First Planner System™️ – Introduction

Elevating Pre-construction Planning, The First Planner System

Today, I’m diving into the book Elevating Pre-construction Planning, originally known as The First Planner System book and I couldn’t be more excited. This is the third in a series where I’ve already covered Takt Planning and Takt Steering and Control. Now, it’s time to explore the system that ensures we design the right processes before a single shovel hits the dirt.

First, a big shout-out to Darryl and Joel, whose contributions helped shape this work.

The Integrated Production Control System (IPCS) is made up of three core components:

1. First Planner System – planning the project and designing the right system in pre-construction.
2. Takt Production System – creating a production rhythm that aligns supply and demand.
3. Last Planner System – engaging frontline leaders to coordinate short-term plans that align labor, materials, information, and permissions.

Each system works independently but also connects seamlessly to the others. When unified, they reduce variation, control workflow, and make project success predictable.

The Last Planner System is all about engaging project leaders in the planning cycle, connecting early decision-makers with the people doing the work. But here’s the key: you can’t have a Last Planner without a First Planner. The First Planner System ensures that the foundation, the system design, the trade partner onboarding process, and the accountability metrics is in place before execution begins.

The Takt Production System gives us the pace and structure to deliver efficiently. Think of it as the heartbeat of a lean project, keeping zones and logistics in sync to eliminate waste and maintain steady progress.

In creating the First Planner System, we pulled from everywhere: theory of constraints, lean thinking, Toyota Way, DBIA, IPD frameworks, even military doctrine. The result is a unified system that sets projects up for success by focusing on people first.

Here’s the truth: respect is non-negotiable. Healthy, balanced teams perform better. When people win at work, they can win at home and that’s how we break the cycle of burnout and frustration in construction. Foremen, superintendents, and trades are the unsung heroes; our job as general contractors is to give them the systems, materials, information, and respect they need to succeed.

If a project is struggling, it’s not about blaming the foreman, it’s about fixing the system. That’s what IPCS is designed to do: provide clarity, stability, and flow so every stakeholder can perform at their best.

This is just the start. In future entries, I’ll walk you step-by-step through the First Planner System as part of the IPCS so we can finally empower our Last Planners to thrive.

On we go.

Key Takeaway:

Great projects don’t happen by chance, they’re built on systems designed with people in mind. The First Planner System ensures the right structure is in place from day one, so foremen and trades can do their best work without chaos or wasted effort.