Syncing the project and personal plans
Welcome, everyone. In this blog, I want to talk about something we often overlook in construction leadership: how critical it is to align your personal schedule with the overall project plan, especially when it comes to field leadership and logistics.
Why Personal Schedules Matter in Construction
We talk a lot about logistics and flow about getting the right materials, kits, and equipment to the right place at the right time. But here’s the thing: all that planning is useless if the people meant to support that work aren’t showing up at the right time either.
In the old days, people would casually say, “I’ll meet you out there in two hours,” and show up four hours later. That doesn’t cut it anymore. Field leaders must time-block their day based on the project’s needs, especially when there are key handoffs happening.
If a trade partner says they’re wrapping up work in Zone 3C at 9 a.m. tomorrow, someone from the project delivery team should already have that in their calendar. If a delivery is queuing at 8 a.m., someone better be assigned to help.
It’s not enough to have a “general” day plan. Every field engineer, assistant superintendent, and project engineer should be walking out of the afternoon foreman huddle with their personal time blocks aligned to the next day’s plan.
Imagine three screens:
- Screen one: the day plan and overall schedule.
- Screen two: your logistics and zone maps.
- Screen three: everyone’s personal schedules.
We may not have a literal third screen, but we must operate like that information is flowing between all three.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just about organization, it’s about field flow.
If your project team isn’t available for critical handoffs, layout coordination, or helping a trade get set up, the work stalls. And when the work stalls, crews stop. When crews stop, you lose rhythm. And when you lose rhythm? You lose the project.
We’ve got to sync human schedules with production plans. Because no matter how well you plan on paper, it’s boots on the ground that make or break the flow.
Key Takeaway:
A project’s success depends not just on a great plan, but on people showing up on time to make that plan happen. Sync your personal schedule to the project schedule every day, every leader.
Final Thought:
If you’re a field engineer, PE, or assistant super, this one’s for you. Fill out your next days’ time blocks during the foreman huddle. Don’t wait. Don’t guess. Be there when the work needs you.
Because leadership isn’t just about vision, it’s about showing up. Literally.
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