Takt Steering & Control Book – Beginning the Meeting System.

Look ahead, Roadblocks, and Flow

Step nine of the Trade Partner Weekly Tactical is the six-week make ready look ahead. At this stage, the weekly work plan is complete, and trade partners have a short term plan to execute. But real success comes from preparing further ahead by looking out six weeks and identifying what it will take to make work truly ready.

Work is not made ready the week it begins; it’s made ready weeks in advance. That means identifying roadblocks as early as possible and clearing them before they ever slow down a crew. By the time the weekly work plan is reviewed, most work should already be ready to go, with major obstacles removed.

The six week look ahead has a clear purpose:

• Make work ready
• Align procurement
• Spot roadblocks early

Each trade partner should review their upcoming activities and verify they have what they need conditions of satisfaction, planning, materials, equipment, tools, permissions, layout, safety, training, and space. If an activity is missing any of these, it signals a roadblock.

Getting Trade Partners to Declare Roadblocks

When you first ask trade partners to identify their roadblocks, you might hear silence. That’s normal. Set a timer, explain the importance, and insist until everyone participates. The goal is to capture every roadblock on your boards or logs so that the team can focus on removing them.

This system ensures that problems are visible, responsibility is assigned, and next steps are clear. It also creates accountability because every roadblock is tracked until resolved.

Separating Roadblocks from Constraints

A key part of this process is distinguishing between roadblocks and constraints.

• Roadblocks: Issues that foremen and trade partners can remove in the field.
• Constraints: Larger issues requiring the project team’s attention, such as RFIs, submittals, or contract-related problems.

By separating them, foremen focus on what they can control, while project teams handle the systemic constraints. This keeps morale high and prevents teams from being overwhelmed.

Plus/Delta for Continuous Improvement

At the end of every meeting, run a plus/delta session. Instead of vague likes or dislikes, ask:

• What added to the purpose of this meeting?
• What could we do better next time?

Write down at least two positives and two improvements, even if it takes some prodding. Over time, this habit builds a culture of reflection and continuous improvement.

The True Purpose of the Meeting

The Trade Partner Weekly Tactical isn’t about the length of the meeting it’s about outcomes. The objectives are simple but powerful:

• Create a solid weekly work plan
• Look ahead six weeks to make work ready
• Identify and remove roadblocks
• Enable flow in the field

Flow doesn’t come from pushing harder or making hasty decisions. It comes from preparation, collaboration, and clearing the path for crews to work smoothly.

When done correctly, this system transforms the way teams plan, track, and execute work—leading to better coordination, less chaos, and more predictable outcomes.

Key Takeaway
Flow in construction doesn’t come from pushing work it comes from preparation. By using a six-week make ready look ahead, clearly identifying and tracking roadblocks, and separating roadblocks from constraints, teams can keep projects moving smoothly. With consistent review, accountability, and continuous improvement, the Trade Partner Weekly Tactical ensures work is truly ready, chaos is reduced, and crews can build with confidence.