Working Together, Feat. Professor Thais Alves

How I Schedule Civil Work with Takt Planning

As I head out to Kelowna, British Columbia for a Foreman Boot Camp with High Street Ventures, I am reminded how powerful it is when trade partners align under one production system. High Street invests in training their partners in takt, last planner, and other lean principles so that every project flows with consistency and quality. Watching crews run their own simulations, build their own plans, and truly own their zones is inspiring. It shows me once again that when teams take takt seriously, the results are phenomenal.

The Power of Takt in Civil Work

When it comes to scheduling civil projects, takt is one of the most effective methods I have ever used. I like to think of it in terms of trains on train tracks. Your zones or stationing become the tracks, and your crews are the trains moving in sequence. Civil work often runs linearly, so this visualization makes it easier to see flow and spot conflicts.

I always start with a time by location format. On the left-hand side, I organize by phases, areas, and then stationing, which represent specific runs of pipe, storm drains, or other installations. From there, I capture complexity by noting depth, number of structures, soil conditions, and other details. This information drives the production rates and ultimately determines the duration for each segment.

Building a Flowing Civil Schedule

Once I have the durations, I begin mapping out the flow. Water lines, sewer lines, and storm drains all get plugged in, and I pay close attention to elevation and sequencing. Which one must come first? Where do they overlap? Where are the risks? From there, I insert buffers, analyze weather impacts, and review whether additional crews are needed to keep the project on track.

The goal is always the same: a smooth, flowing production plan with reliable durations, clear buffers, and visuals that show exactly how crews move through the project. All of this is finalized in a fresh eyes meeting with the project team, where we confirm flow, risk coverage, and alignment across all trades.

Why This Matters

Civil work is often underestimated when it comes to takt, but in my experience it is one of the areas where takt shines brightest. The linear nature of utility runs makes it easier to apply flow, and the benefits are immediate. Crews know where they should be, how long they will be there, and how their work connects with others. It reduces conflict, eliminates waste, and builds confidence in the schedule.

For anyone who has ever struggled with unpredictable civil schedules, I encourage you to try takt. I even have a Miro board and videos that go deeper into this, which I would be happy to share. Scheduling civil projects is not just about moving dirt and laying pipe. It is about creating flow, protecting crews, and building with confidence.

Key Takeaway

Civil work schedules flow best when structured in a time by location format with takt. By using stationing, production rates, buffers, and crew sequencing, I can create a predictable schedule that reduces risk and keeps the project moving with confidence.