This Could Change Construction Forever

The construction industry is on the verge of a transformation that could change it forever. Drawing insights from the groundbreaking book Built to Fail, this blog will take you through the various eras of construction and offer a vision for the future. We’ll discuss where the industry is now, where it needs to go, and actionable steps to get there. Ready to explore the three things you should avoid, three things you can do, and three incredible books to guide you? Let’s dive in.

A Quick Look at Construction Eras

Before we delve into the future, it’s essential to understand the past. The evolution of the construction industry can be divided into distinct eras:

1. The Era of Taylorism This was the period when the industry was all about pushing workers to their limits. The focus was on how fast a worker could complete a task in a given hour, often leading to a destructive “more people, faster completion” mindset. But this was false logic. More workers didn’t equal quicker completion; it often led to project delays and inefficiencies.
2. The Era of Administration In this phase, the emphasis shifted to layers of management—managers supervising other managers, watching over the actual work. While the system optimized for administrative oversight, it moved further away from the core tasks, creating a divide between decision-makers and workers. This shift resulted in an environment where the system began to serve itself rather than the workers.
3. The Era of Production Systems The future of construction lies in focusing on production systems. Instead of wasting time on unnecessary paperwork, management upon management, and outdated scheduling methods like CPM (Critical Path Method), the emphasis should be on actual production. Only through this focus will the industry achieve sustainable profit.

The Problems We Face Today

The industry’s current focus on paperwork, inefficient schedules, and disrespect for workers has led to stagnation. The disconnect between decision-makers and those performing the work, coupled with outdated project management systems, is slowing down progress. If we want to change the industry, we must adopt lean, efficient systems that prioritize production over administrative tasks.

Steps Toward Revolutionizing Construction

So how can we transition from this inefficient status quo to an era of productivity that will revolutionize the construction industry? Here are three steps:

1. Find Your Bottlenecks A critical first step in improving productivity is identifying bottlenecks. Whether it’s a trade that’s not moving fast enough or an overly complicated phase of a project, bottlenecks slow everything down. A production system should help you visualize these bottlenecks so you can address them head-on.
2. Level the Work One common issue in today’s construction projects is the bunching of work, especially when multiple trades are pushed together to meet deadlines. This only leads to inefficiencies and extended project durations. Instead, aim for a steady, even pace of work to ensure smoother operations and faster completion.
3. Align Your Production Systems Successful projects align various systems—supply chain, design, and production—so they flow together in harmony. By ensuring all these elements are in sync, you create a balanced workflow that moves the project toward completion efficiently.

The Books You Need to Read

If you’re serious about driving change in the construction industry, here are three essential books:

• How Big Things Get Done: A practical guide on how to plan and execute projects effectively.
• The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni: Learn how to build strong, efficient teams capable of managing complex projects.
• Built to Fail: A deep dive into the current state of the industry and a roadmap for implementing production systems that can lead to sustained success.

Conclusion

The construction industry is at a crossroads. By moving away from outdated practices like Taylorism and excessive administration, and focusing on production systems, we can usher in a new era of productivity and profitability. Implementing the steps outlined above will help you lead this charge in your own sphere of influence. Be sure to check out the recommended books for more insights, and stay tuned for further discussions on how to level up your production systems. Together, we can change the construction industry for the better.