
Elevate Construction Ep.271 - Finish as You Go! - Flow Series
Are you finishing as you go? In this final episode of the flow series, Jason unpacks why finishing as you go creates flow and reduces waste. You'll learn the banner quote ("Cleanliness, organization, and right sizing of inventory buffers are a project's best indicator of health and stability. Plan it first, build it right, finish as you go"), the California hospital wall-framing example (frame walls, do overhead MEP, bring branch lines down into walls as they go, finish as you go even if walls are in the way), examples across all trades (concrete patching immediately after stripping, grading building pad AND perimeter at same time, completing as-builts when utilities are installed), the Japanese manufacturing principle (switch tools in 5 minutes to produce only what's ordered vs US overproduction), and how finishing as you go reduces your footprint and allows teams to focus on smaller critical areas.
What you'll learn in this episode:
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The banner principle: "Cleanliness, organization, and right sizing of inventory buffers are a project's best indicator of health and stability. Plan it first, build it right, finish as you go", put this on every project opening/door
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Finish areas as you move: California hospital example, frame walls, install overhead, bring branch lines down into walls as they go (walls may be in the way but waste of coming back multiple times is greater)
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QC/punch/clean as you go: Don't leave work without inspecting it; pull gang boxes/materials/greenies out; clean and turn over areas 100% complete
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Specific examples: Concrete, patch tie holes and clean cream immediately after stripping; Civil, grade building pad AND perimeter to stabilize for rain (don't come back); Underground utilities, camera lines and complete as-builts immediately
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Japanese vs US manufacturing: Japan switches tools in 5 minutes to produce only what's ordered (375 Tacomas then switch to Camrys); US overproduces for economies of scale creating waste; Construction application—have two tool carts so crew can finish area without coming back for different scope
"When you finish as you go, you reduce work in progress, reduce operating area, allow team to focus on smaller critical areas, keep trades balanced and healthy, minimize waste/uncleanliness/trade damage/motion. You reduce your footprint in the building. This is a true principle, it will always be true and will make us a ton of money if we adhere to it."
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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
