Why You Need Space to Succeed
In construction, many of us have been trained to eliminate buffers. If there’s any extra time, any slack in a sequence, or a little room in a takt wagon, we rush to cut it out. The belief is that buffers waste time and resources.
But here’s the truth “buffers create flow”.
Nothing in life that works well functions without a buffer. Trees grow with space between them. Our heartbeat works with buffers. Even atoms, which look solid to the naked eye, are mostly empty space. Buffers aren’t a weakness they’re what keep things moving.
Unfortunately, traditional CPM schedules ignore this principle. They push and push with early starts and no room for flexibility. The result? Projects crash, delays pile up, and stress skyrockets.
Everyday Examples of Buffers
Think of blood pressure: higher pressure doesn’t make your blood flow faster, it slows it down. Or a kinked hose: more pressure only causes damage it doesn’t solve the problem.
Now, here’s a story that really drives the point home.
The Mine craft Analogy
I’ve been playing Mine craft with my kids. In the game, you have an inventory a limited number of slots for items like tools, food, and resources. You can expand with storage boxes, but without proper organization and space, you quickly run out of room.
My son often fills his inventory completely. Then, when he tries to gather new items or help another player, he has no buffer. He spends four to five times longer reorganizing, building storage, or scrambling to fix the problem.
On the other hand, when I pre-kit my tools and keep a buffer of open space, I can absorb variation instantly. If another player dies, I can pick up their items. If we find unexpected resources, I’m ready. That little bit of buffer creates massive efficiency.
Why Buffers Matter in Construction
The same principle applies on projects. Without buffers, any variation creates dependency and chaos. You suddenly need extra steps, extra time, and extra resources to recover causing ripple effects across every scheduled task.
With buffers, you can absorb variation, stay flexible, and keep your project in flow.
The Bottom Line
Buffers aren’t waste they’re a strategy. They give you room to breathe, adapt, and keep momentum, whether you’re building in Mine craft or managing a complex construction project.
Key Takeaway
Buffers are not inefficiencies to be cut they are the foundation of flow. In both life and construction, buffers give us the capacity to absorb variation, prevent chaos, and keep work moving forward.
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
