How to Help Your Bottlenecks
Today I want to talk about one of the most common challenges we run into on construction projects: bottlenecks. These are the moments when progress slows down, productivity drops, and frustration builds. Bottlenecks happen to every project, and that’s okay. The real question is how we choose to respond.Fixing Trade Bottlenecks
When it comes to trade bottlenecks, one of the first things I look at is the work package and crew composition. If a large crew is assigned to a long activity, that activity can easily become the drag on the entire schedule. Splitting them into smaller, more balanced crews creates flow and prevents a single activity from holding everything back. I’ve also seen how important it is to protect key roles. If you lose a foreman or an operator, productivity can drop by half. That’s why I always recommend having backup operators and strong leads in place. Training is another big factor. A first-in-place study or mock-up sets a true baseline for how long an activity will take. From there, we can focus on shortening cycle times and building consistency as the crews improve.Support and Resources Matter
Bottlenecks are not about failure or poor performance. More often than not, they mean that a trade is tackling the hardest scope or carrying the most risk. That is when leadership matters most. We can help by answering RFIs quickly, responding to communication immediately, and providing resources that remove barriers. I like to form task force meetings during these moments so we can rally around the trade until they’re back on track. Even small changes make a difference. Giving a bottlenecked trade priority in daily huddles, meetings, and access to cranes or forklifts can completely change their ability to deliver. When teams feel supported, they move faster, and the entire project benefits.Tackling Zone Bottlenecks
Zone bottlenecks bring a different type of challenge. These happen when a specific area of the project is unusually complex and slows down everyone working in it. To help, I often recommend breaking the zone into smaller sections so it levels out with the others. Improving access for people and equipment is another big win. Clear communication is also critical. Visual systems like area boards, stenciled layouts, or floor markings make expectations obvious. Crews know where valves are, what the wall types are, and how the work is supposed to flow. I’ve also learned that little things matter, like better lighting or strategic leave-outs that allow overhead MEP to flow more easily. On top of that, accurate grid lines and benchmarks keep everyone aligned.Leading Through Bottlenecks
The truth is, bottlenecks will always show up. They are part of the process. But when leaders respond quickly, offer resources, and support crews with clarity and training, those bottlenecks become opportunities instead of setbacks. Every time we help a trade or improve a zone, we are not just fixing one issue, we are building stronger habits of collaboration and continuous improvement across the entire project.Key Takeaway
Bottlenecks are not roadblocks, they are signals that leadership and support are needed. By adjusting crews, improving training, and clarifying zones, we can transform bottlenecks into momentum builders for the entire project.If you want to learn more we have:
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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.
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