The Metrics you Need to Know Early on in the Project

The Metrics You Need to Know Early On in a Project

Today I want to share the critical metrics every project leader must know at the very beginning of a project. These numbers and details provide a frame of reference, help you understand the type of program you are building, and set the foundation for effective planning.

A Personal Note

I am writing this on my birthday while traveling through Kelowna. I am missing some meetings, which I do not love, but I am also encouraged by the messages I have received from so many of you on LinkedIn. Your kind words and support mean so much to me, and they fuel me to keep creating and sharing content like this.

Why Metrics Matter Early

Too often in project reviews I have sat across the table from people who simply do not know the basics of their project. They cannot clearly state the square footage per zone, the number of floors, or the level of complexity. When those answers are missing, planning quickly falls apart. That is why, together with Kevin Rice, our Chief Visionary Officer, and Kate, we developed a simple checklist. These are the metrics every project leader should know before any real planning begins.

The Checklist of Key Metrics

1. Total Area
   This may sound obvious, but it is often overlooked. Many teams only look at cost, but area drives cost per square foot, efficiency, and scope comparisons.

2. Area by Zone
   Zoning is the heartbeat of production planning. Zones that are too large cause work to drag, while smaller optimized zones accelerate flow and make projects more manageable.

3. Phases and Functional Areas
   Define your phases. Are you building foundations, structure, exterior, and interiors in one flow, or are there multiple functional areas? A basement, utility plant, or ancillary building changes everything. Each of these requires its own leadership structure with a dedicated project manager, superintendent, and support team.

4. Number of Floors
   Floors dictate cascading sequences, zoning strategies, and crew flow. Alongside that, identify the building type. A commercial office, residential tower, hospital, or technical facility each has unique production rates and risks.

5. Quantities
   Know your concrete volumes, steel or wood requirements, and unit counts. For projects with repeatable spaces, such as apartments or hotel rooms, units drive crew planning and production rates.

6. Complexity
   Complexity changes everything. A new hospital is vastly different from renovating an airport terminal, even if the square footage appears similar. Complexity drives supervision needs, sequencing strategies, and risk management.

7. Constraints
   Always identify the hardest zone, the slowest trade, and the most limiting factor. If you do not know your constraints, you are planning blind. Constraints often determine whether a project succeeds or fails.

Building Capability Through Metrics

At Leantakt, we have made this checklist a part of every project manager’s toolkit. These numbers are not just about smoother projects. They are about giving leaders confidence, clarity, and capability. When you know your project at this level, you are no longer reacting. You are leading with foresight and purpose.

Key Takeaway

If you want to plan effectively, you need to start with the basics. Know your project’s size, zones, phases, floors, type, quantities, complexity, and constraints. When you understand these metrics, you aren’t just planning buildings, you’re building people.