The Difficulty of Implementing Lean in Construction
Recently, we wrapped up a Foreman Boot camp in Kelowna, British Columbia, and it was a huge success. The hosting company and attendees crushed it we had an amazing manual, great space, food, music, and strong presentations. On the third day, we toured a High Street Ventures project, and I have to give credit where it’s due: the project team and trade partners are running an outstanding jobsite.
Walking the project, you could see the difference Lean makes. Entryways were spotless, floors were swept, bathrooms and lunch areas were clean, logistics boards were well organized, and the overall professionalism was off the charts. From the office setup to production planning, everything reflected excellence.
But here’s the truth “Lean is not easy”.
One of the assistant superintendents on that project said it best “You can praise us for the site all you want, but it ain’t easy.” He’s right. Implementing Lean isn’t about comfort or simplicity. It’s about holding the line, day in and day out, even when things get tough:
- Walking the site consistently.
- Keeping standards high, even when people challenge them.
- Managing setbacks when projects get off rhythm.
- Training new trade partners unfamiliar with the system.
Lean takes effort and it brings stress. But there are two kinds of stress:
- Distress: the negative kind, where teams feel burned out, panicked, and disconnected.
- Eustress: the positive kind, where challenges push us to grow, improve, and succeed together.
The difference is crucial. Would you rather pour your energy into wasteful systems that add no value, or into building something excellent that helps teams get home on time, improves safety, and produces real results?
Too often, leaders hide behind a “schedule” that’s nothing more than a wish list. If your trades can’t see the plan, it’s not a plan it’s a fantasy. Blaming trade partners for not magically following an invisible or overly complex schedule isn’t just ineffective, it’s unethical. Real leadership requires leaning into the stress of clarity, planning, and transparency so everyone can succeed.
Lean won’t magically happen. It’s complex, and it takes commitment. But the stress of doing the right thing the stress of building systems that matter is worth it.
Kudos again to the High Street team for proving that excellence is possible when you rise to the challenge.
Key Takeaway
Lean isn’t about making construction easier it’s about choosing the right kind of stress. You can struggle with waste and firefighting that adds no value, or you can embrace the eustress of building systems that elevate projects, people, and outcomes. The effort is real but so are the results.
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
