How to Prevent Sub-optimized Trades—A Question

How to Keep Trades from Self-Optimizing and Ensure Project Success

I recently received a listener comment asking how to prevent trades from prioritizing their own work at the expense of the overall project. This is a common challenge in construction management, and it all comes back to pre-planning, visual coordination, and early commitments.

Before diving into that, I want to share a quick personal note. Over the weekend, I took a Lean Tech team member and my family to the lake not once, not twice, but three times. It was exhausting but exhilarating. Seeing my kids having fun, flying through the air on an inner tube, reminded me how energizing it can be to combine planning, timing, and teamwork both on the lake and on a construction site.

Now, back to the main topic.
A listener asked:

“How do you keep trades from driving the project in a resource efficient, but sub-optimized way? Is there a way to contractually enforce this understanding so that they optimize for the whole project rather than self optimize?”

Here’s my answer, based on real-world experience: it all comes down to pre-construction planning and iteration. Decisions can’t be made on the fly they must be planned, sequenced, and coordinated in advance.

Real World Example:
Medical School Project in Phoenix

We were working on a medical school project with a fully unitized exterior curtain wall. At the same time, multiple interior MEP trades were scheduled to work on overlapping floors. I knew that without careful planning, conflicts would arise, creating “comeback rooms” and unnecessary delays.

To solve this, we brought together the exterior contractor and all major interior trades. We mapped out:

• How the exterior curtain wall would be installed (cranes, boom lifts, or spider cranes).
• Staging requirements for equipment like bookends and hoisting paths.
• Floor space needed for installation (15–25 feet clearance) and sequencing over multiple levels.

By overlaying the interior and exterior production plans, we identified potential conflicts early. Then, we looped this plan into the contract and got commitment from each trade before work even started.

The result? Smooth coordination, minimal conflict, and predictable workflow without relying on firefighting or last-minute problem-solving.

Key Principles for Avoiding Self-Optimization

1. Pre-Planning: Map out sequences, resources, and potential conflicts before construction starts.
2. Visual Coordination: Use visual planning tools to overlay all trades’ activities.
3. Early Commitments: Get buy in from every trade to ensure they follow the agreed sequence.
4. Iterative Adjustments: Review and iterate plans as new information arises don’t wait until problems appear on site.
5. Hold Accountability: Trades that refuse to align with the plan may need to be replaced to protect the project.

Why This Matters

When trades self-optimize, the overall project suffers delays increase, costs rise, and site morale drops. By enforcing early commitments and using visual planning methods, construction leaders can maintain control, improve efficiency, and ensure every team contributes to the success of the project as a whole.

Key Takeaway

The secret to preventing trades from self-optimizing is early, collaborative pre-construction planning. Visual sequencing, iterative coordination, and binding commitments ensure every trade works for the success of the whole project not just their own scope.