What Is The Last Planner System Look-Ahead Plan?

Mastering the Look-Ahead Plan: How to Remove Roadblocks and Make Work Ready in Construction

One of the most underutilized yet powerful tools in construction planning is the Look-Ahead Plan—a key component of the Last Planner® System. In this blog, we’ll explore how a well-executed Look-Ahead Plan helps trade partners prepare for upcoming work, find and eliminate roadblocks, and drive reliable production.

We’ll walk through core concepts from the book Takt, Steering, and Control (starting on page 142) and show how to bring them to life on your projects.

What Is a Look-Ahead Plan?

A Look-Ahead Plan is a short-interval planning tool that allows you to see and manage work scheduled to happen over the next 4 to 6 weeks.

I recommend a six-week window. Why? Because it gives teams enough time to:

• Spot roadblocks early (by week 6).
• Resolve them proactively (within 4 weeks).
• Ensure the work is ready by the time it enters the Weekly Work Plan.

This approach creates a buffer zone between identifying problems and executing work—exactly what’s needed in high-variability construction environments.

The Purpose Behind Look-Ahead Planning:

According to Takt, Steering, and Control, the Look-Ahead Plan serves three primary purposes:

• Make Work Ready by verifying all prerequisites are in place.
• Align procurement and logistics with the work plan.
• Identify and remove roadblocks before they impact field productivity.

This isn’t just about pushing a schedule. It’s about enabling the team to do their best work by setting them up for success—intentionally and consistently.

A Practical Workflow:

Here’s how to put the Look-Ahead Plan into action:

1. Print the plan and distribute it to trade partners.
2. Set a timer for 5–10 minutes.
3. Ask each trade to confirm that they have everything they need to execute their work in the next 6 weeks.

17-item checklist that covers essentials like:

• Permits and approvals.
• Field layout.
• Safety and quality planning.
• Access and staging.
• Material availability.

If even one item is missing, it’s a roadblock—and it needs to be logged and resolved before it threatens execution.

Use IDS to Solve Problems Proactively:

Borrowing from Gino Wickman’s book Traction, I emphasize the IDS method:

• Identify the issue.
• Discuss it with the team.
• Solve it collaboratively.

The Look-Ahead Plan gives structure to this approach, ensuring that problems are surfaced early and tackled before they snowball.

Why Time-by-Location Format Matters:

The Look-Ahead Plan should be structured in a time-by-location format—a visual way to map work across zones and time periods. This format:

• Clarifies trade flow.
• Shows handoffs between crews.
• Aligns buffers and milestones.
• Makes planning intuitive for field teams.

Each plan should clearly highlight the Weekly Work Plan area (usually outlined in red) and the Look-Ahead zone (often purple), along with zone maps, QR codes, and activity status indicators.

Look-Ahead vs. Weekly Work Plan:

It’s important to note: the Look-Ahead Plan and the Weekly Work Plan are not the same.

• The Look-Ahead Plan is focused on preparation—ensuring all work is “made ready”.
• The Weekly Work Plan is focused on handoffs and execution—managing who does what, when, and where.

A successful Weekly Work Plan is only possible if the Look-Ahead Plan has done its job.

How It Fits into the Last Planner® System:

Here’s how the Look-Ahead Plan integrates into the broader Last Planner® System:

1. Macro-Level Takt Plan: Your high-level, contractual roadmap.
2. Pull Planning: To define reliable workflows and trade coordination.
3. Look-Ahead Plan: To identify constraints and prepare work packages.
4. Weekly Work Plan: To manage trade handoffs and ensure reliable commitments.

The Look-Ahead Plan is the bridge between long-term strategy and short-term execution. Without it, the system breaks down.

Key Takeaway:

The Look-Ahead Plan is not just a scheduling tool—it’s a proactive system for identifying and removing roadblocks before they impact production. When used correctly, it empowers teams to make work ready, align logistics, and deliver consistent, reliable results on-site.