First in place inspections: The key to project success!

In this blog, I’m going to share an incredibly effective method to set your trade partners up for success by focusing on first-in-place inspections. It’s a game-changer, and it not only saves time but also helps you sleep peacefully knowing things are done right. The benefits of this process are immense, and I’ll walk you through how to deliver it successfully.

How to Prepare Trade Partners and Set Them on the Right Path

Here’s a quick story to explain the concept. I’ve shared this before, but it’s worth repeating. Imagine Donald Duck in one of those old Disney cartoons, having a war with chipmunks. There’s a scene where Donald winds up a toy soldier, places a stick of dynamite inside, and sends it off toward the chipmunks. The toy soldier walks straight in the right direction without any further guidance—unless, of course, it falls over. In that case, you just pick it up, wind it up again, and send it back on its way.

Now, let me be clear: trade partners and foremen aren’t toy soldiers, and this analogy is just for understanding the concept. My respect for workers is immense—foremen, tradespeople—they’re the backbone of construction. But I’ve always thought of the first-in-place inspection as that moment where we “wind up” our crew and set them off in the right direction. When this process is done right, it allows everything to run smoothly with minimal intervention, freeing you up to focus on other critical tasks.

The Importance of Pre-Construction Meetings and Inspections

Setting your team up properly begins with a solid pre-construction meeting, followed by a first-in-place inspection. This inspection allows you to ensure that your team is on track from the start, minimizing problems down the line. You’ll essentially be setting the stage for success.

Think of it this way: after Donald Duck winds up the toy soldier, he’s free to focus on launching Christmas ornaments at the chipmunks. For us, conducting this inspection creates the same kind of capacity. It’s about setting the crew up correctly so that you can focus on more strategic aspects of the project rather than constantly fighting fires.

Key People Needed in a First-in-Place Inspection Meeting

Who needs to be in this meeting? At a minimum, you should have the superintendent or assistant superintendent overseeing the work, a field engineer, and the trade partners’ foremen and workers. The purpose is to ensure everyone is aligned with the expectations and quality standards from the beginning. If any corrections are needed, they should be addressed right then and there.

What Happens in a First-in-Place Inspection Meeting

During the meeting, you’ll gather everyone and go over the critical points, such as:

• Reviewing the owner’s top 10 project priorities
• Discussing company-specific checklist requirements
• Going through the quality checklist or visual quality board

The goal is to make sure the crew understands the expectations and feels confident in their ability to meet them. It’s essential that this is a collaborative process. It’s not about dictating; it’s about asking questions, encouraging feedback, and showing appreciation for their input.

Key Questions to Ask During the Inspection

Some of the questions you’ll want to ask include:

• Are there better ways to complete the installation?
• Did we meet the criteria outlined?
• Do you need any additional tools or support to accomplish this task?

By engaging the crew in this way, you help them feel a sense of ownership and pride in their work. It’s about ensuring they have the knowledge, motivation, and circumstances to succeed.

The Goal of a First-in-Place Inspection Meeting

Ultimately, you want your crew to walk away feeling respected and valued. The outcome should be that they want to deliver excellent work, not because they have to but because they feel connected to the project and their contributions are appreciated. It’s not manipulation; it’s about creating a win-win situation where everyone benefits.

Important Reminder About Doing Things Right

Human beings rarely get things right the first time. We need feedback, time to evaluate, and opportunities to readjust. First-in-place inspections provide this crucial check-in, ensuring that everything is aligned before moving forward. It’s not micromanaging; it’s about giving your workers the respect they deserve by ensuring they have everything they need to do the job well.

Conclusion

If you implement this process, it will transform the way your projects run. It’s about setting up your crew for success right from the start and ensuring that the project flows smoothly. I’m confident that once you adopt first-in-place inspections, you’ll see a significant improvement in your project outcomes.

Feel free to reach out if you need help with training or implementation. We’re here to support you in getting your crew set up the right way.