Ep.246 - Mega-project Questions - part 1

Jason argues everything is fractal, systems that work on small projects scale to large projects. Scrum example: ideal 3-9 people, scrum of scrums for larger organizations. Google/Apple use Scrum at massive scale. Mentors critical, treat advice like gold. Tony Robbins: get around a mentor for massive progress. Ideal project size: $60-100M. Billion-dollar project = 7-10 separate but connected projects of $60-120M each with executive leadership coordinating. 70 people can't communicate effectively as one group (Napoleon vs Austrians). Break into smaller autonomous teams. Executive team focuses on training, KPIs, milestone alignment. Geographic control (specific buildings), not scope-based. Don't ignore common areas (stairwells, entryways, loading docks). Listener question: $1B+ mega project with 50-70 associates. Issue 1: New people/culture—Solution: 2-4x the training, standardize systems, project podcast 2-3x/week. Issue 2: Lean not happening—Solution: Worker/foreman huddles build lean culture through proximity. Issue 3: Composite cleanup, GC handles general logistics areas (loading docks, hallways, parking), not trade work. Four focus areas: (1) Takt planning, (2) operational control system, (3) personal organization, (4) team balance/health. Control what you can, make your project heaven on earth, even on a chaotic mega project. Part 1 of 2.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Everything is fractal, small project systems scale to mega projects

• Scrum: 3-9 people ideal, scrum of scrums for larger organizations (Google/Apple use this)

• Mentors are critical, the quickest path to massive success

• Ideal project size: $60-100M (prefer $80M)

• Billion-dollar project = 7-10 projects of $60-120M each, executive team coordinates

• 70 people can't communicate as one group, break into smaller autonomous teams

• Executive team focuses: training, KPIs, milestone alignment

• Geographic control (buildings), not scope-based separation

• Don't ignore common areas, assign the logistics team

• Listener question: $1B+ mega project, 50-70 associates, P6 required

• Break into $60-120M projects, each with Takt plan

• P6 needs 6-12 schedulers, begin with Takt, always align with Takt

• Issue 1: Culture/teaming, Solution: 2-4x training, standardize systems, project podcast 2-3x/week

• The Empire State Building had runners use helpers to coordinate

• Four focus areas: Takt planning, operational control, personal organization, team balance/health

• Issue 2: Lean not happening, Solution: Worker/foreman huddles teach lean through proximity

• COVID is not an excuse. Create a social group, implement a lean culture

• Issue 3: Composite cleanup, GC handles general logistics (loading docks, hallways, parking)

• Each trade cleans its own work, and the logistics foreman handles general areas

• Part 2 coming: short-term scheduling, team health, morale, trade partner chaos

Everything is fractal. Scale excellence. On we go.

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Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels:

· Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg

· LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt

· LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured

· LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw