Elevate Construction

_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> Jason warns against mandating software, sincere loving warning not threatening. Takt Planning book out on Kindle Amazon paperback, beautiful cover no errors, fantastic fable. Momento mori Latin phrase remember you must die, stoic philosophy reminder of mortality, clarify illuminate inspire. At DPR as superintendent used P6, Excel, Vplanner, Smartsheet, Bluebam, CMIC, BIM 360, Notevault, text systems, absolutely crushed project full fee quality on time. Zero issue using right application at right time, problem is mandating. Superintendent role not simple, why think we're too stupid to use multiple applications? _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> What you'll learn in this episode: _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> Takt book out: Kindle Amazon paperback, beautiful cover no errors, fantastic fable Momento mori: Remember you must die, stoic philosophy clarify illuminate inspire Software mandating hurts field: Sincere warning, takes us in bad direction Jason's DPR success: P6, Excel, Vplanner, Smartsheet, Bluebam, CMIC, BIM 360, Notevault, crushed project Zero issue right application right time: Problem is mandating ineffective systems Challenge: Stop mandating stupid softwares, let best applications win through competition _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> Superintendent role not simple, so why think we're too stupid to use multiple types of applications at right moment? 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 in Baltimore hotel heading to project for scheduling. Principle 15 outpace entropy, must have systems correct problems fast enough to outpace natural chaos of project. Never been on project went badly, always pre-construction run well. Nine steps recover project: Stabilize site cleanliness organization safety, organize functional roles by area not scope, focus on contract work not change orders, map plan to finish with flow using takt, standardize meeting systems, discipline around cleanliness safety, fanatical roadblock removal, scrum non-timelined work, get help. What you'll learn in this episode: Principle 15 outpace entropy: Systems correct problems fast enough outpace natural chaos bad behaviors Nine recovery steps: Stabilize site cleanliness safety, organize by area, focus contract work not change orders Map plan with flow: Takt planning, stabilize to finish in flow not needlessly pushing Standardize meetings: Trade partner weekly tactical, foreman huddles, worker huddles, PM team daily 30 minutes Discipline cleanliness safety: Resist temptation go fast unsafe unclean, need flow coordination planning not more manpower Get help: Needless to silently suffer, what if cost $50k versus losing $2.5 million net fee If don't know 100% you have control then you don't have control, you are in trouble. 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 reveals colleague said unless life or death no reason overly emotional. Stay calm then handle appropriately. Every business partner not keeping own spiritual commitments never worked out. Art of War win without fighting, when you engage you lose control become animal. Leadership and Self-Deception teaches not get triggered. General superintendent kicked down door got in trouble. General Patton slapped soldiers put in doghouse. What you'll learn in this episode: Emotional control: Unless life or death no reason overly emotional, stay calm handle appropriately Spiritual commitments: Every partner not keeping own commitments never worked out Art of War: Win without fighting, when engage lose control become animal Leadership Self-Deception: Teaches not get triggered, pull back get clarity Script next moves: Reminder in pocket, notepad, win without fighting Intemperate behavior examples: Super kicked door, Patton slapped soldiers How to Win Friends best book, listen every six months until talk think react like book. 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 reveals takt book almost done, uploading Friday. Principle 15: Balance and stability, teams can't be filled with waste, overburdened, work unevenly to detriment of schedules and families. Main topic no meeting days. Context switching wastes 5 to 15 minutes every time you switch tasks. Project engineer calculations showed only 12 to 14 hours per week for production work after meetings and context switching. Companies that do customer first burn projects to ground at expense of employees resources families. What you'll learn in this episode: Takt book almost done: Final editing today, upload Friday, Kindle Direct Publishing 2 days after approval Principle 15 balance stability: Teams can't be filled waste, overburdened, work unevenly to detriment schedules families Context switching waste: Takes 5 to 15 minutes to refocus every time you switch tasks, one piece flow even in office Project engineer production time: Only 12 to 14 hours per week after meetings and context switching, could get 24 to 28 with no meeting days No meeting days implementation: Wednesdays Fridays, morning 50 minute huddle only, no coordination BIM anything unless emergency Challenge: Tell corporate to cater to you not other way around, negotiate with owner respectfully, stick with it 6 weeks Companies that do customer first burn projects to ground at expense of employees resources families, best companies take care people first. 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 at hotel after scheduling boot camp reveals principle 13: Comfort workers, discomfort staff. Workers need stable environments, respectful conditions, tools, time to work at productive rate. Main topic: 12 consequences of no field representation on leadership teams including disconnected with craft, become brokers not builders, dispatch best field people to fix bad projects instead of prevent. What you'll learn in this episode: Principle 13: Comfort workers discomfort staff, workers need stable environments respectful conditions tools equipment suitable time Scheduling boot camp covered: Parade of trades, 5S game, tact planning, last planner, integrated control system 12 consequences no field representation: Disconnected with craft, deincentivize field positions, become control heavy, stop listening More consequences: Lose PM super partnership, become brokers not builders, focus too much finances, workers feel disconnected Challenge: Develop field people for leadership team, invite senior field to executive positions, improve worker conditions top priority Why is leadership team not set up equally if field and office held equally accountable for quality safety schedule cost? 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 introduces the concept of latency, the delay before action takes place, and explains why teams that decide or correct issues under 5 hours have dramatically higher success rates. Traditional project management (CPM) has only a 26% success rate with 21% failures, while Scrum/agile systems achieve 42% success with only 8% failures. The difference? Latency in seeing and acting on problems. A CPM expert called Jason to defend CPM, saying they noticed something felt wrong and caught it two months later via Power BI dashboards. Jason's response: "You just proved my point, with Takt or Scrum, you would have found that in days or hours, not months." Everything must be visual, bring problems to the surface immediately, show clearly what the problem is to everyone, and be easily understood, checked, actionable, fast, and reliable. Put scheduling systems in the hands of people at the place of work doing the actual work. What you'll learn in this episode: Latency = the delay before action takes place (decision-making, removing roadblocks, recovering projects) 5-hour decision window: Teams that decide/correct issues under 5 hours have higher success rates Traditional project management success rates: 26% success, 21% failures, 53% challenged Scrum/agile success rates: 42% success, 8% failures, 50% challenged (26% to 42% is a huge improvement) CPM expert story: Took 2 months to notice the problem via Power BI dashboards, which proved Jason's point Takt systems show problems in days/hours, not months Takt uses 1/12th of the scheduling resources: No scheduling department needed, repurpose them as lean experts Process not people principle: Blame processes and behaviors, not people, shame targets for who they are, accountability targets for what they do Visual systems requirements: Must bring problems to the surface immediately, show clearly what the problem is, be easily understood/checked/actionable/fast/reliable Gemba = the actual place of work where work is taking place Put scheduling in the hands of people at the place of work, doing actual work Reduce latency. See at the gemba. Decide under 5 hours. 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 is driving in Washington State to do a scheduling training and shares a powerful insight about discovering your life's purpose. Ask "why" seven times (plus or minus three) until you get chills or a revelation. A company owner discovered their purpose: "to build people and families" (not what you'd expect from their technical trade). Jason's friend discovered: "to find joy in improving the lives of others" (not just "improve lives", the "find joy" qualifier prevents ignoring family, burning out, or staying miserable). The litmus test: if that was your ONLY criterion, what would the consequences be? Once you have your purpose, ask: Can I fulfill this in my current role, marriage, or circumstances? If no, take massive action. Success without fulfillment is the ultimate failure. Misery comes when what you're doing isn't aligned with your core purpose; it creates dissonance and disconnect. The WHAT you do isn't as important as the WHY. You only have one life to live. Stop wasting it being miserable, trapped by golden handcuffs. What you'll learn in this episode: Ask why seven times (plus or minus three): Keep asking until you get chills or a revelation about your core purpose Company example: The executive team independently discovered "to build people and families" as their purpose Friend's purpose: "To find joy in improving the lives of others", the "find joy" qualifier matters Litmus test: If that was your ONLY criterion, what would the consequences be? Does it allow bad outcomes? Purpose vs activity: You can fulfill your purpose in any role (print shop, wilderness guide, COO); what isn't as important as the why Qualifying criteria: Once you have your purpose, ask: Can I fulfill this in my current role/marriage/circumstances? If no: Take massive action to change your situation If it's a stepping stone: Keep moving with massive action If yes: Stay and do a darn good job Success without fulfillment is the ultimate failure Misery comes from misalignment: When what you're doing isn't aligned with core purpose, it creates dissonance You only have one life: Stop wasting it being miserable, trapped by golden handcuffs Ask why seven times. Discover your purpose. Align your life with it. 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 interviews his dad, Ken Schroeder, former truck boss and driver for Service Rock Products, about developing remarkable vendor relationships, specifically with ready-mix concrete suppliers. Ken shares firsthand stories of providing world-class service: 305 yards per hour on big pours, inspectors recommending Service Rock to customers, 7-day breaks instead of 21-day breaks, spotless batch plants, and graded drivers (A through D) who competed to improve. The key insight: service equals 90% of quality. When trucks showed up late at one prison project, concrete went off, and finishers had to patch as they went. At the FCI-2 project with Service Rock, trucks arrived 15 minutes early, breaks came up in 7 days, and the mud was perfect. Ken's philosophy as truck boss: "My sole objective is to make you look good." For general contractors: over-communicate expectations, visit and vet vendors, and develop personal relationships. For vendors: clean equipment matters, total participation from drivers to dispatch, quality control testing, and continuous improvement. What you'll learn in this episode: Service = 90% of quality: Personal relationships, attention to detail, and care translate directly into product quality Grading drivers worked: A through D grading made drivers competitive, D drivers worked up to C to avoid the low grade 305 yards per hour: 2700-yard pour starting at 3am, finished by 6am (top-out crew normally arrived at 9am) 7-day breaks vs 21-day: Service Rock's quality lab tested cylinders, breaks always came up in 7 days, not 14 or 21 Clean = culture: Spotless batch plant, beautiful trucks, concrete-paved paths to fuel islands, customers toured the facility Total participation: Truck boss communicated customer needs to every driver, context matters for service Hot/cold water systems: Hot water tanks for winter (calcium chloride activation), refrigeration units for summer Front-load vs rear-load: Ken prefers rear-load, shoot man controls it, driver watches for cues, safer Vet your vendors: Visit batch plants, inspect equipment, talk to batch operator, check hot/cold water capacity Ken's philosophy: "My sole objective is to make you look good", focus on making your customer successful Develop personal relationships with vendors. Overcommunicate. Vet your suppliers. Service equals quality. 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 a powerful card game simulation that reveals why teams struggle on construction sites. Leaders assume everyone knows the plan, but they don't. The game puts 7 players in a triangle formation where only the person in front knows the full purpose (everyone needs four of a kind), while people in the back only know "win the game" without knowing what winning looks like. Teams struggle for 45+ minutes, feeling frustrated and in the dark, exactly like trade partners on construction projects with 76-page schedules nobody reads. The reflection always reveals the same insight: over-communicate what winning looks like. Repeat the plan seven times. Don't assume people know. This episode also covers Jason's upcoming Scrum Master Certification training with Felipe Engineer, a successful executive offsite creating organizational clarity, and the "Widen the Circle" principle, master builders loop in team wisdom, seek counsel, and never work as lone wolves. What you'll learn in this episode: The card game simulation: 7 players in a triangle formation (1-2-4), each needs four of a kind, but only the front person knows the full goal Game rules: Can't talk, look forward only, pass cards forward/back, always hold 4 cards, chaos and frustration ensue The lesson: People in the back feel frustrated and in the dark, exactly like trade partners on construction sites What teams do differently: The leader immediately communicates the purpose and plan to everyone, and doesn't assume they know Overcommunicate: Repeat what winning looks like 7 times in foreman huddles, worker huddles, over and over Widen the Circle principle: Loop in team wisdom, seek counsel from other superintendents, and be transparent with owners Teams win through: Trust, healthy conflict, goal setting, accountability, and performance If you're not annoyed by how much something is repeated, you're not communicating enough Scale communication. Don't assume people know the plan. Communicate what winning looks like over and over. 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 declares war on CPM scheduling and the industry's broken systems that create crash landings and destroy families. He's grumpy, fired up, and unapologetic as he reads construction productivity data showing the industry has declined since CPM was adopted in 1965, while every other industry improved. Follow the money trail: everyone defending CPM is financially incentivized to keep using a garbage system. But the real conflict is deeper; you're putting work before yourself and your family. Field engineers at boot camp fill out work goals but ignore their personal life goals. Companies will replace you tomorrow and never think about you again, yet you sacrifice your health, marriage, spirituality, and family for a paycheck you can get anywhere. The order of loyalty is God, family, yourself, health, friends, and companies LAST. You're out of sequence, out of balance, and it has to end today. Stop crapping on yourself for a company that doesn't deserve you. What you'll learn in this episode: CPM is garbage: It hides problems, creates variation, wastes 12 weeks, nobody reads it, and it's the most ineffective tool Jason has ever seen Follow the money trail: Every CPM defender works for Oracle, uses P6, or is financially incentivized to protect a broken system Industry productivity data: Since CPM adoption (1965), construction productivity declined 20-32% while all other industries increased 85% Construction waste: 50-75% of labor time is wasted (vs 26% in manufacturing), caused by push systems Excellence vs Perfection: Strive for excellence, not perfection; don't nerd out on one anchor bolt while leaving 49 unchecked Field Engineer Boot Camp ticket story: Six goals (2 work, 1 personal, 1 family, 2 options), but people only complete work goals The real conflict: You're trained to focus on what the job needs before your personal health, safety, and family Order of loyalty: God, family, yourself, health, friends, THEN companies last, never be loyal to a company Your company will replace you: They can replace anyone tomorrow and never think about you again. Stop sacrificing yourself If one person can do it, you can too: Jason went home on time with 11 kids, mega projects, and church callings; you can too Stop putting yourself last. You deserve better. It has to end today. 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