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The Foreman Series: How to Create an Effective Day Plan

In this blog, we’ll dive into the responsibilities of creating a solid day plan, how it fits into the overall system, and some key tips and tricks to improve efficiency on the job site.

What Is a Day Plan?

A day plan is filtered from a weekly work plan, which itself is derived from a structured planning process:

  1. Master schedule → Guides the overall project timeline.
  2. Pull planning to milestones → Defines major project goals.
  3. Norm-level Takt plan → Breaks down work into manageable sequences.
  4. Six-week look-ahead plan → Outlines upcoming work in more detail.
  5. Weekly work plan → Specifies what needs to be completed each week.

From this structured approach, the day plan is created one day in advance. It ensures that everyone on site knows what they need to do and has the necessary tools, materials, and information.

How to Create a Day Plan:

The afternoon foreman huddle is where day planning takes place. This meeting typically happens around 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm, allowing enough time to:

  • Review the day’s completed work and turn in daily reports.
  • Coordinate with other trades for the next day’s tasks.
  • Identify and resolve any roadblocks.
  • Ensure all resources are ready before work begins.

A successful day plan aligns directly with the weekly work plan and ensures work is executed smoothly the following day.

The Key to Productive Day Plans:

To maximize productivity, foremen need to secure essential items before the next workday begins. These include:

  • Tools & Equipment: Generators, ladders, power tools, etc.
  • Materials: Pre-stage materials and inspect them in advance.
  • Information: Printed RFIs, drawings, and clarifications.
  • Permits: Confined space, dig, or hot work permits.
  • Labor & Layout: Ensure workers and layout plans are prepared.

This preparation prevents delays and ensures crews can start working immediately in the morning when productivity is at its highest.

Creating a Job-Wide Day Plan:

A well-managed project site benefits from a job-wide day plan, which consolidates coordination efforts across multiple trades. This plan can be distributed via:

  • QR codes.
  • Emails.
  • WhatsApp messages.

This ensures that everyone on-site is aligned and ready for the next day’s work.

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