Stop Checking the Box: Why “Fake Quality” Hurts More Than It Helps
In this blog, I want to talk about something that’s becoming more and more common in construction and it’s driving me crazy:
Fake quality:
I’m talking about the kind of reviews, inspections, and audits that look like “quality control” on paper…but in reality, add zero value. In fact, many times they actually slow progress down.
Let me give you an example. When we publish books through Kindle Direct Publishing, the system makes us go through seven or eight “quality reviews.” That sounds good, right? Except none of the revisions are meaningful. They’re not correcting spelling or grammar. They’re not improving user experience or adding clarity. They’re just nit-picking meaningless formatting issues so the reviewer can feel like they “did something.”
It’s fake quality an activity that looks productive but isn’t.
And unfortunately, we see that same thing happening in construction all the time:
- A “constructability review” that just redlines formatting
- A “schedule review” that ignores strategy and only picks on fonts or layout
- A field engineer “inspecting” the job but only focusing on paperwork and checkboxes instead of real installation details
None of that drives real improvement.
Quality isn’t about checking a box or catching people for tiny mistakes.
It’s about helping the team build it right.
That means:
- Asking meaningful questions
- Confirming critical dimensions
- Walking the work with trades and actually improving what’s being built
- Reviewing plans so the job is clearer, safer, more productive
There’s a big difference between reviewing to add value and reviewing to look busy.
So any time you’re doing a review, audit, or inspection, ask yourself:
Am I actually improving the outcome…or just going through the motions?
Let’s get rid of fake quality. Let’s replace it with meaningful, value-adding checks that make the work better.
Key Takeaway
Real quality comes from meaningful reviews that improve the work not from checking boxes or enforcing arbitrary rules. Don’t fall into the trap of looking busy. Focus on value-added quality checks that actually help your team build better.
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
