Elevate Construction

Jason addresses trade partners on how to survive working with bad general contractors. A trade partner VP told Jason to show him a superintendent who follows the principles in Elevating Construction Superintendents because they would bid on those projects. Main focus is controlling the flow and flowing within while holding GCs accountable. Jason argues CPM scheduling hides information which benefits owners and GCs at the expense of trades. What you'll learn in this episode: Control flow and flow within: Hold your GC accountable, always do right thing regardless of what people ask Don't go out of flow blindly: Have conversations before trade stacking or doing unsafe things GC requests Make flow visible: Don't let your flow be hidden, needs to be in everyone's face with data and dates CPM hides information: Benefits owner and GC when data is hidden, chaotic schedules shove risk onto trades Training is critical: Construction loses productivity every year, need 10 times more training than now Challenge: Measure of success is everybody wins, if you burned out contractor to finish you failed In United States nobody is incentivized to do the right thing, hidden information benefits owner and GC at expense of trades. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). 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

Jason interviews Brian Kaplan from Toronto, Canada, a residential construction expert and business coach with 21 years of experience. Brian started as a laborer and worked his way up to general manager. The main topic covers leveraging trade partner relationships for win-win-win outcomes by moving from transactional to relational approaches. What you'll learn in this episode: Alignment vs expectations: Use alignment language to get everyone paddling in same direction Move from transactional to relational: Construction is relationship based industry, not commodity transactions Opportunity to profit: Care about trade partners' financials, they need to pay employees and keep operations running Details matter: Clear RFPs and RFIs, bring trades in early to influence scope Trade days concept: Bring partners in before demo, they catch missed elements and code changes Challenge: Treat trade partners as true partners, stick up for people around you to drive project success We are only as strong as the people around us, whether employees, team members, or trade partners. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). 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

Jason argues there is no such thing as a critical path on well-planned projects. If a project has a critical path with zero float it already is set up for failure with no buffers or contingencies. CPM schedules hide whose fault delays are which benefits owners and GCs but hurts trade partners. In Europe owners have more contractual risk so they use Takt, in the United States everyone contracts out risk so CPM prefers to hide problems in chaos. What you'll learn in this episode: Critical path means failure: Zero float with no buffers already sets team up for crash landing and burnout CPM hides accountability: Nobody can prove whose fault delays are, owners and GCs can screw trades out of money Can't focus on critical path in chaos: Everything urgent, slammed left, random dates, can't actually focus anything Europe vs US incentives: Europe owners liable for project performance so use Takt, US contracts out all risk prefers CPM Takt shows problems in daylight: Immediately see what went wrong and whose fault, holds everyone accountable Trade partners add money to CPM bids: If you see critical path elevate risk profile immediately Projects should have at least 3 percent buffers not 100 percent efficiency, focus on flow of the entire system not critical path. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). 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

Jason shares feedback from an executive whose team succeeded by implementing podcast concepts. Website updates include leantakt.com, leansuperintendent.com, and leanfieldengineer.com. The main topic covers 41 destructive scheduling mistakes to avoid including falsifying data, dissolving logic, and failing to show real impacts. What you'll learn in this episode: Critical mistakes: Don't falsify data, don't dissolve logic, show real impacts in schedule Tell truth every time: One schedule shows truth, put every impact in Detail balance: Need detail for concrete, interiors, commissioning, site work Superintendents update own schedules: Do it weekly, don't delegate Get second set of eyes: Fresh eyes meetings before GMP Challenge: Follow good scheduling practice, get help with reviews Superintendents who update their own schedules weekly will win over those who delegate every time. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). 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

Jason interviews Brandon Montero about energy and high performance habits. High performance habits include seeking clarity, generating energy, raising necessity, increasing productivity, developing influence, and demonstrating courage. Brandon is excited about life itself, his amazing partner, the people he interacts with, and things on the horizon. Jason published the Elevating Construction Takt Planning book on audio for free and has a 68-page outline for the next superintendent book. The main topic is energy as the key to everything: movement, production, clean sites, and motivated teams. Brandon's challenge is to pave the way for energy with small steps like smiling, body language, and making personal connections. What you'll learn in this episode: High performance habits: Seeking clarity, generating energy, raising necessity, increasing productivity, developing influence, and demonstrating courage Energy is the foundation: No movement or production without energy, applies to workers, teams, and job sites Paving the way: Small steps like smiling, eye contact, and personal connections create energy Jason's research lab example: Trailer, parking lot, fence, bathrooms, lunch room, and entrance all brought joy Brandon's pink phone strategy: Pave the way with things or actions so you have to have a good day Challenge: What are you doing to pave the path for energy and happiness? What waypavers are you creating? No movement or production without energy. A worker with high energy produces more than a worker with low energy. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). 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

This is Episode 250, the perfect way to close out with the final section of "Elevating Construction Takt Planning." Katie narrates this last chapter covering when the plan changes, building a Takt plan from software to zones to trains, Takt phases from proposal through execution, running different project phases (foundations, superstructure, exterior, interiors, site work), the complete meeting system (strategic planning, trade partner tactical, foreman huddle, worker huddle, crew preparation huddle), the integrated control system, using Takt with Scrum and Last Planner, company controls and procurement, KPIs, Takt reflections, and the conclusion. Flow is the single biggest consideration when it comes to lean, everything starts with flow. What you'll learn in this final section: Flow is everything: Flow allows us to reduce overproduction, material inventory, crew counts, and waste, without flow, nothing else matters in construction When the plan changes: Takt brings problems to the surface because it visually compels stability, problems are not a problem, thinking there are no problems is a problem Clean and steady (limpio e constante): The rally cry for the entire project site, plan it first, build it right, finish as you go instead of mad rush CPM world Building a Takt plan: Identify start/end dates, research drawings, identify Takt zones (10,000 sq ft standard in Phoenix hospitals), define Takt trains/wagons/work packages, break the system with fresh eyes meeting The integrated control system: Preparation (intentional preconstruction), lean in contracts, win over workforce, build PM team, orient people well, design interaction spaces, logistics systems, meeting system, procurement, quality program, roadblock removal, zero tolerance, grade contractors "Flow is the single biggest consideration when it comes to lean. We can go 5S, just-in-time deliveries, PDCA cycles, gemba, continuous improvement, they will never get us anywhere unless we have flow. Flow is everything in construction." If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free, and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). 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

Jason presents "The Concept" section from his book "Elevating Construction Takt Planning" (narrated by Katie Schroeder). Takt planning is a detailed one-page one-piece flow schedule focusing on throughput, bottlenecks, and creating flow. Core concept: Water bottle vortex demonstration, coordinated flow with space for roadblocks (air) to rise beats pushing water through alone. Train analogy replaces river of waste: Land surveying = determining Takt time, design = Takt plan, leveling track = operations, rails = prefabrication, cow catcher = roadblock removal, freight cars = Takt wagons, speed = Takt time, arrival sequence = throughput. Rhythm is key: "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast" becomes "Rhythm is smooth, smooth is fast." Industry comparison: Good (current CPM chaos), Better (CPM + Last Planner/Scrum), Best (Takt + Last Planner/Scrum via Integrated Control System). Takt rules: Hold dates, just-in-time deliveries, control Takt zones, remove roadblocks daily. Culture of Takt: Transparency, teamwork, collaboration. What supports Takt: Prefabrication, zero tolerance, clean environments, contractor grading. What you'll learn in this episode: Takt definition: One-page one-piece flow schedule focusing on throughput, bottlenecks, creating flow, taken from German word meaning rhythm/cycle time Water bottle vortex analogy: Coordinated flow with space for air (roadblocks) to rise empties in 5 seconds vs 11 seconds pushing alone Train analogy replaces river of waste: Railway system with cow catcher, level track, rails (prefabrication), freight cars (Takt wagons), speed (Takt time), throughput (arrival sequence) Rhythm is key: "Rhythm is smooth, smooth is fast", rushing takes longer than going at the right rate Integrated Control System (Best): Takt + Last Planner + Scrum with afternoon foreman huddles, morning worker huddles, crew prep huddles, workers see 75% of plan vs 50% with Last Planner alone Flow where you can, pull where you can't, push where you must. Takt is the way. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free, and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). 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

Jason presents the fable section from his new book "Elevating Construction Takt Planning" (narrated by Katie Schroeder). Meet Olivia, the youngest director at Evergreen Construction, overseeing eight projects. Her $150M One Care Health hospital is struggling with safety incidents, declining morale, and slipping dates. Brad (superintendent) and Paul (PM) are experienced, but the project is unraveling. David (Elevate Construction consultant) joins to diagnose the problem. Key discoveries: Traffic analogy (Juan late to proposal), water bottle demonstration (Brad vs Juan, roadblocks slow flow), train analogy (Josie's toy trains clearing obstacles). The diagnosis: Not a people problem, it's a flow problem. The team implements Last Planner and Scrum but lacks a stable master schedule. CPM pushes too hard, creates chaos. Solution: Takt planning creates rhythm, stability, and predictable supply chains. "Flow where you can, pull where you can't, push where you must." Team switches to Takt mid-project, finishes on time, under budget, with remarkable health and stability. Your turn to take the Takt journey. What you'll learn in this episode: The fable introduces Olivia (director), Brad (super), Paul (PM), and David (consultant)—a $150M hospital struggling with safety, morale, and schedule instability Key analogies: Traffic flow, water bottle demonstration (roadblocks slow flow), train analogy (Takt trains, cow catcher clears path, level track = operations) Diagnosis: Not a people problem, it's a flow problem; Last Planner and Scrum can't succeed without a stable master schedule from Takt "Flow where you can, pull where you can't, push where you must.", Takt creates rhythm, stability, and predictable supply chains Team switches to Takt planning mid-project, finishes on time and under budget with remarkable stability Your Takt journey begins now. On we go. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free, and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). 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

Jason presents the introduction to his new book "Elevating Construction Takt Planning" (narrated by Katie Schroeder), released early on the podcast instead of waiting for Audible. The book's mission: bring flow back to construction to respect workers and families. Five major CPM problems exposed: (1) too optimistic, hides inefficiencies and miscalculates duration, (2) masquerades as solid plan through excessive detail, (3) hides the plan in complexity, no one can read it effectively, (4) too much unchecked power, institutionalized in contracts, (5) institutionalizes hiding problems by making negative float disappear. Takt shows reality and brings problems to the surface. Lord of the Rings allegory: One ring (Flow/Takt) rules all others (CPM, Last Planner, and Scrum). Jason paired Takt with CPM his entire career, always finished on time. The book dedicates war on the 1-5% who don't care about people. Request: Please share this information to make Takt planning popular in construction. What you'll learn in this episode: Why the book was written: Most projects don't finish on time, improperly scheduled projects disrespect workers and families Five major CPM problems: Too optimistic, masquerades as solid plan, hides plan in complexity, too much unchecked power, institutionalizes hiding problems Lord of the Rings allegory: Flow/Takt is the "one ring to rule them all", governs CPM, Last Planner, and Scrum Jason's success secret: Always paired Takt with CPM throughout entire career, always finished on time The mission: Bring flow back to construction through correct scheduling practices, respect people and resources Flow must reign supreme. Share this message. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free, and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). 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

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. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free, and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). 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