used. The calculation is simple. You take the number of buffers used divided by the total, then compare that against how many you should have used divided by the total. Dividing those two gives you a single number.

For example, if a project has 10 buffers total and you should have used 5 but only used 4, the ratio is 0.5 divided by 0.4, which equals 1.25. That means you have more buffers remaining than expected. If the ratio ever falls below 1, that means you are burning through your buffers too quickly.

This is powerful because it shows whether you are ahead or behind in buffer usage. A number above 1 means you are safe. A number below 1 means you are slipping.

Kevin took this concept even further by turning it into a visual tool. On the top line, he showed how many buffers you should have used, and on the bottom line, he showed how many you actually used. This makes it instantly clear whether you are positive or negative.

I had an experience where I saw a negative percentage on Kevin’s tracker. My first reaction was panic. I thought, “We are out of buffers.” But the team corrected me. We actually still had 14 buffers left. The red indicator was not saying we were out of buffers, it was signaling us to take action early. That completely changed my perspective.

This is the genius of the remaining buffer ratio. It triggers the team to act before it is too late. Instead of panicking when buffers are gone, you get a warning when you are trending in the wrong direction while you still have room to adjust. That way, recovery is possible without desperation.

The remaining buffer ratio and Kevin’s visual buffer tracker keep the team ahead of problems, not chasing them. They provide a simple number and a clear visualization that protects the project schedule.

On we go.

Key Takeaway

I realized that the remaining buffer ratio is more than just a number. It is a safeguard that tells us when to act before it is too late, giving us confidence to stay focused and finish projects on time.