Never Built This Type of Project Before? Here’s Where a Superintendent Should Start
If you’ve ever found yourself leading a type of construction project you’ve never built before maybe a bridge, an airport, or a lab, you’re not alone. Many great superintendents started exactly there. The secret? Strong processes and smart preparation.
I come from a background where one of my first mentors told me something that completely changed how I saw construction:
“Our processes make us great. You can take anyone with reasonable intelligence, attach them to strong processes, and they can build a great job.”
That mindset shaped everything that came after and it’s exactly what this blog is about.
Process Builders vs. Experience Builders
There are generally two types of builders in construction:
- Process Builders – Those who follow structured, proven systems to build any project successfully, whether it’s a school, a dam, or an airport.
- Experience Builders – Those who believe you need experience building a certain type of project before you can build another one like it.
Most of the industry leans toward the “experience builder” mindset but the truth lies somewhere in between.
The book How Big Things Get Done studied over 16,000 projects worldwide and found one major success factor: having an experienced builder with a loyal team. Think of Frank Crowe, the legendary builder behind the Hoover Dam. His experienced leadership and strong team delivered the project ahead of schedule. The same happened with the Empire State Building.
So, yes, experience matters. But if you’re sharp, disciplined, and committed to learning, processes can bridge the gap and help you perform as if you’ve done it before.
How to Approach a Project You’ve Never Built Before
Here’s the step-by-step approach I recommend, the same one I’ve used throughout my career.
- Take Ownership
If you’re leading the project, own it completely. Understand what’s required, what risks exist, and what skills or experience you may need to supplement. Leadership starts with accountability.
- Understand the Mission Clearly
Get absolute clarity on:
- The conditions of satisfaction.
- Owner expectations.
- Project scope, schedule, and specifications.
The clearer you are on the mission, the better you can plan and execute.
- Gather the Wisdom of the Team
This is the most important step.
If you haven’t built this type of project before, find people who have. Tour their projects. Ask questions.
When I was a project superintendent on a research laboratory in Tucson, I had never built a lab before. So, I reached out to veteran superintendents, visited similar projects weekly, and absorbed every bit of knowledge I could. That wisdom was invaluable.
- Secure the Right Resources
If you’re building something specialized, say, a data center, connect with experts: MEP superintendents, electricians, and planners who’ve done it before. Understand what makes that type of project unique, and prepare your tools, systems, and team accordingly.
- Get the Proper Training
Every project type has unique challenges. Learn the rules of the environment you’re building in:
- Airports: foreign object debris (FOD) prevention, shutdowns, and passenger safety.
- Bridges: traffic control and work under live conditions.
- Data centers: high-voltage safety and redundancy systems.
Training gives you the confidence and knowledge to lead effectively in specialized environments.
- Find a Mentor
Even if the “experienced builder” can’t be on-site, they can still be your guide. Seek out mentors who’ve built similar projects before and stay in touch throughout the process. Their insights can help you avoid pitfalls and accelerate your growth.
The Big Picture
If you follow this process, take ownership, gain clarity, gather wisdom, secure resources, get trained, and find a mentor, you can build anything.
Strong processes, combined with the right experience and mentorship, make you unstoppable.
Key Takeaway
You don’t need to have built every type of project to succeed, you just need a solid process, the humility to learn, and the courage to lead.
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
